Colleges and Institutes Canada / Collèges et instituts Canada

Niagara College is proud to celebrate Ali Ryder, a member of NC’s Student Recruitment team, who received the Colleges and Institutes Canada / Collèges et instituts Canada’s 2026 Bronze Leadership Excellence Award for Non-Managerial Staff.

Through her role as Outreach and Education Advisor, Ryder helps prospective students find their path forward through a college education. She regularly visits local high schools and is a contact presence at recruiting and community events, while also supporting a welcoming environment on campus and teaching part-time in NC’s School of Academic and Liberal Studies.

Across every role, she is known for her authenticity, empathy, and ability to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives. Read more ⤵️
https://www.niagaracollege.ca/insidenc/2026/04/24/national-excellence-ali-ryder-receives-cican-award-acknowledging-her-impact-on-students/

That’s a wrap on .

Over three days in Ottawa, more than 500 leaders from education, government, and industry came together at the 2026 Connections Conference to shape what’s next for Canada.

The message was clear: when Canada needs practical solutions, colleges and institutes are not just participants. We are essential partners.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared ideas, and helped turn ambition into action. The work continues.

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C’est la fin de .

Pendant trois jours à Ottawa, plus de 500 leaders des milieux de l’éducation, du gouvernement et de l’industrie se sont réunis au Congrès Connexions 2026 pour réfléchir à la manière dont nous façonnons l’avenir du Canada.

Le message est clair : lorsque le Canada a besoin de solutions concrètes, les collèges et instituts ne sont pas simplement des participants. Nous sommes des partenaires essentiels.

Merci à toutes celles et tous ceux qui ont participé, partagé leurs idées et contribué à transformer l’ambition en action. Le travail se poursuit.

The IIC and Colleges and Institutes Canada / Collèges et instituts Canada (CICan) are proud to unveil their highly anticipated student panel for the National Indigenous Education Symposium!

We welcome Tinisha Jordan, an alumni and manager of Indigenous Support Services at Lakeland College. Tinisha is a proud member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba and practices her ceremonial life in Treaty 6 Territory. She is on a journey to reclaim her language, is a dedicated knowledge sharer, and has been given the title Okihcihtāwiskwēw.

Arihwisaks Colin Benedict is Kanien'kehá:ka Mohawk Wolf Clan from the Akwesasne Mohawk territory. He graduated from the Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa Kanien’kéha immersion program and the Six Nations Polytechnic Bachelors of Ogwehoweh Language Program. Currently, Colin is a language instructor at the Iohahi:io Akwesasne Education and Training Institute in Akwesasne, while he completes his Masters in the Indigenous Language Revitalization Program at McGill University.

Kelsey Borgford is an Anishinaabekwe from Nipissing First Nation in Northern Ontario. She is a very proud graduate of Anishinabek Educational Institute. She is currently completing her Bachelors in Indigenous Studies at Nipissing University with her work and studies centered around cultural preservation and revitalization, especially within the context of the arts.

Space is limited - register today to hear from these outstanding life-long learners 👉🏼 https://bit.ly/45DoMxR

Homepage | 2025 National Indigenous Education Symposium | Economic Reconciliation in Motion Join us for the 2025 National Indigenous Education Symposium as we explore Economic Reconciliation in Motion: Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunities, and Fostering Inclusive Growth. This powerful gathering of leaders in education, policy, governments, students, and industry to share innovative ap...