THUNDER BAY – Jim Madder is looking to make Confederation College into a regional institution
The school announced on Tuesday Madder will remain at the helm as president for at least another six years, agreeing on a five-year extension that will remain in place until 2021.
He said he hopes to continue work that will allow Confederation College to extend its footprint into northern communities.
“We’re located here in our largest campus by far in Thunder Bay but if we can reach out into those smaller communities I’d be very happy,” he said.
“We know if we can deliver where a student actually lives they have almost double the success rate than if they have to come out of the community so (we’re looking for) more technology enabled learning so we can actually deliver into those smaller communities.”
Madder, who first took the reins in 2011, had one year remaining on his contract before receiving the extension from the board of governors.
He has developed collaborative relationships with the other northern colleges – Northern College, Cambrian College, Canadore College, Sault College and College Boreal – to work together to increase program offerings across the region.
Earlier this year the six institutions announced a partnership to allow students at any of the schools to take programs remotely from another if they weren’t offered.
Madder said there are also increased efforts on the local campus to provide more assistance for the student body.
“We’re growing our number of Aboriginal students and we’re growing some of our student supports,” he said. “The new accommodation will be ready for the fall and there are a whole variety of things around the student wellness centre we’re working on that I think are exciting.”
