Susan Amer recently graduated from Columbia’s Dental Assistant Professional program. She was offered 2 jobs in her field of training immediately after graduating.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION
The government’s recent budget included a sizable decrease in funding to our provincial Colleges and Universities. This reduction will certainly impact the operation of these institutions.
To assist the senior administrators of our provincial institutions the President of Columbia College prepared the attached document. Dr. Snell hopes this brief document will assist other institutions to identify areas that may assist them in reducing costs.
About Columbia College
Columbia College offers professional programs in Nursing, Business Management, Dental Assisting, Criminal Justice Security Services, and Human Services. It wishes to attract more mature and focused adult learners through smaller classes, accelerated program delivery, and dedicated faculty and staff. Rather than providing the traditional post-secondary programs such as college sports, Columbia College focuses all of its energy on graduating competent individuals who become successfully employed in their field of education.
Most of its professional programs are recognized as the first two years of university and selected programs have transfer agreements with such universities as Mount Royal University, Athabasca University, and Royal Roads University in Victoria.
Columbia College also offers programs in English as a Second Language, Academic Upgrading, Integrated Training, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, and Community Support Services.
March 3 – 9, 2013 is Dental Assistant Week! Click here to see why some of our faculty and students have chosen this exciting field. To learn more about Columbia’s Dental Assistant Professional program click here.
Calgary, AB – October 23, 2012 -Columbia College Corporation announced today the formal establishment of Columbia College Calgary, a non-profit organization. According to the college President, Dr. J.T. (Tom) Snell, this new organization is committed to the same principles, educational philosophy, values, outcomes, and outstanding educational results as Columbia College Corporation (a for-profit organization) has achieved.
Dr. Snell stated that “by any measure of quality – faculty qualifications, curriculum, class sizes, student supports, student outcomes on national exams, or the results of an international study -Columbia College Corporation has consistently maintained high quality outcomes when compared to other colleges across Canada and the United States.” Dr. Snell anticipates this new entity will open more doors to its graduates that will enable them to complete their university education at an even greater number of educational institutions across Canada.
“Since the name Columbia College has been well established over the last 26 years, it will be the operating name adopted by Columbia College Calgary,” stated Dr. Snell.
Dr. Snell went on to say that “this development will not change our total commitment to the high quality education we have provided to our students over the last quarter of a century” and advises that “Columbia College Corporation will continue to provide excellence in training, consulting, contracting, and other management services.”
Dr. Snell concluded by saying that, “this decision was motivated by what we believe is in the best interest of our current and future students.”
Jessica S. enrolled in the Columbia College Community Support Services Department for the same reasons that any 18 year old would enroll in post-secondary education. She wanted to continue her education as a means of achieving her goal of being employed and becoming an independent adult. However, Jessica had many challenges including poor self-esteem and confidence, lack of knowledge as to her skills and abilities and delayed learning. Now 20 years old, Jessica has achieved her goal of being successfully employed; working in the retail industry where she processes sales, confirms inventory and handles customer complaints.
Jessica writes: “Thanks for all your support that you have given me at Columbia College. I had a great experience getting to know all the teachers and students. I appreciate you all helping me find this great job.”
The Columbia College Community Support Services Department celebrated its 25th anniversary on August 1, 2012. With a focus on community inclusion, the department assists adults with developmental disabilities to secure and maintain employment, volunteer, recreation and leisure opportunities. Since inception these services have been funded by the Government of Alberta; currently through the Department of Human Services, Calgary Region Community Board Persons with Developmental Disabilities.
Over the years the Community Support Services Department has assisted hundreds of individuals like Jessica to achieve their goals of securing and
maintaining competitive employment in their field of interest. Occupations that these individuals have been employed in are varied and include: food services, janitorial, childcare, manufacturing, retail, oil and gas, automotive, laundry, pet care and office support to name a few.
Bruce Skorobohach, the Department Director states that, “the Community Support Services Department assists people with developmental disabilities to
become valued, contributing community members”. We are pleased to have assisted so many individuals over the years to achieve their goals”.
“Whereas most agencies in North America help get these adults working with the aid of a support worker,” states Dr. Snell, President of Columbia College, “we are proud to have placed over 500 adults with developmental disabilities into competitive employment without a support worker. This has made us quite unique and we are very proud of it.”
Columbia College hosted its annual International Day. 285 students from 45 different countries came together to share their diversity and culture with others.
English as Second Language students were grouped geographically and had the opportunity to share information about their home countries. Fatima Luqman, Acting Program Chair of the Academic Skills Development Department, stated “What I truly love about International Day is that it’s a chance for our students to host a celebration meant to showcase their cultural heritage, by creating interactive displays and activities highlighting music, dance, food, and traditions of their countries and to celebrate the College’s cultural diversity”.
This is a student led cultural day. Zarintaj Muzaffari, a student, stated, “It is an important day that all of the nations have an opportunity to know more about each other.” Students provided entertainment with dancing and singing all morning, often different groups dancing and celebrating together. “It gives us the chance to experience the diversity and culture differences; it was a wonderful day full of joy and excitement,” stated another student, Shadia Osman.
International Day began this year with an opening ceremony which included an address from the College President, Dr. J.T. (Tom) Snell and the singing of ‘Oh Canada’. Bahram Moradi, another student, stated “International Day is a day in which different nations can get an opportunity to share each other’s culture, customs, traditions, food, clothes, and many other things; it also makes the different nations know more about the history of other nations.”
This year the following countries were represented: Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, France, Kazakhstan, Italy, Russia, Mongolia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Pakistan, Vietnam, India, Burma, Bhutan, Korea, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, North Sudan, South Sudan, Columbia, Chile, Peru, El Salvador, Cuba, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, Kurdistan, Palestine, Egypt, Turkmenistan, Ethiopia, Angola, Liberia, Nigeria, Somalia, Cameroon, Eritrea, Congo, and Iraq.
Clare Stewart graduated from the Human Services Professional Diploma program.
He talks about what he likes about his new career and his time at Columbia College For more information about the Human Services Professional Program, click here.
Janet Ferrer graduated from the Human Services Professional Diploma program.
She talks about what she likes about her new career and her time at Columbia College For more information about the Human Services Professional Program, click here.
