Conestoga College Begins Search for New President Amid Challenges

Kitchener’s Conestoga College has initiated a search for a new president to succeed John Tibbits, who has served the institution for nearly 40 years. The college’s board of governors announced the recruitment process on Monday, highlighting the urgency of appointing a new leader by March 2024.

In a communication to staff, the board acknowledged that the time had come to find a replacement for Tibbits, who has overseen significant growth and challenges during his tenure. The board is inviting qualified personnel firms to submit proposals by September 25, 2023, to assist in this important search.

The decision to begin this process comes as the college faces a decline in student enrollment and staff layoffs. Vikki Poirier, who represents unionized support staff at Conestoga, expressed her support for the board’s move to appoint a new president sooner than originally planned. Previously, there were indications that Tibbits would remain until 2026, but Poirier believes that a transition is long overdue.

Tibbits, now in his early 80s, has played a pivotal role in transforming Conestoga College into a prominent institution. His leadership significantly increased the number of international students, bringing in substantial tuition revenue, as foreign students typically pay two to four times more than their Canadian counterparts. However, this success has recently been undermined by changes in federal immigration policy aimed at controlling population growth, which has led to a sharp decline in international enrollments.

As a result, Conestoga is experiencing significant operational changes, including classroom closures and faculty layoffs. Tibbits was initially set to retire in 2024 but extended his contract at the request of the board to provide continuity during a challenging period. His salary was recently raised to $636,102, the highest among community college presidents in Ontario, following a 29 percent increase.

Unions representing Conestoga’s faculty and support staff have voiced concerns about Tibbits’ leadership, particularly regarding communication and collaboration. Poirier acknowledged his contributions but insisted that improvements could have been made in engaging with employees.

As the college navigates these transitions, approximately 700 support staff are preparing for a potential strike, contingent upon the outcome of ongoing provincial labor negotiations for a new collective agreement. The previous agreement expired in August, with job security emerging as a critical issue for staff members.

The search for a new president at Conestoga College represents a significant moment for the institution as it seeks to redefine its leadership and strategy in the face of shifting educational dynamics and financial pressures.