Sault College Targets Michigan Students with New Recruitment Drive

Sault College has launched recruitment efforts aimed at attracting students from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The post-secondary institution highlights its proximity to prospective students’ communities and a competitive tuition rate that is comparable to or even lower than that of Michigan schools located two to three hours away.

The recruitment team, which includes interim president Sherri Smith, has already participated in recruitment fairs in Sault Ste. Marie and Alpena. The team plans to extend its outreach to areas such as Gaylord, approximately 200 kilometres south of its Northern Avenue campus. “Why not one hour north with better tuition rates?” Smith remarked in an interview with The Sault Star following a recent board of governors meeting.

While Sault College has not established a specific enrollment target for Michigan students by fall 2026, Smith expressed optimism, stating that five to ten students from the state would be a welcome addition. The college is prepared to assist out-of-state students with obtaining the necessary passports and learning visas, facilitating their transition to studying in Canada.

The recruitment strategy has been particularly focused on attracting students from southwestern Ontario, especially for its specialized natural environment programs, such as fish and wildlife technician and adventure recreation and parks technician. According to Smith, only a limited number of institutions in Ontario offer these programs, making Sault College an appealing option.

To bolster its recruitment efforts, the college has been actively visiting high schools and engaging with guidance counselors. A dedicated recruiter based in the London and Kitchener-Waterloo area has been working for over two years to draw students to Sault College, with a strong emphasis on natural environment studies. Currently, approximately 85 percent of students enrolled in these programs come from outside the Algoma District.

In terms of overall student enrollment, Sault College has experienced what interim registrar Katie Paquette described as “stable growth.” This fall, a total of 901 new students joined the college, up from 798 in fall 2024. Total domestic enrollment now stands at 1,573, an increase from 1,473 the previous year. The Sault campus alone has seen a rise to 1,499 domestic students, gaining 72 from the prior year.

While domestic enrollment has surged, international student numbers have declined significantly, dropping from 3,267 across all campuses in fall 2024 to just 1,275 this year. The number of new international students has also seen a sharp decrease, falling from 472 to 199. The overall number of international students in Sault Ste. Marie has decreased from 926 to 574. This shift has been attributed to federal government limitations on eligible programs and post-graduate work permits, as explained by Paquette during the board meeting.

This year marks the final cohort for Sault College’s partnership with triOS career colleges in Brampton and Toronto, with approximately 650 students set to complete their studies in December. Paquette noted that after this completion, the program will be entirely phased out.

Despite falling short of its international student recruitment target, achieving only 83 percent of its goal, Sault College exceeded its domestic target at 105 percent. Paquette acknowledged the changing perceptions among international students regarding Canada as a study destination, indicating that many applicants struggle to meet government requirements. “It’s very difficult for them to have faith that Canada is the right place to apply,” she remarked, noting that domestic enrollment appears to represent a more reliable opportunity for growth moving forward.

In light of these developments, Sault College has made some adjustments, including the reduction of a few full-time support positions due to a financial deficit linked to the federal cap on international enrollment. However, Smith assured that no further cuts are anticipated at this time.

Meanwhile, the college’s president, David Orazietti, remains on leave after stepping down from his leadership role in July 2023. The board has not provided a reason for his absence or a timeline for his return, as confirmed by board chair Tom Katagis during the meeting. Orazietti, who joined Sault College as a dean in 2017 and became president in 2023, has left a significant mark on the institution.

As Sault College seeks to expand its student body and diversify its enrollment sources, the focus remains on bolstering domestic student numbers while navigating the challenges presented by international recruitment.