In terms of fiscal strength, NIC’s goal was to have a balanced budget within three years of the pandemic ending which was achieved this spring. The college is on track to establish a fully operational Student Housing Commons at the Comox Valley campus. Construction is currently underway and is scheduled to open in Fall 2025. Additionally, in April, the project won the Carbon Leadership Forum of BC’s Embodied Carbon award for large buildings.
“When we launched BUILD 2026 to the college community, students said that they needed safe, affordable housing and childcare – we heard them. Though these are large goals, BUILD has moved the college forward ambitiously in both areas,” said Lisa Domae, NIC President and CEO.
In addition, construction on the Centre of Excellence in Early Learning at the Comox Valley campus is anticipated to begin in summer of 2024. Through funding from the Province of B.C., and support from the Government of Canada, this project, in partnership with the Beaufort Children’s Centre, will expand childcare spaces and enrolment in NIC’s Early Childhood Care and Education programs.
“We are looking forward to seeing these significant projects be of benefit to the students at NIC, and to the larger communities in which we live and work,” said Patricia Trasolini, chair, NIC Board of Governors.
NIC is also making waves in social and economic development with the introduction of a new alumni-relations plan. The three-year strategic plan aims to support alumni and students through meaningful opportunities and activities that grow the NIC alumni community. Convocation in June welcomed graduates into the college’s new alumni network.
Approved by NIC’s Board on June 27, the college continues to work towards fulfilling the objectives set out in BUILD 2026 to meet students’ changing learning needs, cultivate healthy and productive workplaces, support truth and reconciliation and Indigenous-led learning and keep connected to the educational global community. More information on NIC’s strategic plan, BUILD 2026, can be found online.
