For those of us here at Selkirk College, September is “the most wonderful time of the year,” because of the energy, buzz and excitement of new and returning students at our campuses and learning centres in Castlegar, Nelson, Trail, Grand Forks, Kaslo and Nakusp. For more than 50 years, Selkirk College has been a hub of learning and innovation in the West Kootenay. We’re proud of our track record for providing accessible, high-quality education that empowers individuals to realize their full potential.

To new students, please know that you’re now part of a supportive and inclusive community that values you as an individual, not a number. We’re so pleased that you chose Selkirk College for your learning journey, and for sharing your unique contributions, skills, experiences and background with us. For returning students, welcome back! We know that it takes a big commitment and lots of hard work to complete an academic credential, and we’re so glad to see you again. And to our dedicated staff and faculty members, it’s great to have you back—you are the ones shaping the remarkable culture and student-centred approach that makes Selkirk College such a special place to work and learn.

At Selkirk College, we believe in lifelong learning. We encourage you to seek out opportunities to be curious, and to stretch out of your comfort zone.  Be open to the new ways of thinking, knowing and being that Indigenous peoples on whose territory we operate are sharing with us on our journey toward reconciliation. Take advantage of the resources and services available to you, get involved in activities and events, and connect with other people. These experiences enrich our time together.

I wish everyone a successful, enriching (and enjoyable!) academic year. We’re all here to build remarkable futures—let’s get to it!

Warmest regards,

—Maggie Matear

Hello,

As we come to the end of another academic year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights of the past months. 

Spring at Selkirk College was a pretty busy time, full of year-end shows and exhibitions of students' work. Students showcased their creativity and talent in a wide range of disciplines—from capstone projects in business and biology to digital arts, digital fabrication, metal working, textiles and music. I was so impressed by the quality of the work, and by the passion that students put into their work. And in every show or exhibit I attended, I heard great things about our instructors’ personalized support, their commitment to student success and their enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge. 

I got to help congratulate students at the Dean’s Honour Roll and Dean’s List ceremonies for the School of Business and the School of University Arts & Sciences—those were a lot of fun, and it was really nice to see students cheering for each other and taking pictures as their friends received their awards.

I also attended a celebratory luncheon for Indigenous graduates arranged by the Indigenous Services team. It was really lovely to recognize the grads in a culturally meaningful context, and it was a chance to visit with family members, supporters and Elders from the college and community. Special guests Phyllis Webstad—the founder of Orange Shirt Day—and Robert Watt, this year’s honorary diploma recipient, were also there to support the students. 

It was a great honour to preside over our convocation ceremony, where we celebrated the achievements of our graduating students and welcomed new members to the alumni community. Seeing the joy and pride on the faces of graduates crossing the stage and receiving their diplomas was so inspiring. It’s a reminder of the hard work and dedication that goes into earning a credential, and of the important role that Selkirk College plays in shaping the future of not only our students but society as a whole.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the people who work here. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who goes the extra mile to help students reach their goals. From advising and mentoring to teaching and guiding, staff and faculty are at the front lines of preparing students for success in their chosen fields.

As we look ahead to the next academic year, I’m excited to see what new accomplishments and achievements await our students and our community. I’m confident that with the continued support of faculty and staff, students will go on to achieve great things and make a positive impact on the world around them.

It’s been such an honour to serve as the president of Selkirk College this past year, and I’m looking forward to another year of growth, learning and success.

—Maggie Matear

Hello everyone,

The flurry of activity for the first few weeks back to school has settled a bit, and I hope that everyone has gotten off to a good start this semester. It’s really nice to feel the energy of so many people coming back to our campuses for a fresh beginning to a new academic year. 

So much has been happening since I last wrote an entry!

If you’ve been following our events calendar, you’ll know that our first Get Connected event at Selkirk College this fall was in Castlegar, and by all accounts it was a pretty great time. Hundreds of students, faculty and staff mingled around tables and displays to learn about college and community services, organized activities, volunteering, cultural events and unique learning opportunities, like studying abroad through Selkirk International. (I took advantage of a program like this when I was a student and spent six months in New Zealand—it was an incredible experience to learn in and about a different country). There was also popcorn, games (beer goggle trike racing anyone?) and a lunch.

We also had a lovely event to welcome new employees who’ve joined us over the last little while. There were lots of new faces there (including mine!) to participate in a half-day of orientation topped off with some welcome gifts, lunch and a group photo. We test-drove a refreshed onboarding process that the creative minds of our HR team and Teaching & Learning Centre have developed. In future, new staff members will benefit from a revitalized onboarding program and set of resources to help them get set up for success more quickly.

Our Board of Governors met for a retreat in September, where we discussed past and future governance goals and had a conversation with Dr. Mike DeGagné of Indspire about what Indigenizing governance looks like. It was great to get together with several members of the College of the Rockies board, as one of the board’s goals is to facilitate more inter-board collaboration with other rural colleges.

I was so pleased to be invited to speak at the 15th anniversary of the Mir Centre for Peace last month—we are so fortunate to have this innovative program and the grounds, building and facilities that support it. I also enjoyed the opportunity to provide some opening remarks at the SCOPE awards at the end of September. The Selkirk College Faculty Association, in partnership with the college, hosts a Standing Committee on Professional Excellence (SCOPE). Students and peers nominate award winners, and it was inspiring to hear about the impact faculty members have—they are truly making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

The college observed a week of activities and moments of reflection leading up to Orange Shirt Day on September 30. Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwépemc woman and residential school survivor, founded this annual event in 2013 to honour survivors of the residential school system, their families and those children who never came home. On Monday, September 26, many of us joined together in the Gathering Place to discuss the meaning of truth and reconciliation with Elders, members of the Indigenous Services team and some of their relations. On Thursday, about 50 staff and students met in the Gathering Place to learn how to bead an Orange Shirt pin with Ann-Marie Smith. I’ve never beaded anything before, but I was able to get a good start on my own pin—and a profoundly deeper appreciation for the skill and precision involved in traditional beadwork. 

I’ll be hosting some college-wide coffee and conversation sessions in the upcoming weeks. I’ve been able to meet with many of you through Get Connected events or invitations to attend your divisional and school meetings. Please know that I’m trying to create lots of opportunities to connect; if I haven’t had a chance to meet you yet, I hope that will change soon. I feel grateful to be part of this team, to be part of something so important to our communities and to our region. 

Have a wonderful autumn,

—Maggie Matear

Hello,

I hope that you’ve all found some time to recharge and reinvigorate over the summer. We seem to have settled into the “living with it” phase of the pandemic, and I know that everyone could use some time to catch their breath, reflect and re-energize. 

I’ve just finished my second month as president and I’m not entirely sure where the time has gone. Between meeting staff, students, community stakeholders and partners, and getting up to speed on the BC post-secondary sector and Selkirk College initiatives, it’s been a busy time. That being said, “time flies when you’re having fun,” and I’ve really enjoyed riding the learning curve so far.

I’ve been spending a lot of time talking to people and listening to their stories, their successes, their opportunities and sometimes, their challenges. I’ve visited all of the campuses and learning centres now and met the dedicated people helping to make sure our students get the support and inspiration they need to succeed. Some highlights of my time out and about include:
 

• Chatting with some of the creative and talented people in the Kootenay Studio Arts program at their end-of-year gallery and sale. I bought some of their work to give as gifts from the President’s Office over the course of the year.

• Attending the very moving Salmon Ceremony in Kettle Falls (a Sinixt gathering where people share a feast and pray for the return of the salmon).

• Meeting with the BC government and other college presidents to inform a post-secondary funding review the government is undertaking. I spoke about the unique challenges faced by rural—as opposed to urban—community colleges.

• Visiting the very cool Selkirk Technology Access Centre in Trail and learning about some work being done there to support local industry and small businesses, especially with 3D printing and materials design technologies. It was so great to see students working on some of these projects and gaining great experience in consulting, creativity and project management.

• Eating way too much delicious food at a lunch held by students in the Post-Graduate Diploma in Culinary Management program. (I discovered a new favourite: coconut chutney.)

• Chatting with our Indigenous Education & Engagement team and the Elders who are helping us on our journey toward Indigenization and reconciliation.

• Attending the Pacific Northwestern Regional Economic Conference, where I got a comprehensive overview of our area’s industrial, socio-economic and sustainability challenges and opportunities.

• Visiting with students and staff at the Explore Program graduation event in Nelson. After they received their certificates, they staged a fabulous talent show (and it’s pretty clear that Selkirk’s got talent!).

What has struck me over the last few months is the remarkable level of cooperation, respect and commitment that Selkirk College staff demonstrate in everything they do. We have cultivated an environment that supports people, and that, in turn, supports our students and communities. A colleague of mine shared a quote a few years ago that has stuck with me: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” It’s an African proverb, and I think it fits Selkirk College to a T. 

—Maggie Matear