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College tops list for six years running |
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Thursday, 15 April 2010 |
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By SAM CINO
Staff Writer
A visit by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Prince Charles and now No. 1 in student satisfaction for the sixth year in a row. Niagara College is on top once again.
"This was amazingly good news," says the Vice-President of Student and
External Relations Sean Kennedy.
He says he was worried about the
on-campus construction affecting student life.
"The students had to
be very satisfied with the college's services in order to become No.
1again. The KPI surveys are a point of significant pride for the
college."
The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) surveys are distributed
annually at the 24 colleges across Ontario, and rank facilities,
services, class content and many other categories.
Kennedy says that
the KPIs affect the college's efforts to recruit faculty and students.
"Every
other college in Ontario covets the top spot. Our top place benefits
our reputation, which can be a deciding factor for students and
parents."
La Cité College in Ottawa came in a close second place,
only one per cent behind Niagara College. Niagara placed three per cent
higher than other English-speaking colleges in Ontario.
"The KPIs are
totally anonymous. We don't know how many we get back, but we use all
of the data. Everybody is coming after you when you are in the top
spot," says Kennedy.
He says that he enjoys working with the Student
Administrative Council (SAC) on its projects. "It is a collective effort
for No. 1."
He says that he is excited about the new changes coming
to the college.
"The new athletic and student centre is scheduled to
open in the fall, with the new applied health building opening next
summer. We are expanding the culinary building at the
Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, expanding parking at both campuses and
enhancing all facilities while focusing on continuous improvements of
services and how we deliver them."
"Mr. Harper asked many thoughtful questions about the research and
training we perform here and was impressed with the students, staff and
faculty. He tried to shake as many hands as he could."
He says the
visit by Prince Charles to the grand opening of the Wine Visitor and
Education Centre last November was a great occasion as well.
"He was
very impressed with the wine the college produced, even calling it
‘brilliant." I'm sure, as royalty, he knows good wine."
Students show
varied reactions at the announcement Wednesday.
Dan Ricci, 21, is a
resident of Niagara Falls.
"Niagara College paved the future for me.
I believe we are the best." says Ricci.
"Yay," says Misha Eghbali.
"I want a foam finger."
Derek McIntyre, 22, says, "It's pretty
awesome that we've been able to do it for six years in a row. That's
pretty impressive."
Kennedy and the rest of the college staff say
they look forward to the rest of this year and are planning ahead for
the next year.
"We plan to maintain our top spot at No. 1, while
bringing new and exciting facilities and programs to the students. We
had the prime minister and a prince at the school in the same year. This
top ranking is icing on the cake."
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