The Rotary Club was delighted to move their meeting today, to the Courtyard Room at the Medicine Hat College and enjoy a presentation about the direction and strategic plan updates that have been taking place under the guidance of the new Medicine Hat College President, Kevin Shufflebotham. Kevin was introduced by "Acting President" Gail Halderman, who presented Kevin as the 10th, and youngest, President to hold this role at the Medicine Hat College.
Kevin is new to the College but not new to the area. Both he and his wife Corrine are from this region, and he "loves being at the college". He emphasized that they are focused on the mandate of the college, to "be the best you can be" and also focused on "the students". The reality is that MH College is all about the students, which currently has approx 3,350 enrolled in various programs.
The college has been going through a Strategic Planning process, to envision the next 10 years at the institution. He intends to be here to "see through" the changes that the adoption of that plan will bring. He reviewed the "SWOT" analysis done as part of that process, the Strength's, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats to this institution and engaged the Rotarians present in discussion of several of those points.
Kevin encouraged those present to take the questionaire at http://www.OurTimeMHC.com to "Think, Discuss and Engage" about the future needs in the region and where the programs of the Medicine Hat College can at add to the value chain. He spoke about the need to "refocus" their programs for the next 10 years and he spent some time comparing the situation here to SAIT or Olds College.
Kevin was thanked by Rotarian Terry Cooper ( a former VP Academic at MHC) and presented with a token of the club's appreciation. He answered a number of questions and directed other questions to some of the senior college staff who were present.
A great lunch meeting, and we wish Kevin and the college staff every success in the future.
