Assiniboine ready to welcome new, returning students

Assiniboine Community College is preparing to welcome thousands of new students this academic year, with many commencing or resuming their studies after the Labour Day long weekend.

The college expects approximately 4,000 students on campus or studying by distance over the 2019-20 academic year. Thousands more will be enrolled in Continuing Studies courses and community-based programs.

This year, Assiniboine is expanding the capacity of its popular two-year Agribusiness diploma program, which will now welcome more than 70 new students.

“We continue to see very strong demand for our agriculture and environment programs, and in many cases, these programs are full by spring or summer and forming waitlists,” said Dr. Deanna Rexe, Vice-President Academic at Assiniboine. “Agribusiness, with its strong labour market outcomes, is one of those programs, so increasing capacity gets us a bit closer to meeting that demand.”

Assiniboine’s School of Business also continues to successfully grow as it expands its program offerings. The college’s new suite of postgraduate business programs is new to the mix beginning this September, with one-year advanced certificates in Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, and Accounting. Additionally, the Business Administration diploma program offered on campus in Brandon is full for the fall.

And while plenty of students are beginning or returning to classes this September, many of the college’s programs start at various points throughout the year. Some of these are community-based programs where Assiniboine partners with a community—often First Nations—to offer education close to home for students.

“Extending opportunities for students to obtain diplomas, certificates and complete high school education outside of urban centres is a central priority in the college’s strategic plan, and directly addresses Manitoba’s lagging post-secondary attainment rate,” said Rexe.

“The province highlighted the need for improved access to college programming in the College Review released last year, and we agree that there needs to be more opportunities in areas of Manitoba that have historically been underserved.”

Student orientation is underway this week across the college’s campuses, helping students as they move into college life. Hundreds will participate in academic and social activities, including campus tours, program orientations, and barbecues.

The college has five campuses across the province: three in Brandon, one in Dauphin and one in Winnipeg and last year delivered programs in more than two dozen communities across Manitoba.