Assiniboine Community College has updated its strategic direction for the first time in five years.

In 2013, the Board of Governors established a plan for the college that was anchored by a goal of doubling the number graduates by 2025. The number of Assiniboine graduates has increased by 57 per cent over the past five years, exceeding those expectations.

“As a board, we are proud of what college faculty and staff are doing for learners, employers and communities in Manitoba,” said Jeff Harwood, Chair of Assiniboine’s board of governors.
“This next generation strategic direction capitalizes on that progress while adjusting our sails for changes in the external environment, like the recent College Review commissioned by the Province of Manitoba.”

The College Review suggested that Manitoba ought to address a long-standing problem of having the lowest post-secondary attainment rates in the country. This problem is particularly acute in rural areas.

ACC President Mark Frison

“Our refreshed strategic direction calls for continued growth at a measured pace to address the need for more college seats highlighted in the College Review issued by the province earlier this year,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine. The new plan calls on the college to increase graduate number from 1,497 this year to 2,028 by 2028.

The College Review also called on institutions in the province to pay particular attention to serving the needs of Indigenous learners.

“Supporting Indigenous students and communities is central to our future as a college and is supported by the framework identified in our Indigenization Strategy,” added Dr. Deanna Rexe, Vice-President Academic. “Our goal is that 400 of the 2,028 graduates will identify as Indigenous.”
This past academic year, about 20 per cent of Assiniboine’s graduates were First Nation, Métis or Inuit.
Five years ago, the college had less than 30 international students. That grew to over 500 students from other countries this past year.


Much of the strategic direction remains unaltered with continued emphasis on provincial program leadership in Agriculture and Environment, and Public Safety, as well as a strong focus on student and graduate success.
The plan also reaffirms the importance of development at the college’s North Hill campus at the same time as recognizing the outstanding work the college does around the province in community-based delivery.


The college had more than 3,600 full-time and 6,000 part-time students last year.