Tim McTiernan Named Co-Chair of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer

TORONTO, April 30, 2015 /CNW/ - The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim McTiernan, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) as its new Board Co-Chair (university).

"On behalf of the Board, it is my pleasure to welcome Tim to his new role," said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College and ONCAT's current Board Co-Chair (college). "Tim recognizes the importance of student mobility having served as a past-president of Canadore College, and now leading UOIT. His unique experience makes him an ideal Co-Chair for ONCAT as we continue to drive transformative change in the credit transfer system in Ontario."

Founded by the provincial government in 2011, ONCAT was created to facilitate and support academic collaboration and the development of transfer pathways among Ontario's publicly funded colleges and universities. ONCAT's Board truly exemplifies the collaborative nature of the organization, being governed by two Presidents, one from a college and one from a university. McTiernan assumes the role from Dominic Giroux, the organization's inaugural board Co-Chair (university) and President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

"I am thrilled to join ONCAT and take an active role in enhancing student mobility in Ontario," said McTiernan. "As leaders of postsecondary institutions, we owe it to our students to provide them with the flexibility to broaden their horizons. Through continued collaboration with institutions, student groups, and government, I believe that we can further develop a transfer system that is even more responsive to student needs."

"UOIT, under Tim's leadership, is a strong advocate for credit transfer, and it is committed to developing credit transfer pathways and partnerships with colleges and universities," said Glenn Craney, Executive Director of ONCAT. "With Tim's proven track record, I am confident that he will be an excellent addition to the Board."

Since 2012, ONCAT has worked with its 45 partner institutions to implement many initiatives, including the collecting of student mobility data, the launching of the Course-to-Course Transfer Guide, and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with its provincial counterparts in Alberta, British Columbia, and New Brunswick to create a pan-Canadian system of credit transfer.

"I am incredibly proud of what ONCAT has accomplished since its inception," said Giroux. "None of our successes would have been possible without the contributions of all institutions, whose commitment and dedication continue to change the credit transfer culture. I am confident that Tim's insight will prove invaluable as ONCAT moves forward and puts students first."

Added Vollebregt, "I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dominic for his work over these past three years. As inaugural university Board Co-Chair, he has been instrumental in helping to lay the foundations for developing a credit transfer system here in Ontario."

Established in 2011, the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) was created to enhance academic pathways and reduce barriers for students looking to transfer among Ontario's 45 publicly funded colleges and universities. As a member organization, it works with those institutions to develop transfer credit policies and practices to ease student mobility.

SOURCE Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer

Image with caption: "Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (CNW Group/Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150430_C5891_PHOTO_EN_15946.jpg

Lia Quickert, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Director, ONCAT, Telephone: [phone] x305, Email: [email protected]