After 18 years as president and CEO of Parkland College, Dr. Fay Myers is moving on.
Myers came to the college in 1997 with a background of high school teacher, adult education coordinator, small business owner/operator and civil servant with the Saskatchewan Department of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s regional colleges were facing a struggle for relevancy as the forces of globalization, technology, student mobility and the knowledge economy shifted the post-secondary educational landscape.
Myers encapsulated the response to these forces in her 2007 University of Calgary doctoral thesis entitled Globalization Impacts Regional Colleges: Janusian Institutions
During Myers' tenure at Parkland, the college has strengthened its partnerships with industry, other educational institutions and government. It has diversified its offerings and its student body focussing on Aboriginal education and international students.
Perhaps the crowning glory for the college under Myers' stewardship is the new $15 million Trades and Technology Centre currently under construction between Dracup Avenue and Hwy 9 south of York Road, something she referenced in a statement.
"This is the right time to make this decision to retire," she said. "The College will be opening the Trades and Technology Centre in Yorkton next fall and will have new strategic directions to achieve. I have truly enjoyed my 18 years with Parkland College working with amazing people."
A press release dated August 14 said the Board of Governors "reluctantly accepts Dr. Myers' resignation and takes this opportunity to express its gratitude for her extraordinary vision and leadership."
"Dr. Myers has guided Parkland College to its position as a well-established educational institution leading in innovation and excellence," said Lydia Cyr, chair of the Parkland College Board of Governors.
"We are fortunate to have benefited from Dr. Myers' dedication, hard work, and achievements in the development and growth of the College. We wish Dr. Myers all the best in her retirement and thank her for her years of service to Parkland College."
Myers was also heavily involved in activities outside the college including stints as director of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, director
of the Saskatchewan East Enterprise Region, director of the Association of Saskatchewan Regional Colleges, director of the Association of Canadian Community
Colleges, chair and CEO of the Council of Saskatchewan Regional Colleges and Chair of the Council of
First United Church in Melville.
Myers retirement is effective as of June 2015. Parkland College has already begun the process of find Myers' successor.
