NSCC Presidential search
The Board of Governors is pleased to announce that David Benoit has been selected as the College’s new President.
David is the successful candidate selected through a national search process led by the Board, with the support of executive search firm Royer Thompson, and appointed by the Province. David brings to the College an impressive record of leadership, a strong alignment with NSCC’s mandate and values, and the experience and judgement required to serve with distinction as the College’s next President. We look forward to welcoming David on January 1, 2027 and working with him as the College enters its next chapter.
Search and recruitment process
The full search and recruitment process is described in the Presidential Appointment Guidelines (PDF 326KB). In summary, the process consists of:
| Stage | Search and recruitment steps | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors strikes a Search Committee that includes a combination of industry, community and Board member, as well as employees and one current student. More details are included in the Terms of Reference for the Search Committee of the Board (PDF 215KB) |
Complete |
| 2. | The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors procures a third-party search firm to lead the search process | Complete (Royer Thompson selected) |
| 3. | The Search Committee of the Board works with the selected firm to advance the search and recruitment process, consisting of designing the candidate profile, publicizing the opportunity, interviewing qualified candidates and recommending a candidate or candidates for consideration by the Board of Governors | Complete |
| 4. | The Board of Governors selects a successful candidate, and the Board Chair informs the Minister of the recommended appointment | Complete |
| 5. | Approval by Governor in Council of the successful candidate as put forward by the Board of Governors. | Complete |
Presidential Search Committee
The Board of Governors has established a Presidential Search Committee, which includes a combination of industry, community and Board members, employees and a student.
Members of the Search Committee include:
- Jackie Poirier, Chair, NSCC Board of Governors
- Dr. Krista Jangaard, Vice Chair, NSCC Board of Governors
- Ryan Grant, Board Member, NSCC Board of Governors and Deputy Minister, Labour, Skills and Immigration
- Diane MacConnell-Cameron, Board Member, NSCC Board of Governors and Search Committee Chair
- Dr. Lee Erickson, Board Member, NSCC Board of Governors
- Trevor Capern, NSCC, Faculty, Access, Education and Language (Employee)
- Denise Pictou Maloney, NSCC, Program Director, L’nu Initiatives and Reconciliation (Employee)
- Nicholas Khattar, NSCC Student, Ivany Campus (Student)
- Howie Doiron, Lindsay Construction, Regional Director Cape Breton (Industry)
- Matthew Martel, Black Business Initiative, CEO (Community)
- Kathleen Cameron, NSCC, Senior Advisor, Public Relations (non-voting)
- Christabell Pinchin, NSCC, Secretary, Board of Governors (non-voting)