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NSCC Presidential search updates

Updates

Acting President named, Search Firm selected - January 8, 2026

NSCC’s Board of Governors has appointed Anna Burke as Acting President of NSCC. This appointment is official immediately following President Don Bureaux’s last day in the role (February 19) and will continue until a new president, hired by the Board, begins.

Anna is well known in the NSCC community, having begun her career as a Research Analyst at the College 22 years ago. Anna has served on the Executive team for more than 11 years, overseeing several vice-presidential portfolios including Academic, Enrolment and currently College Services and Strategy. Anna’s knowledge of College operations, external relations and Board governance at NSCC, will provide expert and steady leadership through this transition. Jackie Poirier, Chair of NSCC’s Board of Governors, expressed her appreciation to Anna on behalf of the Board for stepping into the work of leading NSCC throughout the search for the College’s next president.

The presidential search itself is progressing according to the guidelines approved in the fall. The Search Committee held its first meeting (Thursday, January 8) and formally engaged Royer Thompson, the executive search firm that will work with the Search Committee throughout the recruitment process. Royer Thompson was selected by the Board’s Executive Committee through a Request for Quotes process. The immediate next step is the development of the candidate profile, which outlines the values, attributes, knowledge and experience needed in NSCC’s next president. Royer Thomspon will develop a consultation process that includes opportunities for employees, students, partners and community members to provide their input into the candidate profile. The Search Committee expects that consultation to begin before the end of January.

Presidential Search Committee established - December 11, 2025

The Executive Committee of the Board of Governors has approved the membership of the presidential Search Committee.  

The Presidential Appointment Guidelines require that the Search Committee include a combination of industry, community and Board members as well as one current employee and one current student.  The Executive Committee thanks all students and employees who responded to the opportunity to serve on the Search Committee and support the Board’s search for NSCC’s next president.

Employees’ response to the opportunity to join the Search Committee was very strong in terms of both quantity and quality. Based on this strong response, the Executive Committee made the decision to select two employees to serve on the Search Committee, rather than one. The level of commitment to the College and investment in its future by so many employees is inspiring. The Board is grateful to each employee who put their name forward. 

Members of the Search Committee include: 

  • Jackie Poirier, Chair, NSCC Board of Governors 
  • Dr. Krista Jangaard, Vice Chair, NSCC Board of Governors 
  • Diane MacConnell-Cameron, Board Member, NSCC Board of Governors and Search Committee Chair 
  • Dr. Lee Erickson, Board Member, NSCC Board of Governors 
  • Gerry Post, Board Member, NSCC Board of Governors 
  • Trevor Capern, NSCC, Faculty, Access, Education and Language (Employee) 
  • Jamus Dorey, NSCC, Senior Advisor, Persons with Disabilities & 2SLGBTQ+ (Employee) 
  • Nicholas Khattar, NSCC Student, Ivany Campus (Student)  
  • Clayton Bartlett, Dora Construction, Senior VP, Cape Breton (Industry) 
  • Matthew Martel, Black Business Initiative, CEO (Community) 
  • Stacey Baillie, NSCC, Director, Public Affairs (non-voting) 
  • Christabell Pinchin, NSCC, Secretary, Board of Governors (non-voting) 

The first meeting of the Search Committee is scheduled for January 8, 2026. Among the Search Committee’s first tasks will be the engagement of an Executive Search Firm to lead the recruitment process. The recruitment process will include consultation with employees and other stakeholders to help shape a candidate profile that reflects the leadership values, qualities, skills and experience needed in the next President of NSCC.

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