EDMONTON: The Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta (COPPOA) has appointed a new executive team as part of a new structure the Council believes will further improve system level collaboration and enhance relationships with the Government of Alberta and other stakeholders.
COPPOA serves as an integral collaborative body representing post-secondary institutions throughout the province. With valuable input from the smallest rural colleges to the largest comprehensive universities, COPPOA provides a forum for discussion and advocacy on matters of importance to the post-secondary sector as a whole.
The new Executive Committee for COPPOA includes:
Dr. Mike Mahon (University of Lethbridge) — Chair
Dr. Annette Trimbee (MacEwan University) — Vice-Chair, Policy
Dr. Robert Murray (Grande Prairie Regional College) — Vice-Chair, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations
Dr. Paula Burns (Lethbridge College) — Vice-Chair, Shared Services
Dr. Gerry Turcotte (St. Mary’s University) — Vice-Chair, Member Relations
Dr. David Ross (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) — Treasurer
COPPOA’s new Executive team will be supported by Executive Director Bill Werry and by Alberta’s other post-secondary presidents.
Through policy leadership, advocacy and stakeholder relations, and shared services, COPPOA aims to further strengthen the post-secondary sector’s ability to educate learners for a rapidly changing employment landscape and to better the lives of Albertans in communities big and small.
Incoming Chair Dr. Mike Mahon believes post-secondary institutions across Alberta share many similar challenges – especially in times of fiscal restraint, but that the sector is well positioned to support Alberta’s economic recovery.
“Our ongoing work will develop strategic approaches to systemic issues that will help inform government policy and foster collaborative operational approaches across our system,” says Mahon. “Our members are well positioned to support future economic growth in all of Alberta’s regions and collectively for the entire province.”
COPPOA Executive Director Bill Werry believes the events of the last year have reinforced the need for enhanced collaboration and the need to work together through this new COPPOA structure.
“The leadership of our Executive team and our twenty-six members’ commitment to collaboration will help all of our members adapt to the emerging challenges and learning opportunities presented by COVID and the evolving Alberta economy.”
About COPPOA:
The Council of Post-secondary Presidents of Alberta is an organization comprised of the presidents of Alberta’s 26 post-secondary institutions. Meeting regularly to discuss common concerns and respond collectively to shared opportunities, COPPOA provides a venue for Alberta’s post-secondary leaders to build and strengthen research and teaching partnerships across the province to the benefit of their respective students and communities as well as the province as a whole.
For more information contact: info@coppoa.ca
