Dr. Paula Burns (Photo supplied by Paul Kingsmith, Lethbridge College)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge College’s president and CEO named to new national role

Oct 22, 2020 | 9:32 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge College’s president and CEO is adding a new role to her resume.

Dr. Paula Burns has been named the new board chair of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). Burns’ term will last two years, and the college says it will allow her to “continue advocating on behalf of Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics”.

Burns is the eighth president in Lethbridge College’s history and joined the CICan board of directors in 2016. She’s been with the college since February 2013.

“I am incredibly proud to have been chosen as CICan’s new board chair and I look forward to working with my board colleagues from across the country to represent the interests of colleges and institutes while helping guide our national association,” she said in a release from the college.

“CICan is a vibrant and growing organization that provides a strong voice for our institutions. Its role is especially important these days given the opportunities and challenges presented by the pandemic.”

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Burns also serves as the chair of Alberta’s Comprehensive Community Colleges Presidents’ working group and as a member of the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta.

She’s also served as a member of CICan’s Indigenous Education Committee and as a member and past board chair of the Board of Directors for Economic Development Lethbridge.

Two years ago, Burns received a Women of Distinction Lifetime Achievement award from the YWCA Lethbridge and District.

“Dr. Burns is a trusted and respected voice among her peers, and I can’t wait to continue working with her in her new capacity as board chair,” said Denise Amyot, president and CEO of CICan.

“She takes the position at a critical junction for Canada’s post-secondary system, but I have no doubt she is up to the task. I also want to thank our outgoing Chair Michel Tarko for his invaluable work over the past two years.”

Dr. Michael Tarko is the president and CEO of the Justice Institute of British Columbia and recently completed his two-year term with CICan.

Burns will be joined by Nathalie Vallée, who is the Director General of College Ahuntsic in Quebec, in her new role. Vallée will serve as the CICan board’s new vice-chair.