Cambrian College president reflects on his time at the school
The president of Cambrian College in Sudbury is stepping down. Bill Best will be leaving the college in the New Year after eight years at the helm.
He said stepping down was not an easy decision.
“It’s really tough, to be honest,” Best said Wednesday.
“So many great memories, so many great people here at Cambrian and I’m going to miss them all … the students, the staff, faculty and the community.”
Best said there have been many changes over the years.
“One of the most significant changes that the organization has gone from is really being a traditional eight-month college to now we refer to ourselves as a 12-month global degree granting college,” he said.
“That takes a lot of work and a lot of effort.”
Best said during his time at Cambrian, the number of international students has grown significantly. When he first started at Cambrian in 2014, there were roughly 170 students and now that number is just under 1,700 from across 67 countries.
“We started with a very simple concept, which was ‘if Cambrian College won’t go to the world, then we’ll bring the world to Cambrian,’ and the reality now is we have now have so many cultures and it’s really an education just being at Cambrian,” said Best.
“If you slow down and listen to the stories, the cultures, the traditions they have and you embrace that, which I see happening every day at Cambrian …we’re just a better college for it.”
Some international students said there are multiple reasons why they chose to study at Cambrian College.
“It’s a great college, I love being here, the staff are really good, everything is really good with Cambrian. People are so humble, and so loving,” said Dayana Roy, international student at Cambrian College from India.
“I wanted to go into a career that’s a little more hands-on and fast-paced, so I went to paramedicine and I’ve been really enjoying that. The profs are awesome, they’re all paramedics so they have great communication skills,” said Malachi Misitano, international student from Pennsylvania.
As for Best, he has accepted a new position at the University of New Brunswick.
His last day at Cambrian will be Jan. 3.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Listowel, Ont. football player drafted, despite only three years of experience
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.