In early 2020 Columbia College piloted the new Community Connections Program (CCP) in Vancouver, BC. In the middle of the pandemic, when many students were losing their jobs, Columbia College stepped in to support them. The College team is pleased to share this Impact Report highlighting successes, challenges, and new opportunities for career advancement services amongst International Students.
As the College marks two years, as well as the significant milestone of placing the 50th student with a local non-profit, the team operating the new Institute for Equity and Advancement at Columbia College set out to evaluate the program’s impact on both students and partner organizations. It was important to understand key elements of the program that make it a success and to identify opportunities for improvement. Furthermore, the program presents an opportunity for other institutions and organizations in the region to learn from, and replicate, a model with a lasting positive impact.
Equity in education builds strong communities. Columbia College has been in the community since 1936 for those without the benefit of a conventional path to higher education. The College is building unique supports and approaches for the 21st century to provide access to diverse populations into the BC economy and workforce of the future. Executive Director Mark Friesen notes: "It was a great privilege to be able to launch this innovative program in 2021 in the midst of the COVID pandemic. This report enables our team to share the key impacts of the program with past and future prospective partners, and with our peers and colleagues in higher education. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences in the program, and to those who contribute to the success of our students."