Dave Collyer, chair of the board of governors of Bow Valley College, recently announced the appointment of Laura Jo Gunter as the new president and CEO of the college.
“Following an extensive search, we are very pleased to announce that Ms. Gunter will serve as the fifth president of the college, and only the second president since we gained independent board governance in 1997,” says Collyer. “Ms. Gunter has a demonstrated record of leadership in post-secondary education, and currently serves as senior vice president, academic, at George Brown College in Toronto.”
Collyer continues, “She has all the requisite skills and experience to lead Bow Valley College in the years ahead and we are delighted to announce her appointment.”
Gunter has held progressively senior leadership positions in both academic institutions and the private sector. Prior to joining George Brown College, a large post-secondary institution located in downtown Toronto, she was the dean of two different portfolios at Toronto’s Seneca College. She also previously served as the vice-president of programming, special projects and industry partnerships for the Vancouver Film School and as continuing education program director for applied science at Simon Fraser University.
“I’m keenly looking forward to joining Bow Valley College, which is recognized as a leading comprehensive community college,” says Gunter. “And I’m very proud to be assuming this position and building on a strong record of success.”
Gunter has a bachelor of journalism degree from Carleton University, and a master’s of business administration from Queen’s University. She has chaired the Coordinating Committee of Vice Presidents Academic for Colleges Ontario, been a member of the Interactive Ontario Board, and is currently a board member of the North York General Hospital.
Gunter succeeds Sharon Carry, who has served as president and CEO of Bow Valley College since 1997. Carry’s extraordinary leadership will be celebrated later this fall prior to the conclusion of her presidency in December, 2016.
Gunter will assume the role of president and CEO of the college on January 1, 2017.
Bow Valley College, Calgary’s comprehensive community college, is a leader in business and health career training, community studies, adult education, and English language learning.
