Concordia University of Edmonton focused on People, Place, and Purpose

By Jim Gendron, Board Chair

Autumn is a time of change and reflection. As the air turns crisp and students start returning to Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE), it’s a good time to reintroduce our post-secondary institution to our dynamic city and the Edmonton region. We have a long and proud history in the capital city. Our location, adjacent to the North Saskatchewan River Valley, is on Treaty 6 land and Region 4 of the Métis Nation of Alberta.

I have the honour of being the new Chair of the Board of Governors. There is a real sense of energy and renewal in the air as we recommit ourselves to CUE’s core values and mission. We are working hard to be recognized locally, nationally and internationally for our graduates’ knowledge, skill, integrity and wisdom. As a students’ university, we are committed to put CUE’s students at the centre of everything we do.

Over the past few years, we have worked hard to establish our place in the post-secondary regional landscape. As a small university of about 3,200 students, we are nimble and react to market needs quickly. Under the very able leadership of our President, Dr. Tim Loreman, we offer more than 50 post secondary program majors and minors in the fields of Arts, Science, Education, and Management. We also offer two after-degree programs, three masters degrees, a doctoral program, graduate and undergraduate certificates and diplomas, and continuing education programs. We have amazing services available to students including academic support, a mental health clinic and a home away from home at our Indigenous student’s centre, kihêwak kâpimihâcik, which translates to ‘Where the Eagles Fly’. We also provide support for student athletes, with league-leading men’s and women’s teams in volleyball, basketball, soccer, hockey, and cross-country running.

Our board is focused on three themes: people, place, and purpose. Each is driven by a set of principles that support achievement of our strategic direction. The principles reinforce that we are a diverse community, welcoming all to Concordia, a commitment to the common good of society, along with an intention to build relationships with our surrounding neighbourhood communities.

Our board believes that learning extends beyond the excellent academic programs we offer. We believe good citizenship is a requirement for our graduates’ success. Our recently updated and faculty supported Academic Plan 2023-28, aims to produce graduates who are independent thinkers, behave ethically, are good citizens, and contribute to the foundational knowledge of their university degrees.

CUE’s campus is expanding to accommodate future growth. We have made significant progress on a new academic building, our largest to date. It will open to students and faculty in 2024. The new building will include lecture theatres, classrooms, laboratories and preparation rooms, offices with workstations, and underground parking. It will support faculty members’ needs, student growth, and research over the next decade.

This summer, the Magrath Mansion on our Magrath Campus was rezoned and designated as a Municipal Historic Resource. Magrath campus and Mansion will be used for student activities, community outreach, faculty, donor, and alumni events. We’re exploring additional ways to bring this campus to life through student activity and neighbourhood community events.

There is an exciting buzz of energy here at CUE.