Message from Susan Caldwell: Chair of Centennial Board of Governors

Craig Stephenson - President and CEO of Centennial College

June 11

Dr. Craig Stephenson to continue as

President and CEO of Centennial College

Dear Centennial College community,

I am delighted to announce that the Board of Governors has unanimously decided to renew Dr. Craig Stephenson’s contract as President and CEO of Centennial College, ensuring his ongoing and outstanding leadership of our institution.

President Stephenson joined Centennial 16 years ago as Dean of Students, became Vice President of Student and Community Engagement in 2014, and assumed the presidency in August 2019. During his tenure as President, Centennial has continued to transform and thrive and he has profoundly enriched the lives of our students, employees, and community members while successfully navigating remarkably challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical turmoil.

President Stephenson has delivered on our 2021-2025 Academic Plan: Building Leaders and Changemakers, with notable achievements including:

Enhancing the learner experience: President Stephenson has focused on customer service and tirelessly championed initiatives and innovations to transform and tailor academic delivery and services, resulting in substantial growth in student scholarships, bursaries, grants, donations, and work-integrated learning. The re-positioning of the Student Experience and Success Division now ensures a clear focus on who matters most - our students.

Fostering faculty and staff well-being: His dedication to open dialogue, unique perspectives, and the well-being of our faculty and staff has led to Centennial being listed on Forbes’ list of Canada's Best Employers 2025, Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for three consecutive years, and Canada’s Greenest Employers, 2024.

Promoting inclusivity, equity, and sustainability: President Stephenson's unwavering commitment to inclusive, equity-based practices and empowerment has been crucial in addressing anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism and promoting Truth and Reconciliation. Significant progress has been made on our Anti-Black Racism Taskforce deliverables and Indigenous Strategic Framework, fostering a culture of opportunity, fairness, reconciliation, and equitable access. The newly constructed A-Building at Progress Campus, Canada’s first zero-carbon, mass timber, LEED Gold higher education building, showcases the College’s commitment to sustainability and Indigenous education.

The Board of Governors has full confidence in President Stephenson’s visionary leadership and strategic direction. Our unanimous decision reflects our belief in his ability to continue fostering excellence, innovation, and empowerment at Centennial, and underscores our commitment to maintaining stability and momentum as we advance our mission.

Looking ahead, we are excited about Centennial’s future under President Stephenson’s continued leadership. His focus on launching and executing our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, which is currently being developed, will enable our students, employees, and community to further flourish. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Stephenson for his dedication and tireless efforts. Please join us in congratulating President Stephenson and supporting him as we embark on this exciting next chapter for Centennial.

Sincerely,

Susan Caldwell

Chair, Board of Governors

Centennial College

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you have had an opportunity to read the above announcement. To say that I am absolutely thrilled to have accepted another term as President and CEO of Centennial College is a bit of an understatement, to say the least!

Working with you – this incredible Centennial family – has been an absolute highlight of my career. One which has spanned two continents, three countries, and seven higher education settings.

In thinking back to when I joined the College in 2008 as the Dean of Students, I couldn't have imagined what an exhilarating journey my time here would turn out to be. Little did I know – that this place would get under my skin; that its unique and pioneering approach to internationalization and nurturing global perspectives, advocacy, social justice and inclusion, would stimulate, excite and influence me. That the people I work alongside would encourage, inspire and motivate me not only to do my best, but to embrace new ways of thinking and doing - both personally and professionally. And, perhaps most importantly - that meeting students daily would remind me why I do what I do and why I come to work with passion, zeal and a gleam in my eye every day, knowing that I am working with, and for, tomorrow’s future.

Indeed, in six short years, I found myself joining the executive team as Vice President, Student and Community Engagement, and then five years later having the tremendous opportunity of becoming Centennial’s seventh President and CEO in 2019. Throughout my time at the College, what has remained unchanged – and which I have never forgotten – is that my success continues to be driven by the phenomenal team we have.

And so, I thank the outgoing Board Chair, Susan Caldwell, for her kind words and the Board of Governors for the trust they have placed in my ability to continue to lead this gem of an institution. And thank you to each and every one of you for the support you offer myself, and most importantly our students – each and every day.

With much thought and gratitude,

Craig Stephenson

President and CEO