John Tibbits is remaining Conestoga College's president for at least another year.
The school announced it extended Tibbits' term until Aug. 31, 2025 in a new release on Friday.
"This extension is a reflection of the board’s confidence in Dr. Tibbits' ability to advance the college’s vision to be a recognized leader in applied learning and research that enables student success in meeting workforce demands," the release said.
"After nearly 40 years of service to Conestoga College, Dr. Tibbits has the institutional knowledge and experience to guide Conestoga during our next phase of growth. The college is in the midst of a transformative expansion that will solidify its reputation as the premier institution for education and training for industry-relevant careers."
Expansion plans include Phase 2 of the Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge and the Milton Education Village.
Tibbits and the college have come under scrutiny over the last year for its international student recruitment and comments Tibbits made directed at Sault College president David Orazietti. The comments stemmed from Orazietti referring to the college as a "bad actor" when it came to international students.
After the incident, the OPSEU Locals 238 and 237 unions representing staff wrote a joint letter to the Conestoga Board of Governors calling for him to resign.
In the release announcing Tibbits' extension, the college points to it securing housing and additional supports to better equip it with meeting student needs.
"The college acquired eight new student housing properties over the last year, with guaranteed housing available to first-year students in Brantford and Waterloo this fall," it reads.
"Another 2,000+ net new beds are planned for 2026. The college is also directing increased funding towards enhancing student support services and resources. Conestoga now invests $76 million per year in student support -- a number which is set to grow to $90 million in 2025."
Amid these investments, the college feels Tibbits is the right choice to lead them.
"The Board of Governors believes that continuity in leadership is key to ensuring their successful implementation, not only for the college, but for our local and provincial economies," it said.
"The Board of Governors looks forward to continuing our journey with Dr. Tibbits' at the helm and is confident that his leadership will be instrumental in driving student success, advancing Conestoga’s strategic initiatives and preparing the next generation of Ontario’s workforce."
To read the entire release click here.
