CANADORE COLLEGE
Canadore College Appoints Dr. Sandra Efu as new President and CEO

The Board of Governors is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Sandra Efu as the next President and CEO of Canadore College, effective January 27, 2026. Dr. Efu brings a strong and well-aligned vision to Canadore, grounded in an impressive record of post-secondary leadership and an unwavering commitment to fostering community prosperity, advancing student success, enhancing Indigenous partnerships, and promoting applied learning and research.

Dr. Efu joins Canadore after serving as Interim President and CEO of Keyano College where she led the institution through a period of uncertainty and considerable change. In her tenure, she advanced impactful initiatives, including the launch of an Indigenous Student Centre and the development of the new Health Learning Centre. Her achievements underscore her capacity to achieve results, cultivate trust, and guide institutions forward with clarity and stability.

A committed advocate for Indigenous learners, Dr. Efu has successfully led efforts to secure funding for Indigenous programs, strengthen essential partnerships, and expand training opportunities for Indigenous organizations. Her endeavours resonate with Canadore's commitment to reconciliation and equity.

In addition, Dr. Efu possesses a robust record in financial stewardship, government relations, and organizational development. At Keyano, she oversaw efforts to acquire resources for capital initiatives and Tri-Council grants related to sustainability research in northern contexts. Her emphasis on sustainability, accountability, and governance alignment will build upon Canadore's existing strengths while guiding the College through its forthcoming strategic planning phase.

Her vision for Canadore focuses on student and employee success, community partnership, Indigenous empowerment, innovation, and regional economic development. She sees significant opportunities for the College to build on its strengths in applied learning, deepen industry collaboration, and leverage emerging technologies to enhance access to education and support workforce development. Her experience in a northern context equips her with a well-rounded understanding of Canadore's identity, opportunities, and responsibilities to the region.

"Canadore College has a rich history of academic excellence and applied research," noted Dr. Efu. "I am excited to join an institution with such a solid foundation and to collaborate with the strong team at Canadore towards positioning the College for continued success. Canadore is uniquely situated to address the skills and productivity challenges in Northern Ontario and across Canada. I am equally excited to collaborate with partners across the community and sector to keep Canadore at the leading edge of accessible applied education."

Dr. Efu holds a PhD in Higher Education: Research, Evaluation, and Enhancement from Lancaster University, a Master's degree in Development Economics from Dalhousie University, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Additionally, she is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Her academic credentials and leadership expertise make her highly qualified to guide Canadore into its next promising chapter.

"Dr. Efu stood out in our national search due to her extensive knowledge, experience, and background. We are enthusiastic about her vision for Canadore College and her understanding of the crucial role that colleges play in advancing communities," remarked Jake Lacourse, Chair of Canadore's Board of Governors. "Dr. Efu was the clear recommendation of the search committee and was unanimously approved by the Board. She embodies the leadership qualities, academic and administrative expertise, business acumen, and strategic focus necessary to lead our college into a new era of success."

Dr. Efu will succeed George Burton, who was appointed in 2010. The Board expressed its profound appreciation to Mr. Burton for his significant contributions to Canadore over the past 15 years.