Mohawk College's Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Paul Armstrong will become the college's ninth President. Armstrong's first day as President will be July 1, 2024.
Armstrong, 56, is no stranger to the college. He began his Mohawk College career as a student in the late 1980s. In 1992, he joined the college as a faculty member in the Department of Medical Imaging. In 2013, Mohawk College recognized Armstrong's career success and achievements with an Alumni of Distinction Award in the Health Sciences category. He was Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Community and Urban Studies at the time.
Armstrong was appointed Vice President Academic in 2016. He is currently the college's Chief Operating Officer (COO), a role he has held since 2020. As COO, he played a crucial role in navigating the college through the global pandemic, one of the most challenging periods in the college's history.
Throughout the more than 30 years he has been with the college, Armstrong has developed and led many successful initiatives and partnerships that have contributed to its growth and provided significant benefits for students, employees, partners, and the communities it serves.
He led the development and implementation of the college's current strategic plan. One of the key elements of this plan is the college's ongoing work to advance Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, both of which are very important to Armstrong. He led the development of the college's first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, and has worked closely with Indigenous college and community leaders to enable programs and services that support their communities.
Working with 15 other colleges, polytechnics and cégeps from across Canada, Armstrong helped establish Canadian Colleges for Resilient Recovery, a coalition that is working together to offer Canadians the training and skills they need to succeed in a green economy.
"With more than 30 years of experience as an educator and leader at Mohawk College, Paul Armstrong has dedicated his career to advancing and accelerating the opportunities available to learners, employees, employers, and the broader community," said Anna Filice, Chair of Mohawk College's Board of Governors. "Paul is a recognized leader in the college sector, provincially and nationally, and has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Ontario colleges today. As President, Paul will use his experience and insight to position Mohawk College for continued innovation and leadership."
"To be given the opportunity to lead Mohawk College is a great honour for me," said Armstrong. "I was fortunate to begin my postsecondary journey at this college. Mohawk gave me the skills I needed to succeed in my chosen career, and provided the foundational knowledge that prepared me for success as a leader. I am proud to be part of an amazing team of faculty and staff at Mohawk College, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization that has been such a big part of my life."
Mohawk College's Board of Governors began its search in December 2023 engaging the services of the executive search firm Phelps. Ron McKerlie will continue to serve as President until Armstrong begins his tenure on July 1. McKerlie will then assist with the transition in an advisory role until July 31, 2024.
Upon Armstrong's appointment to President on July 1, the Mohawk College Foundation will complete a restructuring, moving the operations and employees of the Foundation into the college's operations, and removing the need for the Foundation to have its own separate President. The Foundation will continue to lead the fundraising initiatives for the college, with the Foundation's Executive Director reporting to Armstrong and serving as a member of the college's executive team. The Mohawk College Foundation Board of Directors will continue to provide strategic fundraising advice and guidance for the Foundation's activities.
About Paul Armstrong:
- Paul and his wife, Lucy, live in Hamilton. He has two adult children, Daniel and Katrina.
- Is originally from Owen Sound, Ontario.
- Is currently Chair of the Board for Skills Ontario and a Director on the Board for Skills Canada.
- Is Past Chair, Board of Directors, Industry Education Council of Hamilton.
- Has a Master of Business Administration from Queens University and has completed the Advanced Management program from the Harvard Business School.
- Mohawk College credentials include a Diploma in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound '89 and a Diploma in Radiological Technology '88.
- Began his career working at the Hamilton General Hospital and McMaster University Medical Centre as a Radiological Technician from 1988 to 1989 and as an Ultrasound Technologist from 1989-1992 and worked at Mohawk College in part-time roles.
