NAIT is pleased to announce the reappointment of Laura Jo Gunter as President & CEO for a second term for two years. Under her leadership, NAIT will remain focused on advancing our vision of delivering transformative polytechnic education leading to meaningful careers, vibrant communities, and globally competitive industries.
Since her appointment in 2020, Gunter has helped shape a renewed strategic direction for NAIT one rooted in impact. Early in her tenure, she led the development of The NAIT Effect, our institution's strategic plan that continues to guide how NAIT delivers our vision and measures our progress. With this strong foundation in place, NAIT has remained focused on helping learners thrive and supporting communities to succeed.
"Laura Jo's reappointment reflects our shared commitment to continuity in leadership and to advancing NAIT's long-term vision one centred on student success, institutional strength, and impact across Alberta and beyond. With building toward the Advanced Skills Centre, inspirational advancements toward organizational transformation, and future-focused financial sustainability efforts already underway, Laura Jo's continued leadership will ensure momentum is maintained and meaningful progress continues."
- Yasmin Jivraj, Chair, NAIT Board of Governors
Strengthening the NAIT Experience and Polytechnic Education
Under Gunter's leadership, NAIT has welcomed more learners through steady enrolment growth and purposeful program evolution, reflecting the needs of a changing workforce. The innovative reorganization from four to seven academic Schools shows our ongoing commitment to meet the needs of learners and industry. Since 2020, more than 30,000 NAIT graduates and those who have completed their apprenticeship programs have launched their careers. This reflects our institution's strong ties to industry and our focus on polytechnic education that leads to meaningful outcomes.
Grounded in NAIT's core values of Respect, Collaboration, Accountability, Creativity, and Celebration, Gunter has worked with learners, staff, industry, and the community to align efforts toward Alberta's prosperity. At the same time, she has focused on strengthening NAIT's employee culture by implementing tools and practices that measure outcomes, supporting stronger communication, greater alignment, and creating an improved sense of direction.
Gunter's leadership has helped build a more vibrant, empowering campus culture focused on preparing learners for meaningful careers. Whether in labs, classrooms, the Nîsôhkamâtotân Centre, or the International and Intercultural Community Centre, NAIT continues to invest in learning environments where learners feel supported, included, and connected. She has also prioritized K-12 pathways and relationships through student-focused discovery programs and events such as Jill of All Trades, Next in Trades, and IGNITE.
Championing major transformative initiatives, Gunter and her team are focused on modernizing campus infrastructure with platforms. This includes a new, industry-leading learning management system, which supports student success through personalized learning spaces, increased engagement, and improved data for instructors to make more informed decisions. As well as a new cutting-edge, cloud-based enterprise resource planning system, which will streamline and modernize NAIT's finance, human resources, and business operations. Her leadership recognizes the role of emerging technology, such as artificial intelligence, in shaping how NAIT delivers services and supports learners moving forward.
Shaping the Future of Skilled Trades and Technology
The Advanced Skills Centre will be the largest infrastructure project in NAIT's history a generational investment that will transform skilled trades and technology education in Alberta. It represents a bold commitment to the province's future workforce and economy. Guided by Gunter's leadership and her key role in securing $43 million in provincial funding to support the planning and design of the Centre, progress continues toward bringing this vision to life.
Gunter continues to guide NAIT through major institutional change, recognizing the need to adapt to an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving environment. Organizational transformation and financial sustainability remain central to her leadership to build an institution that is more resilient, agile, and responsive to meet learner and industry needs with agility, solidifying NAIT's ability to serve Alberta long into the future.
"I am proud of what we have accomplished together in my first term and energized by what lies ahead for NAIT. NAIT learners are the future of our province. And we are here to help them succeed and with the support of staff, partners, and community, we will continue to grow our impact where it matters most."
- Laura Jo Gunter, President & CEO
With Gunter's reappointment, NAIT remains focused on building a strong foundation of collaboration to ensure our promises are met to learners, industry, staff, and Alberta and beyond.
For more information
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