New College President Excited About Thunder Bay And Region
by Scott A.Sumner
The new college President Jim Madder, held a media event prior to his assuming the presidents office on July1st.
President Madder has an academic background at the University of Winnipeg and Guelph University where he obtained his PHD in zoology. He then worked at Fleming at Lindsey, Ontario starting as a teacher. “ All the programs there were focused on the eco system. My training is in that field. I had an opportunity to work for the national association of colleges in research. Then I went to Red Deer as a Vice President for 5 years and the opportunity arose here in Thunder Bay. My background is as a zoologist and my doctorate is in the field. The ways
of thinking about ecosystems apply for organizations.”
“ I have been meeting as many people as I can at campus including the senior team. I like the way we are embedded in the community, what are the needs and can we help economic development. First I want to learn by listening to hear the hopes and aspirations of the organization as well as the communities and bring some goals myself. I am about people and celebrating the success of people, whether it is our faculty, our staff, our students and
communities. It comes down to individual people and supporting them. The second thing is about building comminutes so people are working well together, finding out what are the gaps and opportunities in Thunder Bay and in the region which is a heck of a big region. So I am
looking forward to spending some time throughout the area,” said Madder. “ Leadership skills can manifest itself as entrepreneurship and reaching out and building their dream. Inside an organization you look at change to see how you make that organization more adaptable.
People, community and leadership are three things really important to me. I look forward to working with people on this. I love to deliver services in the home community of the student. Sometimes you can't do that but if you can possibility do it I like keeping the student near
home is good. You can do distance learning as well.”
“ This is a dream job for me. I love what colleges do, supporting facility and responding to students needs. You see a student doing things they never thought they could,” said Jim Madder, “ You can feel the optimism in the community and there are great things going on. I
can’t imagine a better place and time than being at Confederation College in Thunder Bay right now. The opportunities that here are absolutely fantastic.”
