REPORT 2024-25
Navigators
The 2024-25 OCAS Annual Report captures our endeavours over the past year under the theme “Navigators.” It's a theme that signifies the adaptability and resilience of the Ontario college system, even in the face of challenges – most notably to international education. As you explore this report, you’ll discover how our recent initiatives have helped us and our partners navigate this evolving landscape together.
Over the course of the past year, we’ve sought to work even more closely with our college partners – such as through a new Strategic Enrolment Collaboration Committee (SECC) – to understand and help address their challenges. Our commitment to the colleges has allowed us to complete significant projects that directly support our partners and learners.
Read on to learn more about OCAS in 2024-25.
Greetings from the Interim President and CEO
As the new interim President and CEO of OCAS, it is both an honour and privilege to present the OCAS Annual Report for 2024-25. The theme “Navigators” aptly represents our journey this past year, underscoring the strategic choices and initiatives that have guided us through numerous changes.
Although I’ve only recently stepped into this role, I am deeply aware of the significant responsibilities of our organization, particularly in managing the domestic application and supporting our college partners as we all navigate challenges to international education in the Ontario post-secondary sector.
Our partners’ dedication and hard work have laid a strong foundation for the future of the college sector, and I am committed to building upon it to drive OCAS forward. By working together, we can enhance applicant experiences, provide comprehensive support systems, and help generate excitement around going to college in Ontario.
In terms of managing the domestic application, our organization remains steadfast in its commitment to helping prospective learners easily access a college education in Ontario. At OCAS, we firmly believe in the power of education to connect cultures, promote understanding, and create a more inclusive world.
The accomplishments of the OCAS team outlined in this report remind me what an honour and privilege it is for our organization to continue to serve the Ontario college system. To all our college partners, thank you so much for your continued support and collaboration.
Greetings from the Board Chair
It has been my privilege to serve as the Board Chair for OCAS, an organization that truly believes in the importance of helping learners take that all-important first step toward post-secondary education.
For more than 30 years, OCAS has served as a trusted partner to Ontario’s colleges and as a resource for learners provincially, nationally, and around the world. While the landscape of higher education continues to shift, our mission remains steady: to create supportive and innovative pathways that connect people with opportunity.
Over the past year, OCAS has taken clear steps to lay the groundwork for the future while helping partners navigate significant sector-wide challenges. You’ll see evidence of this throughout the pages of this annual report. From refining tools and technology to delivering more responsive data solutions, OCAS has continued building a foundation that will allow to better understand – and meet – the needs of those it serves. In doing so, OCAS officially hit a new record in domestic college applications, surpassing its previous record from 2014!
The dedication of the staff and commitment to collaboration remains strong, as evidenced by being recognized as one of Waterloo Area’s Top Employers for a tenth consecutive year and being a leading employer in all of Southwestern Ontario. Whether it’s working with colleges to navigate the evolving international education landscape, supporting Indigenous learners on their journey to graduation, or helping attract more future tradespeople to the skilled workforce, OCAS is proud to stand alongside its partners in addressing some of the most pressing issues in higher education today.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of the team and the commitment of the OCAS Board of Directors. I take this opportunity to thank Marc Provencher for his years of service with OCAS, first as the CIO and later as the President and CEO, and to welcome Shannon Lipskie as the incoming interim President and CEO. Passion, creativity, and resilience are what drive OCAS forward – and what will continue to power our progress in the years to come.
Thank you for joining us on this journey.
