President of North Island College (NIC), John Bowman, is taking a four month sabbatical this summer to do some research on how the college can better meet the needs of North Island Communities.
At the NIC Board of Governors meeting held earlier this month at the Campbell River campus, board chair Derek Lamb announced the president’s leave, saying Bowman’s decision to take some time to engage the communities and organizations of the region is an admirable one.
“NIC serves a large geographic area, with many points of contact between NIC and local organizations, and it can be difficult to nurture relationships across the region on a day-to-day basis,” Lamb says. “His research will build on the connections created by local advisory and learning councils to better support our communities.”
Bowman’s sabbatical will also address and help fulfill the school’s strategic goals as identified in their current five-year plan, which, in part, recognizes the institution’s need to “better fulfill its mandate to support economic and community development through more extensive and effective cooperation with other entities.”
NIC’s current vice president, Lisa Domae, will step into the role of acting president while Bowman is on his leave.
“I’m excited to research opportunities for greater synergy between NIC and the local priorities and initiatives of other organizations,” Bowman says. “NIC works closely with many organizations in the region. I hope this project identifies new approaches to working together locally and across communities.”
Bowman’s leave runs from May 1 to Aug. 31. He will present his findings and recommendations to the Board of Governors and college community when he returns in the fall and resumes his role.