Southern Alberta Higher Education Relationship creates shared vision for region’s post-secondary institutions

trevor.kenney — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:28:43 +0000

An historic collaborative relationship between four southern Alberta post-secondary schools will create a shared vision for the future of higher education in the region and further solidify southern Alberta as a destination for post-secondary learners.

The Southern Alberta Higher Education Relationship is a formal Commitment to Work Together that unites Red Crow Community College, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Medicine Hat College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in a partnership to enhance higher education in southern Alberta through collaborative efforts. The alliance’s Blackfoot name, Innakotsiiysinni (respect for others), reflects the shared goals and mutually supportive nature of the agreement.

From left to right, Dr. Brad Donaldson, Samantha Fox, Kevin Shufflebotham and Dr. Digvir Jayas sign the Commitment to Work Together that unites Lethbridge Polytechnic, Red Crow Community College, Medicine Hat College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

The alliance will focus on four specific areas of collaboration, including academic programs, research, student supports and regional stewardship.

• Academic programs will feature clear articulation pathways between institutions that encourage student mobility, with interdisciplinary programs jointly developed to meet regional needs.

• Research projects will encourage the sharing of facilities and expertise as well as joint applications for research funding.

• Student support services and facilities will be enhanced through shared resources and jointly developed initiatives promoting student well-being and success.

• Regional stewardship involves the collection and sharing of information and knowledge between institutions, while leveraging resources and building collective capacity. The goal is to determine, prioritize and then enable educational access to the full spectrum of learning opportunities available to learners.

The alliance plans to meet two to three times per year to discuss action items and evaluate progress, guided by the principles of inclusivity, transparency and consensus-building. Mutual respect and reconciliation are at the heart of the collective approach, with a special focus on reconciliation and Indigenous education. A student-centred commitment to all learners will be the focus of all decisions.

The potential of this collaborative effort is substantial. By leveraging the unique strengths and resources of each institution to create a comprehensive and diverse educational environment for all learners, the alliance will be able to enhance educational opportunities, strengthen research impact and improve student supports.

Partner Statements

“This partnership embodies our purpose of building a vibrant future with learners and our region. By working together, we can better support students across southern Alberta, strengthening our college, our community and our region.”

Kevin Shufflebotham
President & CEO, Medicine Hat College

“In our partnership, we share our history, strengths and responsibilities so every learner can find their place. In the Niitsitapi way, relationships are the source of strength. Each institution offers its own gifts, stories and responsibilities. When we come together in Innakotsiiysinni — respect for one another — we honour the land, uplift our learners and ensure that the wisdom of our ancestors guides our future. Our partnership and commitment bring balance, respect for each Nation and institution, and help create a place where all learners can learn, thrive and belong.”

Sinopaaki - Samantha Fox
Interim President, Red Crow Community College

“This partnership reflects something truly unique, a university, college, polytechnic and Indigenous college coming together with a shared purpose in one region. By working collaboratively, we are strengthening pathways for students and positioning southern Alberta as a distinct and compelling destination for post-secondary education.”

Dr. Brad Donaldson
President & CEO, Lethbridge Polytechnic

“The opportunities created through this collaborative approach will greatly enhance student outcomes by creating more mobility between institutions, enriching educational options through collaborative programs and initiatives and enhancing services and supports. This sharing of expertise will also strengthen the significant impact of our research efforts regionally, nationally and globally.”

Dr. Digvir Jayas
President & Vice-Chancellor, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

“This partnership is about making post‑secondary education work better for students — clearer pathways, stronger alignment with jobs, and high‑quality education close to home. It’s a practical example of how collaboration strengthens Alberta’s post‑secondary system.”

Minister Myles McDougall
Minister of Advanced Education

Southern Alberta post-secondary institutions agree on principles to guide future collaboration

trevor.kenney — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 21:16:36 +0000

Lethbridge College, Medicine Hat College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have formally committed to explore innovative ways to work together to improve the efficiency, quality and accessibility of southern Alberta’s post-secondary system.

The three institutions have agreed on eight Regional Collaboration Principles aimed at guiding future joint initiatives. The principles consider student needs (including a commitment to further improving learner pathways), regional economic goals, industry needs, Indigenous community priorities, southern Alberta communities’ needs and provincial government goals.

“Our institutions have a strong history of working together,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge president and vice-chancellor. “We are collectively committed to finding efficiencies that support and enhance the student experience and do so within the new fiscal reality facing our province.”

Using the principles, the three institutions will explore innovative and creative partnerships affecting administration, services and programs.

“Each of our institutions has distinct specializations and areas of expertise that can help us create a collaborative post-secondary ecosystem in southern Alberta that truly puts our students first,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College president and CEO. “This agreement formalizes the way our institutions have worked together, and we look forward to finding new ways build on this tradition of innovation and collaboration.”

Future collaboration will allow each institution to build on its unique strengths while also clearly identifying specific roles. Each institution will continue with its current mandate in the larger post-secondary system and actively work together to minimize duplication while maximizing areas of strength.

“Medicine Hat College believes in the strength of collaboration within the post-secondary system. Our goals are the same: provide education, experiences, and opportunities that prepare students for the future,” says Kevin Shufflebotham, Medicine Hat College president and CEO. “These principles will guide our collaborative initiatives and direct how we approach projects that meet our shared and individual institutional goals.”

Regional Collaboration Guiding Principles

As post-secondary institutions, we desire the following:

To create an ecosystem of post-secondary learning that supports Government of Alberta goals while operating as independent institutions
To increase participation and retention in post-secondary education through domestic and international recruitment strategies and student support services
To ensure success for learners through a seamless pathway between certificate, diploma and bachelor programs, as well as opportunities to progress to graduate studies
To enable access to work integrated learning opportunities across southern Alberta
To support regional economic development by aligning programming with the needs of industry
To support the health and vibrancy of our rural communities by working together to enhance access and develop programming relevant to the rural economy
To further develop partnerships with Indigenous communities that support regional reconciliation and Indigenous learner success
To find operational collaborative opportunities, spanning the full mandates of our institutions, to support our sustainability and protect jobs in the post-secondary sector

UNews - Kevin Shufflebotham

Southern Alberta Higher Education Relationship creates shared vision for region’s post-secondary institutions

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Southern Alberta post-secondary institutions agree on principles to guide future collaboration

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