Lethbridge College president and CEO Paula Burns announces departure

Dr. Paula Burns, the eighth president and CEO in Lethbridge College's history.

The president and CEO of Lethbridge College has announced she is leaving her position.

Paula Burns, who joined the college in February 2013, is stepping down to take on a new role as the president and CEO of Langara College in Vancouver.

"It's bitter sweet," she said Thursday. "I love Lethbridge College, the people here are fantastic. So it was a tough decision."

"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of creating additional pathways to students as they're going to universities, coming from universities and looking at partnerships with other colleges as well," Burns added.

During her time at Lethbridge College, Burns oversaw the opening of the Trades, Technologies and Innovation facility in 2017, which the college says is the largest construction project in its history.

She says she's proud of the work that they've done over the past nine years, especially when it comes to their work with indigenous relations.

"Our connection with the indigenous community, having an honour song, getting a Blackfoot name – Ohkotoki'aahkkoiyiiniimaan – for Lethbridge College, and then my own personal Blackfoot name," she told CTV News.

"Those things stand out for me as important things for our community."

Burns went on to say that having to run a school in a pandemic was no easy task, but they were able to tackle it head on.

"Lethbridge College was prepared in terms of being able to pivot quickly to remote learning, online learning, and our leadership team has done a fantastic job of keeping our focus on keeping our community safe as well as our opportunity to bring our students into face-to-face, in-class learning," said Burns.

In a news release, the college said Burns leaves behind a "positive and powerful legacy."

“Obviously it always takes a moment to digest, but we're very excited for Paula," said Michael Marcotte, chair of the Lethbridge College Board of Governors.

Lethbridge College’s Board of Governors will begin the search for a replacement immediately.

Burns is the eighth president in Lethbridge College history.

A spokesperson for the college said Burns doesn't have firm final day in place at this time. She will stay through the college's convocation on May 27, and will begin at Langara on June 6.