Hello Acadia alumni family!

It’s been a whirlwind summer and fall, and what a meaningful experience to connect with so many of you during our Meet the President events! Hearing your stories and the impact that Acadia has had on your lives, both professionally and personally, has been inspiring and motivational. We recently welcomed alumni back to campus for a wonderful Homecoming celebration. It was especially meaningful to see the Classes of 2020 and 2021 cross the stage during an emotional and long-awaited graduation ceremony.

The theme of this issue of the Bulletin focuses on Strategic Academic Programming at Acadia, and will cover more success stories about the impact of Acadia’s academic programs.

There are many exciting developments happening across campus right now. This fall, we broke ground on the Eleanor Johnson Student Centre, where students will be supported by a range of multifunctional spaces, including the MacNeill Commons, the Wicha Wellness Centre, Accessible Learning Centre and the Clark Community Kitchen. Renovations are expected to be completed in 2027, and the new space will be a hub for current and future generations of Acadia students.

Additionally, thanks to a $755,000 donation from Peter and Susan Gordon, Acadia will soon house the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre (CTRIC), the first facility of its kind in Canada. It will provide a unique opportunity for Acadia students to make a difference for all Canadians as research continues and is an excellent example of the applied learning model for which Acadia is known.

Across campus, we continue to advance our commitment to the well-being of our community with the creation of a standalone School of Counselling. Acadia is one of only four universities in the country to hold national accreditation in counsellor education, a testament to the program’s strength and the important role it plays on campus and in the community.

With a commitment to experiential learning opportunities, Acadia is meeting the needs of the modern world while simultaneously honouring our liberal and applied educational traditions that define the University as a premier post-secondary destination.

Examples of this are reflected in the new School of Nursing program and its building currently under construction, and a new early learning and childcare centre that will be built on Acadia’s campus!

All these achievements address Nova Scotia’s Bill 12, an Act Respecting Advanced Education and Research, and Schedule H which requires the University to implement a revitalization process to improve financial health and address systemic barriers.

Alumni play a key role in our continued success. From donor support to knowledge, advice and stories, your role is vital to Acadia’s continued success. Thanks to your generosity, students are gaining more opportunities than ever before, and the impact of applied learning can be seen in the many great initiatives happening across our campus.

As we look to the future, we’re excited to build on this momentum with the continued support of the Acadia Alumni, our community members, faculty, and staff. Your involvement makes a difference, whether by attending events, supporting the University or contributing in other meaningful ways.

Together, we are shaping future generations of Acadia’s success. I’m proud to share this journey with all of you, and look forward to what’s next.

In Acadia spirit,