A satisfying final chapter

Retiring in June 2013, Dr. Nick Rubidge looks back over 12 years as president and CEO of College of the Rockies

1 of 1After 12 years as president and CEO of College of the Rockies, Dr. Nicholas Rubidge will retire in June 2013. — Photo courtesy College of the Rockies

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In June 2013, Dr. Nicholas Rubidge will retire from his position as president and chief executive officer (CEO) at College of the Rockies (COTR), which has campuses in Cranbrook, Creston, Golden, Invermere, Kimberley and Fernie. Rubidge is commencing a very busy eight months as he wraps up 12 years of leadership at the college, but he took time to discuss with us some milestones of his years at COTR, and to speculate about the future.

How it began

Rubidge’s association with the college began long before he took on his present executive position.

“I was here for two years way back in 1975 to 1977, when the college was first being planned,” Rubidge said. “I was responsible for anything that wasn’t academic, like adult education and trades. My office was in the nurses residence over by the old Tudor House at first, and then we migrated into the downtown area into offices above a hair salon. Even today, the smell of hairdressing chemicals takes me right back to that time!”

In 1977, Rubidge was recruited into the provincial government’s Ministry of Advanced Education. In the 24 years that followed, he served in most of the senior positions within that ministry and also took a two-year secondment to participate as founding vice-president of Royal Roads University in Victoria.

“Through that work with Royal Roads, I got enthusiastic about being back in the field,” Rubidge said. “I really enjoyed the interactions with faculty, staff and students, and doing something other than working within the bureaucracy.”

Returning as leader

Rubidge was happy to return to the East Kootenay in 2001, taking on his present position, and to see how COTR had developed since he left it in its infancy.

“This is a really good model for a rural community college in B.C.,” Rubidge said, “because it has a little bit of everything. As originally intended, within the region it has become the place that provides for the complete spectrum of learning needs for adults.”

Rubidge said that followup statistics provide some validating data.

“Our followup with students confirms that the college really prepares them well. Our statistics show that the student who starts at the college and transfers to university after two years will do better in third and fourth year than the student who goes directly to university from high school.”

Gratifying support

Rubidge said that government support for expansion of COTR was surprisingly forthcoming.

“We were able to double the original acreage of the college site so that we could build the infrastructure to attract and serve another group of students. We can now guarantee that this site will be useful for several more decades.”

With the additional funding, plans were implemented for additional space for trades training, a new academic wing and the construction of the Gold Creek campus. Finally, the redesigned front entrance has enhanced the appearance of the facility.

“The experience of being a student is more than what goes on in the classroom,” Rubidge said. “It’s social opportunity, it’s being exposed to a variety of ideas, it’s expanding your thinking and your horizons. Physically, now, we’ve created a space that is conducive to that.”

Key accomplishments

Rubidge spoke with great enthusiasm about other advances that have been made.

“Some of the things we’ve done on the international side are just astounding,” he said. “Students from all across the country apply for internship placement to a variety of programs through our International (Education and Development) Department. I get so jealous of the students who attain placements abroad! Also, our involvement in development projects has provided some wonderful opportunities for faculty and students to contribute to global development.

“The recent granting of degree status is a major milestone for us,” he continued. “For 36 years we were working to deliver first- and second-year university transfer programs and only a few third- and fourth-year, in partnership with  UVic (University of Victoria) and Athabasca (University). Now we are a four-year institution in our own right. This lays the groundwork for the next 36 years of development.”

Looking ahead

Rubidge hopes that the future brings expansion of a number of third- and fourth-year completion opportunities, allowing students to complete their degrees here. Nursing and tourism programs would be immediate candidates to add to COTR’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree in sustainable business practices.

“We could expand on the technology side as well, such as sustainable energy,” he said. “I’d like to see some integration between the trades and opportunities for laddering to other programs. Construction trades could develop into project management and design. Any of the trades could evolve into business management and entrepreneurship.”

Rubidge said he is grateful for the community’s support of the college, and for the talents and hard work of the institution’s faculty and staff over the years. When the demands of his job are behind him, he and his wife, Pam, look forward to travelling, spending time with their grandchildren and continuing to enjoy Cranbrook and the beauty of the East Kootenay.

“When we were first here we had young children and it was difficult to take advantage of all that this region has to offer,” he commented. "There are many times when I look around and am in awe of the beauty of this area.”