BCIT has chosen its new president.
The post-secondary institution has announced Dr. Jeff Zabudsky will assume the position beginning on July 10, 2023, with Paul McCullough remaining interim president until Zabudsky takes over.
McCullough was named interim president following former president Kathy Kinloch's retirement this past July.
"With over 30 years of experience within post-secondary and polytechnic leadership roles, Dr. Zabudsky brings an exceptional skillset that will advance BCIT’s impact to our learners and the province of British Columbia," BCIT Board of Governors chair Dan Reader said in a news release.
"From our first meeting, Dr. Zabudsky established his extraordinary passion and talent for cultivating innovative partnerships that benefit students, faculty, staff, industry, and government. Both in Canada and abroad, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to growing applied education opportunities for learners and communities – which makes him a valued addition to BCIT."
Zabudsky was most recently Provost for the American University of Bahrain in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
He has also served as the CEO of Bahrain Polytechnic, president and vice chancellor for Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Oakville, Ontario and president and CEO of Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
His educational background includes a PhD in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Alberta, Master of Distance Education from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Broadcast Journalist from Toronto Metropolitan University.
"It is an honour to join BCIT as President at such a significant time in its history, and I give my deepest thanks to the search committee and the Board of Governors for the confidence they have bestowed in me,” Zabudsky added in the release.
"BCIT plays a critical role in economic and community development throughout British Columbia and I am privileged to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading BCIT into this next era of growth.
"With more than one-million estimated job openings over the next decade in British Columbia, learners will continue to rely on BCIT for the skills and training they need to find fulfilling and rewarding careers. I look forward to working with the Board of Governors, the team at BCIT, our industry partners, and government to advance the important work still to come for Canada’s premier polytechnic."
