Items tagged : island

Buchanan takes post at Holland College

Former UPEI registrar named strategic enrolment consultant

by WAYNE THIBODEAU
The [Charlottetown, PEI] Guardian

August 6, 2007

Alan Buchanan is jumping from one educational institution to another.

Buchanan, who resigned as registrar of UPEI earlier this year, is taking a position with Holland College. He is being hired as a strategic enrolment management consultant.

“Alan’s primary role will be to provide support and advice to the Strategic Enrolment Management Committee,” says a memo sent to Holland College staff last week.

“He will also undertake institutional research projects and act as a resource to several initiatives currently under development.”

Michael O’Grady, vice-president of Innovation, Enterprise and Strategic Development for Holland College, says Buchanan’s experience at UPEI makes him highly qualified for the position.

“He will be assisting us in planning and co-ordinating all of our activities around recruitment, retention and ultimately the graduation of our students,” O’Grady told The Guardian.

“UPEI has been very successful in keeping its enrolments high, and, in fact, increasing at a time when other Maritime institutions are experiencing enrolment declines.

“So, we’ll look to (Buchanan) to identify some best practices and help us to plan our own recruitment initiatives.”

Buchanan was registrar at UPEI. He’s also worked as director of public affairs and government relations for Aliant.

But he’s probably best known as a former Liberal cabinet minister who challenged now Premier Robert Ghiz for the leadership of the Liberal party.

It was widely expected that Buchanan would be joining the Ghiz team in a senior role — most likely as a deputy minister but that didn’t happen.

O’Grady said Buchanan’s Liberal connections had nothing to do with his appointment, which is a six-month contract to start.

“I know of Alan’s public profile. I also know of his political background. But that has nothing to do with the job that need to get done here.”

Buchanan begins in late August. He is replacing somebody who is off on long-term leave. O’Grady said he looks forward to working with Buchanan, who he described as a friend.

Comments:

jane doe from city, pei writes: Is this government lingo for PATRONAGE,say it ain’t so Larry, say it ain’t so.

Posted 06/08/2007 at 12:47 am |

The Bard said it best.. from pe writes: That which we call a rose would smell as sweet by any other name...

Posted 06/08/2007 at 9:54 am |

Rightway2go from PEI writes: Holding pattern for Allan the Lazy. I guess he must be holding out for a bigger plum. A Dion victory could fill that Senate seat with... Senator Al. I guess that is the life of an influencial former politician.

Posted 06/08/2007 at 10:47 am |

4.

ps.... from pe writes: PS- Those who know Alan know he will be great at this, I was hoping he was going to play a prominent role. We need good intelligent people in these positions, so who cares what hockey team they cheer for?

Not to mention Holland College is a very important educational institution on PEI, they have come along way over the past ten years. There are many good programs there for Islanders to get new hands on skills to re-enter the workforce. You can have a new career is less than 2 years, in and out and ready to contribute your talents into the economy of PEI. I think someone like Alan may be able to take this thing to a new level and encourage more and more Islanders to access the educational programs on PEI to better themselves and their communities.

Posted 06/08/2007 at 10:49 am |

joe doe from city, pei writes: Well said Alan.

Posted 06/08/2007 at 11:19 am |

Rightway2go from PEI writes: And in only 6 months!!!
Rightway2go. Al's a goodfella, no doubt. But spare us the over the top stuff. It's Holland College. He leaves UPEI- rumours abound -
what is Al going to get? Big job for Al is all the talk. No doubt he has something to offer. Going to Holland College for a few months is hardly the reason a smart fellow like Al would have for leaving a darn good, secure job at UPEI. Give your head a shake on the other stuff. It's got nothing to do with Holland College or anybody going there as a student. It's only got something to do with Al. By the way he'll do a pretty good job at whatever he ends up doing. That's just the way it is here on the Island.

Posted 06/08/2007 at 12:48 pm |