ONCAT (Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer)

Did you know that ONCAT is an independent not-for-profit organization? ONCAT is funded by the Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario, with oversight provided by Colleges, Universities, Research & Security | Collèges, Universités, Recherche & Sécurité, as well as the ONCAT Board, which includes representatives from publicly assisted colleges, universities, Indigenous Institutes and partner organizations. On the heels of a vibrant board meeting, we’d like to take a moment and publicly celebrate the contributions of our board members — thank you for your strategic insights, thoughtful perspectives and continued enthusiasm for advancing learner mobility in Ontario! Lesley Rigg, President and Vice-Chancellor, Brock University Kevin Weaver, President & CEO, Georgian College Dr. Cebert Adamson, Vice President, Academic, Mohawk College Barış Berber, Student Representative, Seneca College Malcolm Campbell, Provost and Vice President, Academic, Laurentian University Darran Fernandez, EdD, Registrar, McMaster University Gillian Gibbons, External Representative, Superintendent of Education, School and System Operations, York Region District School Board Kathryn Kettle, Graduate Representative, Laurentian University Dr. Chris McGrath 🏳️🌈, Vice President Student Services, Niagara College Jen McMillen, Vice Provost, Students, Toronto Metropolitan University Jeannette Miron, Registrar and Senior Director, Enrolment and Student Services, Canadore College Sean Monteith, Executive Director, Indigenous Advanced Education & Skills Council Nicole Nicolas-Bayer, Director of Program Development and Quality Assurance, Kenjgewin Teg Alexandra Roy, Student Representative, Trent University Surranna Sandy, MA, MBA, ALM, External Representative, CEO, Skills for Change Adrienne Galway, President and CEO, ONCAT David Corcoran, Interim Vice President, Policy and Innovation, Colleges Ontario Heather Lane, Executive Director, Ontario Universities' Application Centre Shannon Lipskie, M.Ed, President & CEO, OCAS Robert Luke, CEO, eCampusOntario Marny Scully, Vice President of Policy and Strategy, Council of Ontario Universities #cdnpse #highered

What is “transfer”? What does “learner mobility” mean? Although most postsecondary stakeholders are familiar with these concepts, the lack of a standardized vocabulary can cause confusion when discussing policies and practices related to transfer and learner mobility. Moreover, the ambiguity of these terms can interfere with the development of sector-wide initiatives that expand postsecondary opportunities for learners. In response to the situation, ONCAT researchers Jeffrey N. and Emerson LaCroix, Ph.D. conducted a comprehensive review of how terms related to transfer and learner mobility are used by postsecondary administrators, researchers and policymakers. While we discovered various resources with extensive definition sets, these occasionally conflict with one another or omit important terms. ONCAT has created a new set of recommended definitions for concepts related to transfer and learner mobility — specifically intended for use across Ontario. We encourage postsecondary administrators to consider how the terminology used at their institution compares to ONCAT’s recommended definitions. By working together to align our understanding of transfer and learner mobility, we can help learners navigate their options for successfully continuing their postsecondary journeys. #cdnpse #highered

We are pleased to introduce Audrey R., Assistant Vice President, Indigenous Initiatives at York University — our featured speaker for the second day of the 2026 ONCAT Conference! Audrey is Anishinaabe from Waabadowgang-Whitesand First Nation and has held roles at the University of Toronto, Sheridan College, George Brown Polytechnic, City of Toronto, Indspire and imagineNATIVE. Having built a career on forging relationships rooted in reciprocity, Audrey has led implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action, overseen Indigenization measures as part of institutional strategic plans and, at George Brown, created an Indigenous Education Strategy. Audrey is the daughter of a residential school survivor who says that her family centres her and that together they are deeply committed to reconciliation: “This is a lifelong journey. The Seven Grandfather Teachings guide me and while I’m still learning, I am a resource for this thriving community.” #cdnpse #highered

ONCAT appreciates that military-connected learners may encounter obstacles and delays when trying to begin or resume their studies.    To identify effective practices and promising solutions, ONCAT commissioned the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C) to review the recognition of Canadian Armed Forces training within the Ontario postsecondary system.    The report — authored by Don Moore and Suzette Brémault-Phillips — provides key recommendations for supporting military-connected learners, ultimately informing policy development and fostering systemic change in how military learning is valued across Canada’s education and employment landscapes. #cdnpse #highered #RemembranceDay

On Friday, November 7, the Hon. Nolan Quinn (Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security) was joined by the Hon. Graham McGregor (Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism) and Fanshawe College President Peter J Devlin, CMM, MSC, CD, ICD.D, GCB.D, as well as representatives from ONCAT and several postsecondary institutions, to announce an investment of $575,000 from the Government of Ontario to support military-connected learners. ONCAT has deployed funding to six postsecondary institutions, for projects that help military-connected learners access postsecondary programs and accelerate career transitions. These projects focus on enhancing processes that award academic credits and advanced standing for the technical, leadership and organizational skills and competencies that are acquired via military training and experiences. #cdnpse #highered #RemembranceDay

Ontario’s postsecondary sector is facing important questions about the emergence of artificial intelligence, changing student demographics, financial constraints and a shifting labour market. We’re excited to discuss these timely topics at ReimaginEd: Shaping the Future of Ontario PSE — hosted by our wonderful colleagues at Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). The day features a vibrant program with a keynote address from Pam Palmater, followed by a series of panels and plenary sessions. Several members of the ONCAT team are attending the event; if you see any of us, please say hello! Plus, ONCAT President and CEO Adrienne Galway will share her perspectives during a panel about student success and system sustainability. #cdnpse #highered 

Which Blue Jay was a transfer student??? In the world of professional baseball, the journey to the big leagues is long and winding. Many players on Toronto’s current World Series roster attended college for at least a year: George Springer (University of Connecticut), Kevin Gausman (Louisiana State University), Shane Bieber (UC Santa Barbara), Ernie Clement (University of Virginia), Tyler Heineman (UCLA) and several more. Typically, American baseball players leave college before graduation and then spend years working their way up through the minor leagues. Based on our rigorous analysis (i.e., skimming Wikipedia), ONE Blue Jay was a transfer student. Pitcher Brendon Little attended the University of North Carolina for one year — and then transferred to the State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota. The ONCAT team has happily adopted Brendon Little as our favourite player! Go Jays Go!

Join our team! ONCAT is looking for a creative, strategic and collaborative Manager of Marketing and Communications to join our team.   If that sounds like you — or someone in your network — we encourage you to consider the opportunity. #marketingjobs #commsjobs #highered

In 2024, Loyalist College launched an innovative PLAR initiative that connects ParaMed home support workers with its PSW certificate program, transforming workplace experience into academic recognition. With a successful pilot involving 40 ParaMed Home Health Care employees, the program scaled up with two cohorts of 50 students each. Led by Tricia Bonner, Flexible Learning & Open Education Strategist at Loyalist College, this ONCAT-supported project exemplifies the power of employer collaboration and flexible credentialing pathways. ParaMed fully funds learner participation, removing financial barriers and paving the way for working professionals to enter postsecondary education with confidence and support. Would you like to implement a version of this project — for PSW or another program — at your institution? Join colleagues across Ontario for the next ONCAT Connect + Learn session: • Experience Matters: Unlocking PSW Programs Through PLAR • Thursday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. Here’s what you will learn in this session: • how Loyalist College tailored a PLAR pathway to a college credential and created more career choices for home support workers • how institutional leadership and employer partnerships enhanced program accessibility • the lessons learned from implementing PLAR across multiple cohorts • how ONCAT funding and collaboration can support learner mobility and workforce development #cdnpse #highered #psw

In the postsecondary education landscape of Ontario, Indigenous Institutes are one of three pillars, alongside colleges and universities. Since ONCAT began welcoming Indigenous Institutes as members, our engagement activities have focused on fostering relationships, sharing perspectives and understanding how to better support Indigenous learners throughout their postsecondary journeys. As part of our continuing commitment to Indigenous learners, ONCAT’s Natalie Isber, MBA, PMP and Daphne Bonar, PhD are participating in the National Indigenous Education Symposium — an annual event that brings together leaders from education, government and industry to exchange innovative strategies that support the success of Indigenous learners. This year’s symposium focuses on economic elements of Reconciliation. All postsecondary institutions in Ontario — not only the Indigenous Institutes — have a responsibility to consider ways to remove barriers, create opportunities and promote inclusive growth. Congratulations to Indigenous Institutes Consortium and Colleges and Institutes Canada for organizing an exceptional event! The sessions have been both thoughtful and thought-provoking. #cdnpse #highered #NIES2025