First and foremost, education is about students. It is about student aspirations and dreams, and a foundation for success. Within the context of Canada’s private career college sector this frequently means providing students an opportunity to successfully complete their post-secondary education.

When colleges adopt a student-centric core value, each of their initiatives and activities is impacted. The admissions process becomes more focused on students’ needs, dreams and goals. Strategies are developed to improve student success, and in the unfortunate event of early withdrawal, students are given the opportunity to return, at a later date, to complete their studies. Fully embracing a student-centric core value can be costly at first. However, tangible returns such as increased enrollment, greater student accomplishment, and higher student loan repayment rates can be realized in the medium-to-long term.

For many students attending private career colleges, the experience represents a second chance at pursuing post-secondary education. Frequently, improving the chances of student success involves giving practical life assistance to those students who need a “hand-up” rather than a “hand-out”. Providing access to a food bank, or helping a student procure appropriate attire for a job interview are part of a student success strategy that is birthed from a student-centric core value.

Some colleges express a student-centric core value by celebrating student achievement. For example, The Institute for Human Services Education in Truro, Nova Scotia holds an annual Merit Awards banquet, an event that is the highlight of the academic year and is heavily promoted during student enrollment in the fall. The Academy of Learning, Winnipeg North, uses a somewhat different approach to celebrating student achievement by hosting a monthly luncheon where student achievement is celebrated.