Lethbridge Polytechnic is welcoming four new members to its Board of Governors: John Kolk, Chris Stasiuk, Dr. Gary Barron and Jeniffer Orajekwe. These appointments bring the Board of Governors to its full 16-member capacity.
John Kolk is a well-known leader in southern Alberta agriculture, operating a dry-land and irrigated farm near Picture Butte, Alta. A strong proponent of sustainable agriculture, Kolk believes in the value of stewardship, be it environmental or generational, and offers his experience in research, knowledge sharing and industry partnerships to the board to promote relevant, responsive learning experiences that prepare students for a meaningful career. He looks forward to serving as a public member of the Board of Governors.
Chris Stasiuk is a professional engineer and local business leader with nearly three decades of engineering consulting experience across southern Alberta. He has served on the Economic Development Lethbridge Board of Directors as president, secretary/treasurer and a board officer with experience in governance, financial oversight and risk management. Stasiuk is dedicated to developing people and takes pride in mentoring the next generation as they transition into leadership positions. He holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Alberta, and he lives in Lethbridge.
Dr. Gary Barron is a sociology instructor in the polytechnic's Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences and he is one of two academic representatives on the board. Having worked in both post-secondary and municipal government as well as Alberta Health Services, he brings experience in applied research, strategy and organizational skills. Since joining the polytechnic in 2020, Barron has taught a variety of social subjects, including ethics and critical thought in the Centre for Justice and Human Services. He now teaches sociology in the Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences. Barron has bachelor's degrees in sociology and psychology, a master's degree from the University of Calgary and a PhD from the University of Alberta, both in sociology.
Jeniffer Orajekwe, an international student from Nigeria, is enrolled in the polytechnic's Practical Nurse program and currently serves as president of the Lethbridge Polytechnic Students' Association. Orajekwe prides herself on being a strong advocate for her fellow students, ensuring their voices are heard and they feel supported as they face a challenging but rewarding post-secondary journey. She believes in transparency and accountability, principles she looks forward to bringing to the board table.
"On behalf of my fellow board members, I am pleased to welcome John, Chris, Gary and Jeniffer to the team," says Janene Moch, chair of the Lethbridge Polytechnic Board of Governors. "For the first time since becoming a polytechnic, we have a full Board of Governors eager and ready to get to work. From improving the student experience to developing stronger connections with local partners and industry, we are focused on growing our reputation as a hands-on, career-ready institution preparing learners for what's next."
The Lethbridge Polytechnic Board of Governors is comprised of 16 members - the chair, nine public members, two academic employees, one non-academic employee, two students and the polytechnic's president. Public board members are appointed by a Government of Alberta Order in Council and typically serve a three-year term of office with the opportunity to serve an additional three-year term. Internal representatives (the academic, non-academic and student members) are elected by their constituency groups and appointed directly by the Minister of Advanced Education for terms outlined in the Post-secondary Learning Act.
