Olds College president moving to same role at Red Deer Polytechnic

“I am excited to join at this critical time and I look forward to working with all of its dedicated employees and students, as well as with industry and community to build upon the great work taking place in Red Deer and central Alberta.”

Cullum’s accomplishments at Olds College include:

· Launched the Olds College Strategic Plan: Growing 2025.

· 12% increase in enrolment including a doubling of international enrolment.

· Implementation of the College’s first Indigenous Relationship Building Strategy and Action Plan.

· Creation of the Olds College Smart Farm that included doubling of the College’s land base to 3,600 acres.

· Established the Werklund School of Agriculture Technology and the creation of the College’s inaugural ag-tech credentials.

· Facilitated hundreds of partnerships and donor relationships that resulted in over $95 million in new revenue and investments with industry, government and the giving public.

· Generated $30+ million in applied research funding and increased annual applied research funding by over 300%.

· Implemented the Campus Master Plan and initiated over $35 million in new facility construction including the Smart Ag Innovation Centre, Animal Health Education Centre, Ag Tech Learning Hub, and Smart Farm Operations Centre (farm shop).

· Championed and supported the creation of the Olds College Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Stuart for his leadership over the past six years,” says Staples. “Under his presidency, Olds College has grown and solidified its identity and place within the post-secondary system and the broader agriculture sector,” explains Leona Staples, Olds College board of governors chair. “Producers, businesses, and most importantly, our students, have benefited from his innovative and tireless leadership. Please join me in congratulating Stuart as he accepts this exciting next step on his leadership journey.”

Olds College says it will begin recruitment and onboarding for its 14th president in the coming weeks.

At RDP, where Cullum will be the 12th president, board of governors chair Guy Pelletier says the institution is thrilled to welcome its new leader.

“His enthusiasm and experience will help position Red Deer Polytechnic as a leader in the post-secondary sector and his passion for central Alberta, coupled by his vision for polytechnic education, will serve both our region and our province very well in the years to come,” says Pelletier.

Prior to Olds College, Cullum served in executive positions at Lethbridge College, Northlands, NAIT, AVAC, and WestLink Innovation Network. As a former teacher, RDP notes, he taught high school in Three Hills, Alberta, prior to pursuing an opportunity to work for the University of Alberta in their Industry Liaison Office, which began his post-secondary career.

Cullum currently serves as chair of the Post-Secondary International Network (PIN) and Campus Alberta Central, a joint long-term partnership between Olds College and Red Deer Polytechnic. He has held positions with Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) and THRIVE Canada Accelerator.

Cullum holds a Bachelor of Arts (History) and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge, as well as a Master of Business Administration (Technology Transfer Specialization) from the University of Alberta. He is an Accredited Professional Director (ICD.D) and has completed the Executive Program with Singularity University and the Institute for Educational Management Program at Harvard in Boston.

He is from and lives in central Alberta with partner Carrie, while his two adult children attend post-secondary in Alberta, including a son at Red Deer Polytechnic in the Visual Arts program.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Olds College president moving to same role at Red Deer Polytechnic

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