College of the North Atlantic gets new boss amid big challenges

The College of the North Atlantic (CNA) has a new president, who takes over after two interim leaders and a scathing review of its programsand infrastructure.

Bill Radford, the college's former senior vice president academic and chief learning officer, was appointed to the roleby the Newfoundland and Labrador government on Wednesday.

• Gerry Byrne didn't realize 'it was as bad as it was' at CNA
• Teaching and learning are No. 1 priority for CNA after scathing review

"These are challenging and exciting times for the province's public college," said Radford in a statement issued by the college and the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour.

"Together we will guide this institution forward to ensure our programs meet the needs of students, and also the demands of a changing labour market."

Radfordwas in the news most recentlyin June, as he stickhandledCNA'sloss of its respiratory therapy program.

While he blamed "decades of neglect," he was criticized by students for defending the college's decision not to tell them the program had been on probation when they enrolled.

• 'Decades of neglect' to blame for suspended respiratory therapy program: CNA vice president

In March, the government released a so-called modernization plan for the college, along witha review that revealed courses and teaching standards had not kept up, the college had been operating with deficits and there was little accountability.

CNA is a Crown agency andhas 17 campuses across the province, plus one in Qatar.

Radford's appointment follows two interim presidencies held by Bob Gardiner and Elizabeth Kidd.

Gardiner, an assistant deputy minister in the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, replaced Ann Marie Vaughan, whose contract ended July 31 2016 and was not renewed by the provincial government.

• No politics in replacement of CNA president, minister says

Elizabeth Kidd took over Gardiner's post in March 2017 and will nowresume her former post as vice president of corporate servicesas Radford steps in as the new president.