St. Clair College president Patti France retires after 35-year career

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It was the last day of school for St. Clair College president Patti France. 

After a 35-year career at the college, including two terms as president, France retired on Friday. 

“Every day for over thirty years, it has been my pleasure and privilege to work with the brilliant and dedicated staff of St. Clair College, and the members of its board of governors,” said France.

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“Since Sept. 1, 2015 as the president, I’ve been the public face of the institution. So, I’ve been the recipient of all of the compliments about its quality, innovations and success. But make no mistake about it: those achievements have been collective ones.”

A graduate of Riverside Secondary School, France enrolled in St. Clair College’s secretarial/office administration program at age 19. Instead, the college offered her a part-time position checking transcripts in the registrar’s office.  

She later earned a St. Clair College diploma in computer science, then a bachelor’s degree in education at Brock University and a master’s degree in education at St. Francis Xavier University. 

She worked in many departments at St. Clair over the years, in roles that included support staff, administration, and senior administration.  

France took over as the sixth president of the college in 2015, making her the first woman, the first St. Clair graduate, and the first internal appointee to hold the job. 

St. Clair said that, at the time, France was also the only college president in Canada whose first post-secondary education was within the college system.  

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“Her journey from student to President serves as a powerful testament to the potential of community colleges to shape and elevate individual careers,” St. Clair College said in a media release. 

France has received numerous awards and tributes from local agencies and organizations, including an honorary doctorate from Assumption University honouring her commitment to promoting post-secondary education. Last year, she also received the local chamber of commerce’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. 

“Since her appointment in 2015 as St. Clair College’s first female President, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication to making education accessible, affordable, and responsive to the evolving economic and employment landscape,” the college said. 

St. Clair College saw “unprecedented enrolment growth” under her leadership, according to a media release. 

“This growth has significantly contributed to the College’s long-term financial stability, allowing for increased investment in bursaries, scholarships, new facilities, and maintenance,” the college said. “These efforts have not only enhanced the college’s infrastructure but have also broadened opportunities for students to succeed. 

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France said it was all a group effort. 

She spent part of her last day as president at an open house for staff at the college’s South Windsor SportsPlex.

“Our motto of ‘Excellence In All We Do’ has been exemplified by everyone: administration, faculty, support staff,” said France. “I’ve rarely had to deliberately impose any leadership techniques along the way.

“With or without me, my colleagues would be delivering an unparalleled quality of post-secondary education because that’s just what they do.”  

Michael Silvaggi officially took over from France as the college’s seventh president on Saturday. 

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