Assiniboine Community College, Brandon, is prepared to welcome an approximate 4,000 students participating in on-campus and off-campus programs this week to begin the 2018-19 academic year. Thousands more will be enrolled in community-based programs and Continuing Studies courses over the next 12 months through Distant Ed online courses.

Tuesday, September 4th kicks off the fall term with student orientation and their "Explore ACC' campaign across all of Assiniboine's campuses involving the students in both academic and social activities. Campus tours, program orientations, and barbecues are just some of the activities planned this week to help students transition to college life and a new community of learners.

Vice-President of Academics, Dr. Deanna Rexe, says September is always an exciting time for the entire college community, as they welcome many students starting or resuming their studies."

ACC has expanded some of their programs, including the Culinary Arts and Hotel & Restaurant Management Programs. Four new members have been added to the instructional staffing across the two programs having doubled the size of their classrooms.

Several programs are being funded this coming year at ACC by Indigenous & Northern Affairs Canada through the PSPP (Post-Secondary Partnerships Program) funding envelope and will be delivered in partnership with First Nations communities over the coming year.
Together, the following programs have received funding totaling more than $1.7 million:

Medical and Office Administration in Long Plain First Nation
Emergency Medical Responder and Comprehensive Health Care Aide in Waywayseecappo First Nation
Applied Building Construction in Peguis First Nation
Applied Plumbing Installation at the college’s Parkland campus (Dauphin) in partnership with West Region communities

Assiniboine College partners with many communities and organizations across the province to deliver customized education and training. "Extending post-second education outside of urban areas gives Manitobans the opportunity to study closer to home," explains Rexe, "which offers tremendous benefit to the students, their families, and the entire community."

New programs teaching Business Admin will begin in January, partnering with Cape Breton University. As well, new programs are being offered for September of 2019, with recruitment being available fairly soon for Advanced Diplomas in a number of Business programs including Agri-Business.

ACC attracts students from all walks of life and backgrounds:"We're very proud of the diversity of our student population. About 16i% of our full-time students identify as First Nations/Metis origin, and 16% of our full-time students are International."

Rexe says this reflects the quality of programming being offered, as well as the desire of Manitoba to attract immigrants to bring skills to the economy and to the labor market.

Last year, ACC instructed more than 3,600 full-time students and over 6,000 part-time students.

A total of 5 campuses are located throughout the province, with 3 in Brandon, one in Dauphin and one in Winnipeg. ACC has partnerships with many communities and organizations through Distance Learning. Assiniboine Community College's annual provincial economic impact is $613 million.