CARBONEAR, NL - College of the North Atlantic (CNA) students will have even more access to available funding, scholarships and work-related programs, tools and resources, thanks to a new partnership with RBC.
The partnership details between CNA and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) were unveiled Thursday, February 13 at CNA’s Carbonear campus. Highlights included a $100,000 donation from RBC Foundation to fund a student success program and a two-year subscription to the online mentoring and networking platform Ten Thousand Coffees (valued at $40,000).
Terry Murphy, CNA Carbonear Campus Director; Anna Peddle CNA Manager of Alumni and Advancement; Colin Krulicki, Vice President of RBC, Newfoundland and Labrador; and RBC Olympian Brett Gallant, who plays Second with Team Gushue were part of the celebrations of a new partnership and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between RBC and CNA.
RBC has also introduced an innovative new scholarship program designed specifically for students who are not in school or are studying part-time. Neither grades nor transcripts are required to apply for the scholarships, immensely broadening the opportunity for many students. These elements are all part of RBC Future Launch – a $500-million initiative designed to help Canadian youth prepare for the jobs of tomorrow by providing skills development, networking, work experience, and increased access to mental well-being supports and services.
Colin Krulicki, Vice President of RBC, Newfoundland and Labrador
Celebrating the exciting news, as well as the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), were: Bruce Hollett, CNA President & CEO; Karen Antle, CNA Director of Student Success; and, Colin Krulicki, RBC Regional Vice President in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The MOU is based on delivering upon four key strategic areas:
-
-
- building stronger communities and systems of support for youth and families;
- providing the right advice at the right time to families and young people on their academic and early career journey;
- making students a part of the conversation so they are a part of the solution; and,
- providing opportunities for the community to convene and connect around important issues and key opportunities.
The day also featured an appearance by RBC Olympian Curler Brett Gallant, who plays Second on Team Gushue. The Prince Edward Island native visited classrooms at the campus, sharing his success story, and future plans with students and faculty, and to the delight of local fans, he also took the time to sign autographs.
“We welcome the opportunity to recognize the significance of this collaboration,” said Hollett. “Our community and corporate partners, along with the provincial government, enable us to deliver post-secondary education opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. It’s incredible to see contributions that will be used to further student success and increase their chances of finding meaningful employment after graduation. We are certainly proud to be part of that momentum and appreciate the commitment RBC is making to our students.”
“What we’re talking about today is not a once and done – it’s a commitment of two organizations working together to bring about real, tangible change,” said Krulicki. “I also want to thank CNA students, faculty and staff for participating in the Thinking Well study we recently commissioned Choice for Youth to run for us, in an attempt to get a pulse on the mental well-being needs of post-secondary students. We would not have had such a robust report without CNA’s involvement.”
Regarding the positive impact this announcement will have on students, Antle says she is delighted as to how this donation presents CNA with additional tools to enhance students’ career readiness.
“RBC’s contribution enables us to develop a comprehensive suite of peer-led support programs and services, such as peer tutoring and peer mentoring,” noted Antle. “This supports both the academic and personal growth of our students – our future graduates. The Student Engagement and Development initiative enables us to persist in finding ways to contribute to the overall health and wellness of all students at all campuses. It’s an exciting time for us!”
The student success programs are either up and running (peer tutoring) or in the development stages (peer mentoring). Students and alumni are already utilizing the Ten Thousand Coffees platform and alumni are encouraged to sign up to be a mentor at the CNA Café. RBC advisors will be visiting CNA campuses across the province, starting next week, to deliver financial literacy workshops and advice sessions to students, their families and the broader community.
-30-
Media contacts:
College of the North Atlantic
Michelle Barry
Communications Manager
Phone: 709-643-7721
michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca
Royal Bank of Canada
Lori Smith
Regional Director, Community Marketing, Communication & Citizenship
902-483-3317
lori.smith@rbc.com