Preparing Learners. Shaping Communities
Sharing stories from the past year in our Report to the Community
In a year full of change and a shifting post-secondary landscape, we moved forward with purpose, embracing our responsibility to students, employees and partners who look to us for learning, opportunity and belonging.
This year offered many meaningful moments that highlighted the strong connection between Lethbridge Polytechnic and the communities we proudly serve. Through periods of challenge and change, the resilience and dedication of our students, employees and partners stood out in ways that reinforced the purpose of our work.
I saw spaces filled with hands-on learning, students pursuing their ambitions with confidence and employees demonstrating commitment and care in every corner of the campus. Our partnerships across the region continued to strengthen, creating new opportunities for learners and helping us stay responsive to the needs of southern Alberta. Throughout all of this, the guidance we receive from our Blackfoot name of Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, Stone Pipe, grounded us in principles of respect, responsibility and connection to place. These teachings shaped how we approached challenges and how we moved forward together with intention.
The progress we achieved this year reflects not only the efforts on our campus, but the collaboration and trust shared across our community. As we look to the future, we remain committed to deepening these relationships, expanding pathways for learners and supporting the ideas that contribute to growth and opportunity in our region. With confidence and a shared sense of direction, we are prepared for what comes next.
Dr. Brad Donaldson
President and CEO
Explore Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Annual and Financial Report to see how we’re building a strong, sustainable future through responsible stewardship and strategic growth.
Exceptional Student Experiences
Enhancing the holistic development and success of every student
Creating an environment where students gain skills, confidence and resilience to thrive in their personal and professional lives. We must provide supportive and engaging teaching and learning environments.
“I knew I was in the right place when I crossed the doors of Lethbridge Polytechnic to attend my classes. All of my courses had the quintessential amount of theoretical and technical knowledge to prepare me for what was coming next: a career in environmental science.”
Ednna Stobschinski
Bachelor of Ecosystem Management 2024
in student awards and scholarships
Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Apprenticeship Programs
of our graduating students feel they belong at our institution, compared to 76% of their peers at university.
Lethbridge Polytechnic Simulation Hub now internationally accredited
Exceptional Student Experiences
In January, after two years of preparation and a rigorous application process, Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Simulation Hub in the Centre for Health and Wellness became internationally accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), making it one of only four post-secondary institutions in Canada to achieve such accreditation.
Grad is business pitch finalist
Taking steps toward her own business
Kariza Manychief (Business Administration – Management 2024) was recognized as one of 20 finalists in Pow Wow Pitch 2024, an online competition that encourages Indigenous entrepreneurs to present their business ideas to a panel of judges.
Hunter Graves breaking barriers
Para-athlete competes on Kodiaks indoor track team
Hunter Graves (General Arts and Science 2024) became a pioneer for the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks indoor track team as the first para-athlete to compete in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.
First polytechnic valedictorian
Agriculture Sciences grad Abigayle Terril
Agriculture Sciences – Agronomy student, Abigayle (Abby) Terrill was named valedictorian of the first class to graduate from Lethbridge Polytechnic. She says she built valuable connections with her peers and within the agriculture industry during her time on campus.
Dynamic Responsive Programs
Developing and delivering relevant programs
Preparing learners for challenges and opportunities by emphasizing the importance of adaptability, lifelong learning and skill acquisition by aligning our programs with evolving societal needs, labour market trends and global standards while also offering comprehensive and relevant learning and research opportunities.
“Education has given me the tools and the confidence to make all the right decisions. Lethbridge Polytechnic has given me the opportunity to not only continue a legacy, but to build what’s next for the future of farming."
Jaydon Haustein
Agriculture Sciences 2025
New industry-relevant programs in development
of grads were employed within two years of graduation with 86% reporting their job was related to their program of study
(2023/24 Graduate Outcomes Survey)
of Polytechnic programs offer work-integrated learning experiences
Lethbridge Polytechnic offering new Primary Care Paramedic program
Dynamic, Responsive Programs
Lethbridge Polytechnic will soon be offering its own Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) program, in addition to new certificates in Trades and in General Arts and Science. The PCP certificate program has been offered on the Lethbridge Polytechnic campus for more than a decade, although until now, it has been delivered in partnership with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).
New Powerline Technician apprenticeship
Meeting industry needs in the electrical sector
Applications opened in May for Lethbridge Polytechnic’s newest offering: a Powerline Technician Apprenticeship program. This four-year apprenticeship consists of three years of classroom learning and a fourth year requiring additional workplace hours to reach program completion.
Pre-employment trades programs
An introduction to the trades
Lethbridge Polytechnic made changes to its Trades programming ahead of the fall 2025 semester. Several pre-employment programs transitioned to certificate programs, including Pre-Powerline Technician, Pre-Carpenter, Pre-Electrician, Pre-Pipe Trades and Pre-Welder certificates.
New justice opportunities
Prior learning credit for police officers, cadets in training
Lethbridge Polytechnic strengthened education and training opportunities for future cadet graduates and alumni with a new prior learning credit agreement in December. The agreement allows police cadet program graduates retroactive to 2017 to receive 42 credits toward a Criminal Justice – Policing diploma.
Deliberate Community Connections
Strengthening our engagement with local, Indigenous and global communities
Actively participating in community development, contributing to social, economic and environmental well-being while consulting and interacting with key stakeholders through strategic, reciprocal partnerships, collaborative projects, research and community service.
“I’m proud of how we continue to model what it means to lead with clarity and courage. Our learners deserve nothing less and our communities depend on it."
Dr. Brad Donaldson
President and CEO
donors made philanthropic gifts to Lethbridge Polytechnic for a collective total of over
to support students, research initiatives, athletics and more.
in endowment donations matched dollar for dollar by the Lethbridge Polytechnic Board of Governors’ Endowment Matching Program in 2024-2025
Potato trial provides Lethbridge Polytechnic opportunity to shine
Deliberate Community Connections
French fry, fresh market and chipping varieties weren’t the only things showcased at the National Potato Variety Evaluation Trial Program in August. The Lethbridge Polytechnic Research Farm was also squarely in the spotlight.
Speaker series with David Usher
Juno Award-winner talks AI in fireside chat
The Lethbridge Polytechnic speaker series returned in March, featuring Juno Award-winning musician, bestselling author and founder of Reimagine AI, David Usher. Students, employees and community members attended the fireside chat on Artificial Intelligence and the Power of Creative Thinking.
Public safety partnership
Funding received for VR police applicant assessment
Lethbridge Polytechnic secured $360,000 in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in September to advance research into virtual reality-based assessment of police applicants.
1st Choice Savings supports students and initiatives
$100,000 gift announced in September
1st Choice Savings and Credit Union continued its support of Lethbridge Polytechnic students and initiatives with a $100,000 gift to benefit student awards, youth initiatives and Coulee Fest. The funds will be shared over three years.
Exemplary Employee Culture
Enriching a thriving, adaptive and inclusive workplace culture
Equipping our teams with the skills and mindset necessary to adapt to changing circumstances, creatively apply new knowledge, and drive innovation that ensures our continued relevance and success by cultivating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that champions continuous learning, personal growth and collective knowledge-sharing at every level of the organization.
“Lethbridge Polytechnic is a place where everyone who comes through our doors is valued and respected, while being empowered to be their authentic selves."
Dr. Brad Donaldson
President and CEO
volunteer hours contributed by polytechnic employees
employees recognized with awards of excellence
Lethbridge Polytechnic embraces a workplace that both protects and empowers employees by creating an environment that promotes psychological, cultural and physical safety.
Polytechnic caretakers and former student receive live-saving awards
Exemplary Employee Culture
Three Lethbridge Polytechnic caretakers and a former Corrections student received St. John Ambulance Life-saving Awards for their quick thinking and using their first-aid training to help a casual caretaker in medical distress.
Culture of Care
Protecting and empowering employees
Lethbridge Polytechnic has committed to fostering a Culture of Care – a workplace where psychological, cultural and physical safety are prioritized. To support this commitment, Human Resources rolled out a Culture of Care course designed by the institution’s Psychological Health and Safety working group.
Employee Excellence Award winners
Celebrating employees whose work inspires others
Lethbridge Polytechnic recognizes and celebrates employees whose work inspires others and demonstrates lifelong learning, service and innovation, and leadership and creating community with the annual Employee Excellence Awards. The following recipients were recognized in February 2025.
“It costs nothing to be kind”
Long-time employee supports students and colleagues
JP Gentile was featured on the cover of the fall 2024 issue of Wider Horizons magazine for his efforts to do good and bring smiles to those around him. For many students (and colleagues) over the past 27 years, he has been a moving company, a carpenter, a taxi driver, a delivery service and a mid-winter car battery booster – not to mention a support system and a confidant.