CALGARY - Bow Valley College (BVC) is pleased to announce the appointment of two very impressive individuals who will be joining the executive team.

Catherine Koch joined the College on April 1, 2016, taking on the role of Vice President, Learner Services & Chief Student Services Officer. Koch was most recently the Vice President, Academic at Keyano College.

David Mitchell will join the College on April 15, 2016, as Vice President, College Advancement & Chief External Relations Officer. Mitchell was most recently President & CEO of Canada's Public Policy Forum. He also served as Vice President at three Canadian universities: Queen's, Ottawa, and Simon Fraser.

"Both Catherine and David are emblematic of the incredible growth the College has seen in the last few years; not just in terms of our size, but also in terms of our influence and contribution in the province. We are only as good as our people, and the addition of these two talented individuals to our team bodes well for the future of Bow Valley College for many years to come," said Sharon Carry, BVC President and CEO.

"I am delighted to be a part of the executive team at BVC. I'm looking forward to working with all of the talented people at the College to help learners succeed, said Catherine Koch."  

"I'm honoured to be joining BVC at such an exciting time in the College's history, and I keenly look forward to working with colleagues who are so passionate about helping learners to learn a better living, and live a better life, said David Mitchell."  

About the Vice-Presidents

David J. Mitchell, Vice President, College Advancement & Chief External Relations Officer  

David J. Mitchell has a broad professional background, spanning the private, public and education sectors. From 2009 to 2015 he served as President & CEO of Canada's Public Policy Forum, a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the quality of government through multi-sectoral dialogue. Before that he served as Vice-President at three Canadian universities: Queen's, Ottawa, and Simon Fraser. Directing fundraising and external relations at each institution, he achieved notable successes in strategic positioning and fund development.

David served as a Member of the British Columbia Legislature from 1991-1996, where he was Opposition House Leader and a watchdog on a broad range of issues including advanced education, resource management, labour relations and governance. He previously gained experience in parliamentary procedure and legislative processes as Deputy Clerk of the Saskatchewan Legislature.

David also has significant private sector business experience that includes executive positions within Western Canadian resource industries, including vice-president of marketing and general manager of industrial relations. He is a Governor and Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and previously served on the boards of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, the Parliamentary Centre, the Vancouver Aquarium and Marine Science Centre, and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Catherine Koch, Vice President, Learner Services & Chief Student Services Officer

Catherine Koch has an impressive background in both the academic and professional worlds, with more than 20 years of leadership experience in post-secondary institutions. Most recently, she was Vice President, Academic at Keyano College, where she combined her considerable experience with her trademark collaborative approach to broaden the program and service mix to meet the dynamic needs of the Ft. McMurray region. Her other responsibilities included regional stewardship, the registrar's office, and student services.

Prior to that she was Dean of SAIT's School of Business, Associate Vice President at Conestoga College, and Head of Instruction at Al Ain Women's College in the United Arab Emirates. Ms. Koch has had experience with a wide range of academic disciplines, as well as with multiple levels of academic credentialing including certificates, diplomas, higher diplomas and degrees. In addition to her significant academic qualifications, Ms. Koch is also a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Director.

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Bow Valley College is Calgary and region's only Comprehensive Community College. With more than 15,000 full- and part-time students, BVC is a leader in business and health career training, adult upgrading, and English Language Learning. BVC's Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), workplace training for immigrant professionals and employment services provide a wide range of services for businesses and professionals.