Academic-employer connections in colleges and institutes: The role of program advisory committees

This study was made possible through financial support and strategic guidance from the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). This study was conducted by Knowledge in Power Consulting Inc., comprised of Blagovesta Maneva-Sleyman, PhD, and Daria Sleiman, BA. Marguerite Donohue, PhD, of Donohue Higher Education Consulting Inc., conducted most of the interviews. We wish to thank member colleges and institutes, Program Advisory Committee members, including employer and industry representatives, as well as former college executives, who completed the survey and participated in the interviews, offered advice, and provided critical insights. Without their cooperation, this study would not have been possible. We thank them all for their valuable contributions. The authors also wish to thank ESDC and CICan for their outstanding support.