Okanagan College’s administration will benefit from the expertise of Steven Robinson, an experienced post-secondary professional who will join the College in early June in the role of Director, International Education.

Steven Robinson

Robinson will make the move west from Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario, where he has served for more than 24 years; most recently holding the position of Director, International Education and Training.

Robinson will replace Jim Cookson, who has filled the position on a temporary basis for the past five months.

“Steve will bring a diverse range of valuable experience to Okanagan College as Director of International Education,” said Steve Koehle, Vice President, Students. “He is a skilled communicator with great vision and a wealth of experience to draw upon. We expect his transition into the role to be smooth; thanks, in no small part, to the great foundation that has been created by Jim Cookson and the efforts of the staff in International.” 

Robinson holds diplomas in Resort and Hotel Operations and Public Relations. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfred Laurier, a Master of Arts in Education from Central Michigan University and is currently completing a Doctor of Education with a specialization in Community College Leadership from Walden University in Baltimore, Maryland.

He has a lengthy and broad history of service to Georgian College, which is slightly larger than Okanagan College and is considered a leader in international education in the area of offshore projects. Georgian was also the first college in Canada to establish a satellite campus in India.

“I was drawn to Okanagan College because of its reputation as an institution that is innovative and has a strong vision, sense of self, and mandate,” said Robinson. “I am excited about the College’s focus on international education and I share in its vision. I believe deeply in the importance of creating global citizens and aim to build upon the College’s record of attracting top international students while creating more opportunities for domestic students to go abroad.”

Prior to becoming Director of International Education and Training, Robinson held a series of leadership roles within the organization, including: Manager, Organizational and Staff Development, Program Manager for Part-time Studies in Continuing Education, Manager of Financial Aid, and Manager of Resources Development, to name a few.

He has also worked on Georgian College’s Public Relations team and served as an instructor for a number of years concurrently while working in administration.

Robinson’s professional network is extensive. He is engaged in a number of post-secondary and community associations, most notably as President and charter member of the Ontario Colleges Administrative Staff Association (OCASA). Throughout his years of experience in the post-secondary sector, he has held numerous leadership roles on a variety of committees, boards and is an active Rotarian.