Senior Administration

President

Dr. Neil Fassina

Dr. Neil Fassina became Okanagan College's President in April 2021, drawn to the institution for its reputation for transforming lives and communities.

Fassina holds a PhD in Management from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto, a BSc in Psychology from the University of Calgary and is a chartered professional in human resources (CPHR), and a chartered director through the Institute of Chartered Directors (ICD.D). As an active researcher, he has authored or co-authored a number of refereed articles, a Canadian Human Resource Management text, and pursues research interests in negotiations, applied decision making, and the role of education in shaping societies.

Prior to joining OC, Fassina was the President of Athabasca University (2016-21). He served previously as Provost and Vice President Academic at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and the Dean of the JR Shaw School of Business and School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. He has taught as part of his academic career at the University of Toronto, the University of Calgary, the University of Manitoba, and in executive environments.

Neil Fassina, President Okanagan College

Contacts

Dr. Neil Fassina
President
Email: nfassina@okanagan.bc.ca
Campus: Kelowna

 

Joanna Campbell
Senior Administrative Officer, Coordination & Operations
Email: jcampbell@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4715
Campus: Kelowna

Provost and VP, Academic

Dr. Samantha Lenci

Samantha was named Provost and Vice President, Academic in December 2023. She brings with her expertise in the design, development, implementation and measurement of complex strategies about teaching and learning.  

Samantha’s educational experience started at what was then called Mount Royal College (now University), where she earned a diploma in Early Childhood Education in 1991. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Community Rehabilitation from the University of Calgary in 1995, and returned there for her masters of education degree, where she specialized in adult education and workplace learning. She holds a Doctor of Education degree from U of C, where she has specialized in higher education leadership.

Samantha has spent more than 20 years leading a variety of programs in education that provided leadership, community development, strategic planning, project management and program development during stints at Mount Royal University, Bow Valley College and SAIT. Most recently, she has worked as associate vice president of Academic Services at SAIT. In her new position, she looks forward to supporting and building upon the college’s teaching and learning strengths and working closely with all members of the community to realize the college’s strategic goals.

Photo of Samantha Lenci

Contacts

Samantha Lenci
Provost and VP, Academic
Email: slenci@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-862-5628 ext. 4191
Campus: Kelowna

Shannon Hawthorne
Executive Assistant
Email: shawthorne@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4962
Campus: Kelowna

CFO and Vice President, Corporate Services

Curtis Morcom

A Chartered Professional Accountant, graduated from OUC’s Bachelor of Business Administration with honours the year before OUC transformed to become Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan (2005). Prior to coming to the College, has been Director of Integrated Planning and Chief Budget Officer at UBC Okanagan and also recently served as a member of the UBC Board of Governors. He has more than 20 years of senior management experience across a range of industries including, education, health, professional services, leasing and land development. At 21 years of age, Curtis was the youngest person to be awarded a franchise agreement of a leading national retailer. By the age of 25, he oversaw operations of 26 retail locations throughout Manitoba. Curtis has also obtained a Chartered Director (C.Dir) designation through McMaster University and the Conference Board of Canada.

Curtis Morcom

Contacts

Curtis Morcom
CFO and VP, Corporate Services
Email: cmorcom@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4365
Campus: Kelowna

 

Tanya Harding
Executive Assistant
Email: tharding@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4205
Campus: Kelowna

Vice President, Enrolment & College Relations

Jenn Goodwin

Jenn Goodwin is a seasoned communications professional with over 20 years of experience in media and public relations. She started her career as a broadcast journalist in Northern British Columbia, the Yukon and Ontario before transitioning to the public sector. Since 2007, Jenn has led public relations and community engagement for large organizations in the health sector, most recently at Interior Health, where she served as vice president of communications. She holds a Master’s in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo, and a Bachelor of Journalism and Political Science/Français from Carleton University, and is an Accredited Public Relations professional through the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Jenn Goodwin

Contacts

Jenn Goodwin
VP, Enrolment & College Relations
Email: jgoodwin@okanagan.bc.ca 
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4534
Campus: Kelowna

 

Anthony Grzegorzewski
Executive Assistant
Email: agrzegorzewski@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4729
Campus: Kelowna

Associate Vice President, People Services

Gillian Henderson

Gillian Henderson is a certified human resource professional, has a bachelor of arts (Hons) in social science from Manchester Polytechnic, a diploma in personnel management from Suffolk College and has a masters of science in human resource management through Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh. She has over 25 years of experience working in leadership roles focused on human resources, change management and organizational development in the public sector. Much of her career has been spent in healthcare environments in both Canada and the UK. Since June 2014 she has been working in leadership roles in the post secondary sector, and prior to joining Okanagan College in August 2021 she was the Executive Director, Human Resources at UBC Okanagan.

Gillian Henderson, Director, Human Resources

Portfolio

Contacts

Gill Henderson
Associate Vice President, People Services
Email: ghenderson@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4419
Campus: Kelowna

 

Diane Adair
Executive Assistant
Email: deadair@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4717
Campus: Kelowna

Executive Director, Okanagan College Foundation

Helen Jackman

Helen joined Okanagan College as Director Advancement and Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation in 2019. She has over 25 years of experience in non-profit management and leadership, fundraising and partnership development gained in roles in the U.K. and Canada. Helen has a BA in English Literature and Language from the University of Leeds, an MA from Birmingham City University, and executive education from London Business School. Prior to joining Okanagan College, Helen was Executive Director UWSIBC, Executive Director Programs National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts, and Chief Executive of the Macular Society. When she’s not working with donors who are passionate about education, she’s hiking, skiing or watching her son play soccer. 

Helen Jackman

Contacts

Helen Jackman
Executive Director, Okanagan College Foundation
Email: hjackman@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-215-6029
Campus: Kelowna

 

Dawn Douglas
Executive Assistant | Advancement &  Board Secretary
Email: ddouglas@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4774
Campus: Kelowna