Loyalist College Board of Governors appoints new Chair and welcomes new members

Belleville, ON, Oct. 18, 2024 – Loyalist College is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Lange as the new Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors. 

On Sept. 1, Lange officially began her term as Chair, succeeding Jennifer May-Anderson, who had served as Chair since 2023. Lange was appointed to the Loyalist College Board of Governors in June 2020. At the Oct. 10 Board meeting, Chair Lange and President Kirkpatrick welcomed new Board members Dr. Stacey Hatch, April Smoke and Eva Honest. 

“I am pleased to congratulate Julie Lange on her appointment as Chair and extend a warm welcome to our new Board members, Dr. Stacey Hatch, April Smoke and Eva Honest,” says Loyalist College President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick. “As we navigate both the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing higher education landscape, the leadership of our Board of Governors will be essential to advancing Loyalist’s strategic goals. Their insights will help us to continue driving innovation, empowering students with in-demand skills, and strengthening Ontario’s workforce for the future.”

In the coming months, the college will finalize a new Strategic Plan to guide the institution from 2025 – 2030. A diverse and experienced Board of Governors will be crucial in assisting the college to achieve the goals defined in the plan, while remaining responsive to evolving student and community needs.

“I am thrilled to accept the role of Chair as Loyalist College heads into an exciting new chapter,” says Chair Lange. “It’s a privilege to serve Loyalist and its students as we work together to establish our institutional priorities and shape the future of the college.”

Recent initiatives, such as the grand opening of Loyalist’s Port Hope campus and the completion of a series of capital renovations to modernize infrastructure, are part of the college’s ongoing renewal and revitalization process, expanding Loyalist’s capacity to provide the communities it serves with accessible, hands-on training in state-of-the-art learning environments.

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors during a period of remarkable growth and development for Loyalist,” says Past Chair May-Anderson. “I know that Julie’s dedication to the college, and her commitment to supporting our students and communities, will be invaluable in her new role, and I am confident she will guide the Board with vision and purpose.”

Dr. Stacey Hatch, Ph.D., Registered Psychotherapist, CCC, is an accomplished clinician – educator – researcher. She provided mental health care in primary care in Ontario for 12 years, and now maintains a private practice in Prince Edward County. Dr. Hatch’s area of research is older adult mental health. She holds a doctorate in Aging and Health from Queen’s University and is a CIHR Health System Impact Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Institute of Aging. Her work includes significant contributions to research and policy in health care systems, mindfulness-based interventions for late-life anxiety, and the development of clinical practice guidelines for the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Dr. Hatch has presented her findings through publication and international conferences and is a respected peer reviewer for academic journals. Dr. Hatch serves as Adjunct Professor at Yorkville University in the Master of Counselling Psychology program.

Eva Honest is a second-year Loyalist College student enrolled in the Fitness and Health Promotion program. As the student representative on the Board of Governors, she is keen to actively represent the student government while making an impact on the Board. Eva is passionate about creating positive changes and building a stronger, more connected community.

April Smoke is a visionary leader with over a decade of experience in educational administration and community advocacy. As the current Student Services Coordinator for Alderville First Nation, April has a proven track record of driving educational excellence and fostering community engagement. Her leadership has been instrumental in revitalizing community-based programs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she successfully implemented strategic initiatives to ensure continued educational access and support for students. April’s deep commitment to education is evident through her extensive experience in both frontline and leadership roles, including her current role with Alderville First Nation and Cobourg, ON. Her expertise in special education, policy development, and program management is complemented by her strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse communities.

About Loyalist College

Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.

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Contact: 

Hannah Brown           
Director of Marketing and Communications 
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com