Cindy Heitman has officially become the president and CEO of the College of New Caledonia as she was sworn in during a special ceremony at the CNC’s board of governors meeting Friday.
She is the first woman to be appointed the permanent president of CNC. She is also a former student of the college and has worked in education with a career spanning three decades.
Her career includes eight years as a school-based educator, 15 years as a school district leader and five years as a senior leader and was most recently School District No. 57’s superintendent.
In a widely criticized decision, she was removed as superintendent in March of 2023, which prompted two trustees, Betty Bekkering and Gillian Burnett, to resign from the board at the same time.
CNC began a president search earlier this year after Dennis Johnson announced his intention to retire as the president and CEO.
The college says that through the search process Heitman established herself as the candidate best suited for the position.
Friday's swearing-in featured a feather-brushing ceremony led by Lheidli T’enneh Elder Darlene McIntosh and attended by Chief Dolleen Logan.
“We've worked with Cindy with SD57, for a while and when I heard she was not there any more. I was shocked and then I heard she was here and so it was just like a relief,” said Logan during the ceremony.
“We have a really good relationship with Cindy,” added Logan. “She has a huge heart and she will be there for everyone. Congratulations again. I know you're going to do an amazing job in this role and do us so proud.”
Heitman said that it means a lot to have Lheidli T’enneh participate in and lead the swearing-in ceremony and hopes it signals to the community that they are here to work alongside the Indigenous community.
“Having them participate and actually lead a ceremony in a decolonized way, is a signal that this is important,” said Heitman.
“We have a responsibility as settlers for truth and reconciliation as well as the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act to find ways to allow First Nations, Indigenous people to have say in education.”
An alumna of CNC, Heitman added that is also feels surreal to be named president.
“I attended this school many, many years ago and to now be here as the president is just something I can't imagine,” she said. “Knowing I'm the first female means something really, really deep for me. I think there's an incredible opportunity for other females in this community from the north to know that they too can achieve something like this.”
Heitman said education is a pathway for everyone and what she really loves is the potential for the college to support youth in whatever they choose to do in life.
“I think when you're in school, whether you're very young or an adult, it's an opportunity for you to help build who you are as a person in your identity and if we can provide those spaces for people to do that I am honoured.”
