OLDS — Debbie Thompson is now officially the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, after serving as interim president since late August, 2024.
She moved into that interim role after former president Ben Cecil left that position after 20 months at the helm.
Thompson’s elevation to president, effective May 1, was announced by the college on Thursday.
“This decision follows a thorough and extensive review process undertaken by the college’s board of governors,” a college news release says.
"We are just so thrilled to welcome Debbie Thompson as the president and CEO of Olds College," Al Kemmere, chair of the board of governors, is quoted as saying in the news release.
"As a board, we took great care to consult broadly across the college community and to learn those key attributes and characteristics that would be important in a leader of our organization at this time."
Those consultations led to the creation of a presidential profile and then to the establishment of a search committee made up of members of the board.
The committee implemented a process that included an assessment of Thompson, who had been serving as interim president for eight months, and an in-depth interview with the entire board.
Thompson joined Olds College in 2014 and has held the position of vice-president academic, vice-president academic and student experience, vice-president student and support services, and dean of animal sciences and horticulture.
She is passionate about education and learning, having spent more than 20 years in the kindergarten to Grade 12 education system as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, vice-principal and principal.
Thompson holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership through National University, a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Calgary and a Master’s degree from Royal Roads University.
Thompson “leads by collaboratively seeking and assessing opportunities that are supported by evidence, aligning the strengths and capabilities of the college, and coordinating the engagement of the college community to maximize the benefit for students, industry and the college,” the news release says.
Her “distinguished record of service at Olds College and her exceptional educational and leadership accomplishments make her the ideal person to lead the college into a bright future.”
"Debbie’s vision, experience and dedication are vital to leading Olds College forward," Kemmere is quoted as saying. "This appointment is an unreserved statement of confidence that she is the very person we need to lead Olds College into the future."
