Tag: Institution

Adapting to the ever-changing world of international education as a public institution in Quebec, Canada
As a bilingual territory, Quebec offers students the chance to learn both English and French, which can be daunting for some. However, this bilingualism also provides a distinctive advantage in the global education market. This article explores how institutions like the Lester B. Pearson School Board are adapting to these changes and highlights key strategies for success.

Challenges and opportunities in Quebec

Quebec’s bilingual nature often makes it a secondary choice for international students who may prefer English-only environments. However, the opportunity to learn both languages can be a significant draw for students seeking to enhance their global competencies. Over the past two years, the field of international education has undergone significant changes, requiring institutions to adapt swiftly. Here are some of the changes:

New IRCC requirements since July 2023:
- Revised funds requirement for study permit applicants, increasing the financial threshold to ensure students are adequately prepared for the cost of living in Canada.
- End of the Student Direct Stream (SDS), affecting the expedited processing of study permits for certain countries.
- Revision of programs eligible for post-graduation work permits (PGWP), limiting eligibility to specific fields of study and designated learning institutions.
- Introduction of Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs), requiring students to obtain a PAL as part of their study permit application.
Adapting to new requirements: a strategic advantage

The introduction of PALs and the revised financial requirements had a minimal impact on the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) due to Quebec’s existing Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) process. The CAQ process already required higher financial proof than the new federal standards, positioning LBPSB at an advantage. This continuity ensured that our processes and requirements remained stable, providing a smoother transition for international students.

Shifting the message: beyond PGWP

Previously, programs eligible for post-graduation work permits (PGWP) were a major selling point, maintaining healthy student intake levels with minimal marketing effort. However, the focus has now shifted. The message is no longer solely about the PGWP; it is about acquiring a skillset that can be exercised globally. Montreal, an amazing student city, continues to be a prime study destination due to its quality of education, accessibility to higher education, cost of living, quality of life, and availability of a wide range of outdoor activities and hobbies. Montreal was always part of our marketing plan, but now it has become the marketing plan.

Maintaining stability and messaging

In the face of these changes, it is crucial to keep our messaging and name intact. As a public institution, the Lester B. Pearson School Board emphasizes stability and a long-term commitment to international education. Quebec offers an exceptional option for students to benefit from its established quality education system. Students study in state-of-the-art facilities, interact with local students, and immerse themselves in a new culture. This experience is not only about receiving a quality education but also about personal growth. The education and personal development gained here are invaluable and transferable anywhere in the world.

Addressing the housing crisis

While the housing crisis in Quebec is not as severe as in other parts of Canada, it remains a concern. The lack of housing has been cited as a key reason for limiting the number of international students in Canada, yet this approach overlooks a crucial fact: many international students, especially those in vocational programs like Lester B. Pearson’s, are essential to addressing the very housing shortage they’re being blamed for. These students are training to become carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled tradespeople—professions desperately needed to build more homes across the country.

To ensure accessibility to safe, secure, and affordable housing for international vocational students, the Lester B. Pearson School Board has partnered with 4Stay to offer a dormitory experience on campus for adult vocational students. This is a one-of-a-kind offering in Canada, with students enjoying turn-key housing, meal plans, and student life programming to ease their transition to life in Montreal.

About 4Stay

4Stay was founded by international students who experienced firsthand the challenges of finding student housing when they arrived in the United States for their education. Launched in 2016, 4Stay is driven by the mission to create a world where everyone has a “home away from home.” The company connects students and interns with local hosts, room providers, and roommates near their destinations, offering both short-term and long-term housing solutions.

4Stay works with educators and administrators to craft bespoke housing programs, tailored to the institution’s unique needs. Recognizing that every institution has their own set of unique interests, challenges, and strategic priorities, 4stay has a suite of services and strategies to source student housing options and manage them.

By providing affordable homes, 4Stay helps students find a supportive community that eases their transition to life in a foreign country. The company’s vision and values resonate deeply with the Lester B. Pearson School Board, making it an ideal partner to manage our student residence and enhance the student experience.

Building a supportive community

The partnership between LBPSB and 4Stay allows students to access residence options either as a short-term landing pad (up to three months) or as a long-term accommodation solution throughout their entire program. This initiative helps build a community of students who can support each other through the challenges of settling in a new country. By offering these housing solutions, the Lester B. Pearson School Board ensures that international students have a safe and welcoming environment, contributing to their overall success and well-being.

Conclusion

Adapting to the ever-changing world of international education requires innovative strategies and a commitment to providing comprehensive support for students. By leveraging Quebec’s bilingual advantage, shifting the focus of marketing messages, and addressing housing needs through partnerships like 4Stay, public institutions in Quebec can continue to thrive in the global education market. These efforts not only attract international students but also ensure they have the resources and community support needed to succeed in their academic and personal endeavors.

About the author:

Martine St-Pierre, MBA, is the director of international programs at the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB). With over two decades of experience in education, she oversees the recruitment and support of international students, ensuring they receive high-quality education and a welcoming environment. Her strategic vision and expertise have positioned LBPSB as a top choice for students worldwide.
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May 5, 2025
How a Napkin Sketch Can Unlock Higher Ed Innovation at Your Institution
In higher education, it’s easy to feel stuck.

You know something isn’t working — maybe enrollment processes are clunky, or student support services feel disconnected. You’ve tried new tools, updated systems, created initiatives to create change, and added staff, but the problem persists. It’s like there’s a giant boulder in your way, and no matter how hard you push, it doesn’t budge.

It turns out, you don’t need a bulldozer – just a napkin sketch to start building momentum to move the boulder standing in the way.

It’s a surprisingly simple concept, using visual design thinking exercises to help colleges and universities get unstuck. Not with more tech, or a fancy AI solution, but with more clarity to understand how things work today to create a framework for change tomorrow.

Because real innovation in higher education doesn’t come from software or a technology — it starts with understanding the systems and the processes you already have so you can visualize what they could be.

What is a napkin sketch?

The napkin sketch is exactly what it sounds like: a back-of-the-napkin-style drawing that quickly maps out how a particular process actually works in your institution so it can be reimagined.

It’s low-tech, but high-impact.

Think of it as building a gameboard for players to play. Like a Monopoly board, everyone knows the players, the rules, and the steps. It makes the choices that need to be made for each player’s turn clear. When these choices are laid out visually, it becomes much easier to pinpoint where the real opportunities (and challenges) are.

What does the napkin sketch exercise entail?

I usually start these sessions by asking one simple questions with a key follow-up
- What’s the opportunity for ‘impact’? (What are you trying to accomplish?)
- What’s preventing progress?
Then we get to work. Together, we sketch out the entire process: from first interaction to the final outcome. We account for every step, system, and stakeholder that’s involved. We highlight the costs, the tools and technology handoffs, potential delays, and where things might be falling through the cracks.

We typically conduct the sketch in a virtual drawing space, where we can collaborate in real time to map out the full process. It’s not about polished visuals — it’s about building a shared understanding of how things operate today.

And in about 60-90 minutes, we always have at least one person in the group say out loud “I didn’t realize that’s how it actually works.” And another will inevitably ask “You’re going to send us this napkin sketch, right? I want to print it out.”

Ready for a Smarter Way Forward?

Higher ed is hard — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. We can help you transform challenges into opportunities.

What can the napkin sketch reveal?

In our experience working with hundreds of institutions of all shapes and sizes, we’ve found that many face surprisingly similar challenges. This exercise consistently shines a light on hidden opportunities, creating a blueprint for change.

Common things we uncover include:
- Manual, repetitive tasks that could be automated or streamlined
- Workarounds that have become permanent fixtures without anyone questioning them
- Disconnects between departments, systems, or technologies
- Operational silos that prevent teams from seeing the full picture or collaborating effectively
- Missed opportunities to better track, analyze, or act on data
- Unclear ownership of key steps in the process
In short, the napkin sketch helps institutions see what’s really going on — and what needs to change to move forward.

Why does it work?

Higher ed innovation often stalls because teams are too close to the problem or too deep in their own silo to see the bigger picture. The napkin sketch breaks through that by creating a space for everyone involved to step back and collaborate.

Here’s why it’s effective:
- It’s fast — most sessions take an hour or two.
- It’s visual — helping teams align quickly and clearly.
- It’s collaborative — bringing together voices from across departments.
- It’s actionable — revealing next steps that are grounded in reality.
Most importantly, it shifts the focus away from jumping to solutions and toward understanding the system. Once you understand the system, smart solutions become much more obvious — and effective.

Real examples of the napkin sketch in action

Whether it’s enrollment workflows, transcript processing, student communications, or data handoffs between systems or teams, the napkin sketch exercise can help untangle a wide variety of operational challenges. No two institutions are exactly alike, but many face similar complexities — manual processes, siloed teams, and unclear ownership that stall progress.

Here are a few discoveries we uncovered in recent napkin sketch sessions I’ve led:
- One institution realized how many steps were involved in processing transcripts — with staff toggling between platforms, uploading the same file in multiple places, and doing manual comparisons. Once the process was mapped, we explored how AI could handle the course match evaluations — saving hours of staff time each week.
- Another team sketched out their enrollment outreach process and discovered they were sending multiple conflicting messages to students at the same time. The sketch helped them realign their communications and reduce student confusion.
- A third school wanted to integrate a new tool into their tech stack, but the sketch revealed that the underlying workflow was broken — and that no tool would help until the foundational process was improved.
In each case, the aha moment didn’t come from buying something new — it came from clearly seeing what was already happening so it could be improved upon.

What could your napkin sketch uncover?

If you’re wrestling with outdated processes, disconnected systems, or unclear handoffs — you’re not alone. Many institutions are trying to drive higher ed innovation with limited resources and overwhelming complexity.

But you don’t need to have all the answers right now. You just need a clearer view of the problem so you can develop a thoughtful solution.

That’s what the napkin sketch offers: a simple, collaborative way to map your reality, uncover opportunity, and take a smarter next step forward.

Let’s sketch it out — and see what we find!

Ready to uncover what’s holding you back?

Reach out to schedule your own session and take the first step toward smarter solutions.
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April 16, 2025
Leading Your Institution in Times of Disruption and Uncertainty
How can you illuminate a path to success in a turbulent environment?

This last half decade has delivered unprecedented disruption for university leaders. The pandemic, economic uncertainty, greater need among students and families, and sweeping governmental changes have buffeted campuses of every size, type, and mission. As we move through 2025 and look at the landscape beyond, it’s clear that adaptability, resilience, and innovative thinking are crucial for successful university management.

As my colleagues and I partner with university leaders on key areas such as strategic enrollment planning and working with university boards, we help leaders assess and address five key challenges that impact institutional sustainability. Addressing these areas strengthens fiscal health, campus alignment and collaboration, efficiency, and other challenges that are roadblocks to a campus achieving its full potential.

Embracing Enterprise Risk Management

There is one preliminary key strategy that has become especially vital for navigating uncertain times: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). This approach replaces siloed risk management that dilutes campus resources and responses with a stronger, integrated perspective—allowing senior leaders and boards of trustees to gain a comprehensive view of potential threats and their interconnections. By implementing ERM, universities can develop more effective strategies for identifying, mitigating, and managing risks across all aspects of their operations.

Addressing five key challenges

Once you have embraced ERM, that can help guide your strategies and tactics in addressing these five key university challenges.

1. Financial stability and funding

With potential changes in federal funding and financial aid structures, universities must diversify their revenue streams and explore new partnerships. This may include collaborations with private industry, international organizations, and philanthropic entities to sustain critical academic research and support student access to education.

Additionally and perhaps more urgently, leaders need to dive deep into financial aid budgets, leveraging strategies, funding sources, and how they tie to recruitment and admissions strategies. RNL is working closely with our partners to redesign models if/when funding sources disappear, ensuring that you can meet your enrollment goals and serve your mission amidst tremendous uncertainly regarding government sources of funding.

2. Technological integration

The rapid advancement of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is disrupting traditional teaching and learning methods. University leaders must navigate this transformation by:
- Investing in faculty training for AI integration
- Updating curricula to reflect emerging technologies
- Developing ethical guidelines for AI use in academia
Along those lines, it is critical that institutions have an AI governance framework in place. However, few universities do. In our recent survey of marketing and recruitment practices for undergraduate students, only one out of 10 four-year institutions reported having an AI governance plan. With AI revolutionizing the college journey for students and families, you need to ensure you have a sound AI governance framework.

3. Crisis preparedness

From pandemics to natural disasters disrupting higher education, having a comprehensive crisis management plan is essential. This should include:
- Regular scenario planning and contingency exercises
- Clear communication protocols for all stakeholders
- Ongoing training for staff and administrators
Most institutions have the logistics of crisis management figured out: crisis captains, protocols, policies, and procedures. What they have not accommodated for in the midst of myriad external forces is the long-term impact of these singular events and ongoing circumstances on their communities—students, families, faculty, and staff. The mental health crisis in education is on the rise and now, more than ever, campuses need to lead with compassion and understanding to bring communities together. Ultimately, your institution needs to be able to anticipate potential crisis and be ready to adapt rapidly to ensure that students are cared for and their college experience can continue.

4. Fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability

Taking the optimal approach to technological changes and crisis preparedness requires cultivating a culture of continuous innovation. This involves:
- Creating dedicated teams to explore new areas of innovation
- Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration
- Promoting flexibility in learning paths and program offerings
The higher education marketplace does not stand still, and universities therefore cannot afford to be set in their ways and be slow to adapt.

5. Prioritizing stakeholder trust and communication

Addressing these challenges and achieving goals in a period of disruption requires unity, transparency, and communication among key stakeholders. University leaders should:
- Maintain open lines of communication with all stakeholders
- Build trust through consistent and honest messaging
- Engage in active listening to address concerns and gather feedback
Difficult messages can be difficult to deliver, but more transparency and dialogue with stakeholders will increase collaboration and focus that will produce transformative results.

Great university leadership is needed more than ever

Managing a university during times of great disruption and uncertainty requires a delicate balance of strategic foresight, agile decision-making, and compassionate leadership. By embracing risk management, fostering innovation, and prioritizing clear communication, university leaders can navigate these challenging waters and emerge stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to fulfill their educational missions in an ever-changing world.

As we face the future, it’s clear that the most successful universities will be those that can adapt quickly, leverage new technologies thoughtfully, and maintain an unwavering commitment to their core values and the communities they serve. My colleagues and I stand ready to help you face this future and achieve immediate and long-term success. Please reach out and we can arrange a convenient time to share our insights and what’s working for institution’s like yours.
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March 20, 2025
Building and Sustaining an AI-informed Institution

Title: Navigating Artificial Intelligence in Postsecondary Education: Building Capacity for the Road Ahead

Source: Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education

As a response to the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, the Department of Education’s new brief, Navigating Artificial Intelligence in Postsecondary Education, provides recommendations for leaders at higher education institutions. The brief is divided into two main parts: one with policy recommendations and one reviewing literature and research.

The report outlines five recommendations:

Develop clear policies for the use of AI in postsecondary settings. The use of AI can be vast, from admissions to enrollment to other decision-making processes. It is important, though, to ensure that AI is not reifying bias. Stakeholders should consider the potential utility of an AI Bill of Rights or the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework in shaping policies for their campuses. They should also consider affirmative consent and disclosure policies as they relate to AI, as well as inscribing characteristics that make AI trustworthy.

Generate infrastructure that supports the use of AI in pedagogy, student support, and data tracking. Incentivizing cross-department collaboration and faculty involvement in the development of AI tools is key. It is also important to integrate social and behavioral science research into evaluation of AI.

Continually assess AI tools. This includes testing equity and accounting for any bias. AI should continuously go through a feedback loop. Institutions need to strategize in ensuring a balance of human supervision. Additionally, evaluations should be comprehensive and from diverse stakeholders.

Collaborate with partners for the development and testing of AI across different educational uses. Leaders are tasked with finding and building relationships with partners. These partnerships should aim to ensure best practices and promote equitable AI.

Programs should grow and develop alongside the job market’s increased demand for AI. Leaders must consider how to keep up with the evolving demand for AI, as well as how to integrate across all disciplines.

Click here for the full report.

—Kara Seidel

If you have any questions or comments about this blog post, please contact us.

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January 21, 2025
How Provosts Can Lead Digital Transformation to Build a Institution
Tune In To Our Audio Blog

Introduction: The Role of Provosts in Digital Transformation

As a Provost or Vice Chancellor, we know your roles and tasks are tough in the evolving digital landscape. You are the cornerstone when it comes to maintaining academic excellence while creating a future-ready environment that meets the changing needs of your stakeholders, especially the students!

The world out is competitive, hence building an agile, student-centered campus is not just a goal—it’s a necessity for engagement, success, and the general well-being of your university. We have interacted with provosts across the globe who have underlined the need to drive digital transformation in colleges and universities. With the help of this blog, you should be able to navigate digital transformation with ease and be more empowered to improve the overall experience of students at your institution and bring about significant change.

8 Crucial Provost Leadership in Universities

Key Data & Insights on Digital Transformation in Higher Education

It’s time for provosts to face the digital reality that is consuming higher education. More than 60% of colleges are making significant investments in digital projects, according to a recent EDUCAUSE survey, which is a positive development. The bad news is that almost 50% are encountering obstacles. They are being held back by reluctance to change, limited funding, and the challenge of integrating cutting-edge new technologies with antiquated systems.

Cloud Adoption

Beyond Just a Fashion Now let’s discuss cloud computing. The statistics are positive: 65% of colleges have adopted it, indicating a major change in the way higher education functions. This isn’t just a trendy term either. You simply cannot afford to overlook the advantages of cloud computing, which include increased collaboration, cost savings, and flexibility.

Effect on Engagement of Students

Let’s now discuss what actually counts: student involvement. Institutions that use automation and artificial intelligence are witnessing an astounding 30% increase in student retention and overall satisfaction. However, embracing technology isn’t enough on its own. The goal is to completely change the way that students learn by designing individualized learning pathways that genuinely meet their needs. If you could use these resources to raise student achievement and learning outcomes, just think of the effect it would have on your campus.

Contented Teachers and Staff

A Crucial Factor in Success What about your staff and faculty? According to JISC studies, the implementation of a digital campus management platform increases satisfaction by 25%. This is not merely a figure; rather, it is an indication of a more contented and effective work environment where employees collaborate easily, have less work to do, and enjoy coming to work every day. In order to support these changes and create an environment where creativity flourishes and faculty members feel empowered to give their all, provosts play a critical role.

Examine the data below to get a clear idea of how satisfied faculty and staff are using digital tools. This is a call to action, not just information, in your opinion. Your faculty are clamoring for support for remote learning, seamless technology integration, and more efficient workflows. Don’t ignore the areas that require attention, though, such as the development of digital skills and the time set aside for training. These upgrades may have a significant impact on how your organization responds to the digital revolution.

Key Challenges Faced by Provosts in Digital Transformation

Provosts, we know the digital transformation journey is complex, and you’re juggling more than most. Let’s break down the major challenges you’re likely facing.

Legacy Systems: Stuck in the Past?

You’re not alone if outdated systems are holding you back. Nearly 70% of campuses still use obsolete software, making modern tools hard to integrate. It’s like trying to force a square peg into a round hole — you need seamless solutions, and we’re here to help.

Resource Allocation: Balancing Innovation and Budgets

Balancing innovation with tight budgets is tough, right? Almost 60% of provosts are facing the same challenge. But strategic investments today can secure long-term success.

Data-Driven Decisions: From Info to Action

Got data but struggling to use it effectively? You’re not alone. 75% of leaders want better tools for analyzing student performance. The right technology can help turn data into action, and we’ve got the solutions.

Student Engagement: Meeting Digital Expectations

Students demand more than just lectures — they want interactive, hands-on experiences. By adopting innovative strategies, you can boost retention. It’s time to reimagine your classrooms and empower students.

Faculty Adoption: Overcoming Resistance

Faculty resistance to new tech is a real barrier, with 50% of educators concerned about adopting new tools. The answer? Create a supportive environment with proper training and clear benefits.

How Creatrix Campus Can Help: Solutions Tailored for Provosts

Simplified Campus Management

Imagine working in a higher education setting where every aspect of campus administration is streamlined into a single, cloud-based platform. By assisting you in getting rid of outmoded procedures and never-ending paperwork, Creatrix Campus frees up time for you to concentrate on what really matters—improving academic innovation and student success.

Data-Based Perspectives

We are aware of how important it is to base decisions on current, usable information. With the aid of advanced analytics and business intelligence tools from Creatrix, you can transform complicated data into insightful knowledge. This provides you the self-assurance to take on obstacles head-on and make choices that will advance your organization.

Untiring Student Lifecycle Administration

Overseeing the student journey shouldn’t seem like a difficult undertaking, from admissions to graduation and beyond. A complete student lifecycle solution that streamlines each step is provided by Creatrix. We make it easy for you and your students, whether it’s increasing student engagement or expediting enrollment.

Enhanced Academic Task

We are aware that one of the trickiest jobs you have on your plate can be faculty management. You can make sure that resources are maximized and that faculty members have more time to concentrate on what they do best—teach and mentor students—with Creatrix’s Faculty Workload Management.

Stress-Free Compliance with Accreditation

Maintaining compliance with accreditation requirements is crucial, but it can be very demanding. You can relax knowing your institution is adhering to all relevant regulations with our automated compliance tools, all without adding to the administrative workload.

Flexible and Cost-Effective

We are aware that money is tight, but Creatrix allows you to avoid making any sacrifices. Our solutions ensure you get the resources you need without breaking the bank because they are not only scalable but also built to grow with your institution.

Real-World Success Story: Dublin Dental University Hospital

Leading dental school in Ireland since 1899, The Challenge DDUH was doing well in patient care and dental education, but what about their curriculum management? Not in that way. Faculty were being slowed down and it was becoming more difficult to guarantee student success due to the manual process of mapping courses and tracking learning outcomes. They required a method that would simplify these processes without making them more difficult.

What was required by DDUH

The DDUH faculty was looking for more than a simple update. To make their jobs easier and more intelligent, they needed a single platform where they could simply map out their curriculum, monitor progress, and access reports instantly.

Creatrix Campus: The Salvation
- We offered DDUH a tailored Curriculum Management solution that satisfied every requirement:
- Faculty members could see exactly where they were and where they needed to go with the help of a tool called visual curriculum mapping.
- Data-Driven Insights: Accessible reports that ensure each choice was supported by reliable data.
- Personalized Dashboards: hassle-free, role-specific views that kept teachers informed and responsible.
The End Results
- DDUH saw improvements right away after deploying Creatrix, taking only half the anticipated time to complete:
- 50% Quicker Execution: No more fees, no delays—just quick, seamless integration.
- Improved Teaching Quality: Faculty could devote more time to students and less time to administrative tasks.
- Smarter Operations: With streamlined procedures and transparent results, the organization as a whole became more efficient.
Conclusion: Drive the Role of Provosts as Pioneers of Change with Creatrix Campus

You are leading your organization’s digital transformation as a provost. Real change can be sparked by your leadership, not just in the way your institution runs but also in the way students learn and achieve. You can empower your faculty, reduce complexity, and enhance student outcomes with Creatrix Campus—all while adhering to regulations and staying within budget. Together, let’s rethink what is feasible and establish a progressive, prosperous organization. You can make that happen with your leadership.
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September 24, 2024