Conestoga College brings on former Durham College president as advisor
Posted Jul 6, 2026 10:46:51 AM.
Last Updated Jul 6, 2026 03:15:32 PM.
Conestoga College has hired the former president of another school to help oversee operations as the college attempts to rebuild its reputation.
Don Lovisa spent 16 years as president of Durham College, a school with campuses in Oshawa and Whitby that offers similar programs to the ones delivered at Conestoga College.
In a message sent out to Conestoga College staff, Interim President Norma McDonald Ewing said Lovisa was brought in with advice from the provincially-appointed administrator, Linda Franklin.
Lovisa will act as an advisor to college leadership, and has history with Franklin, having worked alongside her at Colleges Ontario in the past.
“His deep understanding of the post-secondary sector and significant leadership experience will be a valuable resource as the college continues to move forward,” said Ewing in a message to staff.
Lovisa retired as president of Durham College in 2024, but is credited with being “the driving force behind the organization’s growth and success,” according to the college.
This appointment comes as the second significant change in college leadership over the past month, after Eric Johnstone was appointed as vice president of finance and chief financial officer back in June.
The college has yet to appoint a permanent president after the sudden departure of former president John Tibbits in January.
Tibbits was at the helm for a period of growth with an influx of international students, but also a period of controversy and financial mismanagement that was uncovered by a provincial audit in May.
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