Conestoga College begins search to replace President and CEO John Tibbits

Conestoga College is looking ahead to the future, announcing that it has begun a search for a successor for President and CEO John Tibbits.

Tibbits has had plenty of peaks and valleys during his nearly four-decade tenure in the top role at the college. In the past, the school has ranked amongst Canada’s top research colleges and has received a long list of accolades.

“The Board of Governors and the President are committed to ensuring a proper and seamless transition, however long the succession process might take,” said Conestoga College in a statement to 570 NewsRadio on Monday.

The school has faced a rough patch in recent years and is now facing a difficult financial road ahead. Earlier this year, the school reported a $121 million surplus, but forecasted a deficit for the next fiscal year.

Time and again, Conestoga College has pointed to the federal cap on international students as the main contributing factor for its struggles. According to Tibbits, the school has lost 20,000 international students since 2023, resulting in a financial loss of $450 million.

Since last year, Tibbits has been ensnared in a string of controversies. In April 2024, Sault College filed a lawsuit against Tibbits for making derogatory comments and remarks about the school and its president, David Orazietti.

Then, Tibbits faced criticism in April of this year for receiving a 28.5 per cent raise, earning more than $636,000 in 2024. News of this raise came as the school reportedly cut a number of administrative employees and support staff.

Tibbits’ current contract runs until the end of 2026, and in a statement released on Monday, the Board of Governors said that planning for succession has been underway “for some time.”

“Today’s message to employees about the request for proposals for a recruitment service to support the President & CEO search is the next step,” said Conestoga College. “Once a search firm is engaged, the firm must identify, engage and evaluate potential candidates.”

The college added that more timelines will be shared as it progresses.