Welcome to the Algonquin Board of Governors’ website

From James G. McCracken, Chair

Algonquin College is governed by a board that strives to provide learners with a superior, experiential education that will prepare them for lifelong professional and personal success.

Board members play an essential role in the continued success of the College. They help the College by establishing structures of governance, plotting strategic directions and overall institutional goals, approving programs of instruction and supervising and assessing the performance of the College’s president and CEO.

Our goals in the coming years focus on creating an equitable and inclusive work environment, empowering staff, and furthering learner-driven education. From developing College-wide systems that ensure flexibility in programming to incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into the very fibre of our institution, Algonquin College’s goals for the future ensure that our best days are ahead of us.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing you at a future Board meeting!

About James G. McCracken

Mr. McCracken retired as director of education for the Ottawa Catholic School Board after a distinguished career in public education.

Mr. McCracken has been an active member on the board of directors of a number of organizations in the Ottawa community and provincially including: Campaign Chairperson, United Way Ottawa; Chairperson, United Way Board of Directors; Chairperson, Success By 6; President, Catholic Education Foundation of Ottawa; Chairperson, Board of Governors, The Ottawa Hospital; Chairperson, Board of Directors, Ontario Hospital Association; Director, Shepherds of Good Hope; and Director, University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Mr. McCracken’s honours include: The EXL Award for exemplary leadership presented by the Canadian Association of School Administrators; The Benemerenti Medal conferred by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for distinguished service to the Catholic Church and Community; The Distinguished Civic Award for Humanitarianism awarded by the City of Ottawa; The Distinguished Leadership Award conferred by The Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers Association; The Special Award for Distinguished Service to Catholic Education conferred by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association; The Community Builder of the Year Award, United Way Ottawa; Quality of Life Award, St. Joseph’s Women’s Centre; Lifetime Achievement Award, Volunteer Ottawa; Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, Governor General of Canada; and Lifetime Membership awarded by Ontario Hospital Association. May 20, 2010 was proclaimed as James G McCracken Day in the City of Ottawa in recognition of his contributions to education and community service.

Mr. McCracken holds a B.A. (hons) from Carleton University, a B.Ed from the University of Toronto, and a M.Ed. from the University of Ottawa. James McCracken was appointed to the Board of Governors effective September 1, 2019; appointed Vice Chair of the Governance Committee on September 1, 2020; appointed Chair of the Governance Committee on September 1, 2021; appointed Board Vice Chair on September 1, 2022; appointed Board Chair on September 1, 2023.