
College adjusting to new post-secondary climate
St. Lawrence College is looking to the future after program cuts.
In a statement to KingstonDaily.ca, SLC President and CEO Glenn Vollebregt said the cuts reflect a need to respond to external pressures. “Colleges like SLC have been reimagining themselves,” he said, pointing to changing enrolment and the need to focus on job-ready programs.
The 40 per cent reduction affected multiple campuses, including Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall. While no further suspensions are planned, SLC says it may pause programs with low interest as part of regular reviews.
Looking ahead, Vollebregt said the college is designing new programs that align with regional workforce needs. All future courses will include work-integrated learning such as clinical placements or co-ops.
SLC is encouraging students and the public to visit stlawrencecollege.ca to learn more about programs, services, and student life.
KingstonDaily.ca has requested an interview with Vollebregt to discuss the plans for the Kingston Campus further.
Read the entire statement below:
From Glenn Vollebregt, SLC President and CEO:
SLC would like to provide you with this update on the current situation following the program suspensions that occurred in spring 2025.
Colleges like SLC have been reimagining themselves as a response to factors beyond our control. This has included having to reduce how many programs we offer even though the training we deliver and the graduates we produce are integral to the regions and employers we serve across Ontario.
Earlier this year, SLC suspended 36 programs across our three campuses – a 40 percent reduction in programming which resulted in 55 fewer intakes for students to choose from (some programs were offered at multiple campuses).
Currently, no further program suspensions are planned, however SLC has a regular process for pausing a program if there is not enough interest.
St. Lawrence College continually plans for the future and is committed to offering programs determined by labour market need.
We are mapping new courses and program development to what local and regional employers and industry are seeking.
A requirement of any program we offer is work-integrated learning and opportunities for students to apply what they are learning in clinical settings or professional placements, and we are grateful for the connections and partnerships organizations throughout our region have established with our college and students to make this possible.
Our communities and future students can look forward to new programs being launched, and our planning stretches out several years.
Visit stlawrencecollege.ca to see our list of programs, and to learn about services, extracurriculars, and the college experience at SLC.