St. Lawrence College president and CEO Glenn Vollebregt has assumed leadership of Fleming College, replacing interim president and CEO Dr. Theresa Knott as the two institutions prepare for a planned merger next spring.
The colleges’ boards of governors announced Monday (November 9) that Vollebregt’s appointment as Fleming’s interim president and CEO takes effect immediately. He will lead both colleges during the transition, with formal integration planned for April 1, 2027.
Knott will return to her role as Fleming College’s executive vice president, academic experience. The boards thanked her for leading Fleming during the transition and helping advance the integration.
One president to lead both colleges through the transition
The appointment brings the colleges under a single executive leader as they move into more detailed planning and implementation of the merger announced in April.
“Bringing the two colleges under unified executive leadership at this stage will strengthen coordination and support timely, accountable decision-making as the integration progresses,” said Fleming College board chair Karen Jensen in a media release.
“Our priority continues to be supporting our students, employees, and communities while building a strong and sustainable institution for the future.”
When the merger was first announced in April, Vollebregt had already been identified as the person who would serve at the initial president and CEO of the merged college, with Knott to be its initial associate president and chief academic officer.
While Monday’s release indicated Knott will return to her previous role at Fleming, it did not provide an update on her post-merger role.
Colleges to remain separate until planned April 2027 integration
Despite sharing a president and CEO, Fleming and St. Lawrence will continue to operate as separate institutions until formal integration. Each will retain its own governance structure, academic responsibilities, and commitments to students and communities during that period.
The colleges say the coming months will involve academic, operational, and organizational planning, along with employee support and engagement with students and communities. The Ontario government has provided support in principle for the integration work.
“This next phase is about turning the vision for integration into a strong, sustainable institution,” said St. Lawrence College board chair Julie Caffin.
For his part, Vollebregt said his focus will be on combining the colleges’ strengths.
“Fleming and St. Lawrence each bring tremendous strengths, proud histories and deep connections to the communities they serve,” he said. “As we move forward, my focus will be on bringing those strengths together to build an institution that is innovative, resilient, and positioned to expand how we support students, employers, and the Eastern Ontario region.”
Merger follows financial pressures and program cuts
When the colleges announced their proposed merger on April 10, they described it as Ontario’s first voluntary college merger and said they would integrate as equal partners to improve long-term financial sustainability. Both boards had approved a framework agreement outlining the process.
The announcement followed financial pressures across Ontario’s college system associated with federal restrictions on international student enrolment and a provincial tuition freeze. By April, Fleming had eliminated 50 programs since 2023, while St. Lawrence had eliminated more than 50, with staff layoffs at both institutions.
At the time, the colleges said the announcement itself would not change local brands, programs, campuses, services, or student supports. They outlined potential benefits including broader academic pathways, access to specialized programs, and additional research and workplace learning opportunities.
Fleming has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, and Haliburton, while St. Lawrence has campuses in Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall.
Unions previously raised concerns about consultation and further cuts
The initial merger announcement prompted concerns from Fleming’s union leaders about limited consultation and the possibility of further program and staffing reductions.
Speaking to kawarthaNOW in April, Marcia Steeves, president of OPSEU Local 351 representing Fleming support staff, said the union learned of the decision only minutes before an all-staff announcement. Kim Bell, then acting president of OPSEU Local 352 representing faculty, also called for earlier involvement in decisions of that scale.
Both raised concerns about the potential consequences for students and employees, including whether consolidation would lead to fewer programs and positions. Fleming’s Student Administrative Council also sought greater student involvement and clearer communication about the merger.
Monday’s release says the colleges continue to engage students, employees, partners, and communities, with opportunities to provide input on aspects of the integration. It does not identify specific program or staffing changes.
Further updates will be available at flemingcollege.ca/integration and stlawrencecollege.ca/integration.
With files from Bethan Bates.
