NextGen Speakers

Peter Leclaire became NAIT’s vice-president academic on March 21, 2022. He brings to his role nearly 30 years of diverse experience in Alberta’s post-secondary system, more than two decades of which were spent in a variety of roles at a post-secondary institution.
Just prior to joining NAIT, Peter served for over six years in the Government of Alberta, most recently as the assistant deputy minister of Insight, Transformation and Innovation within the Ministry of Advanced Education. During his tenure there beginning in 2014, he served in a number of ADM roles spanning apprenticeship and student aid, post-secondary policy and legislation, capital and infrastructure planning, research and analysis, grant management, system accountability, transformation and change management, and digital transformation.
Prior to his work in government, Peter spent over two decades at Lethbridge College starting as a contract instructor. His career progressed into various leadership roles at the College, where he served as the chair of the School of Engineering Technology, dean of the Centre of Agriculture, Trades and Technology, vice-president academic and chief learning officer, and the interim president and CEO.
Before his post-secondary career began, Peter held various industry jobs, including working as a technologist in the private sector leading the digital transformation of a small engineering firm. After moving to teach on contract with Lethbridge College, he launched his own consultancy business that ran parallel to his academic career, initially providing design services but quickly moving into leadership development for senior leaders, developing change management strategies, evaluating the sustainability of programs and services, reviewing organizational structure effectiveness and much more. He also gained an international perspective working on projects in India, Japan, China and South Africa.
Although his consulting work has paused during his tenure with the government and as an executive, remaining connected to business and industry through his consultancy endeavours has been a core passion and focus of his professional life.
Peter is a life-long learner with a Master of Business Administration (educational administration) from Royal Roads University, a Diploma in Engineering Design and Drafting Technology from Lethbridge College, and a Bachelor of Arts (art history) from the University of British Columbia. With an unconventional academic path, he is a committed learner who has constantly re-engaged with his learning through short courses at Harvard and University of California, Berkeley, as well as online courses at EdEx and Coursera.
As vice-president academic, Peter has a focus on enhancing operations in the schools and within the Office of the Registrar and Student Progression at NAIT and achieving the important goals and vision for polytechnic education identified in The NAIT Effect. His leadership will help us achieve our promise to prepare learners to find meaningful employment in their chosen fields and to support those seeking continuous learning throughout their careers.