MaKami College: Re-thinking our approach to post-secondary education

Written by Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi, the founder and CEO of MaKami College, a public, not-for-profit post-secondary college with campuses in Calgary and Edmonton.

Post-secondary education in Canada is facing more challenges than it ever has before.

As gaps in access to quality education grow and workforce demands evolve, post-secondary institutions must adapt to address these mounting challenges.

That is why, as part of our transition to becoming an Independent Academic Institution (IAI), MaKami College has shifted to become a non-profit post-secondary institution.

This transition is more than just a symbolic change; it reflects the deep-rooted belief that motivated me to open MaKami College in 2001 — that access to education changes not only the life of that person, but future generations and the community as a whole.

When my parents moved to Alberta from former Yugoslavia, they struggled to access education in Canada despite their previous education, hard work and dedication.

Seeing the obstacles that prevent people from accessing education inspired me to create a post-secondary institution that supports students with diverse physical, mental, and socio-economic challenges.

Our transition to becoming both a non-profit and an IAI expands our opportunities to strengthen these efforts. It aligns with our commitment to empowering individuals, fostering stronger communities, and providing opportunities for those who might have otherwise been overlooked.

At its core, these changes demonstrate MaKami College’s commitment to our students. It distances us from the profit-driven model that many private career colleges operate under, and aligns us with other post-secondary institutions that, like us, are prioritizing the value we bring to students, families and the communities in which we operate.

MaKami College is embarking on a new era as we become a non-profit institution. It’s not just about addressing the needs of today — it’s about laying the groundwork for the future.

This change lays the groundwork for a lasting legacy, ensuring MaKami College’s continued impact for generations to come.

As post-secondary demographics continue to evolve and more students continue to seek higher education in Alberta, institutions cannot remain stagnant and let status quo dictate their operations.

As a sector, we must proactively adapt to evolving labour markets, provide essential services and supports to help students succeed, and empower our students to become leaders in their chosen field.

MaKami College recognizes that change is essential for continued success. We have expanded our program offerings, restructured operations, identified innovative ways to deliver student support services and ensured our campuses remain modern places of learning where students can reach their full potential.

This shift is another in a long list of examples of MaKami College’s commitment to continuously re-think our delivery of education.

At MaKami College we aspire to remain a continued beacon of opportunity, empowering students who may face barriers to reach their full potential.

This transition will allow us to build upon the work we have done, and to help carry forward the dream of our alumni to future generations of students, ensuring that all Albertans have access to a post-secondary institution that prioritizes their unique needs and helps guide them on a path to success.

Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi is the Founder and CEO of MaKami College, a public, not-for-profit post-secondary college with campuses in Calgary and Edmonton.