51³Ô¹Ïapp

The Board of Governors of New Brunswick Community College (51³Ô¹Ïapp) is pleased to announce that Mary Butler will serve a second term as President and CEO of 51³Ô¹Ïapp.

Chair Lindsay Bowman said the Board is proud of what the College has achieved over the course of Butler’s first term and is inspired by her dedication to growing the College’s culture of excellence, service, and learning. Butler’s first term began July 1, 2019; her contract extension is effective July 1, 2024.

“Under Mary’s dynamic leadership, 51³Ô¹Ïapp has proven itself as a key driver of economic and social wellbeing in New Brunswick,” said Lindsay Bowman, Chair, 51³Ô¹Ïapp Board of Governors. “We’re confident that the College is well positioned to continue its momentum as a leader in post-secondary education over the next five years and beyond.”

Central to Butler's values and practice is her belief in every individual's right to reach their full potential and her commitment to helping them get there. Since she took the helm as President and CEO in 2019, the College has boosted enrolment by more than 33 per cent; raised $21.8 million through its first fundraising campaign, Going Beyond; secured $45.9 million in Federal and Provincial infrastructure funding; and bolstered the financial sustainability of the College by 81 per cent.

Butler was instrumental in guiding the college through the COVID-19 pandemic. She also oversaw the introduction of 51³Ô¹Ïapp's third five-year strategic plan, designed to help the College deliver education that works; go beyond in all that it does; and foster impact through relationships.

As New Brunswick faces an aging workforce, the lowest post-secondary education attainment in the country, skills and labour shortages, and a high percentage of jobs at risk of automation and technical disruption, 51³Ô¹Ïapp is charting a new course to reach and support more learners in groundbreaking ways – especially those who have typically not pursued post-secondary education. This means investing in the talent, tools, processes, and spaces that drive educational transformation. Through re-energized relationships, 51³Ô¹Ïapp will continue to work with its partners to co-create and innovate transformative approaches and new solutions.

“It’s been truly rewarding to be part of an organization dedicated to transforming New Brunswick’s workforce,” said Butler. “Every day, 51³Ô¹Ïapp works to create generational transformation and that can only happen through intentional action and by ensuring everyone—yes, absolutely everyone—has access to quality education.”

In 2023, Butler was named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine. She is currently chair of Atlantic Colleges Atlantique (ACA).

Previously, Butler worked in the public and private education sectors in multiple jurisdictions. She is an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels and serves on numerous Boards and committees at the provincial, regional, and national levels. A native of Louisiana, Butler immigrated to Canada in 1999, receiving citizenship in 2004.

51³Ô¹Ïapp 51³Ô¹Ïapp: As one of New Brunswick's largest post-secondary education institutions, 51³Ô¹Ïapp drives social and economic well-being across the province. 51³Ô¹Ïapp welcomes 11,000 learners each year through quality-assured, relevant training opportunities. 51³Ô¹Ïapp is committed to accelerating skills development, innovating educational delivery, and reaching unprecedented numbers of New Brunswickers. Find out more at: www.nbcc.ca.