Tilley new hand on NSCC tiller
SYDNEY — Fred Tilley says that in his career he has been driven by a passion for education.
Currently the academic chair in the school of business, applied arts and access at the the Marconi campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, Tilley will soon have a new post where he can direct that enthusiasm, as he will be Marconi’s next principal.
He will replace Dave MacLean, who is retiring. Tilley will step into the principal’s role beginning Jan. 1.
Tilley has been with the college for 12 years, first as manager of administrative services before spending a decade at his current position. He learned last week that he had received the new appointment.
“Marconi campus is a great asset to our community here in Cape Breton, and also the community college provincially is doing great things preparing our students for today’s workforce,” he said.
The college has a new strategic plan that is just starting to be rolled out at campuses across the province.
“It’s a real exciting time to be taking over at this campus as we implement the strategic plan,” Tilley said. “I really believe in the community college, it’s my passion and I believe that the community college has a great role to play provincially.”
A Sydney Mines native, Tilley is a certified management accountant by trade and is in the process of completing a masters of education. He previously worked for Sobeys in Stellarton and in the construction and fishing sectors. He also recently began his third term as a mem- ber of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board.
As principal, Tilley said his role will be to provide direction and leadership locally. Marconi has about 1,200 students and a staff of about 145.
Tilley called MacLean a great mentor, noting they worked closely together during MacLean’s tenure as principal.
“We’re extremely connected with the community, with industry and with the other organizations and partners that we have in Cape Breton, so for me it’s definitely big shoes to fill in Sydney and Cape Breton in general,” Tilley said of MacLean’s influence on the campus.
The NSCC has one other campus in Cape Breton, the Strait area campus, located in Port Hawkesbury.