Carol Ryder

Chair, Bow Valley College Board of Governors

Carol Ryder's strong personal belief in lifelong learning and the accessibility and affordability of education make her an invaluable addition to Bow Valley College where she was appointed to chair the board of governors in June 2004. As the college celebrates its 40th anniversary it launched a number of specialized programs, including Directions for Immigrants in Trades and Professional Careers created to assist foreign-trained skilled immigrants in restarting their careers. By graduating classes of qualified skilled trades workers, the college aims to do its part in helping to replenish the province's labour shortage. Together with president and CEO Sharon Carry and the board of governors, Ryder is also hard at work on two key initiatives: a $10-million capital campaign for bursaries and scholarships to be launched this fall, as well as a major campus expansion. Over the years Ryder, 53, has worked in politics and volunteered her leadership, talents and zeal to various committees and organizations, earning her the Premier's Leadership Award in 2000. She is a committee member of the Canadian Women's Foundation, a recent former member of the Board of Alberta College of Optometrists and she has co-chaired the annual Premier's Dinner in Calgary for the past seven years. -DH

What are your top education priorities?
Access and affordability. At Bow Valley College, our average learner is over the age of 30 so the days of people growing up, going to high school, going to college or university and having one job for life are over. We now have lifelong people. Our vision at Bow Valley College is to help people "learn a better living." I think we live in the best province in the best country in the world and we just have to make sure that everyone has equal opportunity to have the Alberta advantage.

Who do you think is the greatest Albertan ever?
I have people that I really admire. I admire Ralph Klein; I admire Peter Lougheed; I admire Mary Dover. But you know who I really admire the most as the greatest Albertan ever is every Albertan. I think Albertans have that pioneering spirit. I think that's built upon the type of people that we are. We're optimistic. So I think it's the spirit of Alberta more than anything.

In 100 years, will you warrant your own chapter in the history books, a footnote to great events or a single Google hit?
I think my biggest benchmark would be, not so much that people remember me, but that the things that I do make a difference in other people's lives and let them also make a difference. I really believe in the ripple effect.