150,000 Success Stories: The Legacy of Anderson College 140 years later (and counting) with Heather Yang

In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster interviews Heather Yang, the President and CEO of Anderson College. They discuss the college's 140-year history and its significant impact on the community, including a recent celebration event partnering with Make-A-Wish Canada. Heather highlights the college's evolution from a secretarial school in 1885 to a modern institution offering high-demand programs, particularly in healthcare. The conversation also covers the challenges and successes of transitioning to online learning during the pandemic, the importance of mentorship and community support, and the crucial role career colleges play in filling workforce gaps. Heather shares personal insights on leadership and the collective effort required to sustain and grow the sector. This episode is brought to you by Smart Owl Smart Owl is Canada's go-to partner for education, consulting and curriculum development. Trusted by career colleges from coast to coast. What sets them apart? They don't just meet regulatory standards. They design strategic, custom programs that help colleges grow, get approved, and deliver real-world results. Alongside custom development, Smart Owl also offers transfer-ready diploma programs that are built for quick adoption and smooth implementation. These programs reduce your curriculum development workload, accelerate time to launch, and come back with built-in instructional resources and assessments.Also, they're aligned with the current labour market and certification standards, whether they're launching something new or refreshing an existing diploma. Smart Owl helps you treat curriculum as a strategic tool, not just a requirement. Smart Owl has also supported many NACC member colleges in creating ministry-ready, workforce-aligned programs built for modern delivery.If you're ready to build future-ready programs that make a real impact, visit Smart Owl today to discover how Smart Owl is shaping the future of education in Canada. Smart Owl Education Consulting for a smarter future.00:51 Celebrating 140 Years of Anderson College02:03 The Impact of Anderson College's Fundraising Efforts05:51 The Role of Instructors at Anderson College08:05 Challenges and Successes in the Career College Sector12:29 Government Support and Sector Growth19:46 Adapting to Online Learning During COVID-1922:32 The Importance of Mentorship and CommunityBio of Heather YangRaised in a family of educators, Heather always believed the power of learning.At just 10 years old, she began exploring the world of entrepreneurship, assisting her grandmother in running a small business outside a city cinema. This early exposure sparked her entrepreneurial spirit and set the stage for her future endeavors.In 1999, Heather immigrated to Canada, where she later earned her MBA from the Rotman School of Management. Her early challenges as a new immigrant became her greatest asset, inspiring her to develop innovative solutions to support students who were struggling to find their career paths.Heather's career in the education sector began as an admissions advisor in 2003. In 2005, she merged her passion for education with her entrepreneurial drive and acquired a struggling college with only 3 students. In 2011, she established the brand Anderson College, and through the acquisition of multiple schools, Heather and her team expanded the college to eleven campuses across Canada. Today, Anderson College proudly serves 4500 students annually, supported by a dedicated team of 450 staff members.With two decades of experience in the sector, Heather champions the power of unity. She actively collaborates with fellow members of the Career College sector, believing that together, they can achieve more, not only for the sector itself but, but also, more importantly, for the students and staff they serve.Read the full transcript hereListen to past episodes here