Okanagan College (OC) is welcoming a new leader to their business school.

After almost 15 years in academic leadership roles at George Brown College and Centennial College, Joe Baker has been named OC鈥檚 new Dean of the OC School of Business.

鈥淚 was born and raised in Vancouver and have since had the incredible opportunity to travel and work around the world,鈥� said Baker. 鈥淚 am excited to join Okanagan College and their well-renowned School of Business and to work with everyone in the department and across OC to inspire and educate students. It is exciting to be joining a team whose objective is for students to succeed and grow so that they in turn can help their communities and the economy thrive.鈥�

Baker became the dean of Centennial College and played a pivotal role in the development of a student housing and learning centre which housed the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts programs.

鈥淲e are absolutely thrilled to have Joe bring his incredible depth of experience in the education, hospitality and tourism sectors to Okanagan College,鈥� said OC president Dr. Neil Fassina. 鈥淚t is an exciting time for OC and the School of Business, as we have been approved for a new Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship program and get ready to break ground and build the Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism. I鈥檓 looking forward to having Joe join our team at the College and to what lies ahead for our students.鈥�

OC announced the Centre for Food, Wine, and Tourism last March and is expected to open at the 琉璃神社 campus in 2026.

Baker is starting in his new role in February 2024 and is taking over for Dr. William Gillett, who is retiring.

Baker also currently sits on two national boards of directors - Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) and Tourism HR Canada (THRC).

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