It is a tremendous honour to serve as President of the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE).
As I begin this term, I do so with gratitude for the leaders who have come before me, for the members who continue to strengthen this association through their generosity and expertise, and for the opportunity to serve a community that has been advancing lifelong learning across Canada since 1954. CAUCE has always been more than an association. It is a community of leaders, innovators, educators, and advocates who share a commitment to expanding access to learning and helping individuals, organizations, and communities navigate change.
Over the years, our association has evolved alongside the continuing education sector itself. We have welcomed new institutions, broadened perspectives, and brought new voices into our conversations, enriching our collective understanding of what continuing education can and should be.
As I assume this role, I recognize the significance of this moment. To the best of our collective knowledge, I may be the first woman of colour, and perhaps the first person of colour, to serve as President in CAUCE’s 72-year history. While that is not what will define my leadership, I am proud of what it represents: an association that continues to evolve, broaden perspectives, and create space for more people to see themselves reflected in leadership while better reflecting the learners and communities we serve.
Looking ahead, CAUCE has an important role to play. The landscape around us is shifting rapidly. Higher education is changing. Workforce needs are evolving. Lifelong learning has never been more important. This is the moment for continuing education to step forward. It is a moment to demonstrate the value our sector brings to learners, employers, institutions, and communities across Canada. It is a moment for CAUCE to strengthen its voice, contribute to important conversations, and help shape what comes next.
To support that work, we will continue advancing our advocacy efforts and strengthening CAUCE’s voice across the sector. We will strengthen our data and thought leadership initiatives, modernize our association for the future, and deepen relationships with members, partners, and stakeholders across sectors. At the same time, we must continue preserving the wisdom of those who helped build this community while creating opportunities for those who are just entering it. Most importantly, we must continue learning from one another.
The strength of CAUCE has always been its members; their willingness to share knowledge, challenge ideas, support one another, and work collectively toward a stronger future for continuing education in this country.
I am excited for the path ahead and look forward to working alongside our Board, Secretariat, members, partners, and stakeholders as we continue to strengthen our community, elevate our collective voice, and help shape what comes next. Continuing education has never been more important, and I believe CAUCE’s best chapters are still ahead of us.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President.
Warm regards,
Michelle Aarons
President, 2026 – 2027
Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE)