At its October 2025 meeting, the Board of Governors of Montreal Dio unanimously approved a new Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, marking a significant milestone in the life of the college. This plan is the first since Montreal Dio integrated the work of the United Theological College and launched a United Church Studies Program beginning in 2021–2022. The plan sets a bold vision for the future.
The plan articulates the college’s identity as “an ecumenical and bilingual learning community that educates and forms compassionate, courageous, and creative leaders for Christian witness in a rapidly changing world.” It outlines three key areas of focus: ensuring sustainability and collaboration, offering innovative programs of study, and deepening the college’s ecumenical identity.
Principal Jesse Zink emphasized the importance of this moment: “This strategic plan is rooted in hope and imagination. It reflects our commitment to prepare leaders who can respond faithfully to the challenges and opportunities of a changing church and world. Compassion, courage, and creativity are not optional—they are essential for Christian witness today.”
At the same October meeting, the Board elected Ms. Patricia Evans as President of the College and Chair of the Board, following the retirement of the long-time President, Mary Irwin-Gibson, former Bishop of Montreal. Ms. Evans had previously been the chair of the United Theological College and has served in a wide variety of lay leadership roles across the United Church of Canada. The current Bishop of Montreal, the Rt. Rev. Victor-David Mbuyi Bipungu, who has served for many years on the college’s Board of Governors, remains on the Board and was also elected to the college’s executive committee.
Ms. Evans expressed strong support for the plan and its vision: “The Board is excited to endorse this strategic direction that it adopted with enthusiasm and hope. Being future-focused, the plan builds on the strengths of our recent integration and positions Montreal Dio to thrive in the years ahead. We believe it will enable the college to serve the church with vitality and relevance.”
The plan also responds to calls for justice and reconciliation, commits to fostering intercultural and ecumenical learning environments, and ensures that programs meet the evolving needs of ministry in diverse contexts.
As Montreal Dio moves forward, this strategic plan will guide its work of forming leaders who embody the gospel through compassion, courage, and creativity—qualities the church needs now more than ever.