Lakehead University
Lakehead University is a catalyst for social, economic and cultural development in Northwestern Ontario and an 
intellectual force in local, regional, national and global communities.
Recognized as Canada’s #1 university in providing value-added education, Lakehead University has more than 45,000 graduates living around the world. Their success is a testament to the high-quality programs offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Smaller classes are a key component of the Lakehead University student experience and result in a more personalized faculty-student interaction. Approximately half the student population of Lakehead comes from southern Ontario and beyond. Since 2003, Lakehead University has been recognized as a place where students can “Realize Their Potential.”
Northern and Native issues are on the research agendas of many professors at Lakehead. Specific academic programs are designed to meet the needs of Aboriginal learners, and Aboriginal Cultural and Support Services help to ensure that students learn within a culturally sensitive and welcoming climate on campus.
Lakehead University is expanding its graduate studies programs and striving to become one of the top 25 research-intensive universities in Canada in the next five to 10 years. Currently there are more than 30 graduate programs including PhD programs in Clinical Psychology, Education, Forest Science, and Biotechnology. In 2006, Lakehead was designated as “Research University of the Year” by Research Infosource, which ranked Lakehead University first overall in research income growth, and first in research intensity among primarily undergraduate universities.
Lakehead University provides research and development opportunities and services to both large and small employers. In partnership with other educational institutions, Lakehead functions as a “hub,” drawing interested parties from around the world to attend conferences and access research opportunities on topics such as:
• Aboriginal Studies
• Biotechnology and Material Science
• Culture and Society
• Environmental and Resource-based Development, Education, and Policy
• Health Research Across the Life Span
• Advanced Technology Systems
• Northern Studies
Lakehead is home to the West Campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and a critical partner to many health and social services organizations in the region including the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). A key partnership with TBRHSC, Philips, and Sunnybrook Hospital involves the Molecular Medicine Research Centre.
Through its Innovation Management Office, Lakehead University supports the incubation of new business ideas and provides education and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Lakehead University is committed to continued growth. To this end, a branch campus has been established in Orillia in southern Ontario. Another integral part of Lakehead's growth strategy is the undertaking of an annual marketing campaign to build awareness of the institution and of the benefits of attending Lakehead. In 2009-2010 Lakehead's strategic branding campaign was launched, focusing on successful alumni and the role Lakehead played in their success.
Lakehead University by the Numbers
Total Enrolment: 8,344 (November 2009)
Full-time Faculty: 317 (2008-2009)
Employees: 2,000 including approximately 780 full-time positions (2009-2010)
Faculties:
• Business Administration
• Education
• Engineering
• Forestry and the Forest Environment
• Graduate Studies
• Medicine (Northern Ontario School of Medicine, West Campus)
• Health and Behavioural Sciences
• Science and Environmental Studies
• Social Sciences and Humanities
Economic Impact: $301.3 million on the City of Thunder Bay in 2008-2009
