There is a new Campus Manager on the scene at the College of the Rockies (COTR), and he is bringing his passion for education and helping students to his role. His story is as much about personal transformation and adventure as it is about place.
Born and raised in a small town in Massachusetts, Scott Fortier first cultivated his passion for healing, advocacy and adventure through his practice as a Physiotherapist. He grew up with roots on the ocean and surrounded by the cultural history of Plymouth Rock and a strong Indigenous presence in his community. He brings his unique experiences, history and background to his new position at COTR to provide meaningful services for students.
“I was surrounded by indigenous culture growing up,” he says, adding, “90 per cent of the towns were indigenous names.”
Drawn together by shared values and a deep connection, Fortier met his Indigenous partner, Alex Waddel and made the bold decision to give up his physiotherapy license, move north to Alberta, Canada, where he took a role at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in the Paramedics department. It was a shift from hands-on therapy to shaping the systems that support it—a move that reflected his evolving sense of purpose.
“Learning is lifelong. It’s interesting, I came from health care. I brought my physiotherapy experience and breathed it into my work in education,” he says, adding, “On a practical side, I’m always vested in my students who come to me asking for help. I give 110 per cent,” he says.
A lover of travelling, Fortier has explored South Florida and Europe. He says he “loves” Latin culture, food and exploring culture in general. He came from a family of fishermen on the Eastern shores of the U.S.A. and first settled in Canada with his partner and his partner’s Indigenous family member in Alberta in 2011.
But the prairies have only been a chapter for him and his partner. They discovered Golden, B.C., a town that offers more than just breathtaking views—it offers peace. They purchased land about 12 years ago and spent summers immersed in the rhythms of nature, the humbling scale of the mountains, and the quiet joy of community. Golden became their sanctuary. Three years ago, they built their home, and Fortier started his position at COTR in June.
“I feel very privileged to live here – it’s amazing,” he says.
His role at the COTR blends leadership, education, and advocacy. His presence in this position is more than professional—it’s symbolic. It represents the power of visibility, the importance of diverse voices in leadership, and the beauty of building a life that honours both heritage and hope. He says he “enjoys” being vested in his students, something he believes comes from his physiotherapy roots.
“It’s my passion,” Fortier says about his work.
He reflects on his time as a youth, trying to decide what to be and what to study. He said having people in his life help him through that process of discovery helped him, and support from family and friends is powerful in helping students find their path as they embark on the road of discovery towards choosing a career.
“Youth is about exploring and building experience. It’s important to help them along and not push them into things. You can see immensely when there is no buy-in from the student,” he says.
“I’ve always had the perception that you find your calling later in life; I really think it happens earlier than people think,” he says.
One experience he shares from his youth is joining the swim team when he was a junior in high school, and an observant coach helped him make decisions in his journey that served him.
“I love swimming, but I wasn’t a great competitive swimmer. My coach said to me, ‘You’re an okay swimmer – you’re not a great swimmer, why don’t you try springboard diving?’ I did and I excelled at it,’ he says.
Over the next year, the COTR, Golden campus, will work on program development for next year’s students. Student supports at the COTR, Golden Campus, include a staff liaison to assist students with career path development, including high school students and adults.
He says he is proud of the dual credit program being offered to high school students during their senior and junior years, as it allows them to build college credits while gaining skills.
Through their partnership with Edison Motors and community partnerships, the COTR is providing more support to the workforce in the community of Golden, B.C., particularly in the trades. Fortier says they are building partnerships with Economic Development and the Chamber of Commerce to find out ways to support local employers and support the workforce while giving students an opportunity to try different trades and work experiences in the community.
“As educators and administrators, it’s our job to facilitate the discovery process and not guide them – but allow them to explore,” he says.
