PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

• tansi • okâch • tanyán yahí • aaniin • o'mu weleyiw • edlánat'e • wâciyê • tawâw •ni-miyeeyihtenaan ee-waapamitaahk! •

Welcome to North West College!

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our College community.  Whether you are embarking on your educational journey or returning to further your education, you have chosen an amazing school that is committed to your success. Our Student Support team is here to help by recommending programs or offering assistance to optimize your learning experience.

All of us at the College are committed to providing you educational programs and services that meet your needs as a student. North West College offers a range of programming that includes adult basic education and English language training to university studies courses including bachelor’s degrees, certificates and diplomas in healthcare, business education, trades programming, and so much more. We are continually adding programs and courses designed to meet your needs as a student, while responding to the needs of employers. This dynamic approach ensures you can achieve success - and employment - in your chosen field of study.

North West College operates two primary campuses and 21 learning centers throughout the North West region of the province. We are in North Battleford, Meadow Lake, Cut Knife, Turtleford, Spiritwood,  Shellbrook,  Rosthern, Duck Lake, Debden, Big River,  Big Island Lake Cree Nation,  Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Thunderchild First Nation, Little Pine First Nation, Poundmaker Cree Nation, Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation, Mistawasis First Nation, Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Big River First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation. Through over extensive network we provide a responsive post-secondary education that affords you the benefits of small class sizes and personalized instruction - all within a community atmosphere that is committed to your success.

I encourage you to connect with North West College; whether through our website, social media channels, or by visiting us in person. We all look forward to having you join us as a student and wish the best on your educational journey.

Dr. Eli Ahlquist,

North West College President & CEO

 

OUR VISION, MISSION & VALUES

 

Vision: 
To inspire individuals and communities to achieve brighter futures.

Mission: 
To provide lifelong learning opportunities as a means of enhancing the economic, cultural, and social wellbeing of the individuals and communities we serve.

Values: 
Excellence, Integrity, Responsive, Innovation

 

Executive Management

Eli
 

Dr. Eli Ahlquist
President & CEO

 
Tanis Studney
  

Tanis  Studney
Vice President, Finance & Administration 

 

Priscilla
  

Dr. Priscilla Lothian
Vice President, Academic

 

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

George Prudat

George Prudat - Board Chair

George Prudat was born and raised in Saskatchewan and has been married to Joan for 49 years (1973). They currently reside in St Walburg, Saskatchewan. He is a retired Royal Canadian Navy Commander and was the Captain of HMCS Nipigon, a helicopter equipped destroyer. He has more than 20 years of seagoing service in ships that operated globally and more than 15 years of experience at the senior executive level. George is a graduate of Memorial University (BMS), a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College (pcsc) and holds a Professional Governance qualification. After retiring from the Navy he was employed at the Centre for Operational Analysis, a research centre within Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). George is a the Chair of the Saskatchewan Research Council and formerly served as the Mayor of St Walburg.

Bill Volk

Bill Volk

Bill Volk is a dedicated and active member of the Battlefords business community. Originally from Denzil, SK, Bill possesses both a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.S.A.) from the University of Saskatchewan. The owner and operator of Norsask Farm Equipment for over 20 years, Bill is currently a consultant with the Canadian Consulting Agrologists Association. He has sat as a director for Innovation Credit Union and Battlefords Tourism. Bill also has experience as the chair of the Immigration Support Committee and Aboriginal Workforce Committee for the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce and continues his work with the Chamber as a current director. Bill and his wife, Carol, are based in the Battlefords and enjoy curling, snowboarding, camping and are avid horse enthusiasts. Bill brings to the board his highly developed financial literacy, business acumen, and community engagement.

Audrey Jones

Audrey Jones

Audrey Jones is a dedicated educator with nearly thirty years of service to Medstead Central School. Audrey is also a small business owner and seasoned farmer with her husband Randy. She possesses a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc.Ag.), a Bachelor of Education, (B.Ed.) and a Master of Education with a focus on Lifelong Learning/ Adult Education (M.Ed.). Through her graduate work studying lifelong from an Indigenous perspective as well as Treaty Catalyst training, Audrey has experience with the embedding of Indigenous worldview into educational curriculum and outcomes. She brings to the Board her extensive education, teaching experience, and a voice for importance of rural services. Audrey enjoys working outdoors during our beautiful Saskatchewan summers and cherishes time spent with her family.  

Harris

Harris Sutherland

Harris Sutherland is from the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation. He is currently the Customer Experience Manager (formerly known as Senior Operations Manager) for the Gold Eagle Casino. He has been with the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority for over 15 years in various capacities.  Harris is the very first First Nations person in all of the Battlefords history to serve as Chamber of Commerce President, where he is also a current Chamber of Commerce Board member. He has also served on numerous boards and committees throughout Saskatchewan.  He moved here to the Battlefords with his wife Carolyn in 2009 from Swift Current where he opened up the Living Sky Casino.  His previous work experience were in policy development for FSIN, education for SIIT, banking for Peace Hills Trust and was also a politician for the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation. He was recently sworn in in his current position as Board member for the North West College.  He is passionate about cooking, yard work and spending time with his family. And looks forward to the future in what the Battleford's has in store for him.

Laurel

Laurel Derenoski

Born in North Battleford and raised on a farm south of Vawn.  Laurel received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan.  She taught in three very distinct school environments.  Her claim to fame was that she was hired for her very first teaching position at Chief Poundmaker School by the renowned actor, Gordon Tootoosis.  Two years later, Laurel returned to her former school, Rivier Academy, a private girls’ school, in Prince Albert and taught there for two years as well.  Turtleford School was Laurel’s staple teaching there for 27 ½ years at the junior high level.  In 2017 Laurel was the Commissioner for the Provincial Cross Country Running meet which was a great success.  Laurel is very active in her community; she is the Division 3 councillor in the RM of Turtle River and serves as a committee member for the Health board, Picnic Lake and the community of Vawn.  Presently, Laurel and her husband, Gordie, are semi-retired but still grain farm.  Her personal interest has always been in sports and recreation and more recently, heritage.  Laurel brings to the board her extensive teaching experience, municipal leadership and community engagement.  

Michale

Michael Lee

Michael Lee was born and raised in Southern Ontario.  Michael completed a Journalism Diploma followed by a Bachelor Degree in Business (Hon. BBA) and then a Bachelor of Education (B.ED.) from Nipissing University.  He has worked in education for the past 23 years including 10 years as a principal with the Northwest School Division. Michael treasures family time with his partner Kate and his young daughter Charlie.  Michael is a passionate coach who has coached with the Saskatchewan Provincial Team program for several years.  He is looking forward to working with Board to help improve the educational experience of students throughout the college. 

Valerie

Valerie Miller

Raised in Yorkton & Regina, Valerie Miller attended the University of Regina to become a Registered Laboratory Technologist and worked in hospitals and private laboratories in Regina, Yorkton and Saskatoon before moving to Meadow Lake in 1990, while working at the Meadow Lake Hospital lab, she trained other technologists to use new laboratory diagnostic equipment. Valerie branched out in new areas of providing health services by coordinating and facilitating Telehealth services within the Prairie North Regional Health Authority and North West Health Facility till her retirement in 2014.