Dr. Eli Ahlquist
President & CEO

Dr. Ahlquist is a dedicated leader in post-secondary education, deeply committed to the growth and development of northwest Saskatchewan. His work focuses on expanding educational opportunities that align with the region's needs, particularly in fields that support local industries and community advancement. Passionate about fostering regional success, he is ardent about leveraging education to drive sustainable development and contributing to economic reconciliation in the region.

Tanis  Studney
Vice President, Finance & Administration 

Tanis, a lifelong resident of North Battleford with roots in southern Saskatchewan, turned an early love of numbers into a successful accounting career. After studying at Lakeland College and earning her degree from Athabasca University, she achieved her CPA designation. Now, as Vice President of Finance and Administration at North West College, Tanis brings extensive experience in oil & gas, private, and public accounting to her role, dedicated to driving sustainable growth through education.

Outside of work, she is a committed wife and mother of three. Her family enjoys the vibrant lifestyle North Battleford offers—spending weekends camping, golfing, and skiing in the community they love.

Dr. Priscilla Lothian
Vice President, Marketing & Student Experience

Dr. Priscilla Lothian was born and raised in West Midlands, England, before immigrating to Canada in 1982. With a passion for education, Priscilla began her career within the childcare system, transitioning to work within the school system in Toronto while completing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is deeply committed to post-secondary education and takes pride in creating a “home away from home” experience for student success. 

Cory Toner
Vice President, Academic

Cory spent most of his childhood growing up in Landis before doing his undergraduate degree at U of S. Cory was part of the inaugural Semester Abroad in Guatemala program through the U of S. This experience led to his interest in travel and eventually led to Cory living in Taiwan, teaching EAL and working in educational institute management. During his time there, he was also able to complete his Masters in International Business. Cory loves being in the outdoors and living in the Meadow Lake area. He is passionate about education and the role the college plays in the North-West region of the province.

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 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 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 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 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.  

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 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.