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NORTH WEST COLLEGE LAUNCHES REBRANDING INITIATIVE
August 26, 2025NORTH WEST COLLEGE LAUNCHES REBRANDING INITIATIVEAugust 26, 2025 North Battleford, SK – North West College (NWC) is undertaking a rebranding process that will see the current logo and other elements of its visual identity refreshed and updated with a new look that modernizes its image. With our continued efforts to ensure that we are responsive to local labour market needs while providing innovative training opportunities to communities in Northwest Saskatchewan, we want to ensure that our logo and branding is bold, impactful, and reflects our communities and values. The current logo and branding for North West College has remained relatively static since the early 1980’s. While the logo has represented us well for many years, we believe it is time to look to the future and ensure that our next generation of students identifies with the new logo and its symbolism. The branding refresh is also intended to generate excitement and awareness of the many new developments at the college, including new programming opportunities, renovated and newly constructed learning spaces like our healthcare simulation labs, the new programming at the Frontier Mall location, and our ultimate goal for a new campus in the Battlefords. This branding refresh will enable NWC to be differentiated within the crowded post-secondary landscape – provincially and nationally. “Our current logo and branding is recognizable in our community, but we have heard from community members and students that the current logo elements and symbolism are being lost in translation” said Dr. Eli Ahlquist, President and CEO of North West College. “We want to ensure that we work collaboratively with our community members to renew the visual identity of the college with design elements that they feel represents them and our region and sets the stage for the exciting developments that are happening at the college. Your future starts at North West College, and our branding should also represent an exciting future for each of our students and alumni.” The NWC team is currently completing a community consultation process. This is to offer stakeholder groups and the wider community a chance to help shape the future identity of Northwest Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institution. We have already engaged with domestic and international students, staff and instructors, First Nations communities and leadership, and other post-secondary institutions. Our final local community focus group is scheduled for Tuesday August 26th. Following the focus group sessions, we will be reviewing all feedback as we adapt our current design drafts. “We have been working diligently to ensure that we receive feedback from a diverse range of people and groups throughout our region, and we will include them in the process so that they are able to take ownership of their local post-secondary institution” said Dr. Priscilla Lothian, Vice President of Marketing and Student Experience at North West College. “When students and community members feel stronger connections to the college and know that they helped contribute to a major change to the institutional identity, it helps them to feel a sense of belonging and empowers them to be a local advocate for the college and the opportunities to learn and grow right here in our communities.” Stay tuned as we work towards an exciting unveiling in the coming months! -30- North West College operates two primary campuses and 21 learning centres throughout the North West region of the province. Responding to the needs of students and local industry, for more than four decades, North West College has delivered training and services to facilitate growth in the communities it serves. The college offers programs in trades, health and community services, academic upgrading and university transfers. It has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 sq. km. For media inquiries, please contact:Kris Jones (he/him)Marketing and Communications CoordinatorPhone: 306 -937-5128Email: kris.jones@northwestcollege.ca
NWC Celebrates 2025 Graduates in North Battleford & Meadow Lake
July 2, 2025NWC Celebrates 2025 Graduates in North Battleford & Meadow LakeJuly 2, 2025 North Battleford, SK – North West College proudly celebrated the accomplishments of its 2025 graduating class with ceremonies held in North Battleford and Meadow Lake at the end of May. These milestone events recognized the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of students across a wide range of programs. The North Battleford ceremony was held at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, while Meadow Lake’s celebration took place at the Carpenter High School Theatre. Both venues were filled with proud families, friends, instructors, and community members gathered to honour the achievements of the graduating students. The ceremonies featured heartfelt speeches from student speakers, including Irvin Applegarth, Savannah Hylton, and Elizabeth Kinniewess, who reflected on their academic journeys and shared words of inspiration for their peers. Several students were also recognized with completion scholarships for their academic excellence and commitment to their studies. Graduates were recognized from a variety of programs offered through the College this year, including Adult Basic Education, Business, Business Management, Carpentry, Continuing Care Assistant, Cooking, Early Childhood Education, Heavy Equipment and Truck and Transport Technician, Office Administration, Plumbing and Pipefitting, Practical Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, and Welding. The breadth of programs reflects North West College’s commitment to providing diverse and accessible education to meet the needs of our region. North West College extends sincere thanks to all who helped make these celebrations memorable, including our guest speakers, local dignitaries, and the talented drum groups who opened the ceremonies in a good way. Your presence and contributions added meaningful cultural and personal significance to the events. Another heartfelt thank you to the scholarship donors that provided financial support for our scholarship fund, and the Government of Saskatchewan for providing matching funds provided through the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program. We would not be able to put on celebrations of this magnitude and provide the level of scholarship support that we do without each and every one of you and your generous support. “We are incredibly proud of each of our graduates,” said Dr. Eli Ahlquist, President and CEO of North West College. “Their determination and achievements are a testament to the strength and potential within our communities. We look forward to seeing the many ways they will continue to grow and contribute to the world around them.” Congratulations to the North West College Class of 2025! -30- North West College operates two primary campuses and 21 learning centres throughout the North West region of the province. Responding to the needs of students and local industry, for more than four decades, North West College has delivered training and services to facilitate growth in the communities it serves. The college offers programs in trades, health and community services, academic upgrading and university transfers. It has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 sq. km.   For media inquiries, please contact: Kris Jones (he/him) Marketing and Communications Coordinator Phone: 306 -937-5128 Email: kris.jones@northwestcollege.ca
NWC Signs On To Open Letter Supporting A Welcoming Canada
April 16, 2025NWC Signs On To Open Letter Supporting A Welcoming CanadaNorth Battleford, SK – North West College and our President and CEO Dr. Eli Ahlquist have signed on to an open letter penned by The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR), Amnesty International Canada, and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) to the leaders of all federal political parties. The signatories hope to remind the parties that Canada has long been a country that has accepted and been strengthened by people that come here to seek a better life. We hope that the federal parties recognize the importance of Canada’s reputation as a welcoming country to immigrants of all types, and works to establish platform commitments that maintain and reinforce this reputation. North West College does not endorse any specific candidate or party, and believes that all parties should consider this important call to be included in their election platforms. As a Designated Learning Institution for international students, North West College has welcomed individuals from many countries seeking the education and training they need to thrive and become valuable contributors within our communities. The inclusion of international students has enriched our college in many meaningful ways. “With the recent changes made to Canadian international student policies over the past year, as well as the emergence of anti-immigration rhetoric, we see this as a principled and important stance to take” said President and CEO Dr. Eli Ahlquist. “We signed the letter to join in asking our federal parties to express their commitments to maintaining Canada’s reputation as a welcoming nation to those looking to join our communities and work toward a better future. At North West College, we want to ensure that our tagline ‘Your Future Starts at NWC’ also includes immigrants and refugees seeking a career here in northwest Saskatchewan.” “Canadians take pride in our commitment to welcoming refugees and migrants and upholding our obligations to promote and defend human rights,” said Aisling Bondy, President of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers. “We urge all parties to ensure that this broad consensus is reflected in their platforms and rhetoric.” North West College encourages staff and students to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election. More information can be found on the Elections Canada website www.elections.ca Read the full contents of the open letter here: https://ccrweb.ca/en/open-letter-party-leaders -30- North West College operates two primary campuses and 21 learning centres throughout the North West region of the province. Responding to the needs of students and local industry, for more than four decades, North West College has delivered training and services to facilitate growth in the communities it serves. The college offers programs in trades, health and community services, academic upgrading and university transfers. It has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 sq. km.   For media inquiries, please contact:Kris Jones (he/him),Marketing and Communications CoordinatorPhone: 306-937-5128Email: kris.jones@northwestcollege.ca
North West College Introduces Buffalo Mascot
February 20, 2025North West College Introduces Buffalo Mascot  North West College is charging forward with a wave of school spirit, unveiling its new mascot – Buddy the Buffalo! Get ready for excitement as this mascot brings energy, pride, and a community spirit. Our Buffalo is more than just a mascot – it’s a powerful symbol of strength and resilience for our communities and an iconic representation of the region for international students relocating here for their education. The Buffalo is also an important symbol for our local First Nations communities, with the animal having provided much of what was needed to sustain traditional ways of life for indigenous people throughout the region. This is more than just a mascot – it reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to integrating Indigenous culture and symbolism into campus life and visual identity, guided by our Indigenization Charter. “The conceptualization of Blair Stonechild that “Education is the New Buffalo” is a key element for the implementation of the College’s indigenization charter and our intention to offer more connection points throughout college life to our indigenous students and communities” said North West College President and CEO Dr. Eli Ahlquist. “We hope that our ongoing efforts toward reconciliation will help current and future students see themselves as a key part of the college community, reduce barriers to entry, and in turn increase their access to education. This effort is ongoing and will likely yield more visible changes within the college in both the near and long term.” Introducing the mascot serves to increase the college’s visibility at community events throughout the year, giving North West College another touchpoint for visual collaboration between the college and community. The mascot will also serve to boost campus community spirit, providing unique opportunities to enhance student engagement events at the college. As North West College expands its programming and extracurricular offerings, and eventually moves to the a new campus building, the mascot will be attending new competitive team activities. “Offering our students another point of shared connection with the college is an important piece of community building” said North West College Vice-President, Marketing and Student Experience Dr. Priscilla Lothian. “Buddy the Buffalo will also make public appearances on behalf of the College demonstrating our involvement and commitment to the Battlefords and Meadow Lake and area communities.” Curious members of the community can catch the first public appearance of NWC’s mascot at the Battlefords North Stars game against the Estevan Bruins on March 1st at Access Communications Centre in North Battleford. -30- North West College operates two primary campuses and 21 learning centres throughout the North West region of the province. Responding to the needs of students and local industry, for more than four decades, North West College has delivered training and services to facilitate growth in the communities it serves. The college offers programs in trades, health and community services, academic upgrading and university transfers. It has campuses in North Battleford and Meadow Lake and provides programming for 30 communities, including 20 First Nations communities, spread over 44,000 sq. km.    For more information, please contact:Kris Jones (he/him),Marketing and Communications CoordinatorPhone: 306-937-5128Email: kris.jones@northwestcollege.ca  

Upcoming Events

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30Sep
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation - College Closed12 am - 11:59 pm
9Oct
Try-a-Trade Interactive Education and Career Fair10 am - 2 pm
13Oct
Thanksgiving Day - College Closed12 am - 11:59 pm

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