Northern College Board Approves Annual Report

TIMMINS, ON: Northern College’s Board of Governors unanimously supported the approval of the College’s annual report which was recently submitted to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Initiatives carried out over the past year were guided by the College’s 2010-2013 strategic operating plan centered around the pillars of community-based access, Aboriginal focus, organizational development and renewal, focus on learners, and focus on human resources.

Last year was a hallmark year for collaboration and saw the signing of several significant agreements between Northern and fellow colleges and universities. The College established an innovative partnership with Collège Boréal, Confederation College and Fleming College focusing on program delivery within the field of environment and natural resources. Northern also partnered with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Queen’s University, initiating collaboration aimed at establishing an accredited Mining Engineering degree program. These partnerships increase student access, expand program offerings, and enhance student support throughout northern Ontario.

Northern College has been steadfast in its efforts to impact the participation, retention and success of Aboriginal learners while enhancing partnerships with First Nation communities. This past year, an Elders on Campus initiative was formalized at all four campuses and the construction of the permanent Tipi at the Timmins Campus was completed. Aboriginal culture has been embedded into curriculum and Northern expanded the delivery of programs in First Nation communities, as well as at the Moosonee Campus.

Heightened advocacy efforts were realized and a strategic mandate agreement was submitted to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities highlighting Northern College’s areas of distinction and expertise, advocating for an appropriate agreement defining the College’s unique role in post-secondary education. Renovations to the campuses have resulted in better space utilization, upgraded labs, and increased accessibility. A student success plan has been initiated to impact learner achievement and retention while a college-wide process to support and enhance distance learning has been implemented – both with the intention of improving learner outcomes. Northern College is committed to its mission of success for all through learning and partnerships.

Through enhanced employee development and strengthened recruitment and retention practices, the College has developed a professional development policy that promotes continuous learning with an emphasis on skills development and customer service.

“We achieved over 80 per cent of the goals we set out to accomplish and that is a result of our dedicated staff, faculty and board,” said Fred Gibbons, President of Northern College. Staff and faculty have worked diligently to provide an equitable, accessible learning environment. Each and every initiative brought forth and completed over the past year was carried out with our students and communities in mind. Our core dedication to providing access and mobility for learners has proven to be our strength.”

Northern College’s 2012 annual report, 2013-14 business plan, and 2013-2016 strategic plan are available at northernc.on.ca.

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Media Contact:
Crystal Bresson
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Northern College
705.235.3211 ext. 2253
bressonc@northern.on.ca