In its 40th year, this Alberta based educational institution has used the wonders of technology to create an intimate community setting for students
Written by Gabe Perna & Produced by Brad Evelyn
Often times, a slogan used to describe a college is intended to harbor up feelings of excitement. However, in the case of Northern Lakes College, one of Alberta’s most innovative academic institutions, this slogan is much more than a superficial expression. “Very big at being very small,” touches upon the ideals of the college, and is the reason why it’s substantially grown from its humble roots.
For Northern Lakes College President and CEO Rick Neidig, the phrase, “Very big at being very small,” is all about the institution’s ability to bring education to the community. Northern Lakes College is spread across northern Alberta with 30 campuses covering a vast area of 160,000 sq. km.
“What that [slogan] means to us is a lot of our students aren’t very mobile compared to the rest of the population in Alberta. Therefore, we have to take our education to the community as opposed to taking the learner to the education. From a business standpoint, creating viable student cohorts can be a challenge. We know that the number of learners for a particular program can be smaller, but the combined numbers across a region as a whole gives us a sustainable amount. It’s very important that we deliver a small intimate classroom setting to community,” explains Neidig.
Over the years, Northern Lakes College has evolved. Originally in the early 1970s, the college was started to address the high need for adult education upgrading and the need to bring related basic services to communities. Still even then, Neidig says the school’s community based roots were in place. As the prior utility and adult upgrading needs were filled, the college expanded and added locations.
PROGRAM OFFERING
With the increased number of locations, there has been an obvious boost in student applicants. Neidig says in ‘08-09 the college grew 19 percent, while in ‘09-10 it expects to grow an additional 18 percent. He also adds the college recently celebrated the opening of its student housing complex at the Slave Lake campus.
In terms of course offerings, the college has grown in this department as well. While Northern Lakes’ original offering of adult education is still a prominent part of the college – 60 percent of all classes are adult upgrading and readiness – additional courses in career programs, university studies and trades and apprenticeship have come into play.
Additionally, the college offers programs in health, power engineering, and oil and gas. These particular areas have growth potential according to Neidig. Its healthcare programs are especially an intriguing developing area for Northern Lakes College. Neidig says it has an established practical nurse program. Meanwhile, it’s planning on rolling out emergency medical technician and sterile supply technician programs soon as well.
“In order to better facilitate our health programs, our board purchased an old building. It’s new to us, but an old auto parts store. We’re in the process of renovating that. That’ll give us an increase in the number of spaces for our healthcare programs in High Prairie. Healthcare administration will be centered in that building. The goal there is to brand our healthcare programs apart from other offerings we have in this region,” explains Neidig.
TECHNOLOGICALLY INVOLVED
From the southernmost Northern Lakes College location in Alberta to the northern most, Neidig says it’s an eight-hour drive. From east to west, it’s a six-hour drive. This disparity in locations might seem like a burden. However, through several strategies, NLC is able to keep the various locations connected and maintain the community ideals upon which it was found. One of the ways it’s done is through technology.
“Technology is really a foundation tool, it’s central to everything we do,” says Neidig. “We recognized early the importance of technology in distance learning. By 1980 we had audio graphics, in addition to an audio conference the computer screen was hooked up to a telephone with graphic tablets. Students in a remote community would have ability to when asked to demonstrate they understood something. The power of that technology, to give ad visuals, to these disparate students scattered across Alberta, we still use today.”
Neidig says nearly half of the classes are offered online. Furthermore, Northern Lakes is also able to achieve its ideals of community-based education in part to its distributed management system. Neidig says the college has leadership distributed locations managing various regions. These representatives manage and oversee operations of the region’s locations as well as establish and nurture community relationships.
IN TOUCH WITH COMMUNITIES
Collaboration and multifunctional space usage is yet another example of the college’s dedication to the communities it serves. Neidig says because in many of its location it serves a small population base, it recognizes there’s not always a need to solely occupy a building. With this in mind, Northern Lakes shares many of its locations with other institutions.
If a student is taking a course online from another local college and could use our site and technology, we’d treat him as if he were one of our own,” says Neidig.
One of the reasons Northern Lakes College has an astounding 95 percent rate of employment for its graduates is the quality of its academic programming. Accredited by professional associations and provincial organizations, Neidig says the college has created a high standard. Yet Neidig says the main reason for the high employment rate goes back to the community-based aspect.
“I think what makes us unique is we’re probably the most community based education institution in country. In 2010, we’ll have been in business 40 years. We’ve been out in our communities for 30 years. The fact that reps from the community meet with me in a council every month during school year makes us unique. We’re very much in touch with the communities we serve,” concludes Neidig.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
COMPANY NAME: Northern Lakes College
PRESIDENT: Rick Neidig
OPERATIONS: Community based education
ESTABLISHED: 1970-1971
EMPLOYEES: 270
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET: CAD $38million
www.northernlakescollege.ca
View Digital Corporate Profile of NorthernLakes in Technology Digital November 2009