The Northern Lakes College Board of Governors on July 16 announced it was renewing the contract of Glen Mitchell, who has served as the school’s president and CEO since Sept. 1, 2020.
The new five-year term reaffirms the school’s confidence in Mitchell’s leadership and vision, it says in a July 16 news release.
Mitchell had helped the college strengthen its position as a leader in accessible, community-based post-secondary education, it says.
The college focuses on rural, remote, Indigenous, and northern communities, according to the release.
Prior to becoming president, Mitchell spent over 13 years at Northern Lakes College in various administrative roles, including distance learning coordinator, director, dean, and academic vice-president.
His tenure has emphasized supported distance learning, regional workforce development, expanding community partnerships across northern and Indigenous communities in Alberta, and launching micro-credentials and collaborative degree programs.
Mitchell taught at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic School in Slave Lake before moving into higher education administration.
“I am humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to serve in an institution that I have come to deeply love, in such an exciting time of change and transformation,” he said at the time of his initial appointment to president at the college.
“I believe Northern Lakes College is positively positioned to continue to offer life-changing educational experiences for students in our region, our province, and beyond.”
Distance education has long been the college’s primary instructional model, and during the COVID-19 pandemic – which was in full swing when Mitchell was first appointed, it was well-positioned to continue operations through online and remote learning.
Mitchell’s educational background includes two undergraduate degrees and a diploma in Adult Teacher Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a master’s degree in Leadership from the University of Calgary, and a doctorate from the University of Calgary.
He previously chaired the Regional Stewardship Provincial Committee and the Alberta Deans of Business.
He also served on the Professional Development Advisory Committee, the Alberta Deans of Foundational Learning, and various other Alberta post-secondary advisory groups.
“I am honoured by the Board’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Northern Lakes College. Our strength comes from the communities we serve. Together with our students, employees, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders, we will continue creating opportunities, strengthening partnerships, and expanding access to education across northern Alberta,” Mitchell said, following the board’s decision to renew his appointment.
Northern Lakes College is one of Albertas largest regional post-secondary institutions, serving students across more than 50 communities in north-central Alberta. The college does not operate like a traditional single-campus school; instead, it uses a combination of campus-based instruction and supported distance learning to provide education and training over a vast service area covering about 164,000 square kilometres. through its various programs and delivery methods.
It offers a wide range of certificate, diploma, apprenticeship, and university-level programs. Courses include trades training such as carpentry, heavy equipment technician, and millwright programs; health-care programs including computer network specialist training; social services programs such as child and youth care, addictions counselling and social work; early learning and childcare; resource technology programs such as power engineering and surveying; as well as academic upgrading and university transfer courses.
Many programs are designed to meet the workforce needs of northern Alberta communities and are offered through flexible online, classroom, lab and practicum-based learning options.
William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader
