Through this presentation we will explore key learnings from the College of New Caledonia's programs in Kwadacha Nation (10 hours North of Prince George). Through a student-centered program design using hyflex delivery, students in the North have more options - for further education, decent work and vibrant community life. In this panel presentation, we will hear from a student graduate, an Aboriginal Advisor, an Educational Coach and a Dean to understand what's working, and what's not in the delivery of lifelong learning and workforce development programming. Outliers have the capacity to “shed new light on inconsistency in emerging theory," they can show where the edges of our frameworks begin to blur and disintegrate (Gerring, 2007). This presentation will challenge us to consider the boundaries of our classrooms.
Dr. Amelia Merrick is the Acting Dean for the School of Access and Continuing Education at the College of New Caledonia. CNC is on a mission to make learning more accessible in the North and is re-designing programs so that diverse, complex and interesting students are at the center of what we do. Andrea Morrison is the Indigenous Advisor for the College of New Caledonia's Mackenzie campus. Originally from Treaty 8 Territory in Northern Alberta, she is a proud member of the Driftpile Cree Nation. Andrea's role at CNC is to collaborate with Indigenous communities and their members to access education and training opportunities.
Shannon Bezo, Regional Principle of the College of New Caledonia’s Mackenzie Campus, has been involved in a variety of innovative delivery options since joining CNC as a faculty member in 1997. She one of the leaders for the provincial project that had Applied Business Technology develop numerous online courses for delivery through partnerships and this work spanned from 1999 through to 2011. As the Regional Principal, Shannon has had the privilege of leading her team to provide service for four communities – Mackenzie, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Tsay Keh Dene Nation, and Kwadacha Nation (Fort Ware). Through innovation and partnerships, amazing opportunities have been created in each community with significant impacts for Kwadacha Nation leaders and students.
