NorQuest College

NorQuest College
Established	1965
Type	Public diploma- and certificate-granting community college
Chairman	Ms. Flynn Faulder, ICD.D
President	Dr. Jodi L. Abbott, ICD.D
Students	8,500 4,500 full-time equivalent
Undergraduates	available
Location	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 53.54334°N 113.50650°W / 53.54334; -113.50650
Campus	urban/suburban/remote (downtown, Westmount), Stony Plain, Wetaskiwin
Former names	Alberta Vocational College
Affiliations	ACCC, CCAA, AACTI, CBIE
Website	NorQuest College

NorQuest College is a publicly funded community college in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The student body numbers approximately 8,500, with more than 4,500 full-time equivalent students. More than 2,000 students graduate each year.

History

1960s: The Government of Alberta approves the concept of Alberta Vocational Centre (AVC) Edmonton; AVC consists of four academic upgrading classrooms, a space housing 60 business education students, a barber shop, a beauty culture lab, and a welding and equipment maintenance shop, all at NAIT. 1970s: The Government of Alberta constructs a permanent 236,000 square foot building for AVC in downtown Edmonton. Today, this is NorQuest College’s Main Campus; AVC opens new Downtown Campus in the fall of 1971; Total student enrolment rises to 2,300 in 1972 from 550 in 1966. 1980s: Demand increases for new quality programs in language training, employment preparation, and business and health careers. 1990s: Alberta Vocational Centre renamed to Alberta Vocational College in 1990; Alberta Vocational College becomes a public, board-governed institution in 1998; Alberta Vocational College takes on new identity by officially changing its name to NorQuest College in 1999; NorQuest College opens Tutorial Centre for students, providing assistance in English, Social Studies, Math and Sciences. 2000s: New partnerships with government, industry, business, and community organizations allow NorQuest College to better serve Albertans; The College announces multi-million dollar Downtown Campus Development Plan to accommodate new students; The NorQuest Reader Project begins in 2003 to provide literacy materials for adult students who are Deaf and hard of hearing; The Government of Alberta selects NorQuest College as a regional steward to provide access to adult education in Edmonton and the surrounding region; NorQuest College expands programming in health and business careers; NorQuest College Practical Nurse diploma and Health Care Aide certificate programs become among the largest in Canada.

Governance

NorQuest College became board governed in 1998 and operates under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and is responsible to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. The Board has 14 members and provides leadership for what the organization needs to accomplish - the results or outcomes. This results-based approach takes the Board away from day-to-day issues of administration. The “how-to” approach, such as process, programs and services, are the job of the President and CEO, who is appointed by the Board of Governors.^{[citation needed]}

The Post Secondary Learning Act legislates the appointment of Board members. In summary the Board shall consist of the following: Appointed by the Minister of Alberta Advanced Education:

• 1 academic staff member nominated by the academic staff association;
• 1 student nominated by the students' council; and
• 1 member of the non-academic staff who is not engaged in the administration of the college nominated by non-academic staff

Appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

• 10 public members, 1 of whom shall be designated chairperson

Automatic appointment:

• The President of the College

An individual appointed as a Board member holds office for a term not to exceed three years. An individual may continue to hold office after the expiry of their term until they are reappointed; until their successor is reappointed; or for a period of three months (whichever comes first). Board members may only serve two terms unless three years have passed since their second term expired.

Campus

The college has four campuses, two in Edmonton (downtown and Westmount), one in Stony Plain and one in Wetaskiwin.Additionally, community learning sites are located in Camrose, Drayton Valley, Edson, Hinton, Jasper, Westlock, and Whitecourt.

Through its distance learning network, the college reaches over 200 communities in Canada, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.

Programs

In addition to health, human services and business career programs, NorQuest offers adult literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), intercultural education, Aboriginal education, academic upgrading, and learner supports for students with disabilities.

The College offers career diplomas and certificates as well as preparatory programs. Programs are offered full-time, part-time, online, and via a hybrid of online and in-person instruction.

NorQuest is a Canadian leader in health-care education. The College has among the largest practical nurse diploma programs in Canada and the largest health care aide certificate program in Canada.

NorQuest supports "Centres of Excellence" in Intercultural Education, Print Media, and Learning Supports, while Continuing Care Education and Aboriginal Learning are currently under development.

Future

Part-time learning opportunities through Continuing Education and Open Studies are a major area of focus for expansion in the college. Many classes may already be taken part-time in the evenings, and this is expected to increase.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of universities and colleges in Alberta
• Education in Alberta
• Canadian Interuniversity Sport
• Canadian government scientific research organizations
• Canadian university scientific research organizations
• Canadian industrial research and development organizations

References

All facts, unless otherwise stated, are from NorQuest College's web site:

• NorQuest College website

External links

• NorQuest College website
• NorQuest College Library website