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Aurora College Annual Report 2013-2014

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Aurora College Annual Report 2013-2014 Annual TABLED DOCUMENT 233-17(5) TABLED ON MARCH 12, 2015 Report 2013-2014 First year Environment & Natural Resources Technology Diploma students proudly display their catch while attending Tsu Lake Summer Training Institute. 1 Aurora College originated in 1968 when a Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program was offered in Fort Smith. Today, HEO delivery is a mix of community- and campus-based programs. Mandate and Purpose (Aurora College Act R.S. N.W. T. 1988, cA-7, s3) The purpose of Aurora College is to deliver adult and post-secondary education, including the delivery of university- level programs and granting of prescribed university degrees and applied bachelor degrees. Mission Statement Aurora College is focused on Student Success and is committed to supporting the development of our Northern society through excellence in education, training and research that is culturally sensitive and responsive to the people we serve. Our Values Together, we are creating a vibrant, Northern college that is committed to excellence in education and research and fosters understanding and respect among all Northern people. We will continue to do this by: • Serving students in the best way possible, offering a seamless transition between high school, work, college and university; • Nurturing critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities; • Offering a full spectrum of post-secondary education, qualifying Northerners to work or to go on to further education anywhere in Canada; • Respecting and celebrating Aboriginal cultures and linking modern and traditional lifestyles; • Supporting innovation in education and research; • Ensuring research and post-secondary education are well integrated, through strong partnerships with industry, communities, governments and other educational institutions; • Recognizing our role in supporting the governance and economic development of Northern communities; • Attracting and retaining highly qualified Northern staff and faculty; and • Fostering an environment of excellence in which staff, faculty and students can work and learn. 2 3 Table of Contents Board of Governors 8 Message from the President 11 Highlights 12 Challenges 16 Education and Training Division 18 Community and Extensions Division 28 Student Support Services 36 Aurora Research Institute 38 Enrolments 40 Aurora College Spring Convocation 42 Supplementary Information 44 Audited Financial Information 46 4 5 Aurora Research Institutes’s (ARI) library houses a large number of artifacts and documents from its over 50 years of research in the NWT. 6 7 Board of Governors (as of June 30, 2014) Aurora College Board Sydney O’Sullivan Chairperson South Slave Representative Ethel Blondin-Andrew Member Sahtu Representative of Governor’s Message Kathy Tsetso Member Dehcho Representative David Miller Member Yellowknife Representative Reflecting upon the events, highlights Michael Lafferty Member North Slave Representative and challenges of the previous Helen Sullivan Member Beaufort Delta Representative academic year, I am reminded of the significant impact Aurora College Paul Andrew Member Elder Representative has on so many aspects of life in Sheila O`Kane Staff Representative Aurora Campus the Northwest Territories, and how Geraldine Hunter Student Representative Yellowknife North Slave Campus integrated this institution is into the lives of Northerners. We have built and maintained a presence in nearly every one of the NWT’s 33 communities; our graduates are employed in a variety of professions and vocations here and across the country – many are leaders in Sydney O’Sullivan government, business, and their Chair, Aurora College communities; and our learners are Board of Governors daily taking strides towards creating a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. Along with that success and reach comes great responsibility. As the college of the Northwest Territories, we must be responsive to the needs of our people and our territory and must constantly strive to ensure we are delivering the best educational opportunities possible while integrating the values and customs specific to our regions. Throughout these pages you will see many instances where we are doing exactly that. These are only a few examples of the many projects, activities and enhancements that are continually being made in various divisions and programs of Aurora College. I am proud to be a part of this organization and of the role the Board of Governors has in setting the strategic directions and goals that will guide us into the future. 8 9 Message from the President In gathering information for this annual report, I was pleased Board of Governors and the that the list of successes and highlights far outweighed that of Administration had already the challenges. Reviewing the achievements of our learners put into action many of and staff fills me with pride and reminds me of the dedication, the key recommendations professionalism and heart that are displayed every day at and were in the process of each of our Campuses and Community Learning Centres. implementing a number of As a small college, we develop close personal relationships others. One recommendation with both our learners and our colleagues, sharing their was that an outside consultant trials and their triumphs. To me, every completion ceremony, should be engaged to review convocation, awards presentation and campus event is a the Student Services Division, family affair. I’m not embarrassed to say I get teary-eyed to advise on steps necessary when I listen to stories about the hardships and obstacles so to help the division serve the many of our learners have had to overcome to reach their needs of our learners. The current level of success. results of the Student Services Jane Arychuk, Review had not been received At the all-staff in-services held in August, our key presenter, by the College by June 30, 2014. Aurora College President Dr. Suzanne Stewart, herself a Yellowknives Dene, spoke to Intergenerational Trauma caused by residential schools, and A major multi-year analysis and review were completed on the the effects on an individual’s ability to successfully participate Access Programs delivered by the School of Developmental in education and training. Her presentation resonated Studies. Data collected for that report will not only be essential with many of us. Dr. Stewart was contracted to review our in updating our Access programs, but will also be used to curriculum to recommend ways to indigenize the content, and inform planning and strategic decisions for other areas of we also asked her to create a video about Intergenerational training. The Board of Governors approved a review of the Trauma that could be used as an instructional tool for Business Administration and Office Administration programs. educators. The purpose is to ensure the curriculum and its content provide the skills and knowledge required by both our students and Dr. Stewart’s message was a reminder that while there is much we their future employers as they enter the NWT workforce. do well at Aurora College, it is important we continually strive to increase our understanding of our learners and to improve their So after we take the time to celebrate the achievements, educational experience with us. In order to do that, we recently successes and special moments with our family of learners and have undertaken several reviews of various areas of our operations. colleagues, we need to continue to regularly take a hard look The assessment of Aurora College commissioned by Education, at all of our actions, our practices, policies and our procedures, Culture and Employment in 2013 was completed and shared with and ask ourselves if there is any way we can further improve Aurora College in the spring of 2014. When it was released, the Aurora College for their benefit. 10 11 Highlights 2013-2014 Highlights There was much cause for celebration at Aurora College in 2013-14, including staff members and students receiving NSERC and SSHRC approvals prestigious awards, academic excellence recognized for several students, and exciting research taking place Aurora College has been approved by the Natural Sciences and through the Aurora Research Institute. Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to manage federal research funds available through both research Northern Adult Basic Education (NABE) Symposium councils. Institutional eligibility comes with a heightened requirement for strict adherence to newly revised Aurora The first-ever Northern Adult Basic Education (NABE) College research policies. A new ethics committee, as well as Symposium was held in Whitehorse, Yukon in late April, professional development on ethics and human ethics review attracting more than 250 delegates, speakers and facilitators were required for all committee members and Aurora College from across the three northern territories. The symposium for staff who are interested in research. Eligibility for NSERC and ABE practitioners was attended by 66 Aurora College staff and SSHRC provides the opportunity to develop and expand the instructors. Delegates and speakers from the three northern Adjunct Faculty Program. This will allow Aurora College to territorial colleges presented NABE projects, curriculum and pursue relevant researchers who can contribute to the research findings. Participants shared new and innovative ideas, research mandate of Aurora College and the GNWT. Achieving eligibility
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