New Student Virtual Orientation Winter 2022

Welcome to Northwestern Polytechnic and thank you for choosing to join us. You had a lot of choices and I hope we exceed your expectations. You are coming to our institution at an amazing time. You will start as students and you will graduate as polytechnic graduates. I really hope you enjoy the journey and contribute to our evolution.

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

My favorite thing is honestly the people. People here are innovators and problem solvers. I really encourage you to meet as many people as you can, and whatever you need, seek out any of us and ask. We may not know the answer, but I’m confident we will do our best to find an answer.

What was your first ever job?

My first full-time summer job was as a lifeguard. My first full-time job was as a journalist.

Who would you like to sit down and have coffee with? Dead or alive?

Christine Sinclair or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. My daughter and son would be thrilled as they are their two favourite sports stars.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

My favourite thing about post-secondary is feeding off the energy and ideas of students. I can’t imagine any other job where you get to work directly with the future of the country in every interaction.

What advice would you give new students?

Get involved. Post-secondary is the ideal time to try new things, meet new people, and explore. You never know where your next great opportunity will come.

What are you snacking on at your desk?

My job involves a lot of breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings, so my biggest challenge is to STOP eating. Therefore, I rarely have anything at my desk that could add to my calorie count.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I love learning, and particularly learning through new people and travel. Since my working career began, I have had the good fortune to travel and work in more than 60 countries. And what is always amazing to me is how much we all have in common.

Welcome to Northwestern Polytechnic! Whether you have chosen to attend in-person, remotely, or online I encourage you to experience all that our institution has to offer to enhance your education journey. I wish you success. Stay safe and enjoy the process!

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

My favorite thing is walking the halls and feeling the energy from the students! Areas include the theatre concourse, cafeteria, atrium, or learning commons. I encourage you to check-out the learning commons and a Wolves home game to connect with other institutional members.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

What I like best working in post-secondary is seeing the progression of students from their first day to their last day. Contributing to students' growth academically, personally, and professionally is a wonderfully gratifying and humbling experience that is like no other. Having a strong and diverse team to share in the celebrations with is the cherry on the top!

What advice would you give new students?

Have fun, try new things, study, and be open to possibilities you never thought of. Your post-secondary education and path are uniquely yours!

Welcome to Northwestern Polytechnic, this will be an exciting time for you as we launch our new brand and expand our mandate to deliver high quality education to our region. Thank you for choosing us in your educational journey.

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to visit many college and university campuses around the world. I can say without any reservation that my favorite thing about this institution is the magnificent building where students in Grande Prairie will attend classes, play sports, study and socialize. The building itself is a work of art!

Who would you like to sit down and have coffee with? Dead or alive?

I would really like to have had the opportunity to sit down with my 18-year-old self and have a frank discussion about life and how the impact of the small choices we make each day really do add up to have a material impact in our lives.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

The thing I like most about working in post-secondary is hearing the intellectual curiosity our students, faculty and staff bring to the table for discussion on every topic.

Welcome to the Winter Semester. Whether you are a returning student or a new student, we are happy to have you and trust that this will be the start of a long and enduring relationship that will continue when you become an alumni.

What’s your top recommendation for campus activities/services/resources that students need to check out?

Please check out the Learning Commons and Tim Horton’s.

What are you snacking on at your desk?

Well…now that you asked… it’s a Nanaimo bar…

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

I like working in a learning environment.

Welcome to Northwestern Polytechnic! We are so excited that you have chosen us. Our institution is transitioning to a polytechnic, one of only four in Alberta. The evolution promises to provide everyone with career opportunities that are impactful, adventurous, and transformational. During my time here, it is clear to me that the most important asset in the institution is its people. My goal is to support new and returning community members in providing an exemplary post-secondary experience for students and staff.

What’s your top recommendation for campus activities/services/resources that students need to check out?

I encourage students to familiarize themselves with our Students’ Association and take the time to learn about the history behind our two campuses. Keep an eye out for our art and architecture as it is some of the finest in Canada.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I enjoy kayaking especially on Lesser Slave Lake, especially in rough waters.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

Post-secondary will likely be one of the most memorable parts of your life, and it is a privilege to be a piece of your journey. Enjoy learning, meeting new people, and the opportunity to achieve your dreams.

Welcome students and thank you for choosing Northwestern Polytechnic to be a part of your post-secondary journey! We are honoured to support your educational goals and excited to watch your story unfold. Best of luck in 2022!

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

One of my favourite things is the Douglas J. Cardinal Building on our Grande Prairie campus. The architecture is stunning and internationally recognized. Take time to wander the halls and discover its organic curvilinear forms and appreciate its unique history.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

I love all aspects of the post-secondary environment, but supporting and guiding students on their educational journey, and watching them flourish is the most satisfying aspect of my job.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I am a competitive speed chess player and aspiring long-distance runner.

Welcome to Northwestern Polytechnic, my name is Carly McLeod and I am the Dean of the School of Business. We are so excited that you have made the choice to join us and we cannot wait to see the things you will accomplish in your time with us.

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

My favourite thing is the community feeling you get when you walk through our doors. My recommendation to new students is to pull up a chair in the theatre concourse and get to know your classmates – these friendships will last a lifetime.

What was your first ever job?

My first job was at my uncle’s jewelry store in Cranbrook, BC. I loved this job mostly because I got to work closely with my favorite uncle, but I also got to see firsthand what it took to own and operate a small family business.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

My favourite thing about working in post-secondary is running into alumni and seeing where their education has taken them. Before the pandemic, I flew on an Air Canada flight and the flight Captain was a Business Administration Diploma graduate. It was wonderful to see that we played a role in him reaching his goals.

I would like to welcome you to your learning experience with us at Northwestern Polytechnic. I look forward to meeting everyone new to our institution, you are about to start the most amazing journey. To those of you that have returned, I am honored to witness your path to success. I have an open door policy and encourage you to stop by my office if you would like to.

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

My favourite thing next to students is our staff. They make this place the best place to be on earth. Must see/bucket list items are the motorcycle “Toy Box”, the Harley-Davison training center, cute cuddly animals from the Animal Health program and the Finning “Think Big” program all located on our Fariview campus. One of the best resources next to the instructional team is the Learning Commons, they have tutors, extra help and learning accommodations you will find very useful.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I struggled with learning all through elementary and high school. I had to learn how to “learn in a way that was best for me” and did not let this challenge hold me back. In 2019, I earned the student-nominated Alberta Apprenticeship Top Instructor Award for the North Region.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

Working with people to grow a nation of highly skilled and pride filled tradespersons for the future.

Welcome to Northwestern Polytechnic!

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

My favourite thing is the people! The faculty, staff and students are amazing and so good to work with! I recommend taking the time to get to know your instructors and your peers!

What advice would you give new students?

My advice to new students would be to relax and do your best. Celebrate your successes and seek help when you get overwhelmed. You got this!

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

I love working with the students in post-secondary! You are just starting (or restarting) your careers and a whole world of possibilities lie before you.

Welcome to Northwestern Polytechnic! The support and value we have in our students has always been our number one priority and I hope that you have the best semester this winter 2022. We hope you are ready to be challenged academically, supported by all of the services throughout the semester and make lifelong friends along the way.

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

My favourite thing is the students I get the privilege of supporting each day. Though I don't get to see students every day in my role, when I do get the opportunity to chat, it is really meaningful and a great reminder of why I do what I do.

What advice would you give new students?

Having boundaries in all areas of your life is essential to being successful and happy; learn to say 'no' to what is not serving you. Good grades are important, but not at the detriment of your health. Your mental and physical health are your top priority and we are here to support you every step of the way. No one succeeds alone; it takes great strength to ask for help and everyone needs support, everyone.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

I am a lifelong learner and I truly believe in education. I believe that education is the only thing that someone cannot take away from you. I am passionate about all students succeeding and not slipping through the cracks and it is a huge motivator as to why I come to work every day.

Welcome to Research at Northwestern Polytechnic! Lots of students have found that taking part in research projects is a great way to gain practical skills that give them the edge in getting a job or getting accepted into advanced programs. Whatever your program, we hope your experience here is a memorable one, and that you find time to come check us out.

What’s your favourite thing about our institution?

This is completely biased, but I think everyone should check out both the National Bee Diagnostic Centre in Beaverlodge and the Fairview Farm. Also, find time to go visit the great staff in the Learning Commons. They will tell you about all the academic supports that you may not have realized we have.

What advice would you give new students?

There are 100+ pathways to where you end up in life. Coming here is one of them, but don’t lock in on any one thing. Be free to explore, take chances, and find what is right for you. When you do find it, whatever it is, follow it, no matter how different, (or the same), it is to what you originally thought you wanted.

What do you like most about working in post-secondary?

I love connecting with students working on research projects. I am always amazed by the incredible creativity and different ways of thinking about things.