The College of New Caledonia (CNC) is celebrating a milestone this week as it welcomes students back for a historic 50th year.
In January 1969, CNC was established on an “operating funds only basis” with financial assistance from participating school districts using leased facilities at the Prince George Senior Secondary School.
When CNC hosted its first semester in September 1969, it had 253 registered students. As of August 29th, 2019, CNC had 3,076 students for the 2019 fall term across all campuses, an increase of 5 per cent from last fall.
The provincially-administered Student Outcomes 2018 report shows that 91 per cent of students were satisfied or very satisfied with the education they received at CNC, and the same percentage state that the quality of instruction was good or very good. Three quarters of students also reported that they are in a job related to their education within 18 months of completing their studies at CNC.
“CNC’s success throughout these many years has come from its ability to respond to the needs of the communities it serves,” said CNC Interim President Tara Szerencsi. “With more than 100,000 alumni, CNC has educated the workforces of northern B.C. and beyond for half a century.”
The programs offered at CNC in that fall 1969 semester included First Year University Arts and Science Courses, Administrative Science, Data Processing, and Early Childhood Education. Now, CNC offers more than 90 programs in Business Management, Health Sciences, Human Services, Technologies, Trades and Industry, University Studies, Upgrading and Access, and Community and Continuing Education.
“CNC’s programs developed alongside the needs of the communities it serves,” said Chad Thompson, CNC Vice President, Academic. “A number of CNC’s programs are unique to the northern region, such as the north’s only Web and Graphic Design program. CNC also launched its Northern Diagnostic Medical Sonography program in January 2019 and is scheduled to launch a Civil Engineering Technologist program in September 2020.”
CNC’s 50th anniversary celebration will span events throughout the fall 2019 and spring 2020 semesters. Events will be open to CNC employees, students, alumni, donors and community members.