The College of New Caledonia welcomed Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training to its Prince George campus Tuesday afternoon.
Mark’s visit to CNC is a part of a province-wide tour of 25 public post-secondary institutions to engage, listen and learn with students, faculty and staff.
“We were excited to host the minister on her first official visit to northern B.C.,” said CNC President Henry Reiser, in a press release. “Her visit was an opportunity to demonstrate how CNC is continuing to grow and respond to the needs of students, employees and the communities we serve.”
Mark was greeted at the main entrance of the campus by First Nations drummers along with L’heidli Tenneh elder Darlene McIntosh. She was also treated to homemade bannock created by a CNC alumni and gifted with items reflective of the Yinka Dene region.
“Thank you so much to the students, staff and faculty at CNC for a great visit to your Prince George campus,” said Mark. “I’m so impressed with the generosity of this community and the incredible response to the wildfire situation. Our government is working hard to make education and trades training opportunities at colleges such as CNC more affordable and relevant for all citizens.”
Some other highlights of the minister’s visit included a visit to the International Education department, the Aboriginal Resource Centre, the Heavy Duty Mechanic building construction site, the PG Technology building, along with the Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Program, and Medical Radiography Program departments.
Members of the CNC Board and executive were on hand to meet with Mark, along with representatives from CNC’s Faculty Association, CUPE and the CNC Students’ Union.
