The College of New Caledonia, which recently marked its 50th anniversary, wants to hear from you as it looks forward to the next 50 years.
CNC – The Next 50 Years, a public engagement process for the college’s next strategic plan, seeks viewpoints and potential opportunities, focusing first on the years 2021 to 2026, and then beyond
“North-central B.C. and the world faces a challenging time,” said CNC President Dr. Dennis Johnson. “While we deal with the immediate realities of COVID-19, we must also look to the future … Now is the time to look to the future of the region and CNC’s role within it.”
A big part of that look to the future involves a survey, which can be found at cnc.bc.ca/cncnext50, with print copies available on request.
“We want to better define our role in fostering new education opportunities for the next 50 years,” he said.
The survey will ask standard questions such as what the person likes, doesn’t like, about the college. However, there are also lots of open-ended questions focusing on what the college can be doing differently.
“There’s a real focus on the future,” he said. “Although we’re planning a five-year strategic plan, much of what we do in those five years will set us up for the next 50.”
The process is different than it would have normally been, given that the pandemic hit in early March. It has delayed the entire process and shifted it away from large townhall-type meetings to garner input.
The public engagement process will continue into the fall.
“We’re going to let the community do the talking,” he said.
When CNC opened in 1969, faculty, staff and students worked with manual typewriters, carbon paper, notebooks and chalkboards. Today, CNC integrates computers and digital technologies so students are prepared for the digital economy and rapid technological change that impacts every aspect of current and future lives.
“For more than half a century, CNC has made a difference in the lives of people in north central British Columbia,” said CNC President Dr. Dennis Johnson. “Since CNC opened more than 100,000 graduates have benefits from certificate and diploma programs, skills training, upgrading courses and a path to degrees through university transfer.”
CNC will provide regular updates about the strategic planning process and subsequent steps at the cnc.bc.ca/cncnext50 website and via the college’s social media accounts.
“It’s important CNC plans for the future even as we manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Johnson. “The communities we serve have experienced many challenges through our first 50 years, and I’m sure we will face many more in the next 50, but CNC will continue to be a beacon of opportunity and innovation. I welcome everyone’s contributions to help make this consultation and the next strategic plan successful.”