The College of New Caledonia (CNC) is celebrating its 50th year as it welcomes students back to campus this week.
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 Secondary School (PGSS).
When CNC hosted its first semester in September 1969, it had just 253 registered students.
As of Aug. 29, CNC has 3,076 students for the 2019 fall term across all campuses, which is an increase of five per cent from last fall.
“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 in a news release. “With more than 100,000 alumni, CNC has educated the workforces of northern B.C. and beyond for half a century.”
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 they are in a job related to their education within 18 months of completing their studies at CNC.
The programs offered in that first 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 in the same release. “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 will be celebrating its 50th year with events throughout the fall 2019 and the spring 2020 semesters and events will be open to employees, students, alumni, donors, and community members.
