TO THE COMMUNITY
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Message from President and CEO
Dr. Robert Murray Earlier this year, I stood on stage in the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre surrounded by family, friends, community, students and faculty, and spelled out clearly the strategic priorities I would pursue as GPRC’s President: modernization and efficiency, academic excellence and degree-granting, economic and community development, inclusion and student experience, and innovation and partnership. These priorities form the basis for our newly launched administrative strategy called “5GPRC” – five priorities for the college’s next five years. As excited as we are to look at the college’s future, our institution has also been coping with unprecedented external forces shaping the future of our province, community and GPRC.
decisions. GPRC has responded to the hard budgetary realities of government funding constraints with a disciplined approach in our budget and by working with the province to assist with our regional and provincial economic recovery.
and open-minded innovation that our Board set in support of this process. I also have the privilege of serving on the Guiding Coalition the province appointed to help oversee the Alberta 2030 initiative, making GPRC an essential voice in this review.
In addition, the government has launched Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs, an ambitious Post-Secondary Education System Review, which will drive transformational change of our post-secondary system.
Despite the difficulties of the past year, and the anticipated challenges ahead, I remain as enthusiastic as ever about GPRC’s future.
GPRC is committed to cooperating fully throughout this review and embraces the opportunity to transform our college into a 21st century academic institution. As an Executive team, we are delivering on the principles of collaboration, information sharing
The following update provides a summary of a broad range of activities from my first year in office that are aligned to, and support, our 5GPRC priorities and help to show the incredibly bright future for our college. To read the full 5GPRC Administrative Strategy visit: gprc.me/5GPRC
On that day in March, I highlighted that in a world wrought with uncertainly, post-secondary institutions need to be the drivers of innovation, the conveyers of fact, the hubs of research, and centres of human progress. This statement quickly proved to be prescient. The COVID-19 virus has changed modes of living, learning and work in ways that will endure long past this global public health crisis. Responding to COVID here at home, GPRC has adapted its practices, programs and learning delivery to protect the health and safety of all staff, students and the community and ensure the continuity of high-quality learning. Simultaneously, the Alberta economy has been shaken by weak oil and gas prices and a global economic downturn. Our provincial government is confronting the ensuing fiscal challenges with tough, transformative GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE
The Honourable Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education, former Board Chair Natalia Reiman, and President and CEO Dr. Robert W. Murray
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GPRC Announces Launch of
5GPRC
Student Centred. Future Focused. GPRC has recently unveiled its ambitious five-year strategic plan aiming to propel GPRC to becoming the northern centre of post-secondary excellence in Alberta. The plan, which was developed after extensive consultation, puts student experience at the core of all GPRC decisions. The college understands that the post-secondary landscape is changing before our very eyes, and to provide students with a superior student experience, we must change with it. GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE
Focused on the five key priorities of Modernization and Efficiency, Academic Excellence and DegreeGranting, Economic and Community Development, Inclusion and Student Experience and Innovation and Partnership – This plan will aid GPRC in becoming an academic institution of the future. The plan is a massive undertaking that involves support from all parts of the institution and our stewardship communities. We are excited to share this pivotal moment in GPRC’s history
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with our region and showcase the potential of GPRC to adapt to new and emerging community needs. As part of our commitment to the plan, we will be sharing our progress with our community through various channels. From information sessions, to extensive social media and web campaigns GPRC aims to engage our community every step of the way. We look forward to having you join us in this exciting next step in GPRC’s history. UPDATE TO THE COMMUNITY | DEC 2020
GPRC’s Response to COVID-19 The health and safety of GPRC students, faculty, staff and the communities it serves have been the foundational consideration for all of GPRC’s decisions while managing the COVID-19 pandemic since March. GPRC has been committed to maintaining open and transparent communication during the pandemic with its internal and external stakeholders, and has been active in supporting our communities through the GPRC Cares initiative. GPRC Cares demonstrated our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve by focusing on the mental health of our staff, students and community members, and using GPRC resources for broader community good. To ensure the safety of all members of the GPRC community on an ongoing GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE
basis, GPRC moved to a mixed delivery course model for our Fall 2020 semester. The mixed delivery model allows for remote delivery of courses and lectures, and in-person delivery for trades, labs and practicums where safe to do so. GPRC will continue with its mixed delivery of courses and services to students for the Winter 2021 semester. The college has adapted its program delivery to maximize inperson instruction to meet educational objectives while strictly adhering to safety guidelines and protocols and ensuring the continuity of high-quality learning. For individuals requiring access to campus, the college has implemented mandatory campus access guidelines, health screening processes, tracking
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and enhanced cleaning at both GPRC and Fairview campuses. GPRC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has earned significant praise within our communities and externally. Our protocols and response plans were identified as provincial and federal leaders, which earned us an invitation to present our response plans at the International Educators’ Forum in November. As we continue to navigate the impacts of COVID-19 together, we remain steadfastly committed to the health and safety of our communities. Read more about GPRC’s response at gprc.me/COVID19.
UPDATE TO THE COMMUNITY | DEC 2020
Recent GPRC President and CEO Activities GPRC President and CEO Dr. Robert Murray has been actively working to bring GPRC’s voice to provincial-level dialogues about the future of Alberta’s post-secondary system and the province’s economic recovery. The Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta (COPPOA) recently restructured its executive team to better meet the needs of the system. After this restructuring, COPPOA held elections for its newly created executive positions, and Dr. Murray was elected as COPPOA’s inaugural Vice-Chair, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations. Upon the launch of Alberta’s comprehensive review of Alberta’s postsecondary education system, the Government appointed a Guiding Coalition to oversee the Alberta 2030 initiative and help ensure the process remains focused on key priorities. Dr. Murray was one of two postsecondary presidents appointed to this Guiding Coalition. The goal of this
review is to make recommendations to the Government of Alberta for building a post-secondary system that provides the education, skills and training needed to meet labour market demands in Alberta and drive innovation to support the province’s competitiveness in a 21st-century economy. Read more about the Alberta 2030 review and the Guiding Coalition. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturns, Alberta’s 11 community colleges launched the Alberta Colleges Economic Recovery Task Force. Dr. Murray was appointed Chair of the taskforce, which focused on how Alberta’s colleges can support local, provincial and federal governments and industry in their economic recovery and resiliency efforts. Read more about the Alberta Colleges Economic Recovery Task Force.
GPRC Welcomes New Board Chair GPRC was pleased to welcome Bridget Hennigar as the newly appointed Chair of our Board of Governors by the Government of Alberta on July 12, 2020. A former GPRC student, Bridget has lifelong roots in the Peace Country, where she built a professional career as a Public Accountant. She is the former Regional Managing Partner of MNP LLP and has extensive experience as a community leader and volunteer, investing her time with several boards over the years. Bridget has been recognized for her professional accomplishments and devotion to community service with multiple awards, including the Fellow of Chartered Professional Accounts, the GPRC Distinguished Alumni Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. We also want to extend our sincerest thanks to our outgoing Board Chair Natalia Reiman. Natalia provided knowledgeable and dedicated service to GPRC during her tenure, and we greatly appreciated her leadership. Read more about our Board of Governors at gprc.me/Board
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Strengthening GPRC’s Executive Team A significant part of preparing for the release of the 5GPRC strategy and building a college of the future was a renewal effort within GPRC’s executive management group. Four new Executive members have recently joined GPRC, helping to strengthen the institution’s leadership during this critical period of change and transformation. Dr. John Rigby was appointed as GPRC’s new Vice-President, Academic and Research in August 2020. Before joining GPRC, Dr. Rigby served as the Associate Provost,
Institutional Planning and Assessment at the University of Saskatchewan, a position he successfully held for five years. Working closely with faculty, he has responsibility for delivering high-quality academic programming and scholarship, academic research and student-focused services and experiences. GPRC also welcomed Ms. Cherene Griffiths as Vice-President, External Relations in August 2020. She previously held the position of Executive Director, Office of Government and Community Relations at the University of Alberta. Cherene will lead the college’s strategic communications, community engagement, athletics, and fund development initiatives. Both of these senior leaders will be instrumental in helping GPRC meet the
strategic priorities and objectives in the 5GPRC plan. Also joining our Executive Team is Dr. Luc Boyer, Manager, Institutional Planning and Research, and Ms. Sivagowry Lewis, Manager, Policy and Governance. Dr. Boyer joined GPRC from the University of Calgary where he served as a senior institutional analyst. Dr. Boyer is responsible for all institutional planning processes and activities, performance metrics and monitoring, and GPRC’s reporting requirements. Ms. Lewis joins us from Ryerson University in Toronto. She brings broad experience in post-secondary governance policies, structures and practices and is responsible for developing future-focused governance and policy strategies for GPRC.
L to R: Luc Boyer, Cherene Griffiths, Robert Murray, Angela Logan, John Rigby, Sivagowry Lewis
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UPDATE TO THE COMMUNITY | DEC 2020
GPRC Launches Workforce Advisory Council GPRC has established a Workforce Advisory Council to reinforce and grow its relationship with industry through an open and productive mechanism for collaboration. Mr. Dennis Landis, President and CEO of PrairieCoast Equipment in Grande Prairie, will serve as Chair of the Council. The Council will include entrepreneurs, business owners and employers representing a cross-section of Alberta industries, including agriculture, construction, forestry, financial services, health care, oil and gas, hospitality, information technology and transportation. The Council will identify the skills required to meet employers’ needs today and for the future. Additionally, the Council will identify unique research and innovation opportunities that support Alberta’s economic recovery and renewal, and opportunities for GPRC faculty and students to engage in experiential learning opportunities. Read more about GPRC’s Workforce Advisory Council.
GPRC and Golden Hills School Division Expand Trades Training A new partnership between GPRC and Golden Hills School Division will provide an innovative and transformational learning experience for students through the development of the Acme High School Tri-Campus Community Innovation Centre. This collaboration will see the development of modern virtual learning opportunities with the intention to expand the vision and scope of rural technical and trades training within Alberta. By supporting and investing in this important initiative, GPRC will proudly aid in the creation of an innovative educational model for rural viability and provincial economic development. The Acme High School Tri-Campus Community Innovation Centre, once completed, will serve as an exemplar for career, skill and apprenticeship programming in rural and urban schools across Alberta. Read more about GPRC’s partnership with Golden Hills School Division.
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Partnering With Athabasca University to Increase Access to Online Learning To provide students with a more inclusive, modern and accessible education, GPRC partnered with Athabasca University to expand its online learning platform. Access to Athabasca University’s cloud-hosted learning management system allows for the expansion of GPRC’s online course offerings and provides the college with the opportunity to attract students from across the globe. This partnership is aimed at improving post-secondary participation and access in GPRC’s stewardship region and beyond, and at enhancing the GPRC student experience. GPRC students will benefit from Athabasca University’s worldleading expertise in online education and online courses and class content. This partnership provides GPRC with the opportunity to further develop its digital learning strategy, design a more extensive offering of online classes, and provide online training to staff and administration. The partnership will provide learners with a modern, intuitive and interactive online learning platform, including 24/7 access to technical support. It will also reduce manual processes, freeing instructors to spend more time focusing on student learning and support. Read more about GPRC’s partnership with Athabasca University.
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GPRC Announces New Alumni Advisory Council GPRC has established its new Alumni Advisory Council to reinforce the alignment of our alumni relationships with our strategic priorities. The Alumni Council will serve as an advisory body of informed alumni facilitating the GPRC vision of leading in academic excellence. The Council will help create a strong sense of community and deepen engagement among our 35,000 alumni worldwide and the college. GPRC boasts an extensive and accomplished alumni whose passion for GPRC can help propel the college forward. By identifying key partnerships opportunities, innovative insights into academic programming, mentorships and hands-on career insights to our current students, the GPRC Alumni Advisory Council can help build sustainable communities in GPRC’s stewardship region.
GPRC Partners With Telus to Increase Connectivity
Partnerships are a critical component of ensuring a superior student experience. When faced with the realities of a mixed delivery course model that saw the majority of classes moved online, GPRC and TELUS teamed up to provide reliable internet and discounted connectivity rates to students who may be experiencing difficulty accessing their courses. TELUS generously provided GPRC with 200 smart hubs that act as mobile wireless hubs that can host multiple connections simultaneously. For students in rural areas with limited access to the internet, these hubs can significantly reduce the pressures felt in relation to the mixed delivery model. Available to students at both the Fairview and Grande Prairie campuses,
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the hubs are an innovative response to an unexpected situation. GPRC prioritizes the mental health and well-being of all of our students and understands how vital internet connectivity is when the in-person connection is limited. These hubs not only ease the burden of uncertainty in education but also provide students with the opportunity to stay connected with their friends and loved ones during a challenging time. Providing an unparalleled student experience is paramount to academic success, and GPRC is pleased to work with TELUS on this pioneering partnership. Read more at gprc.me/News UPDATE TO THE COMMUNITY | DEC 2020
GPRC and Terrapin Geothermics Sign Collaboration Agreement in Regional Clean Energy Project GPRC recently announced a new partnership with Terrapin Geothermics that provides an exciting opportunity for apprenticeship students to access new training and skills opportunities in clean energy technologies, and for advancements in GPRC’s research agenda involving alternative energies. This partnership will enable trained graduates to compete in an emerging energy sector. Terrapin will also have direct access to safety training through GPRC.
geothermal energy project in the Municipal District of Greenview. This partnership will help advance regional economic development, provide important experiential learning opportunities for GPRC students, help to expand GPRC’s research and innovation agenda on alternative energies, and support continued energy market diversification in northern Alberta. Read more about GPRC’s partnership with Terrapin.
Terrapin Geothermics works with industrial clients to develop profitable clean energy projects through industrial waste heat recovery. Terrapin is currently developing a 5 megawatt net conventional
GPRC Launches New Centre For Teaching and Learning GPRC recently unveiled its new Centre for Teaching and Learning, a contemporary approach to advancing academic excellence by providing faculty access to enhanced teaching practices. The Centre focuses on pedagogical excellence by providing innovative and inclusive educational opportunities that are studentcentric and aid GPRC faculty in responding to the emerging needs of our students. This new virtual platform allows GPRC faculty to learn from each other and share best educational and teaching practices. Faculty will have the opportunity to enhance instructional and curriculum development skills, create an innovative curriculum, produce new learning opportunities, and engage in the scholarship of teaching and learning. The Centre is led by a steering committee representing various departments to ensure students across GPRC’s academic programming receive a world-class education. Read more about the launch of the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
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UPDATE TO THE COMMUNITY | DEC 2020
GPRC Introduces New Learning Commons Model for its Libraries Libraries are undeniably an integral part of any postsecondary student experience and have always been the heart of any educational institution. GPRC has embraced the need for innovation and future-focused educational design, and announced in June that it would change its libraries and support services on both campuses to a comprehensive Learning Commons model. The development of the Learning Commons model provides students and faculty with a flexible approach to the traditional library structure. The learning commons reinvents the library by creating not only a repository for books but also a hub for digital learning, collaboration and imagination. By encouraging conversation, teamwork and the entrepreneurial spirit, the Learning Commons aims to increase accessibility and inspire students to be more engaged in their academic endeavors. The Learning Commons is comprised of a robust team of librarians and academic support members that enhance the student experience by providing an inclusive learning environment for all. Students gain access to multifaceted learning models, assistive technology, exam accommodations and academic skills building. Read more here.
GPRC CARES Initiative Supports our Communities
GPRC has served as a community pillar for more than 50 years, and when COVID-19 struck, it became clear that the college had a pivotal role to play in ensuring the well-being of our communities. GPRC CARES emerged from a desire to remain connected to our students and community, even when in-person contact became challenging. The GPRC Cares Initiative provides students, staff, and community members with the opportunity to access weekly mental health seminars to help them cope and find comfort in such difficult times. Remaining physically active has a positive impact on mental health. Our Sport, Fitness, and Wellness Department also delivers a comprehensive schedule
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of online wellness classes to help community residents stay fit and energetic while at home. The college has also connected with local organizations to identify their needs and find ways to engage students and staff to meet their goals. For example, GPRC staff have used college fleet vehicles to deliver groceries, supplies and prescriptions to those in isolation or those in need. The college assists with pairing residents with seniors and others who are experiencing isolation to connect via phone, letter, or video chat. To learn more about these initiatives or participate in our community sessions, please visit here for up-to-date schedules and session information. UPDATE TO THE COMMUNITY | DEC 2020
GPRC graduates were celebrated for their accomplishments through a special webpage, video messages, and a Wolf Pack package sent in the mail. We want to take this opportunity to congratulate our 2020 graduates again. Your accomplishments may have been celebrated differently than you had imagined, but a pandemic does not overshadow the years of hard work that led you to your graduation.
GPRC’S Virtual Convocation Celebrated the Success of our Students Given the realities and challenges of this past academic year, our graduates could not celebrate the end of their studies at GPRC with typical convocation ceremonies because of
restrictions on mass gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, a Virtual Convocation was held to celebrate the tremendous work and achievements of our students.
Congratulations to each of you. We look forward to seeing what our distinguished alumni accomplish in the years to come. We encourage our students to continue to make a positive impact in the GPRC community by visiting our alumni page to learn more about how you can support future GPRC graduates. Read more about the Virtual Convocation ceremony at gprc.me/ Convocation.
Historic Donation Contributes to the New Evaskevich Centre for Health Research and Innovation GPRC is honoured to receive the largest personal donation in College history from local residents Paul and Coreen Evaskevich. Friends of GPRC for over thirty years, Paul and Coreen are passionate about post-secondary education and the role it can play in the growth of a region. The donation will contribute to establishing the Evaskevich Centre for Health Research and Innovation, which will provide GPRC students and health professionals with the opportunity to engage in rural health research right here at home. Located GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE
in the college wing of the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, this state of the art facility will create an innovative and collaborative learning environment where new approaches to rural, northern, and Indigenous health can be explored. The facility will enhance the lives of those in northern communities by ensuring their health care programming meets the changing needs of the region. GPRC would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the Evaskevich family for their generous contribution to 5GPRC’s vision for the future.
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10726 - 106 Avenue Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 4C4 Toll-Free: 1-888-539-4772 Local: 780-539-2911 Fax: 1-780-539-2832
gprc.ab.ca GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE
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