Executive Summary

VISION

Success for all through learning and partnerships.

MISSION

Excelling in quality, accessible education through innovative programs, services, and partnerships for the benefit of our northern communities.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Learning for success • Career opportunities through innovative education and transferable skills • Practical, hands-on experiences • Value for investment • Support for lifelong learning • A healthy, adaptive, and progressive organizational culture This 2019-2020 Annual Report is a testament to the goals accomplished by Northern College. It provides us with a recap of the inspiring events and achievements that have raised the bar on post-secondary education and corporate training in Northeastern Ontario. As an exercise, this report also presents us with the opportunity to press pause for a moment and take stock of how our College has positively impacted the communities we serve.

Creating strong educational experiences ultimately improves the lives of learners, their families, and their workplaces. And all this is occurring at a time when the global demand to foster and attract talent has never been more competitive.

The preparation of this annual report has been guided by the framework and directions outlined within Northern’s Strategic Plan—in accordance with the College’s Strategic Mandate Agreement—and based on our key areas of strength and differentiation, as well as Northern’s Strategic Enrolment (SEM) Plan, Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles. New this year, are the College’s additional organizational documents providing further strategic guidance to the institution, including Academic, Recruitment, Marketing and Communications strategic plans.

In the ways outlined on the following pages, it is clear that Northern College has risen to yet another level of achievement, guided by a promise to deliver the best college education in Ontario, and accomplishing this task with the dedication and expertise of our people, partners, leaders, and volunteers, along with the Board of Governors who guide our efforts.

OVERVIEW OF STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR 2016-2020

The success of the students and communities we serve remains at the heart of everything that Northern College does, and is the reason our organization exists. With this in mind, all actions outlined in our Business Plan roll up into the following goals that have been identified as the four major strategic directions to help frame the College’s objectives and initiatives as we move forward in implementing our vision.

The four strategic directions of Northern College are as follows:

◼ ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION

We are committed to maximizing educational access, engagement, and choice for our communities. We help our learners succeed by integrating innovative delivery methods with technology and a comprehensive suite of student support services.

◼ SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

We are building a reputation as a world-class provider of selected programs that leverage the strengths, partnerships and assets of each of our four campuses, while continuing to respond to the specific education and training needs of northern Ontario communities.

◼ THE NORTHERN EXPERIENCE

Our goal is to help learners achieve their full potential by providing unique academic, social, and real-world experiences. We are committed to providing an environment that embraces continuous improvement, innovation, and ongoing quality management.

◼ INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES

We appreciate and respect the Indigenous worldview and its contribution to contemporary thinking. We facilitate opportunities in which different perspectives are presented, valued, and understood, so our learners are prepared for an increasingly diverse workplace.