EDMONTON – After an extensive recruitment campaign, the NorQuest College Board of Governors has unanimously chosen Carolyn Campbell as the new President and CEO. Ms. Campbell will be joining NorQuest July 20, 2020.
“Carolyn’s passion for education, leadership style, and strong community connections were among the many outstanding factors that stood out for the Board,” says Carla Madra, Chair of NorQuest’s Board of Governors. “We are thrilled to have Carolyn join NorQuest College as our new President and CEO and we’re confident she is the right fit at the right time for NorQuest”
Campbell has served as a Deputy Minister with the Government of Alberta, a Deputy City Manager with the City of Edmonton, and an Associate Dean of the University of Alberta School of Business. She comes to NorQuest College having been the most recent Chair of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region and Vice Chair of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She has two undergraduate degrees in Art and an MFA from the University of Alberta, is a practicing artist, and has considerable strategic, operational, and crisis management experience.
Campbell is no stranger to the city. Growing up in Edmonton, she has seen NorQuest grow into a comprehensive community college that is a key player in the post-secondary sector. The College now offers more than 30 programs and serves over 19,000 students across its downtown and regional campuses.
Campbell is thrilled to lead NorQuest College, and describes this as her dream role. She recalls her first time walking into NorQuest’s newest downtown building, the Singhmar Centre for Learning. “I was absolutely captivated by the energy and the sense of belonging here, and remember thinking 'this is where I want to be.’ NorQuest is a special place where you can hear languages from every corner of the world being spoken – it represents a true global community.”
Recently, Campbell had the opportunity to meet over a hundred students from NorQuest during a United Way event, and was moved by their compassion, skills, and desire to enhance their studies with work to serve their communities. She loves the classroom and counts her teaching experiences as among the most rewarding in her career. “Every time I enter NorQuest, I’m greeted so warmly by students, and I feel their hope and optimism,” says Campbell. “I can’t wait to get to know them better.”
While the sounds and hustle and bustle of the building have been replaced by quiet hallways today, Campbell looks forward to the day when students can return to campus. NorQuest recently transitioned all face-to-face classes to online delivery in response to COVID-19. As the province moves forward with relaunch plans, NorQuest is taking a three-step approach to the Fall term.
“This is a unique and important time to be joining NorQuest College given the disruption that we are all experiencing with the pandemic, and the transformational change happening within the post-secondary sector,” says Campbell. “Colleges have an extraordinarily important role to play in the economic rebuilding of our province. NorQuest’s workforce-relevant programming and flexible learning alternatives will be key upskilling and reskilling options for individuals whose employment has been impacted as a result of COVID.”
As if her plate wasn’t full enough already, Campbell is also pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Oxford. “Learning never ends, and lifelong learning is one of the fundamental values that I carry with me throughout my life and career,” says Campbell. “I can certainly relate with our adult learners about how intimidating it can be to go back to school. It has been one of my life’s goals to earn a PhD and it has been an incredible, and stretching experience.”
With over a month before Campbell officially moves into the role, her excitement cannot be contained as she talks about this new chapter in her career.
“I’m really looking forward to starting the role and working with the incredible team of people at NorQuest – the faculty, the students, staff, and stakeholders. We’re difference makers at NorQuest, and we have a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact not only on Alberta’s economy, but on our citizens’ quality of life,” says Campbell.
“We are fortunate that the College has attracted remarkable leaders and we are extremely grateful for Joan Hertz’s leadership as interim CEO during the past five months,” says Madra. “Joan has led us through these unprecedented times and made a lasting impact on the College.”
Joan Hertz, who stepped in as interim President and CEO, will continue the interim presidency until July 20, 2020.
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Mike Reeves
Media Relations Consultant
NorQuest College
780-288-3651
Mike.Reeves@NorQuest.ca
About NorQuest College: NorQuest College is Edmonton’s community college serving over 19,000 students annually throughout the province with full-time, part-time, online, and face-to-face learning options. NorQuest helps learners with diverse educational backgrounds complete or further their studies through foundational programs. Our post-secondary diploma and certificate programs and continuing education options offer rewarding career paths in health, community studies, business, environment, technology, hospitality, firefighting, and diversity and inclusion training. Our suite of customized and corporate training options ensure organizations and their workforces are prepared for the demands of the future. By collaborating with business, industry, government, and communities, we ensure our learners receive workforce relevant, inclusive, and transformative educational experiences.
Media enquiries
Mike Reeves
External Media Consultant
Phone: 780.288.3651
Email: Mike.Reeves@NorQuest.ca