The College of New Caledonia’s (CNC) open house today (Feb. 28) showcased its programs and smaller classroom sizes to potential new students.
Hundreds of newcomers, including a tour bus of high school students, visited CNC’s campus in Quesnel. Some saw the building for the first time, and others returned to continue their education.
“We’ve had a great turnout so far,” says Sonya Spiers, Operations Manager for the Quesnel CNC Campus. “We’ve had a good flow of people who are interested and engaged with what we have to offer.”
Faculty Members and current students led tours through the campus’ classrooms, labs, and trade wing. Giving prospective students a chance to see the class sizes, and ask questions directly to instructors.
Christine Hofmeier, a Student Success Advisor on Quesnel’s campus, led a tour of high school students from the McNaughton Centre and Correlieu Secondary. Many had not been inside a post-secondary institution before.
Hofmeier says the tours help break down barriers some people have on post-secondary studies. She says a key highlight for most newcoming students and with the faculty is the advantage of smaller classroom sizes, allowing more personal and one-on-one interaction with the instructors.
“I think that’s our huge strength is a smaller campus,” Hofmeier says. “Getting to know people and what they are passionate about, getting to sit and have a real honest chat; building that one-on-one relationship and connection, it just makes people feel more comfortable and I think leads to more success.”
Prospective new students explored the variety of programs offered on the Quesnel campus, as well as online and ‘flex’ learning opportunities, connected with CNC’s five other campuses and UNBC in Prince George.
CNC Quesnel has health science programs, including a four year bachelor of science in nursing fully offered on campus. Human services, for social worker and early childhood education, also offered in-person on campus.
Quesnel’s campus is know for its foundation trades programs, with a fully equipped trades wing. Hofmeier says the CNC program has helped students find jobs right out of graduation.
“We’re finding that people who take a foundation trade with our campus, if they want work in the field, there will be a job. Employers come to us before the program has finished looking for qualified people.”
Hofmeier says CNC also offers first year university courses, the academic studies are partnered with the UNBC.
The open house also provided students with financial aid information.
Applications for the next semester are now open. CNC hopes the open house and seeing the positive and “homey vibes” of the campus will encourage more students to consider its programs on the campus’ smaller and personal setting.
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