Vision and Mandate

Vision

NorQuest College is a vibrant, inclusive and diverse learning environment that transforms lives and strengthens communities.

Mission

NorQuest College inspires lifelong learning and the achievement of career goals by offering relevant and accessible education.

Values

We value people. We:

• treat people with integrity and respect
• empower and encourage risk taking
• celebrate commitment, contribution and accomplishments
• promote health and wellness

We value learning. We:

• foster creativity, innovation and critical thought
• encourage growth, development and life-long learning
• build on the diversity of our learners, employees and partners

We value our role in the community. We:

• display leadership and responsibility for our outcomes
• partner to achieve community goals

We value the quality of the processes we use in reaching our goals. We:

• demonstrate a learner-centred approach
• set clear expectations, measure results and demonstrate accountability
• promote teamwork, cooperation and sharing throughout the College
• follow fair process in accomplishing our objectives

Mandate

NorQuest College is a board-governed public college operating as a Comprehensive Community Institution under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act of Alberta. With campuses and learning sites across the Edmonton region, NorQuest enhances access to educational opportunities through its role as regional steward.

NorQuest provides high-quality learning opportunities that prepare graduates for careers and further studies in business, industry, health sciences, human services, early learning and education, information, communication and design technologies. A leader in enhancing access to post-secondary education, the College is widely recognized for its foundational learning opportunities in academic upgrading, adult literacy, employment readiness and English as a Second Language education. Credentials granted by the College include certificates, diplomas and applied degrees.

NorQuest students experience unique educational opportunities in a vibrant and supportive environment that is responsive to changing learner needs, dedicated to learner access and to learner success. Faculty and staff are committed to academic excellence and to enriching co-curricular student life opportunities. At NorQuest, learners from diverse educational, cultural and social backgrounds can achieve their personal and career goals and enhance their lives. NorQuest programming is sensitive to the cultural experience of Aboriginal learners, and learners for whom English is a second language. The College is a leader in meeting the needs of learners with disabilities.

As a Comprehensive Community Institution with regional stewardship responsibilities, NorQuest engages community partners to meet literacy and foundational learning needs and to ensure access to a full spectrum of post-secondary learning opportunities. In rural and urban communities throughout the region, the College opens pathways for lifelong learning.

NorQuest is an active partner in Campus Alberta, collaborating with other post-secondary institutions, governments, business, and community agencies to enhance educational opportunities, strengthen the Alberta knowledge economy, and address the economic, societal, and cultural needs for education regionally and provincially.

NorQuest delivers educational opportunities to people where they live and work. The College provides flexible alternatives in both credit and non-credit programming, including transfer credits, career laddering, recognition of prior learning, bridging, general studies, and part-time study. Workforce training is customized to meet specific needs in communities and workplaces. Through our partnership with eCampus Alberta and other innovative distributed learning alternatives, the College serves students across Alberta, throughout Canada and around the world.

NorQuest is committed to enhancing teaching and learning through applied research that informs its academic programming and builds capacity in the communities it serves. The College's centres for excellence are engaged nationally and locally with partners in business, industry, government and communities to develop innovative solutions to social and technological challenges.

NorQuest College contributes to a strong Alberta economy by developing the skilled workforce that both public and private sector employers require. Educated in an environment that emphasizes critical thinking, experiential learning, technology integration and intercultural competence, NorQuest graduates are global citizens and valued contributors in their communities.

Previous version approved by the Minister of Advanced Education, February 5, 2005 Approved by AET, June 2010.