Northern Lakes College is a public, community-based college serving adults across a large region of Alberta.
Northern Lakes College is a public college with its main campus at 1201 Main Street SE in Slave Lake, Alberta. The college's mission is to provide quality educational programs and services that enable adults to continue their education, improve their employment opportunities, and enhance their quality of life. Its stated values are Community, Respect, Accessibility, Collaboration, Excellence, and Lifelong Learning. The college's vision is to be recognized as a first-choice community-based college with the most accessible programs and services in Alberta.
The college traces its history back to 1970-71, when Education Technicians were trained at the Alberta Vocational Centre in Grouard. The AVC and the Community Vocational Centres operated separately as provincially-administered institutions until they were amalgamated in 1988. Board governance took effect on September 1, 1997 under an Interim Governing Authority, and the 11-member Board was established in April 1998. The college launched under its new name on August 25, 1999, and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1996 and its 50th anniversary in 2020.
The college delivers programs face to face, blended, or through its Supported Distance Learning model. Supported Distance Learning is a key delivery tool for reaching students throughout the region and beyond. Admission routes include Apply Alberta (APAS) for Alberta high school graduates, direct application through the NLC Application for Admission, international student admission with transcript evaluation or placement test, and apprenticeship program admission.
The college serves a region of 164,000 square kilometers and more than 50 communities, including fifteen First Nations and four Métis Settlements. Its main offices were located in Grouard and Slave Lake after amalgamation. Facilities include a gymnasium with a climbing wall at the Slave Lake Campus, the Northern Lights Aquatics Centre, Momma B's Second Helping cafeteria and catering, event and meeting spaces, student residences, and Library Services.