Alumni

Andrea Jolly

 I couldn’t have come to Northern College at a worse moment in my life. I was a single mother with two children and had just lost my father to suicide while recovering from post-partum depression. 

With determination and resiliency, the only thing I knew was that I never wanted to be that vulnerable again. Instead, I wanted to be the person who could help others; like those who had helped me. I joined the Social Service Worker Program at Northern College and after graduation, I became a person who helps others – which was exactly what my goal had been. 

I faced many challenges along the way but overcame them all with the help of Northern College. They helped me with childcare support and my mental health care. This really made a difference! 

The friendships I built within my program and the community created a sense of belonging as I was supported in all aspects of my being: emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically. 

Because I went to Northern College, I am strong. I am determined. I am resilient!

– Andrea Jolly

Maninderjit Kaur

I came to Canada and to Northern College in January of 2018. Everything was new for me here, especially in Northern Ontario. I don’t know how to express how much Northern College and the Northern community has given to me. I’ve learned so much from my professors, Deans, my employers, and from everyone!

I’ve grown so much, achieved what I never thought I would and I am on my way to achieving so much more. I am developing a strong character and loving it!

One of the things I like most is that people are so welcoming here. Once you get used to living in the North, you will never regret coming up here. I work for Northern College now, and help other students like me feel welcome here!

Don’t miss a chance to come here, accept challenges, and win your game. We are all here to support you.

– Maninderjit Kaur

Hope Koosees

My name is Hope Koosees. I am an Indigenous Student Recruiter and Pathways Navigator at Northern College. I am of Ojibway and Cree heritage which is commonly known as Oji-Cree. I affiliate with Attawapiskat First Nation. 

I grew up in Moosonee, Ontario, where I graduated from Northern Lights Secondary School. I then graduated from Northern College with my post-secondary diploma in the Police Foundations program. 

To come from a small knitted First Nation community, I really liked the idea of smaller class sizes here at Northern College which means more one-on-one, personalized support for each learner. With their high quality programming and caring environment, Northern College really helped me gain the skills I needed and I was employed within a month after graduation. 

Now, I work for the very institution that supported me in getting a College education. It is good to be here. We hope you come learn with us, too! 

I’m pleased to help others with their educational goals, and find ways to make those dreams come true.

– Hope Koosees

Noel Penfold

After graduating from the 2-year Welding Engineering Program, I honestly never believed that I would be in a position to teach, not to mention only three years after graduation.

I was hired by The Bucket Shop to teach an 8-week condensed welding course to Indigenous women in partnership with Keepers of The Circle.

I truly believe that this opportunity presented itself because of the strong skills and knowledge I acquired during my studies at Northern College, Kirkland Lake Campus.

My education has allowed me to prosper in this role and has also allowed me to make one of my dreams a reality.

– Noel Penfold, Welding Engineering 2012 Northern College Graduate

Premier's Awards Nominees

Whitney Karina Jardine

Diploma, Welding Engineering Technology, 2016
Diploma, Welding Engineering Technician, 2014
Corporate Welding Engineer, The NARMCO Group

Whitney Karina Jardine’s drive for excellence began as a teenaged national competitive swimmer. She continues to pursue excellence with the same vigour in her late twenties. Receiving an OACETT (Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists) fellow designation is exceedingly rare for someone of her age and for a female in a non-traditional field. She’s committed to removing barriers for women in her sector and shaping the future of engineering technology, inspiring others through her leadership and advocacy. She continues to invest in the future through OACETT and by serving as an ambassador and adviser with her alma maters.

Premier's Awards Nominees

Gail Jokinen Waghorn

Business Administration Accounting – 3 y, 1987
Business Administration Accounting – 2 yr, 1988
Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Services, The MICs Group of Health Services

Gail Waghorn advanced into senior management within three years of graduating with a business administration accounting diploma and hasn’t looked back. Over a 30-year career, she has led initiatives to create financial stability and efficiencies in the health-care sector. She also sets the standard for lifelong learning, completing her masters in public administration degree in 2019 and a degree in health administration while serving as CFO at the MICs Group of Health Services, comprised of three hospitals and their associated long-term care facilities in Matheson, Iroquois Falls and Cochrane.

Premier's Awards Nominees

Christine Madden

Social Service Worker (Honours), 1990
Program Manager, Ontario Works, County of Dufferin

Christine Madden’s career in social services became forever intertwined with the opioid crisis when her younger sister, Shelley, died of an accidental drug overdose in 2004. She has dedicated her entire life as an Ontario Works manager to finding opportunities to implement awareness campaigns focusing on stigmas related to mental illness, addictions and substance abuse. She shares the accounts of her family’s tragedy in media interviews, participates in awareness campaigns, makes presentations and is involved in boards and committees addressing the opioid crisis. By sharing her story, she helps education professionals and offers hope for those suffering with addiction.

Premier's Awards Nomineesess Stories

Seamus Murphy

Paramedic Program, 2001
Practical Nursing Program, 1996
Commander of Quality Assurance and Professional Development, Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board

Seamus Murphy has invested over 25 years in health care at varying levels in the north, moving the sector forward with his can-do attitude and deep care for patients. This includes lobbying for distribution of Naloxone kits to overdosing patients and creating regulatory change across Ontario. His nursing care, paramedic service, quality assurance work, support of professional development, volunteer firefighting, and other activities has led to transformative change in the industry. He’s a lifelong learner, having recently received a University of Waterloo certificate in supervision.