Leadership
President's Message
Passion for learning, passion for students, Northern College is all about learning. We are here for you, whether you want to be a welder, a nurse, a social worker, or any number of careers – we are here for our students!!
We believe in you, and we want to be part of your learning journey. Our exemplary faculty have all kinds of expertise: from mechanical engineering, mining, instrumentation, business, nursing, veterinary sciences and so much more. Our programs are top notch, with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Your learning experience at Northern College will be exciting and rewarding.
Whatever your needs, let us know – our faculty and staff are ready to assist you with a variety of supports such as financial aid, credit transfer requirements, learning success strategies, mental health and wellness supports, as well as numerous other services.
Whether you are a returning student or new to our campus, welcome! You are now part of the Northern College family and we are so happy to have you!
We are here for students!
Dr. Audrey J. Penner, President
Senior Management Team
Dr. Audrey J. Penner
President and CEO
Dr. Penner was appointed as Northern College’s President and CEO in August of 2020. She previously held the role of Northern College’s Vice President, Academic and Student Success, where she worked since 2014. With a doctorate in Education, Dr. Penner has previously served as Director of Learning Support, Applied Research, and Transitions at Holland College in Prince Edward Island for a number of years, where she has championed excellence in teaching and learning. Dr. Penner’s experience in leading diverse faculty and staff, curriculum design and learning management systems, as well as in expanding Indigenous programming, and developing mutually beneficial partnerships has enhanced the learner experience both academically and socially while being responsive to the needs of diverse student populations through the provision of appropriate services.
Mitch Dumas, MBA, CPA, CGA
Senior Vice President of Corporate Services
Mitch Dumas was appointed Vice President of Corporate Services at Northern College in the fall of 2019. Mitch is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and received his Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University in 2006 and his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Laurentian in 2013. Mitch has sharpened his leadership skills in several progressive positions at mining and contracting operations in and around the Timmins area. Dumas oversees the Finance department at the College, and also the Human Resources, Northern Training Division and Plant & Property departments.
Aaron Klooster, MSc
Vice President Academic and Student Success
Aaron Klooster MSc., is the Vice President Academic and Student Success at Northern College. Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Klooster returned to Northern Ontario following graduate studies at Western University and has been with Northern College for over 17 years, as a faculty member and Dean, and in his current position since May of 2021. As the senior academic officer of the institution, Klooster is a strong advocate for education as a driving force in our local, provincial, and national economy and, with this in mind, oversees all academic programming at the College.
Susan Hunter, MA, BEd, BA, OCT
Chief Cultural Officer (CCO)
Susan Hunter joined Northern College as Director of Marketing, Communications, and External Relations in November of 2019 and became the organization’s Chief Cultural Officer in January of 2022. Guided by a strong sense of purpose for empowerment through education, Susan earned an honours undergraduate degree from Western University and the University of Nice, France, a Bachelor in Education from Althouse College at Western, and a Master of Arts in anti-racism, Indigenous empowerment, and critical pedagogy from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) of the University of Toronto. Susan is also an Ontario Certified Teacher.
Frédéric Nickner, MBA, CMA, CPA
Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology
Frédéric Nickner joined Northern College as the Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology in October, 2021. Frédéric holds an Honours Baccalaureate in Commerce with options in Finance & Accounting (B.Com, cum laude, 2005) from the University of Ottawa. True to his Northern Ontario mantra of access to quality post secondary education, Frédéric has also completed his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Laurentian University in 2011. Outside of his post-secondary experience at four colleges, Frédéric has worked for the Parliament of Canada, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, Canada Post Corporation and MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Ltd., within the mining sector.