Regional Stewardship, Foundational Learning, Underrepresented Learners

UNDERREPRESENTED

As highlighted in our mandate, Lakeland’s inclusive academic environment ensures a commitment to underrepresented learners.

Indigenous services

Lakeland supports Indigenous students in four distinct areas: culture, wellness, academic and financial. The Indigenous Support Services (ISS) team offers various resources to help students, including Circles for Reconciliation. This program is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Throughout the academic year, ISS plans a variety of events and activities. During the 2021-22 academic year, more than 30 activities took place, ranging from soup and bannock days to Elder in Residence Speaking Series and sharing circles to Truth and Reconciliation Day. ISS works with the Indigenous Student Committee on a number of initiatives as well, including The Red Dress Project, Indigenous Awareness Week and more. Three members of the Indigenous Student Committee created a land acknowledgement for Lakeland. Kiera Comeau, Samantha O’Reilly and Ryan Powder wrote the askīyiwimamīhcītotamowin. The English translation of this Cree concept is the act of acknowledging the earth (land). This acknowledgement is read at events, and posters are displayed throughout both campuses. External organizations in the region have approached Lakeland to use the acknowledgment for their events. Lakeland is partnering with the First Nations University of Canada and Reconciliation Education to share a new opportunity with our campus community. The online course 4 Seasons of Reconciliation will be available to all employees in 2022-23. The 10 modules promote a renewed relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians through transformative learning about truth and reconciliation.

Foundational learning

Foundational learning programming increased with two additional offerings. Work was done in recent years to strengthen pathways for foundational learners and help them successfully transition through different programs and course levels. Lakeland conducts a thorough interview, intake, and assessment process to place students in the correct program or course to increase their likelihood of success. In addition, individualized attention, in-person classes, and access to counselling and wellness supports contribute to student success. The goal is to increase student completion rates so they can join the workforce and/or move to higher level skill specific training or post-secondary programming. With proceeds from the Feast on the Farm fundraiser, academic schools had access to money to deliver studentled initiatives. In 2020-21, foundational learning students started a family literacy project. Love of books and reading needs to start early for young people so confidence grows and building blocks are in place for reading and writing. With the Feast on the Farm funds, students organized custom-made literacy Christmas baskets for each family in the adult basic programs.

Accessibility services

Lakeland provides accessibility services, peer tutoring, health and wellness, and learning success services to help students succeed. During the year, 215 students registered with Accessibility Services. Fifty per cent of students with agreements had a documented learning disability, while 34 per cent had a documented mental health diagnosis. Almost 2,000 accommodated exams were facilitated across both campuses. Fifty-one peer tutors provided tutoring services to 215 students. The accessibility advisor conducted three virtual and five in-person learner success workshops that were attended by more than 160 students.

Financial support

Lakeland’s financial aid and awards team helps students find the funding they need. More than $1.2 million in awards, scholarships and bursaries were distributed to students. There was an increase in the number of students seeking funding via bursaries. There were 385 bursary applicants, an increase of almost 50 applicants, and 173 bursaries awarded.

The Students’ Association of Lakeland College has been operating an open food pantry and supplying grocery gift cards on both campuses since 2017. This initiative has been possible with the generous donations from many individuals and organizations, and the Students’ Association annual contribution. Keeping the pantries stocked was manageable previously, however, the pandemic and rising costs has meant that donations are no longer keeping up with the increased demand.

Community collaboration

Lakeland representatives attended two provincial regional stewardship meetings and the Lloydminster Learning Council annual general meeting. Thanks to Government of Alberta funding, and support from the Town of Wainwright and Alberta Health Services, Lakeland’s health care aide program is expanding to Wainwright. The program will be offered in a blended delivery format in the 2022-23 academic year. The Town of Wainwright and Alberta Health Services helped with preparatory work for program approval, including curriculum review and a site visit. College representatives are active members in numerous community organizations such as Alberta HUB, local chambers of commerce, Heart of Treaty 6 Reconciliation, Vermilion River Regional Alliance, Vermilion River Community Learning Adult Students Society, Northeast Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia, 4-H, Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association, and Lloydminster Construction Association. Lakeland employees are also members of the Vermilion and Rural Mental Health Project, Lakeland Wellness Coalition, Lloydminster Network Committee, Interval Home Advisory, and Inclusion Alberta.