Northern Lights College director wins provincial leadership award

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A director of Northern Lights College (NLC) is receiving provincial recognition for his work to increase international enrolment.

Tony Mei, NLC’s director of international education, has been awarded the 2025 International Education Distinguished Leadership Award by the BC Council for International Education (BCCIE). 

He accepted the honour during a ceremony in Whistler, B.C. this summer.

“When I heard about this award, I felt truly humbled,” said Mei in his acceptance speech. 

“In our field, we rarely pause to reflect; we’re always solving problems, managing change and supporting students from every corner of the globe. So, this moment is meaningful.”

Mei joined NLC in 2019 as the international recruitment and business development coordinator and helped expand the college’s international student population, which, according to the college, is now among the most diverse in B.C. 

In 2023, he became the director of international education after serving in an acting role.

“Tony’s leadership has been fundamental to the success of our international education efforts,” said Scott Clerk, associate vice president of educational services at NLC.

“Especially over the past year as we’ve navigated unprecedented changes to the Canadian international education landscape. 

We are very grateful to have Tony as a colleague here at NLC, and so proud of his accomplishment.”

In a press release, the BCCIE stated: “Under Tony’s leadership, NLC has established key relationships with educational agencies, government organizations and industry stakeholders, and has significantly increased its international enrollment while maintaining a high standard of student support.”

According to the BCCIE, the award recognizes the “accomplishments and contributions of an international educator or member of the community who has `led from behind’ and whose work will have a lasting impact.”

On the award recipients, Anne Kang, then minister of postsecondary education and future skills, said: “Their efforts not only support students from around the world but also strengthen B.C.’s global connections and its reputation as a world-class education destination.”

BCCIE executive director Randall Martin said: “We are thrilled to recognize the outstanding work of this year’s winners who continually go above and beyond in furthering international education initiatives in B.C. and around the world.”

NLC has campuses in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Chetwynd.