Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge welcomes new NLC campus administrator

The Northern Lights College campuses in Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge have welcomed Steve Dowling as the new campus administrator.

These two campuses are typically quieter than the ones in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, but Dowling would like to increase student enrolment by finding ways to engage the community.

“I’ve been talking with the staff here already and with a few members of the community. I’ve heard that this place was busier 20 years ago than it is now,” Dowling said.

“I’m looking forward to figuring out why that is and how we can increase the College’s profile and expand the use of our facility.”

Before the NLC opportunity arose, Dowling worked for the B.C. government for almost 30 years and has lived in Chetwynd for nineteen years.

Initially, he was a conservation officer and spent eighteen years in Mackenzie and Chetwynd before switching to the ministry of transportation.

He spent eleven years in that role, finishing as the operations manager for the south Peace.

Dowling was debating a career change when the job posting at NLC popped up, and he decided to jump on it.

“This is completely different from what I’ve done in my previous careers, and I think the newness of it keeps it interesting, keeps it exciting, and it could make a difference in the community,” he says.