THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Maurice Evan's resignation marks the end of an era for Aurora College.

After 11 years at the helm of the NWT's only post-secondary institution, Evans is moving on to a new job. His last day as college president will be July 10 and three days later he will become Fort Smith regional superintendent with the Department of Public Works and Services.

Maurice Evans: difficult decision to leave as president of Aurora College. - photo courtesy of Aurora College

"It was time for a change," he said.

Evans, who is originally from Fort Smith, said it was a difficult decision to leave the college and he is going to miss working in education.

"Education is always going to be a part of me," he said.

Evans said, it is also good to make room for someone with new ideas.

Evans – the father of five – said his new job will mean less travel and more time for his family.

"It was very much a decision about putting my family first," he said.

His replacement has not yet been found.

Evans, 51, is the longest-serving president in the 40-year history of Aurora College, which has campuses in Fort Smith, Yellowknife and Inuvik and community learning centres in many other locations.

When he became president at 40, Evans was the first aboriginal president of a college anywhere in Canada.

"I want to say it was an honour to serve in this capacity," he said.

Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jackson Lafferty praised Evans for his contribution to the college.

"I appreciate the leadership and work Mr. Evans has done in the development and delivery of adult and post-secondary education and research services in the Northwest Territories," Lafferty said in a statement. "The mandate of Aurora College is important for the development of our human resources across the Northwest Territories and the work that Mr. Evans has done has helped fulfill that mandate."

Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos – who often talks of the importance of the college to his community – said Evans worked very hard to help develop the institution.

Martselos said he will miss Evans as college president, but said he is happy he will remain in Fort Smith.

The mayor said he hopes Evans' replacement continues to ensure a "strong and dynamic" college presence in Fort Smith and works to bring more programs to Thebacha Campus. Looking back on his time as president, Evans points to a number of accomplishments.

The outgoing president said the college continues to take programs further out into the communities, with the help of initiatives such as the mobile trades training lab.

During his tenure, the college introduced degree programs in nursing and teaching -- in conjunction with universities in the South -- allowing students to complete their studies in the NWT

As well, construction was completed on new infrastructure such as the campus building in Inuvik and student housing in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Fort Smith; the college developed an underground mining simulator at the Yellowknife Campus; and conducted a 2006-2008 research project on gas hydrates in the Beaufort Delta.

As for challenges, Evans said the college has experienced approximately a 10 per cent reduction of its budget over the past two years because of government cutbacks.

"That was a difficult period," he said.

In recent years, the trades programs at Thebacha Campus have also undergone a review, during which some courses were temporarily suspended.

Evans said the review has been completed and all programs have been recertified.

"We're very pleased with the results," he said.

Evans said Aurora College continues to work with Yukon College and Nunavut Arctic College on the idea of creating a university of the Arctic.