Rankin Inlet (May 10/06) - Nunavut Arctic College's Kivalliq campus graduated a record number of students from its management studies and office administration programs in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Graduates from the management studies and office administration programs at Nunavut Arctic College's Kivalliq campus in Rankin Inlet begin to celebrate after receiving their certificates and diploma this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

A total of 22 students graduated from the two programs, with Rene Tautu of Chesterfield Inlet receiving his management studies diploma.

There were 13 certificates awarded in management studies and eight in office administration.

Management studies senior instructor Noreen Russell said the Kivalliq campus enjoyed a high success rate with its students this year.

She said one reason for the record graduation was the addition of the office administration program.

"We had a feed into our program from the Rankin high school this year, which was the first time we've ever had that," Russell said.

"Those students came into the program well prepared.

"We also introduced a bridging math course to assist our returning students, and the adjustments combined to improve our success rate."

Russell said there's a team environment at the Kivalliq campus that's growing increasingly evident to students.

She said instructors, support staff and campus director Mike Shouldice all played important roles in the school's growing success rate.

"We, as instructors, work with the students academically, and as best we can with any personal or family difficulties that may arise.

"But our counsellor, Dorothy Tootoo, gives the students tremendous support.

"Mike (Shouldice) also has an open-door policy, so the students feel the support in place for them here."

Russell has taught in the south with 170 students in one class. She said there would sometimes be academic casualties in the back row and she wouldn't know of them.

"That's one of the tremendous advantages of studying at Nunavut Arctic College - we know who everyone is and we are able to give them individual attention.

"The addition of tutoring sessions also gave the students evening and weekend workshops to further support them.

"A lot of effort has gone into looking at how we can outfit the population here for the business world.

"We never lose sight of the fact our reputation as a college is at stake as we work to continue elevating our success rate."