Yellowknife (Sep 08/06) - Armed with over 25 years of Northern teaching experience, the new director of Aurora College is hoping to help the school overcome a space crunch.

Jane Arychuk, the new director of Aurora College, is looking forward to the challenge of heading up the Northern institution. - Jessica Klinkenberg/NNSL photo

"We are pretty much at capacity at our college," said Jane Arychuk this week. "We pretty much can't offer new programs until we look at our space."

Arychuk, who spent 23 years as a principal in Fort Providence, hopes to see the Yellowknife campus expanded. Offering new programs is one change Arychuk plans for the Northern institution.

She wants to sell the college to high school students. "I hope to promote it as... the place to go in the North. (This is) the place for them to start their post secondary career."

Arychuk spent two years as a counsellor for schools in Dettah and Ndilo. Under her watch, the school in Fort Providence added four grades and students from the community no longer have to leave town to graduate.

"I'm very aware of the issues and challenges and strategies for success for the students coming from communities, and that is something I'll be able to share with the instructors at the college."

Lately, she has been busy learning about the college, its politics and needs.

"For the first half of the year I'm going to have to be learning and listening," she said.

Arychuk is looking forward to her new position. "I'm very excited. My first two weeks have proven I've joined a very established college.

"I look forward to working on the goals for the college over the next 10 years."