Karsten Henriksen has extensive experience in post-secondary education. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

education

Northlands College hires new CEO

Oct 3, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Karsten Henriksen has been hired as the new president and CEO of Northlands College.

Before accepting the position and throughout the COVID pandemic, Henriksen worked with the First Nation Health Directors Association, the First Nations Health Authority and the First Nations Health Council, all in British Columbia, to establish a new post-secondary institution in that province called the Centre for Indigenous Health Leadership.

The program is tasked with addressing leadership development in First Nations in British Columbia, as well as addressing systemic racism in health care.

“The institution was launched and, about two months ago, we were pleased to celebrate our first cohort of learners,” Henriksen said.

Henriksen holds a Bachelor of Sociology, as well as a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on leadership and human security. He’s currently studying for a doctorate degree at an American university.

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Throughout his career, Henriksen served as the vice-president and chief operating officer at Nunavut Arctic College, along with academic chair at Yukon University. He also has experience in government serving as an assistant deputy minister.

“I’m very passionate about the people of the North and I think the future of Northlands College is very bright, particularly when we look at how we work collaboratively with our First Nations and Métis communities, as well as with industry,” Henriksen said.

Since officially joining the college on Sept. 28, Henriksen had the opportunity to travel to both Buffalo Narrows and Creighton. In Creighton, he was able to meet with staff, while his trip to Buffalo Narrows was more personal in nature to kayak and get to know the community.

“I’m only in my first week, so I have been sitting down with our faculty and staff and I will be continuing to sit down with faculty and staff and industry, but I look forward to building and diversifying our program mix, particularly in post-secondary in the weeks, months and years ahead,” Henriksen said.

“I am also quite interested in looking at how we can introduce new types of program delivery in northern Saskatchewan.”

Former CEO Guy Penney left the position earlier this year for personal reasons.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno