Southeast College operates in six communities in southeastern and south central Saskatchewan. The college is established in towns throughout the south, including Assiniboia, Estevan, Indian Head, Moosomin and Whitewood with the largest campus in Weyburn.
The college currently offers first year university courses for students in Assiniboia on their satellite campus in the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre. This year, Southeast College is giving a $1000 Entrance Award for students in 2020 who want to do their first year of uni at home, rather than move off to Regina, Saskatoon or elsewhere after high school to attend postsecondary schooling.
Before Hilkewich spoke in Assiniboia on February 12, Jeff Richards, VP Strategic Development for the college, talked about Assiniboia’s vocational and instruction courses at the podium in the hallway outside the campus office and classroom area on the second floor of the POW.
Aside from introductory university courses, Southeast College offers programs in adult education, safety training, trades and several other areas of interest. Richards described these courses as being user-friendly for young people and adults leading busy lives.
“We try to be flexible with the program calendar,” Richards said.
Kelly Hilkewich, Vice President of Education for Southeast College, stepped to the podium after Richards and illustrated why the college’s Assiniboia campus would be an excellent place for students fresh out of high school to start their university degrees while living at home.
“We are becoming the place to set-up with first year university.” Hilkewich also explained why the option of having first year university courses available for students in Assiniboia would make life easier for students and parents alike. “University should be accessible. You shouldn’t have to travel long distances to start the program. This lets them dip their toes in and see if university is for them.”
University during the first year can be a tough, lonely and highly-competitive place for students leaving home for the first time in their lives. “It’s hard to leave the comforts of home. This is a good option,” Hilkewich continued.
In the future, Southeast College hopes to expand their university programs. “The more programs we can offer for our youth of today, the better,” Hilkewich promised.
Richards returned to the podium and discussed the college’s $1000 Entrance Award. “Every university student that enrolls will receive $1000. Last year, our college gave out $200,000 in scholarships.” Richards talked about the college’s integrity and how the funds accumulated from grants and other sources are given back to the students in awards. “We don’t take anything off the top.”
After they spoke, Hilkewich and Richards led the audience into a classroom to show the interactive screen inside used for distance learning – the screen was connected to a camera and sound system in a Weyburn classroom.
Southeast College as an institution is continuing to gain recognition in Saskatchewan. For the third consecutive year in February 2020, Southeast College announced they were named as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers in a release. The Top Employer designation recognized Saskatchewan employers leading their respective industries as exceptional places to work.
On being chosen a third consecutive time, College President and CEO Patrick Stoddart emphasized the college’s commitment to learners in south central and southeastern Saskatchewan.
“The fact that Southeast College has once again been selected as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers is testament to the dedication that our employees have to our students. Southeast College holds a student-first focus and that is what gives our employees their motivation and satisfaction,” Stoddart affirmed.
