Lethbridge College in Alberta, Canada, attracts a diverse student body despite its location.
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Lethbridge is home to Lethbridge College, an institution that has been resident in the city for more than 50 years. Lethbridge was the first publicly funded college in Canada, originally based on the American junior college model. At present, the organization provides a comprehensive slate of programs — arts and sciences university transfer, certificates, diplomas (similar to associate degrees), apprenticeship and applied degrees. Although at this writing there are no offerings, Lethbridge College’s mandate from the provincial government also includes baccalaureate degrees.
Another interesting feature about Lethbridge College is that this institution resides in traditional Blackfoot Territory — the college sits next to the largest land mass reserve (reservation) in Canada, home to the Blackfoot people. Chief Mountain, a flattopped peak in Glacier National Park in Montana, can be seen for miles around. The legend goes that as long as you can see the Chief, you are standing on Blackfoot land.
Recognizing that Lethbridge College resides in “rurban” Alberta (not quite urban, but yet not rural) one might expect the institution to have a fairly homogenous student population; however, the diversity is absolutely striking.
