Medicine Hat College gearing up for another year

By SAMANTHA JOHNSON, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on August 25, 2022.

Medicine Hat College has a few events coming up to ease students into the upcoming academic year.

Strike First will happen Aug. 29-30, where students can drop in and beat the rush. Student ambassadors will be available to help students avoid long lineups by helping them finding classrooms, get textbooks and purchase a parking pass, among other things. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Centennial Hall.

New student orientation takes place on Sept. 1. This is an opportunity to understand what to expect during a student’s time at MHC. There are two parts to the orientation. The first is already available online and takes a new student through where to buy textbooks, how to access their schedule, use college technology and what support and services are available on campus. On Sept. 1, new students meet on campus for program orientation with a chance to meet their instructors and classmates.

Official start-up of the fall semester is on Sept. 2. Sandy Henderson, Dean of Student Services and registrar, is “really looking forward to classes starting up again next week and welcoming people back on campus.”

MHC has a modest increase in enrolment this year, as they trend back to pre-pandemic levels. The college is also expecting more international students to return and more activities on campus for the coming 2022/23 year.

The college has some new programming starting and will be welcoming its first classes into Sustainable Innovation, Service Dog and Canine Studies Management, and Sport and Event Marketing and Management.

All new programs have students already enrolled and Henderson is pleased that each of those will have strong starts. Henderson explained that each of the new programs will supply learning opportunities to assist students in entering the industry.

The college will be taking applications up to Sept. 1st as there are spaces still available.

MHC will also be holding some open houses in late November for those looking to attend next year.