Our Stories

UCN's students, faculty and staff have incredible stories to tell. You'll find some of them here.

Walking with the Land: Students Discover Learning Beyond the Classroom

For four days in late August, nine students and three faculty members from the University College of the North (UCN) stepped away from lecture halls and textbooks, immersing themselves in a living classroom guided by the Coast Salish Nation in Victoria, BC. Their journey was part of EDU.4045: Land-Based Teaching & Learning for Sustainable Development—a…

Read More...

UCN Shines, meet Ethel Nyabeze

UCN has been recognized as one of Manitoba’s top 25 employers for the second consecutive year! Our employees achieve remarkable things, which contributes to this recognition. To celebrate this, we will continue to interview outstanding UCN employees about their roles and what makes UCN one of the best places to work in Manitoba. Introducing: Ethel…

Read More...
Ken Troke Graduation Highlight

Graduation Highlight: Ken Troke, Kenanow Bachelor of Education

Ken Troke From: Winnipeg, MB Graduating Program: Kenanow Bachelor of Education Campus: Thompson, MB Why did you choose UCN and the Kenanow program? I originally went to school for my Social Work degree, but I decided to try teaching because I realized I wanted to be a teacher and work with students with exceptional needs….

Read More...

Graduation Highlight: Ambili Thankachan, Office Assistant

Ambili Thankachan From: South India Graduating Program: Office Assistant Campus: The Pas, Manitoba Why did you choose UCN and the Office Assistant Program? I was looking to go to college in Canada, and I heard good things about UCN. We have friends who work here in The Pas and thought it would be an easier…

Read More...
Aythan Mcleod in high vis vest.

Graduation Highlight: Aythan McLeod, Mature High School Diploma

Aythan McLeod From: Cross Lake, MB  Graduating Program: Mature High School Diploma, Adult Learning Centre (ALC) Campus: Thompson, MB  Why did you choose to take the ALC Program at the University College of the North (UCN)? Before UCN, I graduated from the Youth Build Program, and it was recommended that I get my grade 12…

Read More...

Graduation Highlight: Melissa Pham, Bachelor of Nursing

Melissa Pham From: Murillo, Ontario  Graduating Program: Bachelor of Nursing  Campus: Thompson, MB  Why did you choose UCN? One of the reasons I chose to study at UCN was because of the convenience of the Thompson campus in relation to my home. I started during COVID and was able to work while going to school….

Read More...
Celeste Shines Profile Picture

UCN Shines, meet Celeste Atchison

UCN has been recognized as one of Manitoba’s top 25 employers for the second consecutive year! Our employees achieve remarkable things, which contributes to this recognition. To celebrate, we will continue to interview outstanding UCN employees about their roles and what makes UCN one of the best places to work in Manitoba.   Introducing: Celeste Atchison Years…

Read More...

UCN Linkages Thompson 2025 Recap

On February 25-27, 2025, UCN hosted Linkages Thompson: Reimagine the North. In partnership with Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, Province of Manitoba, and CEDF Look North, UCN Linkages is dedicated to tackling the challenges and opportunities shaping our region’s future. This recurring event facilitates productive and honest conversations about the North, in the North. Key People…

Read More...

Driving the Future: UCN Students Embrace Electric Vehicles in Northern Manitoba

When Kelly Campbell decided to take the Automotive Technician program at University College of the North (UCN), it wasn’t because she was a lifelong car enthusiast. “I think that every person should know about vehicles,” she said with a laugh. “Are we going to have someone there to change a tire? What if you’re just…

Read More...

Celebrating Dedication and Excellence at UCN

University College of the North recognizes the hard work and commitment of our staff and faculty who have reached significant milestones in their years of service. Together we celebrate the positive impact they have made on our institution and northern communities. Congratulations to all our awardees! 5 Years of Service Zulfqar Awan Chelsea Bensen Marie…

Read More...

Muses From The North

Muses

Muses from the North is an on-line journal for students of the University College of the North.

We publish biannually from UCN campuses in The Pas and Thompson, located in Treaty No. 5 territory. As a UCN students’ journal, MFTN provides a platform for our students to express their musings about our amazing northern tradition and culture in texts, words, images and pictures.  Our northern muses are not only from The Pas and Thompson, but also from a network of 12 regional centres, from Swan River to Churchill. Like the dwellers in the north, MFTN favors Northern tradition, culture and stories from our northern communities. Reach us through mftn@ucn.ca.

the quint

Interdisciplinary, the quint (a double-blind, peer-reviewed journal) disseminates new knowledge in the areas of literature, history, the arts, popular culture, education, the social sciences, and aboriginal studies.

The journal also publishes interviews, artwork, creative writing, and reviews. All issues of the quint are archived in National Library and Archives Canada (Ottawa, Ontario).

News Releases

UCN to Open Student Housing in Flin Flon with $2 Million Investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2025 (Flin Flon, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) will offer student housing in Flin Flon starting Fall 2025, thanks to a $2 million investment from multiple funding sources. The new residence, funded by Prairies Canada, the Province of MB, the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund, and UCN, will…

Read More...

UCN Expands Health Care Aide Training with $619,000 Investment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 11, 2025 (Northern MB) – The University College of the North (UCN) has been awarded $619,000 from Manitoba Advanced Education and Training to expand Health Care Aide training seats from 30 to 130. This greatly enhances access to health care education in The Pas, Swan River, and Thompson, along with additional…

Read More...

UCN Recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top 25 Places to Work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2025 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for 2025. This annual competition is organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. “We are honoured to be recognized as one of…

Read More...

UCN Receives Federal Funding to expand Mine Readiness Training Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 6, 2025 (Thompson/Flin Flon/The Pas, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) is proud to be named as a recipient of Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) federal funding. UCN will receive $1,154,129 to expand train-to-hire programming for Indigenous students at UCN’s Northern Manitoba Mining Academy (NMMA) Mining Readiness Training…

Read More...

UCN Linkages Thompson Conference to Strengthen Northern Connections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2025 (Thompson, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) is excited to announce the UCN Linkages Thompson Conference, scheduled for February 25-27, 2025, at the Thompson Regional Community Centre. This year’s ‘Reimagine the North’ theme will explore Northern Manitoba’s opportunities, resource use, and economic reconciliation. Keynotes include leadership expert…

Read More...

UCN Announces Student Housing Facility in Flin Flon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 15, 2025 (Flin Flon, MB) – The University College of the North (UCN) is excited to announce plans for a dedicated student housing facility in Flin Flon. This initiative ensures that students attending short-term programs have a place to stay, reflecting UCN’s dedication to overcoming barriers to education in northern Manitoba….

Read More...

UCN Launches Power Engineering Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2025 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) –University College of the North (UCN) launched its Power Engineering Class 5 program today, January 6, 2025. This evening program is at full capacity, with 25 students registered and taking classes. The program runs until April 2025. “Power Engineers play a critical role in supporting our…

Read More...

UCN is a Key Partner in Securing Manitoba’s Critical Mineral Future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 6, 2024 (The Pas/Thompson, MB) –University College of the North (UCN) is pleased to be named in Manitoba’s new strategy related to critical minerals mining and exploration in the province. “UCN’s legislation specifically tasks UCN with the mandate to enhance the economic and social well-being of northern Manitoba through training and…

Read More...

UCN Linkages The Pas Conference to Foster Innovation and Collaboration in Northern Manitoba

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2024 (The Pas, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) is excited to announce the upcoming UCN Linkages The Pas Conference, scheduled for October 8-9, 2024, at the Kikiwak Inn and UCN Campus. This year’s keynote speakers will reflect the conference theme of ‘Innovation + Renewal’ by discussing disruptive…

Read More...

UCN Opens New Diploma in Practical Nursing Facilities in Flin Flon and Swan River

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2024 (Flin Flon/Swan River, MB) – University College of the North (UCN) is pleased to announce the upcoming grand openings for the new Diploma in Practical Nursing buildings in Flin Flon and Swan River, MB. These state-of-the-art facilities will provide opportunities for nursing and health care aide students in the…

Read More...