On the page On this page Welcome Schedule Activities & Workshops Awards Contact On this page Welcome Schedule Activities & Workshops Awards Contact Acknowledging Dedication NWP Day formally recognizes and celebrates employees' commitment and dedication. It's a day of engagement, learning, and collaboration, with employees gathering to share the NWP spirit. NWP Day 2026 Event Details Mark your calendars for August 27, 2026 and gear up for a day rooted in recognition and celebration. NWP Day is a time to cheer for our achievements, connect with our colleagues, and participate in engaging events. Check out the schedule of events below to find an activity that sparks your curiosity and get into the NWP spirit with friends and colleagues. Happy NWP Day 2026! Today is a celebration of our people, our community, and the connections that make NWP a great place to work. Take this opportunity to connect with colleagues, try something new, celebrate our achievements, and enjoy a day filled with fun and appreciation. Thank you for your dedication and the contributions you make every day to strengthen our NWP community. Wishing everyone a wonderful NWP Day! Jarem Gurney,Executive Director, Human Resources Schedule of Events Time Event Description Location 8:30 to 9:00 am Coffee and refreshments Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre Concourse 9:00 to 9:15 am President's Welcome and Indigenous Protocol Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre 9:15 to 10:15 am Guest Speaker - Stand-up comedian, Dave Hemstad Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre 10:15 to 10:30 am Break Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre Concourse 10:30 to 11:15 am Recognition and Awards Ceremony Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Lunch Pillars Cafeteria 1:00 to 4:00 pm Activities and Workshops Find out More Activities & Workshops Activity Host Location Time Description Max Participants Cornhole Tournament Dr. Vanessa Sheane Parking Lot A 1:00 to 4:00 pm Test your aim and have some fun! Teams will compete by tossing bean bags onto a raised board, with points awarded for landing on or through the hole. Bring your game face and join us for some friendly competition! 16 Pairs Tarot Card Reading Carissa Rondeau D308 1:00 to 2:00 pm Ever wondered what your future could hold? Come for a quick introduction to tarot and divination card systems, as well as common misconceptions and how to read a deck. Participants will get the opportunity to perform their own guided readings, and each person will receive a mini glimpse into their own fate. 25 Yogalates Kylie Minelli Fitness Studio 1:00 to 2:00 pm Experience the perfect fusion of core-based mat Pilates and vinyasa yoga. This fun and energizing 60-minute Yogalates class features full-body movement set to vibrant tunes to strengthen, lengthen, and challenge you from head to toe. 25 Water Color Painting Robyn Sloboda E302 1:00 to 2:00 pm Unwind and get creative with a relaxing watercolour painting session. Explore simple techniques and create your own beautiful artwork while enjoying some fun and creativity with colleagues. 25 Cookie Decoration - Get Baked Bakery Macy E302 1:00 to 2:00 pm Get creative and welcome the season with our early fall-themed cookie decorating session! Decorate delicious cookies with autumn-inspired colours and designs, and enjoy a fun, hands-on activity with colleagues. 20 Build Websites and Software Using AI Vikasdeep Singh Saini E306 - Computer Lab 1:00 to 3:00 pm Discover how modern AI tools can help you build practical digital solutions for your classroom, department, or workplace without writing code. 30 Diamond Art Drop Ins Open House E301 1:00 to 2:00 pm Take a break and get creative with a relaxing diamond art activity! Drop in anytime during the session to place colourful gems and create your own sparkling design at your own pace. 20 Balloon Juggling Jacob Fehr D308 2:00 to 3:00 pm Give balloon juggling a try! Pick up a few balloons, test your coordination, and see how long you can keep them in the air. A fun and easy activity for everyone! 25 Vinyasa Yoga Kylie Minelli Fitness Studio 2:00 to 3:00 pm Move, breathe, and find your flow. This 60-minute Vinyasa Yoga class with blends creative sequencing, intentional breathwork, and energizing movement into a dynamic full-body practice. Flow to vibrant tunes as you explore strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility, with space to challenge yourself or slow things down. Come as you are and leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and reconnected. 25 Zumba/Dance Fitness Mandy Hickson Courtyard 2:00 to 3:00 pm Move, Groove & Have Fun! Get ready to dance, sweat, and have fun! Zumba is a high-energy, Latin-inspired fitness class that combines easy-to-follow dance moves with upbeat music from around the world. No dance experience is required - just bring your energy and be ready to move!What to bring: Comfortable clothing, running shoes, and a water bottle. 25 Cookie Decoration - Get Baked Bakery Macy E302 2:00 to 3:00 pm Get creative and welcome the season with our early fall-themed cookie decorating session! Decorate delicious cookies with autumn-inspired colours and designs, and enjoy a fun, hands-on activity with colleagues. 20 Diamond Art Drop Ins Open House E301 2:00 to 3:00 pm Take a break and get creative with a relaxing diamond art activity! Drop in anytime during the session to place colourful gems and create your own sparkling design at your own pace. 20 Wine Tasting Vintage Wine and Spirits D308 3:00 to 4:00 pm Enjoy a relaxed wine tasting experience, explore different flavours and unwind while connecting with colleagues. 40 Restorative Sound Bath Megan Mahoney Fitness Studio 3:00 to 4:00 pm Take a moment to slow down, relax, and recharge with a calming sound bath meditation. Let the soothing sounds create a peaceful space to unwind and refresh your mind. 25 Belly Dancing Marilee Nugent Theatre 3:00 to 4:00 pm Get moving and have some fun with an energizing belly dancing session! Learn some fun moves, enjoy the music, and let loose in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. 25 Professional Headshots Randy Vanderveen Alumni Lounge 3:00 to 4:00 pm Stop by for a quick professional headshot session! Refresh your profile photo and capture a polished, professional image while you’re here. 10 Diamond Art Drop Ins Open House E301 3:00 to 4:00 pm Take a break and get creative with a relaxing diamond art activity! Drop in anytime during the session to place colourful gems and create your own sparkling design at your own pace. 20 Learning Commons - Silent Book Club Library Library 3:00 to 4:00 pm Take some quiet time to relax and enjoy a good book. Bring your own book or choose one from the library, find a cozy spot, and enjoy some peaceful reading. 50 NWP Values Award NWP Values Award aligns NWP's Purpose and Values with fostering creativity, confidence, and ambition to make a difference in the lives of others. This award recognizes excellence in the areas of Innovation and Responsiveness as we seek to empower success at Northwestern Polytechnic. For this award, 'excellence' is defined as one who demonstrates that as Northwesterner’s: We are innovative, entrepreneurial, and market-driven in our teaching, learning and how we operate. We are responsive to our students, our market, and our internal and external community. Values set the tone for our culture. In addition to being a guide to NWP’s approach on campus and in the broader learning community, our values have the potential to motivate and inspire. This award recognizes staff and faculty who demonstrate excellence in the areas of Innovation and Responsiveness and who do their best to spark and empower success at Northwestern Polytechnic. For this award 'excellence' is defined as one who demonstrates a commitment to being: innovative, entrepreneurial, and market driven in our teaching, learning and how we operate. responsive to our students, our market, and our internal and external community. Examples may include: Demonstrating exceptional initiative, perseverance, accountability or commitment in meeting or exceeding client (including other staff or students) needs, project deliverables, or goals. Pursuing excellence through actions of integrity and perseverance, demonstrating high accountability in ethical decision making. Responding to clients (including other staff or students) quickly and effectively with innovative and integrated solutions. Helping NWP become a top employer by creating a supportive environment where team members are motivated, engaged, loyal, and proud. These characteristics associated with the following criteria will serve as a guide to the award recipients. The following will provide the necessary context to a nominator on how a nominee may demonstrate distinction or excellence. Innovation and Responsiveness Generating and driving new ideas, collaborations, resources and processes to align NWP’s purpose and values to foster creativity, confidence, ambition and make a difference in the lives of others. Examples include: Applying original thinking in approach to job responsibilities or projects and research; generating or improving ideas, devices, processes, services, etc. Engaging in or fostering an environment of creativity; contributing to or facilitating problem solving, bringing forth innovative ideas and creative solutions. Proactively seeking opportunities to learn about new technologies, best practices, tools or systems to enhance work methods, processes and approaches. Seeking and listening to different points of view and respects differing opinions when developing solutions; separates own interests from the larger polytechnic interest to generate the best solution. Showing initiative to enhance current procedures, policies, systems or structures to be more efficient and effective, save time or money, or improve the experience of end users. Be a leader of change within the organization. Demonstrating exemplary community service and volunteerism through involvement with the polytechnic community that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Nominations are closed for 2025. It is preferable that packages are coordinated and submitted by the primary nominator. Completed nomination packages should be submitted to @email – Please tag the submission as “Outstanding Staff Award” in the subject line. The Review Committee will meet between June 1 and June 30 to discuss nominations and select award recipients. Awards Selection Process The nomination review committee for the staff awards consists of: Human Resources Director Two (2) additional committee members appointed by the HR Director Executive Assistant (Secretariat, non-voting) The granting of the award will be done by consensus. An Award may be withheld at the discretion of the committee. It is the nominator’s/nominee’s responsibility to gather and submit all components of the nomination package as identified in the “Nomination Checklist” for each award. Incomplete nomination packages will not be reviewed. NWP Values Award One award may be allotted each academic year to outstanding staff members in any Division Eligibility: All faculty, support and administrative staff. Executive members excluded. Criteria: The criteria reflect NWP’s Values and Dedication to Staff, Students, and/or Community Members. Nomination letters should clearly show how the nominee is innovative, entrepreneurial, and market driven in their approach. Nominees are responsive to our students, our market and our internal and external community by Applying original thinking in approach to job responsibilities or projects and research; generating or improving ideas, devices, processes, and services. etc Engaging in or fostering an environment of creativity; contributing to or facilitating problem solving, bringing forth innovative ideas and creative solutions. Proactively seeking opportunities to learn about new technologies, best practices, tools or systems to enhance work methods, processes and approaches. Determining direct organizational impact to innovation and responsiveness as it relates to staff, students, community (other). Nomination Checklist: Three (3) Letters of Nomination from three different people (maximum 2-pages per letter), and Acceptance of nomination by nominee in writing. Announcements The President will announce the recipients of the NWP Values Award at the NWP Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony in August. The awarded recipients receive a framed certificate and are featured in our NWP communications. The nominees who are not selected for an award will receive a letter of recognition. NWP Values Award aligns NWP's Purpose and Values with fostering creativity, confidence, and ambition to make a difference in the lives of others. This award recognizes excellence in the areas of Innovation and Responsiveness as we seek to empower success at Northwestern Polytechnic. For this award, 'excellence' is defined as one who demonstrates that as Northwesterner’s: We are innovative, entrepreneurial, and market-driven in our teaching, learning and how we operate. We are responsive to our students, our market, and our internal and external community. Values set the tone for our culture. In addition to being a guide to NWP’s approach on campus and in the broader learning community, our values have the potential to motivate and inspire. This award recognizes staff and faculty who demonstrate excellence in the areas of Innovation and Responsiveness and who do their best to spark and empower success at Northwestern Polytechnic. For this award 'excellence' is defined as one who demonstrates a commitment to being: innovative, entrepreneurial, and market driven in our teaching, learning and how we operate. responsive to our students, our market, and our internal and external community. Examples may include: Demonstrating exceptional initiative, perseverance, accountability or commitment in meeting or exceeding client (including other staff or students) needs, project deliverables, or goals. Pursuing excellence through actions of integrity and perseverance, demonstrating high accountability in ethical decision making. Responding to clients (including other staff or students) quickly and effectively with innovative and integrated solutions. Helping NWP become a top employer by creating a supportive environment where team members are motivated, engaged, loyal, and proud. These characteristics associated with the following criteria will serve as a guide to the award recipients. The following will provide the necessary context to a nominator on how a nominee may demonstrate distinction or excellence. Innovation and Responsiveness Generating and driving new ideas, collaborations, resources and processes to align NWP’s purpose and values to foster creativity, confidence, ambition and make a difference in the lives of others. Examples include: Applying original thinking in approach to job responsibilities or projects and research; generating or improving ideas, devices, processes, services, etc. Engaging in or fostering an environment of creativity; contributing to or facilitating problem solving, bringing forth innovative ideas and creative solutions. Proactively seeking opportunities to learn about new technologies, best practices, tools or systems to enhance work methods, processes and approaches. Seeking and listening to different points of view and respects differing opinions when developing solutions; separates own interests from the larger polytechnic interest to generate the best solution. Showing initiative to enhance current procedures, policies, systems or structures to be more efficient and effective, save time or money, or improve the experience of end users. Be a leader of change within the organization. Demonstrating exemplary community service and volunteerism through involvement with the polytechnic community that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Nominations are closed for 2025. It is preferable that packages are coordinated and submitted by the primary nominator. Completed nomination packages should be submitted to @email – Please tag the submission as “Outstanding Staff Award” in the subject line. The Review Committee will meet between June 1 and June 30 to discuss nominations and select award recipients. Awards Selection Process The nomination review committee for the staff awards consists of: Human Resources Director Two (2) additional committee members appointed by the HR Director Executive Assistant (Secretariat, non-voting) The granting of the award will be done by consensus. An Award may be withheld at the discretion of the committee. It is the nominator’s/nominee’s responsibility to gather and submit all components of the nomination package as identified in the “Nomination Checklist” for each award. Incomplete nomination packages will not be reviewed. NWP Values Award One award may be allotted each academic year to outstanding staff members in any Division Eligibility: All faculty, support and administrative staff. Executive members excluded. Criteria: The criteria reflect NWP’s Values and Dedication to Staff, Students, and/or Community Members. Nomination letters should clearly show how the nominee is innovative, entrepreneurial, and market driven in their approach. Nominees are responsive to our students, our market and our internal and external community by Applying original thinking in approach to job responsibilities or projects and research; generating or improving ideas, devices, processes, and services. etc Engaging in or fostering an environment of creativity; contributing to or facilitating problem solving, bringing forth innovative ideas and creative solutions. Proactively seeking opportunities to learn about new technologies, best practices, tools or systems to enhance work methods, processes and approaches. Determining direct organizational impact to innovation and responsiveness as it relates to staff, students, community (other). Nomination Checklist: Three (3) Letters of Nomination from three different people (maximum 2-pages per letter), and Acceptance of nomination by nominee in writing. Announcements The President will announce the recipients of the NWP Values Award at the NWP Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony in August. The awarded recipients receive a framed certificate and are featured in our NWP communications. The nominees who are not selected for an award will receive a letter of recognition. Show More add Show Less close Outstanding Staff Award Every year, the Outstanding Staff Award provides an opportunity to recognize staff members at NWP who demonstrate excellence and dedication. Nominations for the 2025 Outstanding Staff Award are closed. Nominators do not have to work directly with the nominee. Managers can nominate their staff and employees can nominate their managers or peers. It is preferable that packages are coordinated and submitted by the primary nominator. Completed nomination packages should be submitted to @email – Please tag the submission as “Outstanding Staff Award” in the subject line. The Review Committee will meet between June 1 and June 30 to discuss nominations and select award recipients. Award Selection Process The nomination review committee for the staff awards consists of: Vice-President Academic and Research Vice-President Corporate Services Vice-President Entrepreneurship & Partnerships Executive Assistant (Secretariat, non-voting) The granting of each award will be done by consensus. Awards may be withheld at the discretion of the committee. It is the nominator’s/nominee’s responsibility to gather and submit all components of the nomination package as identified in the “Nomination Checklist” for each award. Incomplete nomination packages will not be reviewed. Outstanding Staff Award One award may be allotted each academic year to outstanding staff members in each of the following Divisions: Academic and Research Corporate Services Entrepreneurship & Partnerships Eligibility: All non-instructional staff. Executive members excluded. Criteria: The criteria reflect NWP’s Values and Dedication to Staff, Students, and/or Community Members. Nomination letters should clearly show how the nominee demonstrates the following criteria. Innovation Responsiveness Dedication to staff, students, and/or community members Nomination Checklist: Three (3) Letters of Nomination from three different people (maximum 2-pages per letter), and Acceptance of nomination by nominee in writing. Announcements The Vice-Presidents will announce the recipients of the Outstanding Staff Award(s) by June 15, with formal recognition at the NWP Employee Recognition events in August. The awarded recipients receive a framed certificate and are featured in an NWP communication. The nominees who are not selected for an award will receive a letter of recognition. Every year, the Outstanding Staff Award provides an opportunity to recognize staff members at NWP who demonstrate excellence and dedication. Nominations for the 2025 Outstanding Staff Award are closed. Nominators do not have to work directly with the nominee. Managers can nominate their staff and employees can nominate their managers or peers. It is preferable that packages are coordinated and submitted by the primary nominator. Completed nomination packages should be submitted to @email – Please tag the submission as “Outstanding Staff Award” in the subject line. The Review Committee will meet between June 1 and June 30 to discuss nominations and select award recipients. Award Selection Process The nomination review committee for the staff awards consists of: Vice-President Academic and Research Vice-President Corporate Services Vice-President Entrepreneurship & Partnerships Executive Assistant (Secretariat, non-voting) The granting of each award will be done by consensus. Awards may be withheld at the discretion of the committee. It is the nominator’s/nominee’s responsibility to gather and submit all components of the nomination package as identified in the “Nomination Checklist” for each award. Incomplete nomination packages will not be reviewed. Outstanding Staff Award One award may be allotted each academic year to outstanding staff members in each of the following Divisions: Academic and Research Corporate Services Entrepreneurship & Partnerships Eligibility: All non-instructional staff. Executive members excluded. Criteria: The criteria reflect NWP’s Values and Dedication to Staff, Students, and/or Community Members. Nomination letters should clearly show how the nominee demonstrates the following criteria. Innovation Responsiveness Dedication to staff, students, and/or community members Nomination Checklist: Three (3) Letters of Nomination from three different people (maximum 2-pages per letter), and Acceptance of nomination by nominee in writing. Announcements The Vice-Presidents will announce the recipients of the Outstanding Staff Award(s) by June 15, with formal recognition at the NWP Employee Recognition events in August. The awarded recipients receive a framed certificate and are featured in an NWP communication. The nominees who are not selected for an award will receive a letter of recognition. Show More add Show Less close Get in Touch Human Resources Office: E316 Campus: Grande Prairie Campus Phone: 780-539-2003 Email: humanresources@nwpolytech.ca