News Archives: Kim Richardson: Growth and Dedication
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024
NWP Associate Dean of Student Life
Kim Richardson, Associate Dean of Student Life at Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP), longtime advocate for students, and dedicated Wolfpack member, has a story with many meaningful chapters.
With a career spanning over three decades, Kim has dedicated her professional life to shaping the student experience at NWP. She started her career as an office assistant in 1989 - a position she fondly remembers as her "stenographer" role. But it was her natural dedication and commitment to student wellbeing that enabled her to have an impact in other core roles across the institution.
In 2002, she became Residence Manager. For the next two decades, Kim oversaw campus accommodation and helped new students get settled, before getting promoted to the Associate Dean of Student Life role. “The opportunity presented itself and I felt that I could serve the institution well in this capacity," she mentions, expressing her passion for her work.
Throughout her time at NWP, Kim has witnessed countless students grow and transition from their tentative first years to successful post-graduation ventures. “It’s amazing to see former students who had lived in residence when I was the Residence Manager and now, they have families and careers.”
Kim's relationship with NWP extends beyond her professional life. Her journey at NWP began not as staff, but as a student.
"I wear my alumni status with pride. As a former student here, I think it's an incredible institution,” said Kim.
Kim caught the learning bug while working as a carhop at A&W. A pivotal meeting with an academic advisor led her to the Business Administration program, setting the stage for her long-running career within the institution.
Kim is an astute observer and an energetic fixture in the campus and learning community landscape that has transformed around her.
“When I first started here, I remember looking out the window of my office and seeing nothing but fields. The Grande Prairie community has expanded so much,” Kim explains. Fast forward to the present day and the same view now features stores, residential areas, along with the state-of-the-art Grande Prairie Regional Hospital which houses NWP’s impressive Health Education Centre.
From open fields surrounding a college to the bustling developments and polytechnic progress seen today, Kim's story mirrors the community's extensive evolution. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for her, the community, and Northwestern Polytechnic.
