It’s been a busy few weeks for Portage College’s new administrative boss.
When Dr. Stephen Price became the new President at northeastern Alberta’s Portage College in October, there was a lot of local curiosity about the former Dean of the Faculty of Health, Community and Education at Calgary’s Mount Royal University. What kind of a president will he be? What successful tactics from 25 years at Mount Royal will he bring to Portage? How will the transition from former president Nancy Broadbent play out? How will he use his decades of administrative experience in post-secondary education to continue Portage’s growing success story?
But perhaps the most pressing question for the one-time Fort McMurray resident who has spent the last 25 years in Calgary is … Oilers or Flames?
Don’t panic northerners – the new guy’s an Oilers fan. Big time – although he admits with a grin, his admiration for Gretzky made him a part-time Kings fan when The Great One went to LA.
With that big question out of the way, what about the others?
All great questions, says Dr. Price, who prefers to be called Steve when he’s face-to-face.
And over the last several weeks, Steve has been face-to-face with many area residents, fielding those questions and many more. He’s been offered recipes for local fish dishes, shown Indigenous arts and crafts, and flipped hundreds of burgers at community events. He has learned about local landmarks, culture, and history, been invited on tours and fishing trips and attended Open House events at each Portage College campus. Whether it’s a grand opening in Lac La Biche, a business awards night in Cold Lake, an entrepreneurial gathering at Power Up North in St. Paul, staff and student welcome events, or a community barbecue in an Indigenous community, Steve has been everywhere — smiling, shaking hands, and representing the spirit of Portage College.
Giving full credit to the Portage employees and community supporters who organize the engagement events, Steve is anticipating more opportunities to spread the Portage College vision and to hear from community members.
“I’m excited about being here, learning about the community and where we are going,” he said.
For Steve, that journey is about ensuring students can learn, train, and succeed right in their own communities. At every event, he hears a similar message: people want opportunities close to home. They want their young people to stay, study, and build their futures in the region. He knows the draw of the “big city” can be enticing for the younger residents, but he knows the draw to learn, train and work locally can be just as strong.
“It’s a powerful thing,” Steve said. “Education strengthens the community it’s in. That’s why we need strong, locally delivered programs — and why community input matters so much.”
He has met with Chiefs, mayors, councils, elders, and business leaders — all expressing the same hope that their children and community members have access to the programs and supports they need without having to leave home. The partnership between Portage College and the region’s communities, he says, “empowers everyone involved.”
As he learns about the community and the community learns about him, Steve is also getting to know Portage College. He says it’s been rewarding to learn about the College from his own explorations as well as interactions with employees, students, and community members.
“Portage College has a strong foundation. My job is to look, listen, learn, and build on that strength so our students can thrive right where they live,” he said.
As he continues to meet people across the region, Steve is listening closely — gathering stories, suggestions, and ideas for that future. He calls it “intentional adventuring,” a nod to the College’s name and the metaphor of a portage — bridging pathways and moving forward.
Steve and outgoing President Nancy Broadbent will continue to work in tandem for the next few weeks, attending meetings and hosting events as the transition process continues. Broadbent, who has been at Portage College for more than 30 years, has held the president’s position since 2019. She announced her retirement last year, with plans to formally exit the post by the end of November.
While it’s been a whirlwind few weeks of presentations, meetings and conversations, the move represents both a professional milestone and a personal opportunity for the new president. He is excited to join a college with a strong connection to its region and a history of serving learners in remote areas. He looks forward to learning more about the College, the region and the people while using his own experience to steer a path forward. After all, learning, like a successful portage, Steve says, takes time, teamwork, and an unwavering determination to venture forward.
“It’s an adventure, a journey that takes all of us,” he said.
