NIC Acting President Lisa Domae recently honoured NIC’s latest Emeritus employees, Mickey Bliss, Cathy Clark and Nick Robinson.
The designation recognizes their outstanding service to NIC and the broader educational community and provides an opportunity for recipients to continue their involvement in NIC activities after retirement.
“We are proud to honour these exceptional faculty,” said Domae. “Together, they have enriched the learning experiences of thousands of NIC students who studied with them in their combined 81 years of service at NIC.”
Mickey Bliss joined NIC in 1992, developing NIC’s first Electrical Foundation and Electrician Apprentice programs. As department chair, he also assisted with the growth of NIC’s Electronics Technician and Industrial Automation programs.
“Mickey Bliss is quite comfortably one of the best teachers I have ever had,” said a former student. “He obviously enjoys teaching and works hard to ensure students do too.”
He has been a leader in the classroom, developing curriculum and innovative uses of educational technologies, including interactive projectors and online testing. In 2015, he received an international Excellence in Teaching Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD).
Cathy Clark has made a significant contribution to NIC’s student success and development, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, nursing scholarship and the nursing profession in Canada.
She was instrumental in creating NIC’s Global Learning Initiative, which fosters awareness of global issues through partnerships between NIC nursing students, local communities and individuals. As part of the initiative, she organized multiple instructor-led practicums to Nepal, providing students with a rich global health experience.
“I’m honoured and humbled to receive this designation,” said Clark, who returned from her latest trip this month. “After 21 years, I am so enthused about the direction of NIC and seeing nursing students flourish in their practicums. That pride doesn’t go away when you retire.”
Nick Robinson joined NIC in 1980, displaying teaching excellence in a variety of business administration courses as well as numerous publications and committees.
Known as the ‘godfather’ of NIC’s School of Business, Robinson was “as passionate in his 36th year of teaching, as he was in his earlier years,” said Bill Parkinson, NIC’s School of Business Department Chair.
As part of his passion for hands-on learning, Robinson’s students investigated international trade opportunities for real businesses. In some projects, NIC students worked with students at partner universities in Mexico, Poland, France and Germany. In others, they worked through CUSO International to assist social enterprises in developing countries.
NIC alumnus Kelsey Anglin credits Robinson for helping her obtain an Irving Barber Scholarship and make the most of exchanges to Poland’s Warsaw School of Economics and Kapiolani Community College in Hawaii.
“He’s very active on the world scene and promotes NIC on a global scale,” she said. “Having him teach us economics helped me see what was possible.”
Recipients take part in mentorship and scholarship activities, research, strategic planning and graduation and have continued access to NIC facilities, services and support.
Faculty, support and administrative staff nominate their peers. NIC’s Emeritus Selection Committee reviews applications annually and recommends recipients to NIC’s president and senior leadership team. To be eligible, recipients must work at NIC for at least 10 years, demonstrate teaching, service or research excellence and contribute significantly to student success or the educational community.
To learn more about NIC’s dedicated faculty visit www.nic.bc.ca/about-us/nic-faculty/.
Media Contact
Christiana Wiens
Media Liaison, North Island College
O. 250-334-5280 | M. 250-218-4097
christiana.wiens@nic.bc.ca
