MLA Coralee Oakes, Cathy Ashurst and Lieutenant Governor of BC Judy Guichon- photo submitted

Victoria, B.C.- A retired CNC regional director has been honoured at the provincial level for her long-time commitment to the community.

Cathy Ashurst, former regional director at CNC’s Burns Lake campus, is the recipient of a 2014 BC Achievement Award.

She was selected for lasting contributions to the socio, economic and educational life in the Bulkley-Nechako regional district, Village of Burns Lake and First Nations communities.

“I’m very honoured. This was such a surprise” says Ashurst,  “But I do feel like a bit of an imposter taking credit for my many colleagues and the community people who all contributed to the accomplishments.”

In jointly putting forward the nomination, officials from the village and college said, “Cathy Ashurst is a dedicated and inspiring community leader. Under her 25 years of visionary leadership, the Lakes District Campus of the College of New Caledonia in Burns Lake has become the hub of the community.”

She is being credited with developing innovative programming and developing partnerships between local First Nations and the College,  partnerships that are now role models for other post secondary institutions in the province.