# Alumni Among Us: Three Generations

When three generations of women from the same family sit down to talk about their lives and education, the conversation covers decades of local history, hard work, and family connection. Ruby Mitchell, her daughter-in-law Diana Mitchell, and Diana's daughter Coline Casey (formerly Mitchell) all attended Northern Lights College (NLC) at different points in its history.

Ruby Mitchell: Setting the Foundation

For Ruby Mitchell, going back to school as an adult was a practical step driven by long-term goals.

After moving to the Peace Region as a young girl, Ruby spent years working, raising a family, and supporting her husband, Dennis, as he built his law practice in Dawson Creek. Wanting to eventually apply to law school as a mature student, Ruby enrolled at NLC in the 1980s and completed a General Arts Certificate in 1985.

"I went to school at night and babysat other people's kids in the daytime... I wanted to go to college and get the certification an adult senior-type student could get to get into law school," Ruby recalled. "All the others were your age... so they called us the 'old hens.' But education is never wasted."

Though her career path led to working 30 to 40 years as a legal secretary instead of a lawyer, her time at NLC established a strong value on education that passed directly to her family.

Diana Mitchell: Balancing Family and Career

Following her mother-in-law's lead, Diana Mitchell enrolled at NLC in fall 1992, graduating in 1993 from the Business Administration certificate program.

At that time, Diana was a stay-at-home mom, returning to school while raising three young children, including an eight-year-old Coline. She had to manage a busy household alongside her coursework.

"That was the one thing I knew I had to juggle: how was I going to do what I needed to do and still make sure all of my family's needs were being met," Diana said. "My husband was very supportive... I actually had a sign made that said 'Mom's busy, take a number!' I was locked in my room doing homework, but it had to be done to the best of my ability."

The practical training Diana received at NLC, including learning to type and managing office procedures, gave her the foundation she needed to re-enter the local workforce.

Coline Casey: Growth, Culture, and Recognition

Diana's daughter Coline Casey attended NLC twice. She first completed the Applied Business Technology program in 2013, then returned in 2020 during online learning to take the Business Management diploma program.

Coline adapted through the shift from remote learning back to in-person classes, graduating in 2022 as Valedictorian. She also received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Inclusion, Democracy, and Reconciliation.

For Coline, who is Métis, NLC provided a meaningful connection to her heritage through the campus Indigenous Gathering Place and staff like Teresa Gladue.

"My first connection to culture was actually at Northern Lights College," Coline says. "When we did orientation, they brought us into the Indigenous Gathering Place... I was so excited to experience that and get teachings." 

Coline’s exploration of her culture has led to her current career, as the Director of Indigenous Education at Northern Lights College.

A Shared Family Connection

Spanning nearly 40 years, the Mitchell women’s history highlights how local post-secondary options support students across different stages of life.

For Diana, having a college close to home made all the difference:

"Being small-town people, living in a small town, having the college and that opportunity to receive further education that could really give you an opportunity to work anywhere in the world is a blessing," Diana says. "It's wonderful to have that facility."

From night classes and typing on paper to online group work and business management, Ruby, Diana, and Coline show how access to local education shapes careers and families across generations.