Prairie College is a private, interdenominational Christian college in Three Hills, Alberta.

With a commitment to academic excellence and spiritual discipleship, combined with a genuine and welcoming community, the school offers a formative life-changing experience. With 440+ students from all corners of the globe, 28 programs, and a network of 17,000 alumni, this dynamic campus community is globally-minded and driven to meet the greatest needs of the world.

L.E. Maxwell, Prairie’s Co-Founder and my grandfather, shared that “None of us dreamed what God was going to do out here on these barren prairies.”

In truth, no one could have dreamed that over the years 17,000 students would leave this place prepared to serve God in 114 countries around the world.

My prayer is that you would join that legacy, and that all of us in this community will catch a glimpse of the need that is so evident at home and abroad, and in response, take up the call to obey.

Mark Maxwell, President

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“Prairie is a Little Piece of Heaven on Earth”

From the foundation of the school in 1922, our heartbeat has been “To know Christ and make Him known.” We continue in that tradition, in alignment with the global church.

Board of Directors

Dr. Joshua Bogunjoko

Chair - LONDON

Dr. Jeffrey Suderman

Vice Chair - California

Mr. Brad Farquhar

TREASURER - SASKATCHEWAN

Mrs. Ruth Borthistle

British Columbia

Mr. Harold Cooper

Alberta

Mr. Kevin Price

Alberta

Mr. Dana Rekow

WASHINGTON

Mr. Peter Wall

Alberta

President's Reports to Board of Directors

Peek over Mark’s shoulder to hear his perspective on how the business of Prairie is progressing.

Communications & Resources

The Communications & Resources page provides a convenient way to explore Prairie’s strategic plan, annual reports, Servant magazine, books and social media platforms.

“It is a long way from the marketplace in a village in Africa to the marketplace in the financial district of downtown Toronto, but that summarizes the scope of the experiences I have been privileged to have enjoyed,” says Mark Maxwell, President of Prairie College.

A dual US/Canadian citizen, born to missionary parents in Nigeria, West Africa, Mark earned a BA in Business Administration at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. in 1981 and an MBA in Finance at Baylor University in Waco, Texas in 1984.

Mark went on to further training specific to the investment industry by completing the CFA in 1991. His investment industry licenses have included the qualification of “Partner, Director and Officer” (“PDO”) by the Investment Dealers Association as well as an “Investment Counselor & Portfolio Manager” (“IC/PM”) by the Ontario Securities Commission.

As a young man, Mark had a dream – to use business to support charities. In pursuit of that vision, Mark finished university studies and spent 20 years in investment banking, brokerage and portfolio management. In the process, he and his wife, Elaine, had the opportunity to help build three investment management companies, travel widely and cheer for many of their heroes, the people who work in the charities they have been privileged to partner with.

The experience of building companies and membership on various boards has given Mark and Elaine broad exposure to management and organizational governance so that both are now able to contribute actively at Prairie.

At the top of his “special interests” list are his three daughters, two sons-in-law,  and five grandchildren. He enjoys reading, golfing, travelling, game nights around the table, and people.

Prairie College is authorized to grant divinity degrees by the Province of Alberta.

Prairie College is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.207.0808) to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master’s levels. 

Appeals to ABHE can be made to address above or to coa@abhe.org.  For more information and to find the appeal form please visit their website.  

ABHE is an institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education.  Prairie College’s accreditation was renewed for 10 years in 2022.    

Our accreditation by ABHE and our degree-granting authority from the province of Alberta means that your education can provide options in ministry, the marketplace and for future study.  

Recent graduates have gone on to pursue graduate and post-graduate education (masters and doctorate programs) at schools such as Trinity Western University, Regent College, Tyndale Seminary, University of Toronto, University of Nottingham, Yale Divinity School, University of Chicago and many others.  

If you have any questions or if you would like more information, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@prairie.edu or 403.443.3044.

Board Chair | Ontario

Growing up in a pastor’s family, my first exposure to Prairie was a touring PBI musical team who visited our church. I was impressed by the team members who stayed in our home, and I continue to be impressed today by the quality of the young men and women who are Prairie students.

Having graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, I subsequently received a Chartered Accountant designation in 1981. 

After five years in public accounting, I began a thirty-year career in hospital administration, initially as a Vice President of Finance and then as a hospital CEO. 

I also served with the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation, accrediting hospitals in Canada and around the world. My wife Peggy and I reside in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, and our three grown children live in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Virginia.

It is my privilege to serve on Prairie’s Board of Directors because I believe passionately in the core values of the College. We desperately need dynamic schools that are Christ-centred and Bible-based; schools that graduate men and women who are effectively discipled and mission-focused. I’m also excited about Prairie’s future. We have a committed and skilled leadership team, an outstanding faculty and staff, and a well-considered plan to update our facilities to meet the needs of the future. I pray that Prairie will continue to have a godly influence on the lives of students and, through them, a deep and abiding impact for Christ in North America and around the world.

Canada & United States Application

Fall 2024 (September start), Winter 2025 (January start), and Online Education (start anytime) applications are open. 

** Applications are free for the month of March. Use code MARCHFREE **

International Student Application

Prairie welcomes applications from individuals all around the world! To begin the International Student Application please click the link below. 

Master's Application

If you are applying for the Master of Christian Ministry Leadership or the Master of Global Christian Educational Leadership please click the link below. 

Information Request

Tell us a bit about yourself and an admissions representative will be in touch shortly!

Here are key opportunities you can partner with Prairie

We have launched our Campaign for Greater Impact to provide students with the very best learning opportunities and campus facilities for the decades ahead. 

In Phase One of this Campaign, we plan to invest in much-needed campus renewal, including: upgraded Infrastructure, a new Student Residence, Cafeteria, Worship Auditorium, and expanded Aviation Training Centre. A modern campus requires an investment that is bold, and even expensive, but each Campaign Project is strategic, and designed to enhance Prairie’s campus and student life experience.

Expansion of Prairie Aviation Training Centre

This expansion of PATC’s facility is a key project of Prairie’s Campaign for Greater Impact. It will increase the College’s capacity to train a new generation of Christian aviators to serve God in missions, and also address the growing need for trained pilots in the commercial aviation sector.

Scholarships & Education Fund

Invest in the next generation of missional professionals. Each year Prairie College distributes over $500,000 in scholarships and bursaries to students. We are grateful for each gift that reduces the burden of students’ tuition and allows students to fulfill their God-given professions.

Prison Bible Encounter Program

Encourage inmates in five institutions across Alberta to discover or reconnect with Jesus Christ. This fund assists the students studying the Certificate in Bible program with scholarships, resources for classes, and instruction. 

General Ministries

Prairie College is educating students to pursue a Biblical foundation for life and career.  Your contribution to this fund assists in minimizing the College’s general operating expenses.  

To allocate your gift, please select one of the donation buttons below.