Oshawa, Ont. – For over 15 years, President Don Lovisa has been at the helm of Durham College. Today he announced to employees at a Town Hall meeting, that he will not renew his contract after March 2024.

Under Lovisa’s leadership, Durham College (DC) has thrived, evidenced by an impressive track record of success focused on students, employees and the community.

“As a leader, Don embodies Durham College’s mission: Together, we’re leading the way,” said Gary Rose, Chair of the Board of Governors. “His vision for the college has truly come to life through his innovative, forward-looking and collaborative approach. DC has grown exponentially throughout his tenure. He has not only met challenges with tenacity but welcomed opportunities that have positioned DC as a leader in post-secondary education and an invaluable asset in the community.”

Since Lovisa’s presidency began in 2008, DC has experienced significant enrolment growth, supported by the introduction of a number of new leading-edge programs driven by community and industry needs, including five new honours bachelor’s degrees.

On campus, Lovisa spearheaded over $300 million in capital investment projects focused on expansion and modernization of DC’s working and learning spaces, including the Student Services Building, Centre for Collaborative Education, Energy and Innovation Centre and the expansion of the Whitby Campus, including the Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology, the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food and the Centre for Organic Regeneration. Most recently, the Centre for Innovation and Research opened, which houses four of DC’s six applied research centres, all of which have opened during Lovisa’s time as president.

DC’s collaborative, innovative and hard-working culture is a testament to Lovisa’s energy, passion and priorities. It has led to recognition as one of the Greater Toronto Top Employers, Greenest Employer and one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges, securing DC’s reputation locally, nationally and internationally as a college of choice, a community partner and a leader.

Lovisa is a lifelong advocate for education, lending his voice and experience to several areas, including improved training in skilled trades and equity in international education. In addition, he has been Chair of Colleges Ontario and a member of the CICan Board of Directors, furthering DC’s presence in the education sector.

“It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve as president of Durham College and work alongside our talented leadership team, employees, the Board of Governors and industry and community partners. Being part of an organization that makes such positive and significant changes that impact our students and our community has been the highlight of my career,” said Lovisa. “I am proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to watching DC continue to lead the way in the future.”

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About Durham College
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs.

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

MEDIA CONTACT
Lindsay Holley
Communications and Marketing
lindsay.holley@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, ON – Durham College (DC) has announced a name for its state-of-the-art softball field, which reopened in September 2022 after renovations. The home of the Durham Lords women’s softball team will now be known as Babcock Field, in honour of director of Athletics and Recreation Ken Babcock, who is retiring after 36 years of dedicated service to DC.

The new name was unveiled during Babcock’s retirement celebration at the Campus Ice Centre restaurant, 2200 North on Monday, May 8.

“Ken’s tireless efforts and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on our institution and the naming of this field demonstrates his lasting impact,” said Tara Koski, dean, Students.

DC’s athletic program has flourished under Babcock’s leadership. During his tenure, the Lords have won 116 provincial championships and 22 national championships. He has also spearheaded the addition of numerous athletic facilities, including the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, the Campus Ice Centre, and the softball field that will now bear his name.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by Durham College this way,” said Babcock. “I am proud that my name will be on the field that I know will provide memorable experiences for students for years to come.”

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About Durham College
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. 

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

Media contact:
Jason Chamberlain
Communications and Marketing
jason.chamberlain@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) celebrated the opening of its Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) on Thursday, a collaborative, state-of-the-art space designed to fuel creative thinking, networking and synergistic partnerships between DC and the community.

“This innovative new space helps us continue driving change and adapt to meet the needs of our evolving educational, technological and community landscape,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The opportunities in research, innovation and experiential learning are truly endless.” 

The CIR is home to the college’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) and four of six applied research centres, including the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, Mixed Reality Capture Studio and the Social Impact Hub, as well as the Institutional Research Team and the Experiential Learning Hub.

“Over the past year, we’ve received and invested over $5 million that have allowed us to build a state-of-the-art cybersecurity research lab, engage in collaborative research with other Canadian colleges to address the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, and help many small and medium-sized businesses grow and innovate,” added Lovisa.

Rick Menassa, a member of DC’s AI Hub Technical Advisory Committee and CEO of Health Espresso and ICARE Home Health, spoke during the grand opening about the quality of student talent developed at DC thanks to experiential learning offered at DC.

“We consistently hire DC graduates who are ready to fill positions right away. They deliver with excellence, which is a testament to the strategic leadership planning, faculty adaptivity to the changing market needs and types of learning provided at the college,” said Menassa. “DC graduates are equipped with the hands-on skills they need in the workforce, which is why at Health Espresso, two of our three team leaders and 25% of our development team are DC graduates. They go out there and make things better, and the CIR is a place to make that happen.”

DC is committed to experiential learning for students and the CIR will provide students unique hands-on learning opportunities that boost their confidence, skillset and future employability.

First-year DC journalism student, Andrew Neary, has participated in two Experiential Learning Hub projects, including a Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada entrepreneurial podcast called Founders Drive, which recently took home first place at the Enactus Canada regional competition, as well as a virtual reality project that’s part of a Mitacs research internship.

“Being part of the Founders Drive CEWIL Canada project made my college experience better than I could have hoped and allowed me to apply my personal experiences, skills, and interests to my work,” he said at the opening. “To have the chance to create something with the skills I’m developing, learn from industry partners, and develop a sense of community and teamwork is unmatched.” 

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ABOUT DURHAM COLLEGE
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. 

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

MEDIA CONTACT
Carmen Doucette
Communications Officer
Durham College
Carmen.doucette@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, ON – The future is green at Durham College (DC), which was named one of Canada’s 2023 Greenest Employers for the seventh consecutive year by MediaCorp Canada Inc. for its efforts to incorporate environmental values into everyday culture through its greener initiatives.

Among the many celebrated reasons for selection as a Greenest Employer, recognized initiatives highlighted in this year’s application included DC’s:

• Launch of the new Centre for Organic Regeneration and the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture;
• Two-time Silver Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) rating; and
• Ongoing sustainable practices in harvesting, storing, processing, packaging and selling local food at the Galen Weston Centre for Food.

“It’s an honour to be named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers again and emphasize our commitment and motivation toward a greener future,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “The breadth of our sustainability projects and focus on green initiatives demonstrates how we are leading the way across both of our campuses for the betterment of the environment and our community.”

DC employees were also recognized for making a difference at the micro level in areas such as: going paperless, incorporating sustainability themes in orientation sessions, and participating in the college’s Green Office Certification program. Designed to encourage sustainable practices in day-to-day operations, the point-based program focuses on water, energy, waste reduction, transportation and other key areas. This year’s application featured a number of employees who earned bonus points for switching to electric vehicles.

Canada’s Greenest Employer is a part of the 2023 editorial competition organized by Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. Each year, the award recognizes employers who create remarkable workplaces that minimize the environmental impact of their operations.

Read more about how DC is leading the way to a greener future online.

About Durham College
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. 

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

Media contact:
Jessica Rivers
Senior Communications Officer
Durham College
jessica.rivers@durhamcollege.ca

Child care workers can complete their education without leaving the workforce

Oshawa, ON – Durham College (DC) is helping Durham Region and Ontario prepare for the $10-a-day child care boom with a new program that allows Early Childhood Educators (ECE) to complete their education without leaving the workforce.

DC is launching a new stream of the Early Childhood Education program (ECE-E) designed for ECE assistants who are working in a child care program and early years environment. All classes, both on campus and online, will be held between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., allowing students who work in before- and after-school programs to complete their studies in between their daily shifts.

“We are proud to offer this program, which allows child care professionals to enhance their careers while also helping to bolster the provincial workforce,” explained Joanne Spicer, associate dean, Faculty of Social and Community Services at DC. “With this innovative stream of our popular ECE program, Durham College is providing valuable solutions not only to students, but to the families who count on child care programs in Durham Region and across Ontario.”

Students in the ECE-E program will have the unique option of applying for an Ontario ECE Grant, which will cover tuition fees. The eligibility requirements for the grant are identical to those for the ECE-E program. For more information and to apply, visit the Ontario ECE Grant website.

“This Durham College program is a great opportunity for those working in child care and early learning programs to earn their diploma and work towards becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator,” said Lisa McIntosh, director of children’s services for Durham Region. “The child care system is growing and needs a growing skilled workforce, which is why professional development in this field is so important.”

With this new stream of the ECE program, DC is leading the way in building workforce capacity in the critically important child care space.  

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About Durham College
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. 

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

Media contact:
Jason Chamberlain
Communications and Marketing
jason.chamberlain@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – Ontario colleges are very disappointed to be shut out of the Ontario government’s announced funding for new skilled trades training centres.

“This is hugely disappointing for our students, our colleges and employers in our community,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Colleges provide many of the best opportunities to prepare students for careers in the skilled trades and should have been a major part of this announcement.”

The Ontario government announced it is investing $224 million to build and upgrade private training centres and will spend $75 million over the next three years on operations and programming at the centres. It is inexplicable that colleges are excluded from the funding. Colleges play a dominant role in skills training, including the delivery of over 80 per cent of the in-class portion of apprenticeship training.

In addition to its support for private training centres, Ontario must start investing in the fiscal sustainability of college programs.

The province faces an escalating shortage of qualified people in key sectors, including the skilled trades, technology and health care. The province estimates nearly 300,000 jobs are going unfilled at this time. Ontario’s colleges will be pivotal to producing graduates with the expertise to fill that demand.

Colleges are urging the government to improve and expand the existing infrastructure and work with the sector on a more responsible approach to skills training that will bolster the economy and help more people find rewarding careers.

“Investing in our students and their future careers has to be a priority,” said Lovisa. “That means Ontario must invest in the high-quality programs at our colleges.”

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About Durham College
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs.

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

MEDIA CONTACT
Lindsay Holley
Communications and Marketing
lindsay.holley@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – To help address Ontario’s critical healthcare staffing demands, Durham College (DC) has launched two new initiatives designed to increase the number of qualified nursing professionals in the province.

The two initiatives are:

• Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) – This tuition-free initiative is designed to provide nurses who are trained outside of Canada, the opportunity to gain the skills required to meet the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) education requirement.

• Personal Support Worker (PSW) to Practical Nurse (PN) Bridge – This initiative is designed to provide an opportunity for individuals who have graduated from an Ontario PSW program to continue their studies toward qualifying to practice in Ontario as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). PSWs who complete the PSW to PN Bridge will be eligible for advanced entry into Durham College’s four-semester Practical Nursing (PN) Program.

“We are proud to offer these programs at Durham College which allow healthcare professionals to enhance their careers while also helping to address an urgent need in our provincial healthcare system,” said Nora Simpson, Dean of Professional and Part-Time Learning at Durham College. “By improving access to these opportunities and delivering them in a way that meets people’s needs, we are providing valuable solutions to students and the community.”

Applications and course registrations are open now.  These initiatives have been developed and funded through the Ontario government’s Nursing Program Transformation in Ontario’s Colleges initiative and are designed to offer flexible study options to allow students to continue to work while they upgrade their skills.

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About Durham College
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. In addition, Professional and Part-Time Learning offers more than 1,000 courses, six recognition of achievement programs, 50 certificate programs, 11 diploma programs, seven post-graduate programs and one apprenticeship certificate in a wide variety of career and personal interest subject areas.

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

MEDIA CONTACT
Lindsay Holley
Communications and Marketing
lindsay.holley@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, ON – Students in Durham College (DC)’s Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training (PFET) and Fitness and Health Promotion (FHP) programs are participating in a unique, collaborative learning opportunity created in response to Canada’s fitness and first responder needs.

In this interdisciplinary opportunity, firefighting students will perform real-life fire simulations while fitness and health promotion students simultaneously measure their vital physiological responses to improve health, safety and performance. This project has been funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovation Work-Integrated Learning program and Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada’s Innovation Hub.

“There is an emerging need for fitness and health promotion professionals with technical training specific to the assessment of first responders,” said Dr. Michael Williams-Bell, professor, Faculty of Health Sciences and lead on the initiative. “Many fire departments within Ontario and Canada require incoming recruits to have a basic level of knowledge and skills, so training conducted through projects like this is crucial as we continue to lead the way for the next generation of firefighters.”

The project, in collaboration with Oshawa Fire Services and Ontario Tech University, has three phases:

• Phase one: V0₂ Max Clinics led by FHP students who measure PFET students’ maximum oxygen consumption and analyze overall cardiovascular endurance.
• Phase two: PFET extreme environment workshop that includes exercises like search and rescue in high heat and CPR in a simulated moving ambulance.
• Phase three: Live fire training at the OFS burn tower facility where FHP students monitor the firefighters’ physiology and provide post-evolution analysis.

With the funding, FHP students will also expand the varsity athlete training clinics and work with coaches and sport science research experts to gain hands-on experience using new data analysis techniques.

“This unique collaboration will support the learning outcomes of the FHP and PFET programs and provide our students with first-hand industry experience that will increase their employability,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “We’re incredibly grateful for CEWIL Canada’s commitment to elevating the student experience at Durham College.”

Totalling $195,000, this marks the largest non-bursary award DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) has received from CEWIL Canada to date.

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About Durham College
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. 

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

Media contact:
Jessica Rivers
Senior Communications Officer
Durham College
jessica.rivers@durhamcollege.ca

Community support helps open new facility to advance training of skilled trades students

Oshawa, Ont. – The final $10 million has been raised to complete Durham College’s (DC) Building for Skills Campaign which increases the training capacity on the Whitby campus and transforms the way DC delivers industrial and construction-focused professional and skilled trades training and education.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity and support of our Durham College donor community, we have fully funded – and opened – the state-of-the-art Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology,” said Linda Flynn, associate vice president, Development and Alumni Affairs and executive director, Durham College Foundation. “This achievement would not have been possible without the help of our dedicated community and partners, whose support is an investment in our collective success and our students’ futures.”

The remarkable facility boasts modern technologies and innovative learning spaces and allows DC to increase training capacity for post-secondary and apprenticeship education, provide students with specialized skills training and set graduates up for careers that help address Canada’s skilled trades talent gap.

“With a growing demand for workers with specialized skills across numerous trades and sectors, this expansion and what it means for the future of our workforce couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “We are leading the way by offering dynamic hands-on learning and developing knowledgeable and experienced, skilled graduates who will step into rewarding careers that can make a difference in our local communities.”

 

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About Durham College
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,000 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs.

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need.

MEDIA CONTACT
Jessica Rivers
Communications and Marketing
jessica.rivers@durhamcollege.ca

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College is proud to partner with The Schulich Foundation which announced a game-changing program, Schulich Builders, a scholarship program dedicated to students pursuing a career in the skilled trades. In its first year of operation, more than $3 million is committed to combat labour shortages and highlight the importance of skilled trades in Canada, with $300,000 going directly to Durham College students.

“We are grateful for this partnership with the Schulich Foundation and generous supports for students in skilled trades programs,” said Don Lovisa, President of Durham College. “With these scholarships, we will continue to lead the way by developing knowledgeable and experienced skilled trades graduates who are able to step into rewarding careers that can make a difference in our local communities.”

In addition to financial support, Schulich Builders also provides leadership training and mentorship to set up graduates for success.

“We are proud to promote the skilled trades and support students pursuing this rewarding career path,” said Judy Schulich, Executive Vice-President of The Schulich Foundation. “Canadians rely heavily on the trades to build and maintain infrastructure critical for prosperous communities.  Our challenge today is not having enough of these talented people to meet the demand.”

Applications for Durham College students open on March 1 for students starting in September 2023.

Program Details:
Launched in 2023, Schulich Builders will cover tuition, tools and living expenses for students enrolling in a skilled trade program at one of ten participating colleges in Ontario, including Durham College. Priority will be given to students nominated by their high school. Students may apply directly through Durham College.

Durham College will award 10 scholarships per year:

• five $20,000 scholarships for one-year certificate programs, and
• five $40,000 scholarships for two-year diploma programs.

For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/schulichbuilders

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ABOUT DURHAM COLLEGE 
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,500 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. 

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need. 

MEDIA CONTACT
Lindsay Holley
Durham College, Communications and Marketing
Lindsay.holley@durhamcollege.ca I 416.928.7416