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MBM students network and perform at Indie Week’s Student Sessions event

More than 30 students from Durham College’s (DC) Music Business Management (MBM) program enjoyed a valuable opportunity to mix and mingle with music industry representatives on September 19 during Indie Week’s Student Sessions: Round 5 event at The Paddock Tavern in Toronto, Ont.

As an event partner, DC’s MBM students were involved in assisting with the execution of the event, and also had the opportunity to learn and network during a curated industry panel on music licensing with Aideen O’Brien from Entertainment One and Jennifer Beavis from BMG Rights Management Inc. MBM graduate Kyle Merkley of Arpix Media moderated the discussion.

Afterwards, students participated in speed-mentoring sessions with O’Brien, Beavis, Merkley, Scott Taylor of Supergroup and Rich Brisson of Cadence Music Group. The sessions were followed by a line-up of live music, which featured a set from second-year MBM student Klinsvin Gilbert.

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for our students to get their foot in the door of the industry before they graduate,” said Marni Thornton, professor and program co-ordinator of the MBM program at DC. “They are creating valuable connections and exploring some of the diverse types of jobs that exist within this field, while also gaining insight into music industry events.”

Student Sessions is a lead-up event to Indie Week, the premiere emerging artist festival taking place from November 13 to 17. For more information, please visit www.indieweek.com.

Durham College celebrates fall’s bounty with fifth-annual Harvest Dinner

On September 19, Durham College (DC) hosted its fifth-annual Harvest Dinner at the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF), celebrating impressive student talent and the bounty of the season with a seven-course meal under the stars.

Surrounded by the CFF’s planting fields and gardens, more than 130 community members enjoyed a seasonally-inspired menu featuring food cultivated from the CFF’s grounds, prepared and served by almost 200 students. Guests were also treated to beer samples created with Ontario hops from the college’s Centre for Craft Brewing Innovation, alongside other local libations.

Beginning with assorted appetizers including DC-made charcuterie and cheeses, the family-style meal boasted hearty dishes like Ontario beef strip loin with king oyster mushrooms and baked navy beans with Ontario pork bacon and duck confit. A shrimp cannelloni recipe designed by DC Culinary Management student Patrick Eckert for the 2019 Skills Ontario Competition was also featured on the menu. To top it off, a chocolate brownie, tarte tatin and pumpkin mousse were served for dessert.

The event was the culmination of countless hours spent preparing in CFF’s fields, labs and classrooms. It was a true team effort that saw Horticulture – Food and Farming and Horticulture Technician students cultivate and harvest the produce used in the meal, Culinary Management and Culinary Skills students prepare the dinner and students from the Special Events Management, Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations and Hospitality Skills programs serve guests.

“Every year, our Centre for Food students really shine at the annual Harvest Dinner, taking everything they’ve learned in the classroom and delivering an unforgettable experience for their guests,” said Tony Doyle, dean, CFF. “The amount of passion, dedication and hard work it takes to pull off an event like this is incredible, and I am always exceedingly proud of our students, faculty and CFF staff.’

For those who missed the Harvest Dinner, CFF fruits and vegetables, as well as other local ingredients are served at Bistro ’67, the college’s full-service, teaching-inspired restaurant that was recently named one of the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in Canada by OpenTable. Fresh produce and student-prepared goods are also available at Pantry, the retail store within the CFF. For anyone looking to expand their own culinary skills, cooking classes and demonstrations are available through DC’s School of Continuing Education.

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

Durham College continues to lead the way as 2019-2020 academic year begins

This fall, more than 13,400 full-time and apprenticeship students have chosen Durham College (DC) to help them build the foundation they need for successful, meaningful careers. Included in that number are more than 7,700 first-year students, more than 1,900 new and returning international students from 72 countries and 543 students who have attended university and are now pursuing greater applied learning and experience. Another 6,000 students are also gaining new skills and knowledge via part-time studies.

“Students across the region, province and well beyond recognize DC as an educational leader,” says Dr. Elaine Popp, vice president, Academic. “This is why they continue to entrust us with their post-secondary experience. Students want to graduate career-ready and the multidisciplinary, experiential and applied learning offered at DC helps them do exactly that.”

Within the new student body, DC is welcoming the inaugural class of the Artificial Intelligence Analysis, Design and Implementation (AIDI) graduate certificate program. The first graduate certificate of its kind in Canada, AIDI focuses on enterprise AI, including both off-the-shelf solutions and proprietary AI.

The program is a natural extension of and complement to DC’s AI Hub that launched in 2018. The AI Hub provides students with opportunities to gain client-centric, real-work experience through applied research projects focused on AI in connection with education, manufacturing and healthcare in particular.

The college is also expanding its skilled trades offerings with the new Carpentry and Renovation Technician (RENO) program. RENO graduates enter the work force with a competitive edge thanks to a strong knowledge and understanding of structural renovations, sustainable construction theory and energy-wise construction techniques, as well as foundational business theories and strategies to complement their technical training. The program also offers students two options for gaining valuable hands-on experience through either a field placement or co-operative education work term.

Additional new offerings for the 2019-2020 academic year include Police Foundations (fast-track) and Protection, Security and Investigation (fast-track), each of which allows students who have a diploma to earn a second credential in only one additional year of study.

“All of the activity on campus – from new programs to applied research to increased opportunities for experiential learning – reflect the ways in which the college is listening and responding to both industry and our students,” says DC president Don Lovisa. “This energetic start to the new academic year is a clear indication of all that’s to come in the months ahead as DC continues to lead the way for our students, employees, industry partners and community.”

Durham College Spa launches new services for fall

Durham College Spa (DC Spa) is pleased to announce new esthetic and cosmetic services are now available for booking in addition to the popular massage therapy treatments launched last year.

Following a summer hiatus, the spa is now open again for student massage therapy appointments.

Esthetic and cosmetic services will launch Tuesday, September 17.

Community members, students and employees are encouraged to book now to enjoy therapeutic treatments, quality products and services at affordable prices:

See complete service menus.

Located on the second floor of the Centre for Collaborative Education, Oshawa campus, DC Spa is open to the public and provides an inclusive space committed to making holistic beauty, health and wellness accessible and more affordable for all.

Delivered under the guidance of expert faculty, including Registered Massage Therapists, DC Spa treatments and services support the intensive training and learning of our esthetician, beauty advisor and massage therapy student practitioners.

Support students’ success – book your appointments today!

Learn more at www.durhamcollegespa.ca.

Enactus DC receives $3000 grant from Town of Whitby

On September 12, Durham College’s (DC) Enactus DC team was presented with a cheque for $3000 from Town of Whitby Mayor Don Mitchell as part of the Mayor’s Community Development Fund (MCDF). The grant will go towards the team’s True Grit project, an interactive mental health initiative that sees student leaders working closely with their peers on campus to develop experiential wellness workshops. The team hopes to eventually expand the workshops, offering them to at-risk youth across Whitby, Oshawa and the Durham Region.

“This grant from the Town of Whitby will allow our Enactus DC team to assist their peers in accessing fundamental wellness services needed to succeed both personally and professionally,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, vice president, Academic at DC. “We are always grateful when our community rallies behind our students by supporting real-world learning initiatives where they have the opportunity to apply the skills learned in the classroom.”

“We are proud to support the Durham College Enactus team through funds for their True Grit project,” said Don Mitchell, mayor, Town of Whitby. “Through student-led initiatives, True Grit will bring added mental health supports to at-risk youth in our community and beyond. We are pleased to be a part of this important project.”

The MCDF utilizes net revenue from the Mayor’s Golf Tournament and the Mayor’s Fundraiser to provide financial support to community groups, events and initiatives that will benefit the community.

The True Grit project is led by Heather Brown, a student in DC’s Social Service Worker program and vice-president of the Enactus DC team.

Enactus is an international non-profit organization dedicated to creating social change through entrepreneurship. DC’s chapter launched in 2016 through FastStartDC, the college’s entrepreneurship centre, and focuses on making positive economic and social impacts in Durham Region.

For more information on the projects or how to get involved with Enactus DC, visit www.enactusdc.com.

Durham College welcomes first-year students to Orientation

The Durham College (DC) Oshawa and Whitby campuses were abuzz with activity last week as the college kicked off the 2019-2020 academic year, welcoming first-year students to campus during its annual Orientation from September 3 to 6.

Designed to help first-year students acclimatize to college life, meet staff and faculty, explore student services and explore the college’s Oshawa and Whitby campuses, Orientation also provides students with an opportunity to learn more about program expectations and student clubs, all while developing new friendships.

“Orientation is such an exciting time for our new first-year students! We work diligently with our campus and community partners to ensure that a wide variety of programming is available to all students so that everyone feels home here at Durham College,” said Krista Licsi, student development manager, Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions.

After the official welcome ceremony and program orientation sessions on September 3, students were invited to a country-themed barbecue hosted by Durham College Students Inc. at the Whitby campus, which featured live music, lunch and a mechanical bull. At the Oshawa campus students enjoyed the first-ever DC Street Festival with live music, games, a clubs and services fair and access to a variety of food trucks and local vendors.

New this year, students were welcomed into the Student Centre on September 5 for an Open House and Gaming Day, allowing them to check out the new Esports Gaming Arena, whose consoles and computers were available for free for the day. Other Orientation events included Flamingle, hosted by the DC Pride Collective, the Part-time Job Fair, the Get Involved Fair and Movie Under the Stars.

Student voices wanted for DC input session

As the college’s strategic plan approaches its three-year renewal, Durham College (DC) is engaging students to provide input on DC’s strategic direction for the next three years.

The involvement of all key stakeholder groups is vital to creating a plan that is reflective of the shared values and goals the college strives to uphold every day.

All DC students are invited to participate in a student-focused strategic planning session where they will have the opportunity to network and provide input on where the college is headed and how it should inform the strategic plan.

Students can choose one of the following dates:

Monday, September 16
2 to 4 p.m.

OR

Wednesday, September 18
10 a.m. to noon

Both sessions will be held at the Oshawa campus in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, Room G213. Snacks and refreshments will be on hand along with fun giveaways.

Interested students should RSVP by Thursday, September 12, stating their preferred session, by emailing the Office of the President or calling 905.721.2000 ext. 2252.

DC expands business hours to better serve students

Durham College is pleased to announce the expansion of core business hours for its academic school offices and student support services. These changes will help match access to resources with the level of evening activity on campus and further enhance students’ experience.

The new hours of operation for the fall and winter semesters at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses are:

  • Monday to Thursday
    8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday
    8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Updated hours are also posted on individual student service and support area web pages.

DC employees celebrate start of new academic year

On August 27, Durham College (DC) held its annual Academic Kickoff, an energizing event aimed at engaging and inspiring college employees for the new school year ahead.

Led by Dr. Elaine Popp, DC’s vice president, Academic, the event also gave colleagues an opportunity to reconnect while collaborating on new ideas to further enhance the student experience inside the classroom and beyond.

DC president Don Lovisa started the morning’s program with an overview of work done on campus over the summer months. This included a number of construction projects, including renovations of existing learning spaces and completion of the first student residence at the Whitby campus. President Lovisa also shared early feedback gathered during the college’s strategic planning process.

Tom Wujec, a global authority on innovation, disruptive technology and the art of visual thinking, delivered this year’s keynote address. The author of six books on technology, design, business and creative collaboration, and a six-time TED speaker, Wujec addressed the toolset and mindset needed for innovation in the world of exponential growth.

The morning also included a panel presentation featuring team members from DC’s unique AI Hub. The discussion highlighted recent AI project work to which DC employees and students had contributed, as well as projects underway for the coming year.

The AI Hub panel shared examples of how DC is helping local businesses adopt AI technology to improve operations while providing students with meaningful opportunities to engage in hands-on, real-work experiences through applied research.

To conclude the event, DC’s chief administrative officer, Dr. Scott Blakey, announced the nominations for the 2019 Employee Awards of Excellence.  The honours are presented annually to one DC employee in each of the administrative staff, faculty and support staff groups in recognition of outstanding contributions to the college and greater community.

DC to launch new Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science

Durham College (DC) has received consent from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer a new Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science (BBS). Based at the college’s Oshawa campus and beginning in September 2020, the Honours BBS will be DC’s second degree program following the successful launch of the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management in 2018.

“Ontario is seeing an increasing incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and youth, dementia in seniors, as well as individuals with addictions and acquired brain injuries,” said Dr. Judeline Innocent, executive dean of DC’s School of Health & Community Services (HCS). “As agencies and long-term care facilities prepare for the increasing numbers in these client populations, the need for more qualified professionals in the areas of health, community and social services will also increase. With the Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science, our graduates will be ready to not only meet this need but become leaders in these fields as well.”

Offering a comprehensive mix of courses which balance theory and practice, the Honours BBS program of study will focus on six themes:

  • Applied Behaviour Analysis
  • Populations
  • Psychology
  • Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy
  • Research Methods and Design
  • Ethics and Professionalism

Students will complete a final thesis project and gain vital work experience in a professional setting through a 420-hour supervised field placement completed between the seventh and eighth semesters. Graduates will be prepared to work with individuals of all ages within a variety of health and community settings, helping people with addictions and mental health challenges, acquired brain injuries, dementia and pervasive developmental disabilities, including ASD.

“The Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science is another example of Durham College delivering innovative programs in direct response to an identified need,” said DC president Don Lovisa. “It also demonstrates the value of the college maintaining close ties with industry and community partners.”

Under the leadership of the college’s HCS administration and faculty, the Honours BBS program was developed with guidance from psychologists, community and social service agencies, municipal services representatives, mental health workers and psychogeriatric services.

“The Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Science will provide graduates with professional competencies that link the scientific, clinical, communication and ethical aspects of behavioural science,” said program coordinator Mary Helen Leddy. “This will ensure our graduates develop a breadth of knowledge, skills and judgement to increase their opportunities both in terms of employment and future studies.”

As part of the program’s development, DC has articulated diploma-to-degree transfer pathways for graduates in three of the college’s existing programs: Child and Youth Care, Developmental Services Worker and Social Service Worker. These pathways provide eligible graduates from each of the identified diploma programs advanced standing in the Honours BBS program of study, affording an opportunity for them to complete the degree in a reduced amount of time or at a reduced course load.