Info for
Quick links
Download our Mobile app
Icon for Apple. App Store Icon for Android. Google Play

Silent Voices heard at Durham College

A powerful new documentary made its debut at Durham College (DC) this month.

Silent Voices sheds light on the critical issue of mental health in Black communities by telling the stories of six individuals from different age groups and walks of life. In emotional interviews, they share their experiences of the racism and systemic barriers they’ve faced in their lives. Stories like these often go unheard, which is reflected in the name of the film.

It was a passion project for Dr. Crystal Garvey, a Faculty Member in the Nursing – Collaborative Bachelor of Science (BScN) program at DC, who co-produced it with Visual Redux with in-kind work from Vanceworld Media.

On March 6, the documentary premiered during a special event at DC’s Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) that also included a panel discussion with mental health professionals.

“It was overwhelming, in a good way,” said Garvey of the event. “I’m just grateful and humbled that it was well received. It’s very important to have the community come together, because I’m sharing their voice.”

Borne out of a desire to bring awareness to Black mental health, the documentary was produced over the last two years with the support and insights of Garvey’s DC colleagues.

The completion of the documentary dovetailed perfectly with Garvey’s role as lead researcher of a project at the CIR’s Social Impact Hub; ‘Bridging the gap: Developing Culturally Responsive Mental Health Care with and for Black Communities.’ Last year, the project received a $360,000 federal grant from the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

“This is where preparation met opportunity, because I had this documentary sitting on a shelf, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it, but I knew that I wanted to spread awareness,” she said. “When we launched this research project about Black mental health, it was the perfect opportunity to use this piece and platform to bring awareness. That’s how this event came about.”

Attendees from DC and the wider community filled the event space at the CIR, including Mojgan Rezvani, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Speaking before the screening, she set the stage for the impactful documentary and credited Garvey for the passion and commitment that made it possible.

“This is more than just a film. It is a testament to the lived experiences, the systemic challenges and the strength found in sharing our stories,” she said. “Dr. Garvey is the visionary behind this project, driving its creation, shaping its impact, and ensuring that black mental health is not only acknowledged, but actively prioritized. Through this powerful documentary, we explore the deep intersections of culture, race and mental health, conversations that are too often left unheard.”

Engineering brilliance on display at DC Innovation Showcase

The ingenuity and dedication of Durham College (DC) students was on full display at the 2025 DC Innovation Showcase last week.

Organized by the DC Engineering Club and held in the Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR), the event challenged students to present innovative projects aimed at addressing climate change, while competing for over $5,000 in prizes.

Members of the DC community and industry professionals attended, engaging with students about their cutting-edge projects and the real-world applications they have.

“Events like these are my favourite because they are student-led. This showcase is a reflection of not only the passion and the dedication that our students bring to their studies here at DC, but live demonstrations of the solutions they envision and test for societal challenges,” said Dr. Jean Choi, Vice President, Academic and Students. “This powerful platform allows students to showcase their incredible work while cultivating meaningful connections and building on the knowledge they have learned in labs, classrooms and work placements.”

A panel of industry professionals evaluated the prototypes based on criteria such as creativity, feasibility, and potential impact.

The top prize in the individual category went to Mechanical Engineering Technology student Nathan Colburn for his full carbon fibre bike frame.

“A lot of us in the Mechanical Engineering program work on tons of different things outside of school. This is an opportunity to show off what we can do,” he said. “It’s fun being able to show everyone different concepts and ideas.”

In the group category, the team of Mechanical Engineering Technology students Douglas Aubrey-Sleeper, Joshua Dervent, and Wyatt Martorino took the gold for their ‘KERS Bike.’ By incorporating a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), it can operate like an electric bike without the use of a battery.

“We’re just happy that we showed up and got good feedback from everybody. We were really happy with the experience,” said Aubrey-Sleeper.

With so many creative and boundary-pushing projects on display, the event lived up to its name as a showcase for the talented future professionals at DC.

“It was inspiring to see innovative projects tackling real-world challenges, with valuable interdisciplinary collaborations that brought together diverse perspectives,” said Tania Clerac, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology. “Our students truly showcased the power of innovation and their potential to make a lasting impact on society. I’m proud of the amazing work and excited for what’s to come!”

Here are the complete results of the competition.

Individual Category

  • Gold Winner – “CFG-01” by Nathan Colburn, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Silver Winner – “Arduino Dual Plant Hydration System” by Jack Koebel, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Third-year Finalist – “CFG-01” by Nathan Colburn, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Second-year Finalist – “Roll Up Charger” by Braiden Daschuk, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • First-year Finalist – “Thermal Battery Optimizer” by Thomas Heine, Electronics Engineering Technology

Group Category

  • Gold Winner – “KERS Bike” by Douglas Aubrey-Sleeper, Joshua Dervent, and Wyatt Martorino, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Silver Winner – “Fire Barrier” by Ridley Singh and Dash Darbyson, Mechanical Technician – Elevating Devices
  • Bronze Winner – “Medical Robot” by Xie Zonghuo, Brendan Mcbride and Ryan Groskopf, Electronics Engineering Technology

Durham College, volleyball players shine on national stage

Last week, Durham College (DC) played host to the best collegiate volleyball players in Canada.

The 2025 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Volleyball National Championship took over DC’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre as seven of the country’s best teams travelled to the Oshawa campus for the annual tournament.

As hosts, the Lords were guaranteed a spot and put in a competitive showing over three games. They defeated the Mount Allison Mounties in straight sets and dropped games to two teams who went on to win medals: the tournament champion Lakeland Rustlers and the bronze medalist Vancouver Island University Mariners.

It was an effort to be proud of according to Scott Dennis, Athletic Director.

“It was great to get a win on the board as the host school. There’s always a lot of pressure to get that win, and they were able to pull it off,” he said.

It was a fitting end for the team, after they were eliminated from the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) playoff race earlier than they would have liked.

“They rebounded and really proved that they belonged on the national stage.”

For the athletes on the team, competing in the National Championship on their home court was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they made sure to soak it all in.

“Competing at nationals was an unforgettable experience. The energy from all the fans and the atmosphere on the court was incredible, and it’s something I’ll always remember,” said Brooke Young, a four-year veteran of the team. “What made it even more special was sharing that experience with my teammates. It was on a whole new level and it’s something I am determined to reach again next season.”

As hosts, DC received rave reviews. For afternoon games, students from local elementary schools were invited to attend and cheer on the athletes. The evening games were a hot ticket and the finals sold out, thanks in part to the nearby Humber Hawks making it to the gold medal game.

The Championship was complemented with additional events like a sitting volleyball tournament, a community skills clinic and tournament, and a CCAA Women in Sport Leadership Conference.

“We wanted to make it a celebration of volleyball,” said Dennis.

The multi-day event was just that, and DC head coach Tony Clarke was pleased to see it come together.

“Hosting the national championship was an amazing opportunity for the college and our community. Bringing the top teams across the country to showcase their talents was awesome,” he said. “Our athletes were grateful to be part of the event. Thank you to the host committee and Durham College athletic staff for creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

Durham Lords Men’s Basketball team wins OCAA championship, CCAA silver

For the first time in almost 30 years, the Durham Lords Men’s Basketball team are Ontario champions.

Earlier this month, our Durham College (DC) Lords tore through the competition at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championships to win their first Men’s Basketball title since 1997.

“Winning this championship is an incredible moment for our program, our players, and our school. To bring home gold is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of this team,” said Head Coach Desmond Rowley.

Their journey to OCAA victory began at home in February, when they defeated the Fanshawe Falcons in a qualifying match and then got past the Mohawk Mountaineers in the quarter-finals. At the OCAA tournament in Etobicoke in March, they topped the St. Clair Saints in the semi-finals by a score of 85-80 before meeting the Humber Hawks in the gold medal game, where they won 67-61.

Mark Stoop was named the championship MVP thanks to his stellar performance in the final game, leading the Lords with 20 points and 10 rebounds while adding three steals, three assists, and a block.

The Lords hosted last year’s OCAA championships, and claimed the bronze after falling short against Humber in the semi-finals. That made this victory even sweeter, according to Scott Dennis, Athletic Director.

“This championship means everything to our program. Our team came into this season with a sense of unfinished business. To bring an OCAA title back to Durham College for the first time since 1997 is a testament to their hard work and belief in each other,” he said. “Desmond has built this program into a championship contender year-after-year. We couldn’t be prouder of this group and what they’ve accomplished.”

The Lords will be back in action soon as they head to Quebec next week to compete in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championship.

“We’ve faced adversity, we’ve grown together, and now we’ve earned the right to compete on the national stage in Montreal,” said Rowley. “I couldn’t be prouder of these guys, and we’re not done yet.”

Update – March 17, 2025

The Lords made the most of their trip to the National Championship in Montreal and made Durham College proud by bringing home the silver medal.

After victories over the University of New Brunswick-Saint John Seawolves and Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, they reunited with their provincial rivals, the Humber Hawks, in the gold medal game. In a competitive outing, the Lords fell just short by a score of 76-70.

“We are incredibly proud of this team for not only winning the OCAA Championship but also earning a silver medal on the national stage,” said Scott Dennis, Athletic Director. “To bounce back after a tough loss just one year ago and show this level of resilience speaks volumes about their character and determination. They’ve set a new benchmark for Durham College basketball, and we are excited for the future.”

Durham College is a Family Affair

As Family Day approaches, we are proud to share some stories of alumni and students in our DC community who are really, family. Read on to show about how they share their #DCpride.

Vibrant Durham College and Ontario Tech Job Fair connects students directly with employers

Nearly 2,700 students and alumni from Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University, connected with 85 employers at the annual on-campus Job Fair last week, exploring full-time, part-time and seasonal opportunities.

“The event went extremely well for both employers and students,” said Lucy Romao Vandepol, Director of Student and Career Development. “I heard great feedback from employers who had good conversations with students and were impressed with the skill and experience they had.”

The fair featured positions spanning a broad range of industries and included representatives from Ontario Power Generation, General Motors, the Toronto Blue Jays and Ontario Parks.

Dan Dunstan, Human Resources Business Partner at the Toronto Zoo, said his team was preparing for the summer peak season with over 30 positions available in areas such as guest-facing roles, horticulture, materials collection, custodial work, and seasonal wildlife care.

“It’s one of the busiest job fairs there is,” he said. “It gives us a good chance of connecting with students here at Durham College and we’ve also been in the process of building partnerships for our co-op programs at the college as well.”

Captain Mathieu Savage of the Nunavik Police Services in northern Quebec also attended, looking for candidates with strong values from diverse backgrounds.

“In order to have the most efficient team possible, I think variety is what you’re looking for,” he said. “If I have a good mix of men and women, younger and older, different cultures and backgrounds, schooling, life experience – then when we do have a situation or problem, everyone won’t have the same solutions and someone may have an excellent solution they draw from their experience or background.”

Students attending the event said they enjoyed meeting employers and learning about what they are looking for. Among them was Nadim Gutto, a second-year Electrical Engineering Technician student.

“The employers I have spoken with have been really helpful, including helping me tailor my resume towards their specific jobs,” he said. “Some of them have a different view about how a well-structured resume looks.”

Tavia Wilson, Spa Director at The Pearle Spa in Burlington, was specifically looking to meet with massage therapy students, but she had general tips for anyone looking for a job at her company.

“When you’re applying for any position at the spa, change your resume so it’s not like every other job you’re applying for,” she said. “It makes me aware that you’ve actually done research on our company and the position you’re applying for instead of just firing off resumes, so really hone in on why I should look at your resume.”

For those who missed this event, there is another opportunity to connect with more than 45 employers at the Whitby Campus Job Fair on February 13. To learn more about upcoming employment events and to access resources, including resume help, visit the Hired Portal.

DC’s Food Access Bursary provided relief to students over the holidays

Over the holiday season, $165,700 was distributed through Durham College’s (DC) Food Access Bursary, supporting nearly 1,000 students in need.

As students invest in their future by pursuing post-secondary education, they are often faced with additional challenges, including the rising cost of groceries. Thanks to the collaborative support of the DC community – including employees, alumni, volunteers, students, donors, and DC’s Financial Aid and Awards office – the Food Access Bursary can serve as a relief, supplementing grocery costs for students experiencing food insecurity.

“To see everyone in our community come together is heartwarming. It’s what the Durham College community is all about,” said Ariel Sully, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations at DC. “Their generosity makes a meaningful impact on our students, and we are so grateful for their support.”

Two college associations returned to support the bursary again this season. The Durham College Student Association (DCSA) were the campaign’s greatest supporter with a donation of $60,000, while the Durham College Alumni Association matched the first $10,000 raised.

“The DCSA is proud to support the college’s effort to fight food insecurity,” said Megan Bent, DCSA Executive Chairwoman. “With rising grocery costs, we saw that the need for support was greater than ever, and we are humbled to have played a role in helping fellow students access the resources they need.”

Originally established as a holiday food drive, the Food Access Bursary is also supported each year by many DC employees who donate directly or through the annual campus Candy Cane Sale, which supports students at both the college and Ontario Tech University.

“Through our collective efforts, we were able to make a meaningful impact, ensuring that more students could focus on their studies and enjoy peace of mind during the holiday season,” added Bent. “Thank you to everyone who supported this important cause and joined us in making a difference for students on campus.”

 

Durham College Partners with Community Care Durham to Deliver Workplace Training for PSWs

Personal Support Workers (PSWs) at Community Care Durham (CCD) recently gained essential workplace skills thanks to a successful partnership with Durham College (DC) Academic Upgrading. Over seven weeks, PSWs participated in a specialized training program focused on enhancing digital literacy and document use—critical skills that support their daily work and professional growth.

This initiative marks a milestone as DC’s Academic Upgrading’s first Workplace Training program delivered directly to professionals serving the local community. The program was made possible with support from the Literacy Network of Durham Region.

“Our collaboration with Community Care Durham has been an incredible milestone for Academic Upgrading at DC,” said Meagan Quesnelle, Manager School College Work Initiative & Academic Upgrading at DC. “Seeing the enthusiasm and growth of the PSWs as they developed their skills was truly inspiring. This partnership demonstrates the power of education to support professionals making a difference in our community, and we’re excited to continue building on this success.”

The impact of the training was clear, with participants strengthening key skills that directly benefit their work. “Participants improved their email communication and documentation skills, which are critical for their roles,” said Ayaan Mohamed, Program Manager for Assisted Living Services, Respite, and Supportive Housing at CCD.

“We really saw the value of the training and the excitement staff had for it. It created a snowball effect of learning and engagement,” Mohamed added.

Building on this success, DC’s Academic Upgrading will expand its partnership with CCD in Fall 2025 to offer additional training opportunities for both PSWs and PSW Care Coordinators.

For those looking to develop essential workplace skills or pursue a rewarding career in health care, Durham College offers a range of programs, including:

Recognizing Black History Month at DC

February is Black History Month and at Durham College (DC) we’re joining Canadians from coast-to-coast in honouring the legacy, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals and communities across the country.

We are proud to celebrate the excellence, resilience, and innovation of the Black community and we want to shine a spotlight on DC’s incredible students, employees and alumni through the Black Excellence & Achievement Content Collection. These stories highlight the contributions and accomplishments of incredible people who are shaping and strengthening our community.

Throughout February, and in support of the theme Pathways to Excellence: Celebrating and Cultivating Black Brilliance at DC, the college’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a series of community consultations to better understand the challenges faced by Black community members and to ensure their voices and perspectives inform DC’s decision-making processes.

“Black History Month offers an important opportunity for our Black students and employees to tell us what they need to nurture their brilliance, and facilitate their flourishing,” said Sadie Goddard-Durant, Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “Through these consultations, DC can enhance existing efforts to maximize the contributions our Black communities have been making to DC, Durham Region and beyond, and to document how they contribute to our future tapestry.”

DC has raised the Pan-African Flag at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses—a powerful symbol of Black liberation and solidarity for members of the Black/African diaspora.

“As we celebrate Black History Month, let us also take a moment to reflect on how we, as individuals, can contribute to building a community rooted in equity, respect, and inclusion,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, DC President. “By embracing these values, we not only honour the history being recognized this month but also uphold the principles that strengthen us as a college and as a society.”

As a college, we are uniquely positioned to address issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as we prepare our students to become leaders and contributing members of our community, said Dr. Popp. “This commitment calls on us to model equity and inclusion at every level of the institution—from leadership to classrooms and beyond. Together, we all have a role in fostering an equitable and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.”

Online game development for Barrett Centre uses student skills and provides real-world experience

What if you could help children learn that the food doesn’t just appear on their dinner plates but grows on farms? What if you could make that heavy lesson fun? What if you could provide students from two creative programs with a real-world learning experience along the way? Now a collaborative partnership between the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and programs in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design is doing just that, by enlisting student talent to build educational games for the Barrett Centre’s website, in a multi-semester project.

The Barrett Centre is already a pretty fun place to visit as a kid. Hosting sessions with local schools as well as community organizations, the farm offers tours where children can see vegetable growing in action, as well as play farm games like “Maple Tree baseball” with different cards that help (seeds, light, soil, rain) or hinder (lawnmower, deer) plant growth—kids take their cards and run to  a base. If the group on base has all the conditions they need to help a plant grow, they are safe. But if seed meets lawnmower instead, they are out.

It’s that same spirit of creativity and fun that the Barrett Centre’s Community Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Hoban is hoping to extend online. Their web portal was developed in 2023 and already includes resources about sustainable urban agriculture, a community forum, Barrett Centre experts on call, and a blog with stories from the community. Students can already jump on to continue their experiences from home and the games are expected to make the site even more interactive, especially for kids and parents looking for educational tools.

“The Barrett Centre facilitates farm and food literacy at our Ajax Urban Farm, and online through the Urban Agriculture Community Portal.  Both before and after students visit the farm, they can continue their education on the portal.” said Hoban. “This project started with an intention of wanting to support this community by connecting the physical and digital learning spaces through gamification.”

The project began with a capstone student group from the Project Management Graduate Certificate program, where students generated several plans for how games could be integrated onto the Barrett Centre’s education initiatives.  It was then carried forward with a five-week field placement at the Barrett Centre, where students started to brainstorm types of games that might work. Now the creation process has moved ahead, with students in the Interactive Media Design program and Web Development each hard at work in their own domains, the former to design an interface for the game that the latter students will build.

Program Coordinator and Professor Linda Cheng said that she runs the class like an agency to facilitate student collaboration. Several games are in various stages of development, and each will go through planning, prototype and testing. As for the creativity, she’s leaving that to the students.

“When we launch, it will be a surprise. There are three different games, each approach is different, and the knowledge players gain will be different,” she said. She wants students to feel complete ownership of the project as they work to meet the practical needs of the Barrett Centre, and also to have the opportunity of receiving feedback from a real-life client, plus communicating directly as they would in any real-world agency.

For her part, Hoban just has one requirement for the finished product. “The goal of these games has to be educational and fun,” she said, adding that the target audience is Grades 1 and 2. “It‘s all about using the online games to facilitate food literacy education.”