Creativity, collaboration and engagement was the title and theme of a TEDx event that took place this past weekend and featured prominent speakers including astronaut Marc Garneau and Durham College professor Lon Appleby.

TED conferences bring together people from the worlds of technology, entertainment and design and have progressed into a global staple of education built upon a series of inspirational and enlightening TED Talks videos that are easily accessed online. TEDx are local, self-organized events that bring people together to share and learn through the combination of live speakers and TED Talks video’s.

Appleby, who teaches in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Employment Services, was one of eight speakers selected to present at the Oshawa event. Appleby has been a full-time professor of the general education program for five years, teaching such classes as: short history of the world; the global class; and popular culture and media. His expertise in education and global issues are what interested Durham College graduate and TEDx organizer Chris Fernlund into inviting him to be a speaker at the event.

“Chris had previously been a student of mine in my short history of the world course,” said Appleby. “After graduation Chris continued his studies and as well decided to organize the TEDx event showing him to be one of the many outstanding students I am seeing these days at Durham College who have an interest in human history and world affairs.”

Appleby’s presentation focused on the change occurring in the classroom as the world continues to become more interconnected and interdependent. When asked about Durham College’s progression in terms of this ever evolving global community, Appleby was excited by the direction the college is heading.

“From the top, Durham College is forging a culture of innovation and student success, and what I see around me, increasingly, from the new programs and growing enrolment and the kinds of courses that are being offered, is a college that is determined to become a leader in education for the twenty-first century,” said Appleby. “This is an exciting time to be a professor.”

Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) share a commitment to innovative and successful post-secondary education. This includes a need to provide the new classrooms, laboratories and infrastructure required to support the learning of current and future students, professors and researchers.

To support this important and necessary growth, DC and UOIT are working together on a campus master plan. This plan is designed to address the future expansion and needs of both institutions for their shared campus in Oshawa, as well as DC’s Whitby campus and UOIT’s downtown Oshawa location. It will include recommendations on:

• How best to create a mixed-use hub for activity between the two academic institutions, as appropriate, and with the surrounding community through incorporating business, incubator research space, and social activities.
• Further growth and/or enhancement opportunities to both the DC Whitby campus and UOIT’s downtown Oshawa location.
• How to support the ongoing development of north Oshawa as a complete community with enhanced transit opportunities, natural heritage linkages and the infrastructure needed to accommodate sustainable development.
• Ensuring that all campuses and locations are sustainable in terms of building design but also in terms of walkability, active transportation and respect for the natural environment.

With a goal to have a campus master plan with input from the local community completed by October 2014, a campus master planning open house will be held on Wednesday, January 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Gordon Willey building at the Oshawa campus. All members of the campus community and the public are invited to attend.

Following a very successful first term marked by significant achievement, strategic growth, community involvement and dedication to the student experience, the Durham College Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Don Lovisa will continue in his role as college president for a second five-year term, effective January 1 and running through to December 31, 2018.

“I am honoured and excited to serve another five years as president of Durham College and very proud of what we’ve accomplished together in my first term,” said Lovisa.  “Durham College has become a post-secondary destination of choice; our reputation has never been stronger and we’ve expanded and led the college system in growth and new program development.  I take pride in the direct, positive impact of Durham College on the social and economic well-being of Durham Region and the strong partnerships that we have developed with our community.”

Since assuming the role of president in 2008, the college has thrived under Lovisa’s leadership, realizing substantial growth in student enrolment, buildings, learning spaces and reputation, along with a stronger partnership with its campus partner, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), that has provided more opportunities for students than ever before. This includes a strong dedication to meeting the needs of all learners with the college welcoming more than 10,000 full-time, post-secondary and apprenticeship students in fall 2013, meeting its 2015 enrolment target of 10,000 students two years ahead of schedule.

The college also opened a new Student Services building at the Oshawa campus in March 2011; opened the Pickering Learning Site in September 2012; and undertook a three-phase expansion of the Whitby campus, resulting in the opening of the new Centre for Food in October 2013. Lovisa also demonstrated provincial leadership on student mobility as co-chair of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), increasing emphasis on offering students as many high-quality post-secondary options as possible and supporting continuous learning from apprenticeship to PhD. At Durham College, there are now more than 450 pathway opportunities with universities in Canada and around the world, many of which are with UOIT, and students of both institutions are moving between the two with greater frequency each year.

“Don has provided strong leadership for the college through a very successful first term, realizing strategic growth, academic excellence and success at every level,” said Ron Chatterton, chair, Durham College Board of Governors. “With an excellent team in place across campus, he is well-positioned to achieve further success in the years ahead as we prepare to celebrate the college’s 50th anniversary. Please join me in congratulating him on a job well done and supporting him as he commences his new term.”

During his time as president the college also introduced a new strategic plan; launched a new academic vision and plan; is working toward the introduction of its first-ever baccalaureate degrees in 2015; and received millions of dollars in research funding to work on applied research initiatives with small- and medium-sized business designed to advance innovation and the economic well-being of the community.

In addition, Lovisa has remained focused on developing and maintaining strong community, industry and business partnerships with organizations such as Ontario Power Generation, Parkwood and DC @ Core21, including taking a leading role in the development and realization of the Durham Learning and Business Innovation Park. 

“As I look to the future, I see a college that will continue to innovate, transform, build and provide our students with new opportunities in helping them find even greater success,” added Lovisa.  “With our experienced and dedicated staff and faculty, Durham College is well-positioned for continued success and the delivery of the very best programs and services.” 

The Educational Digital Marketing Awards, presented by the Higher Education Marketing Report has recognized Durham College’s Communications and Marketing department with four awards, announced on December 15.

Competing against hundreds of submissions from other college and university submissions from across Canada and the United States, the department won the following awards (Two-year Institution: Enrollment 7,500 to 15,000 category):

• GOLD – Microsite category – “I’m going to…” microsite
• GOLD – Online Schedule category – Horticulture – Food and Farming program page
• MERIT – Online Publication category – DC Alumni Magazine
• MERIT – Institutional Website category – Durham College website

The Education Digital Marketing Awards recognize the best educational websites, digital content, electronic communications, mobile media and social media. Award certificates are given to those entrants whose programs and materials display exceptional quality, creativity and message effectiveness. They are presented by the Higher Education Marketing Report, the most widely read publication for educational marketers.
 
This marks the second time in a year that the department has been recognized by the Higher Education Marketing Report’s awards. In February, they received a Gold and Merit award for the What Matters to Me campaign.

Congratulations to Kassandra Davidson, a first-year student in the Child and Youth Worker program for winning first prize in the Apply Early & Win contest from ontariocolleges.ca. She plans to hold onto her $2,000 prize in a savings account until she can put it toward her OSAP loan.

Davidson was presented her cheque by ontariocolleges.ca CEO Karen Creditor, alongside Durham College administrative representatives Don Lovisa, president, Judy Robinson, vice president, Academic and Susan Sproul, dean, School of Health & Community Services.

“We are delighted to see Kassandra win this generous prize from ontariocolleges.ca,” said Lovisa. “This financial assistance for one of our newest Durham College students is wonderful and we are grateful for the support.”

The 2014 Apply Early & Win contest is on now, and there’s still time to enter. Just apply and pay for your college application by Wednesday, January 15, 2014 for your chance to win.

Durham College announced today that its Paramedic and Advanced Care Paramedic graduate certificate programs were both afforded six-year accreditation through the Canadian Medical Association after completing a rigorous review of programs, documentation and outcomes.

“This is the national standard by which all paramedic programs are judged and I am happy to say that our results speak for themselves,” said Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic. “This is a tribute to the incredible skills, abilities and dedication of our faculty, the positive learning environment that Durham College provides and our great relationships with our stakeholders.”

The Paramedic programs were evaluated in five different areas: relevance, students, resources, integration and quality assurance. This process ensures programs enable students to attain the competencies specified in the national entry-level competency profile for the profession; support the students’ educational interests and protect their rights; offer adequate resources to support student learning to the level required to meet the objectives; provide an integrated learning experience for students. In addition, it ensures the evaluation process results in continuous quality improvement.

“The common outcome of an accreditation review is two years. Further evidence and/or changes to address the criteria not met are then submitted,” said Stephanie Ball, dean, School of Justice & Emergency Services. “To receive six-year accreditation for the Paramedic and most health-care programs is the exception.”

Durham College currently offers one of only three six-year accredited Paramedic programs and one of only three, six-year accredited Paramedic – Advanced Care programs in Ontario.

It was lights, camera, action at the Centre for Food (CFF) last month when Durham College hosted CBC for the filming of a new consumer health series.

Chef and professor Dave Hawey and nutritionist and professor Sylvia Emmorey were joined by health reporter Kim Brunhuber as the trio filmed six different segments focused on health and nutrition inside one of the CFF’s state-of-the-art kitchens.

“Durham College is very excited to have worked with CBC on this project,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College.  “The CFF’s focus on connecting communities through education and the preparation, serving and celebration of food combined with the culinary and nutritional expertise of both Dave and Sylvia made it an ideal location to film this new series.”

Being shown on Our Centres, which is broadcasted at various times from Saturday to Monday in cities across Canada including Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, the series began airing on Our Toronto on November 30 and can viewed online on the CBC website. The segment filmed at the CFF starts at 35:45.

Durham College has more than 450 pathway opportunities in place with universities in Ontario, Canada and around the world, including Ireland and Australia, for the 2013-2014 academic year. These agreements, both formal and informal, enable qualified graduates of one-, two- and three-year Durham College programs to enter numerous undergraduate degree programs with advanced standing and complete their degree requirements in as little as two years.

This includes more than 30 pathways in place with its campus partner, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), allowing students to broaden their post-secondary experience in a variety of areas including media and arts, business, health, justice, science, technology and general arts and science.

In addition, the college offers 19 graduate certificate and eight fast-track programs to university and college graduates wanting to pursue further education.

“Being a participant of the Communication Bridge program between Durham College and UOIT was one of the best decisions I have ever made,” said Miranda Roach, a 2011 Durham College Journalism – Print and Broadcast program graduate. “Not only did it allow me to earn an undergraduate degree within two years, it also enhanced my skillset and critical thinking abilities. I excelled throughout my courses as a result of my initial completion of a diploma in journalism.”

Designed so students can apply their credits earned at Durham College toward a university degree, pathway programs allow students to leverage their existing college education to earn additional credentials – in some cases toward a year of study or more at university – so they can continue their post-secondary journey and further their future employment opportunities.

“Faculty and staff were more than accommodating, making the transition to a new learning environment comfortable and welcoming,” added Roach. “Completing both programs also broadened opportunities for my career path. I am a different person as a result of continuing my education and I’m also a proud graduate who was grateful for this opportunity because my success matters.”

In Ontario, new data from the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer indicates that students who transfer among Ontario’s 44 publicly funded college and universities save an average of $11,000 in tuition plus more than a year of full-time study (business students). This combination of reduced costs and the opportunity to explore more than one post-secondary path creates an ideal scenario for students in terms of their ability to access both the hands-on applied learning and theory that comes from a combined college and university post-secondary experience and gain the skills, training and knowledge required to meet the demands of today’s employers.

“At Durham College the student experience comes first and as part of that commitment the college is dedicated to offering students access to as many post-secondary opportunities as possible,” said Judy Robinson, vice-president, Academic, Durham College. “This includes a strong emphasis on pathways from both college to university and university to college, the opportunity to graduate with both a diploma and a degree in less than the traditional amount of time and significant cost savings.”

For students, any financial assistance received during their educational experience is always met with appreciation, which makes Durham College’s (DC) annual scholarship ceremony such a special event.

Held on November 28, the college not only honoured 184 students for their outstanding academic achievements, but also gave them an opportunity to express their gratitude to numerous individual, organizational and corporate award donors for their financial contributions.

In-course scholarships, valued at $138,000, were presented at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre to students from the Oshawa and Whitby campuses as family, friends and college faculty and staff, including Durham College President Don Lovisa, looked on.

“I want to thank the many donors and organizations that contribute to our scholarship funds,” said Lovisa. “It acknowledges the value you place on a Durham College education. An investment in a Durham College student is an investment in the future success and prosperity of the college and the region of Durham.”

Lovisa paid special tribute to the late Alan Strike, a long-time supporter of DC who passed away in May. Strike was a member on the college’s founding Board of Governors in 1966 and former member of the Legal Administration Program Advisory Committee. He offered his generosity and support to not only the institution, but to its students, including his personal donation to the annual Scholarship ceremony via the A. Alan Strike Scholarship, which was established in 1992.

A number of donors also celebrated milestone anniversaries of contributing to the college through scholarships and bursaries including Paul Vessey and Pine Ridge Corvette Club (10 years); Marigold Ford Lincoln Sales and Rotary Club of Oshawa (20 years); Human Resources Professionals Association of Durham (25 years); Lovell Drugs Limited (30 years); and Andrew Foundation, BDO Canada LLP, Canadian Federation of University Women – Oshawa and District and Millwork/Rona Home Centre (35 years).

To view photos from the event please visit our Scholarship Ceremony photo gallery.

Durham College is being recognized for being a great place to work with the college named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for 2014 for the fourth year in a row.

The college is proud to be recognized in several different areas of full-time employee support including championing continued skills development through a variety of in-house and online training programs and tuition subsidies; investing in the education of the future generation through academic scholarships for children of employees who pursue post-secondary studies; and helping employees save for retirement through contributions to a defined benefit pension plan.

“Durham College is pleased to be named one of Greater Toronto’s top employers for the fourth year in a row,” said Scott Blakey, vice-president, Administration. “This honour reflects our commitment to creating an empowering environment for all faculty and staff that fosters and rewards innovative thinking and ideas and enables all of us to fulfil our mission that the student experience comes first. Being recognized by Mediacorp Canada/Canada’s Top 100 Employers for providing employees with the opportunities, resources and benefits they need to be successful is a strong indicator that we continue to meet that commitment.”

Greater Toronto’s Top Employers is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes the greater Toronto area employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. Organizations are judged on several categories including physical workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

For more information, please visit http://www.eluta.ca/jobs-at-durham-college .