Future students spring into their Durham College journey at Open House

For more than 2,000 visitors, Spring Open House at Durham College (DC) was the place to be last weekend.  

On Saturday, March 23, prospective students and their families filled the halls and classrooms of our Oshawa and Whitby campuses and learned why DC is the best choice for their post-secondary education. Braving some unseasonably cold weather, they explored our state-of-the-art facilities, met our expert faculty and learned about our career-driven programs and support services.

“We’ve been really busy,” said Jaden Brough, a Membership Services Agent with the Durham College Student Association (DCSA) who explained all the valuable benefits that DC students enjoy, from health insurance to mental health assistance. “The students have been really soaking in the information.”

Guests were free to explore the campus on their own or join guided tours. In Oshawa, the bus tour was a popular choice, ferrying visitors to destinations like the Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE) and the Campus Ice Centre.

Students who couldn’t wait to begin their DC journey were able to apply on the spot, and 166 applicants did just that. As a bonus, they had their application fee waived and received some DC swag.

The impressive scope of the event was recognized and appreciated by guests like Sandra Chin-James, who accompanied her son Macalib to the Oshawa campus as he finalized his post-secondary plans.

“Everything has been great,” she said, noting that they had received a lot of information about student life and his program of interest.

Having been accepted into the Music Business Management program, Macalib took advantage of the opportunity to familiarize himself with the school before confirming his acceptance. By the end of the day, he was ready to do just that.

A talented musician who plays multiple instruments, he’s eager to begin his studies.

“I love music, and I want to learn more about the business side.”

DC will welcome prospective students once again for Program Information Nights on Tuesday, May 7 (Oshawa) and Thursday, May 8 (Whitby). Campus tours and information sessions can also be scheduled online.


Creativity abounds at Art in The Pit event

Student artists shared their passion with the Durham College (DC) community at ‘Art in The Pit’.

Third-year Fine Arts students displayed examples of their remarkable work while helping attendees develop their own artistic talents. The free event featured activities like origami, sticker stations, drawing prompts, colouring pages, trivia, prizes and more.

For many of the students, it was the first time they had ever shared their art with an audience. That made it an invaluable opportunity for them according to Dani Crosby, Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design.

“It’s about understanding yourself and how you’d like to share your art with the world in a barrier-free way,” she said. “It’s creating little entry points for creativity that are about social engagement, not monetization.”

‘Art in The Pit’ was produced in collaboration with the LivingRoom Community Art Studio. A charity dedicated to community development through the creation and sharing of art, LivingRoom is comprised of artists who take part in classroom discussions and provide an example to DC students of how they can connect and engage with the public as artists.

One of the goals for the day was encouraging all DC students to get in touch with their creative sides, and Crosby was encouraged to see how many visitors took part in the event and how her Fine Arts students interacted with them.

“It’s very cathartic for anyone to create something without thinking in terms of quality or skill level. There’s value in simply sitting down, disengaging from whatever might be stressing you out and engaging in this particular setting,” she said. “There’s a very therapeutic quality to it.”

The benefits to the Fine Arts students themselves were considerable as well. For Elijah Mackenzie, it was a great way to prepare for future events.

“Opportunities like these give you a good gauge on what it’s going to be like at art vendors and festivals, because it’s essentially the same thing,” he said.

His classmate Meghan Costello agreed.

“It’s really good practice engaging with people and talking about art, because sometimes we get used to being in a classroom,” she said. “Speaking with students who normally don’t engage with art on a regular basis has been really fun.”


Strong Winter season for Durham Lords

From the basketball and volleyball court to the indoor soccer pitch, Durham College (DC) athletes gave fans a lot to cheer about this winter.

Six teams in three sports made us #DCProud with their hard work and sportsmanship while adding to the ever-expanding Durham Lords trophy case. They won two Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association (OCAA) medals to bring the 2023-24 total to seven, a school record.

“We picked up right where we left off from the fall season,” said Scott Dennis, Athletic Director. “It was a pretty amazing year.”

Here’s a look at the DC teams who kept us on the edge of our seats all winter.

Women’s Basketball

The women's basketball team lines up for a team photo.

Our women’s basketball team finished seventh in the OCAA East Division with a 3-11 record, but the challenging year still had some bright spots. The emergence of OCAA Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Year Emma Bergen bodes well for the future. In addition to those honours, she won the East Division Scoring Champion title with 20.6 points per game. The forward was also first in field goal percentage (52.9) and near the top in rebounds.

Dennis – “It was a rebuilding year, but we saw one of the new stars of the league emerge in Emma Bergen. We’re excited to see where they go next year.”

 

 


Men’s Basketball

The Lords were almost unbeatable on the basketball court this year, finishing first in the East Division with a 17-1 record. They were at or near the top of the provincial rankings all year and even held the top spot in the nation at one point.

Earning the right to host the provincial championship, they fell just short of edging the
Humber Hawks in the semi-final before bouncing back against St. Clair College to win bronze.The men's basketball team lines up for a team photo.

O’Shane Taylor-Douglas was peerless, earning nods as the East Player of the Year, East Defensive Player of the Year, East First Team All-Star, OCAA Championship All-Star and a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadian. Mark Stoop was named an East Second Team All-Star, while Jasean Elliott and Rudy Fakih earned spots on the East All-Rookie Team. The Lords were recognized as the East’s Best Defensive Team, and Desmond Rowley was honoured as East Coach of the Year.

Dennis – “They reached the number one spot in Canada for the first time since 1997, and we had a chance to host the OCAA final four and had sold-out crowds. They didn’t make it to nationals, but they left it all on the court. It was a great year for Coach Rowley and the Lords.”

 


Women’s Volleyball

A strong year for women’s volleyball ended just shy of a provincial medal. Finishing third in
the EaThe women's volleyball team lines up for a photo.st with a record of 14-4, the Lords finished fourth at the OCAA championship after bowing out to Loyalist in the bronze medal game.

There was plenty of individual hardware to go around. Amanda Larsen was named a East First Team All-Star as well as an OCAA Championship All-Star. Aislinn Pedersen was recognized as an East Second Team All-Star, and Chelsea Oke was named to the East All-Rookie Team.

Dennis – “We always have a very competitive team and they made it back to the final four. The St. Clair Saints had the coach of the year and the player of the year, and we came back and beat them. It was a great victory for the team.”

 


Men’s Volleyball

The men's volleyball team lines up for a photo.

The Lords were competitive in men’s volleyball, finishing sixth in the East with an 8-10 record.

Their pursuit of a provincial medal fell short, losing to St. Clair College in the championship qualifier.

Dennis – “They were a competitive team. We’re looking forward to next year. I believe we’re bringing back the majority of the lineup, so it should be more of a veteran team.”

 

 


Women’s Indoor Soccer

It was a short but successful season on the indoor soccer pitch. At Regionals, the LordThe women's indoor soccer team lines up for a team photo.s went 3-1, scoring 13 goals and allowing only one. That put them in a good position for the OCAA Championships at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, where they won a bronze medal with a win over St. Clair. Kayla Edelhofer was named an OCAA Championship All-Star.

Dennis – “They won the bronze medal, so it was double bronze for our women’s soccer program this year. They were one goal shy of making it to the gold medal match, but overall, it was a great season for them and a nice way to cap off their year with another bronze medal.”

 


Men’s Indoor Soccer

The men's indoor soccer team lines up for a team photo.

The men’s team had a good showing at Regionals, earning a 2-1-1 record with a +7-goal differential.

At the OCAA Championship in Vaughan, they put in a good effort before falling short in the group stage.

Dennis – “They also made the final four. That was their goal, to make it to the championships and play against the best teams in the province and they competed hard.”

 

 


 

There will be even more DC student athletes to cheer for next winter with the return of Varsity Curling.

“We are always looking for opportunities to expand athletics and recreation programming for our students and bringing back Varsity Curling is a great fit,” said Dennis.


Durham College’s Food Insecurity Bursary helps 1,150 students

Thanks to generous support from Durham College (DC) employees, alumni and students, DC’s Food Insecurity Bursary helped more than a thousand students who needed extra help navigating the escalating costs of living.

This past holiday season, the bursary supported 1,150 students – a 150 per cent increase over last year.

Originally established as a holiday food drive, the Food Insecurity Bursary provides immediate assistance to students navigating unforeseen financial challenges and with rising grocery costs, the need this year was greater than ever. Funds to support the bursary are raised annually through donations and the DC portion of the annual campus Candy Cane Sale.

“The generosity of our donors is vital to our students’ success and empowers us to help meet their unexpected and urgent needs,” said Linda Flynn, Associate Vice-President, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs for DC.

DC employees and alumni as well as the Durham College Alumni Association (DCSA), Durham College Student Association and the International Education Office all worked together to raise almost $200,000, a 144 per cent increase compared to 2022.

“The DCSA is deeply committed to addressing the critical issue of food insecurity among students. We are proud to contribute $54,000 to the DC Food Insecurity Bursary to support students,” said Megan Bent, DCSA Chairperson. “This initiative aligns with our ongoing efforts at the DCSA Support Hub and reflects the compassionate leadership of our student board. We are honoured to support this vital cause, ensuring that our students receive the assistance they need to thrive in their academic and personal lives.”

“The support from the Durham College Student Association to the Food Insecurity Bursary is significant, not only in size, but in intention,” added Flynn. “It is a great demonstration of students supporting students and reaffirms the strong sense of community at DC.”


DC journalism student, Andrew Neary, receives three awards for his work inside and outside the classroom

Andrew Neary, a dedicated and passionate journalism student at Durham College (DC), has recently been recognized with three impressive awards, spanning from national recognition for his dedication to work-integrated learning to campus acknowledgment of his academic success. The recognitions include the 2023 as Experiential & Work-Integrated Learning Ontario (EWO) Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Student of the Year for the College category, the Co-operative Education & Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada Emery-Dufault Student of the Year 2023 Award, as well as DC’s Alumni Association Scholarship for Academic Excellence for his first year of study in DC’s Journalism – Mass Media program.

Neary was notified of all three awards within the span of a week while finishing a Faculty-led Classroom Abroad trip in Guatemala.

“We had a seven hour bus ride into the mountains and halfway through we stopped at a restaurant, and right before we were getting back on the bus, Danielle (Harder), got an email saying that I had gotten the EWO WIL Student of the Year award – and that was wild – and then on our last day in the community she got another email saying I had gotten the CEWIL Student of the Year award,” Neary recalls. “It was just this amazing vibe, and as soon as I got home, I found out I had gotten the Alumni Scholarship as well for my program, and I just thought to myself, what is happening right now?”

Neary’s recognition as EWO WIL Student of the Year is a testament to his outstanding performance and commitment to work-integrated learning through his dedication and achievements in blending theoretical knowledge with practical experience. And for those who know him, it comes as no surprise that Andrew’s significant contributions to experiential learning initiatives within the local community and his commitment to professional growth and development landed him the CEWIL Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Award.

Neary shared how DC’s Journalism – Mass Media program taught him about photography, which led to many of these opportunities.

“My CEWIL experience over the summer last year was doing a lot of photo and video work, and before starting the program I hadn’t even touched a DSLR camera before,” he says. “And because of that, I started a personal photo-video company that I received a grant for last summer that has helped me work on and pay for things for school and my personal life, all because of the skillset developed in my program but also because of these work-integrated learning opportunities.”

Neary’s active involvement in three work-integrated learning initiatives provided him the opportunity to film and document City of Oshawa firefighter trainings.

The first was a MITACS project through DC’s Experiential Learning Hub and in collaboration with the Social Impact Hub, that created a virtual reality simulation to safely train firefighters under extreme search and rescue circumstances. Plus, two simultaneous CEWIL projects with the same group members that included documenting the impact breathing control exercises have on trauma recovery for firefighters, as well as highlighting the recovery time after a firefighter undergoes strenuous activities by monitoring body responses such as heart rate.

Neary also worked on EnactusDC’s Founders Drive, a CEWIL project led by Danielle Harder, a Professor and Program Coordinator for DC’s Faculty of Media, Art and Design. She commended Andrew’s commitment to embracing every opportunity offered to him.

“Andrew has made college happen for him rather than to him. He is first and foremost a kind and caring person, whether he is supporting a classmate or just being a good global citizen concerned with amplifying the voices of those who need uplifting,” she says.

Having the ability to use his photography skills all summer as a work-study student, and working on the CEWIL projects is how Neary said he learned the skills to be a photographer. He also credits the hands-on experience he gained to helping him secure an upcoming internship.

“I’m about to do an internship with the CBC in two weeks and I think it’s because of what I learned at DC through these experiences,” he says. “They asked if I could go out and do my own photos and videos, and I can because of the extra-curricular training I received through work-integrated learning.”

But Neary’s dedication is just as strong inside the classroom. DC’s Alumni Scholarship for Academic Excellence recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and leadership potential throughout their studies.

“On top of that, he brings a worldly and constructive approach to every role he takes on, whether it’s as the creator of the Founders Drive podcast, as a communications intern on a research project, or as a leader on the recent Faculty-led Classroom Abroad to Guatemala,” added Harder.

The recognition of Andrew’s achievements underscores DC’s commitment to fostering an inclusive campus environment that nurtures student success. Through the college’s emphasis on hands-on learning and immersive experiences, DC empowers students like Andrew to excel academically, make meaningful contributions to their communities, and make tangible impacts in their chosen fields.

Neary says those thinking of entering the journalism field have endless opportunities to get involved at DC, sharing “Don’t let college happen to you, take every opportunity you can and if there’s ever an opportunity to do experiential learning, it can make a huge difference. It builds on what you learn in the classroom and exposes you to things you never thought possible.”


Graphic Design students impress at packaging competition

Three Durham College (DC) students successfully reimagined a famous snack food package, earning a third-place finish at the Packaging Association of Canada’s (PAC) Global Student Packaging Competition.

The event invited post-secondary students from around the world to redesign the iconic Pringles can with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility. Three students from DC’s Graphic Design program were up to the challenge. With guidance from Professor Rhian Moore, the team of Ina Jablonski, Megan Scott and Nicole Tracey created the Accordi-Can.

“It’s a tubular package that expands at the sides when in use to allow the consumer to easily access the chips inside,” explained Tracey, noting that shoppers consistently cite the difficulty of reaching inside the standard Pringles can. “We started with generating several ideas for how the can would be different without losing the integrity of the shape. We knew we wanted to keep the shape of the can as that is what Pringles is recognized for, and the packaging is revolutionary to the snack market.”

Over the course of the fall semester, the team continued to make improvements to their design in preparation for the competition.

“Our design went through many stages throughout the process as we developed the most feasible, realistic, and innovative choice,” said Scott.

The result is a package that is both recognizable and creative.

Although graphic design work is inherently visual, the Accordi-Can was more than just a rendering. The team created a real mock-up of their concept using a poster mailing tube, cardstock and glue.

“They worked very hard to come up with both their structural and graphic solutions to meet the needs of the product,” said Moore. “They represented the college in a very professional manner and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Taking part in the competition was a unique and valuable experiential learning opportunity for the three students. In addition to being an important facet of their Portfolio Studies course, they worked on a famous brand and developed a product that is sure to impress potential employers.

“I have learned to think critically about every detail that goes into a design,” said Tracey. “It helps to really think about the choices you make and doing the research on the target market and what their needs are is also very important.”

For Scott, representing DC in the competition was a positive experience that helped her build confidence as she prepares to graduate and enter the workforce.

“My biggest lesson from this experience is to try things that make you nervous and not let self-doubt prevent you from participating,” said Scott. “I’ve learned what it takes to be a team and how important it is to surround yourself with hard-working, like-minded, kind people.”


Durham College sponsors and hosts robotics competition for hundreds of Ontario high school students

More than 600 high school students from across the province gathered at Durham College’s (DC) Oshawa campus to put their engineering skills and student-designed robots to the test by participating in sport-like games at the 2024 FIRST® Robotics Durham College District Competition, this past weekend.

More than 20 challenge teams used sophisticated technology to build and program industrial-sized 120lb robots and compete in an action-packed, alliance-based game on a themed field. With the guidance of industry professionals, students used their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to operate their robots and used problem-solving skills that apply to real-world situations.

As one of Canada’s leading colleges, DC was the perfect backdrop for the district competition, which encouraged participants to consider a future education in the in-demand STEM fields.

“We’re proud to once again be sponsoring and hosting the annual FIRST® Robotics Durham College District Competition this weekend,” said Tony Doyle, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Information Technology, and interim Executive Dean, Faculty of Business, DC, at the competition on Saturday. “This event is always an exciting time for us since we get to see the bright, young, STEM enthusiasts using their imagination, engineering and teamwork skills in an exciting new way.”

This year’s arts-inspired game theme – CRESCENDO – provided a unique twist for challenge teams by encouraging students to raise funds, hone teamwork skills, and advance respect and appreciation for STEM education within the local community through the development of outreach events, marketing plans, and even fundraising initiatives.

“We know that the skills they learn during this competition are the building blocks for success in post-secondary learning and lead to rewarding careers in STEM and skilled trades,” added Doyle.

At the end of the exhilarating weekend, three teams were crowned as the FIRST Robotics Durham College District Competition Champions: Team 1241 “Theory6” and Team 1285 “The Biggest Birds” both from Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga, and Team 9621 “Payload” a community team from Whitby. In addition to their champion title, Team 1241 “Theory6” also received FIRST‘s highest honour, the FIRST Impact Award.

A full list of FIRST Robotics award winners can be found online.


Enactus Durham College celebrates two wins at the Central Regional Exposition

For the second year in a row, Enactus Durham College (DC) has been declared one of the Central Regional Champions for its Founders Drive podcast project. This year, the team competed in the Desjardins Youth Empowerment Challenge, a national competition empowering post-secondary students to deliver projects that make social impact through entrepreneurial skills. 

“It’s so exciting to see our students achieve success through an approach of collaboration and co-creation with a focus on building authentic relationships with Indigenous entrepreneurs to tell their stories,” said Danielle Harder, EnactusDC faculty advisor for Founders Drive. “Not only did our students enhance the skills they have learned in the classroom, they also benefitted from a cross-cultural exchange they might not have had otherwise. Enactus gives students opportunity and agency to become changemakers.”

DC competed against 21 schools in the youth empowerment category and presented Founders Drive: Season Two, a global podcast aimed at inspiring young Indigenous entrepreneurs to overcome barriers and become their own bosses.

Meanwhile, a new project, Just Dandy, was a runner-up in the Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge. Just Dandy aims to foster a supportive community at DC by promoting financially and environmentally sustainable practices.

Witnessing our students (from across programs) “touch the stage,” recognized for their collective efforts and placing in two categories, brought us to tears as it marked such a life-changing moment, showcasing the true power of teamwork and dedication,” shared Sara Mercier-Priebe, EnactusDC faculty advisor for Just Dandy. “EnactusDC has become an experience that etches itself into your very being, allowing you to see what our students are truly capable of achieving – together.”

First-time faculty advisor at the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition, K. Jennifer Bedford, also had the opportunity to witness the coming together of student, academic, and industry leaders to celebrate the impactful projects and ventures crafted by Canada’s future entrepreneurs.

“This event not only showcases innovation and community leadership, but also fosters collaboration, encouraging excellence among the next generation of leaders,” she said.

The victories mark a significant milestone for the Founders Drive team, which will now move on to the National Exposition in Toronto in May. Founders Drive will compete in the Desjardins Youth Empowerment Challenge against the League B and League C champions, as well as the Desjardins Youth Empowerment champions from the Atlantic and Western regions. Just Dandy will also compete again in the overall category.

For more information about Enactus Durham College, Founders Drive and Just Dandy, please visit www.enactusdc.com.

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Photo Credit: Ayomide Kuye, DC Video Production student and a member of EnactusDC.


Students get ready for Convocation at Countdown to Grad

The Durham College (DC) class of 2024 is ready for graduation.

Last week, Countdown to Grad events were held at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. Over 500 students took advantage of the early opportunity to register for graduation, book their grad photos, enjoy a free pizza lunch and more.

For Interactive Media Design students Yvett Forrester and Ilia Slesarchuk, it was an opportunity to reflect on their DC journeys while looking to the future at Convocation and beyond.

“I’m really excited. I can’t wait for graduation,” said Forrester. “I’m not nervous, I just want that moment to come.”

Now that the finish line is in sight, Slesarchuk enjoyed the opportunity to take a break from his studies and prepare for graduation.

“I’m a little tired, but it’s great,” he said. “I’m not nervous at all, I’m just excited.”

There was a lot of excitement in the air at both events according to Mary Weller, Alumni Development Officer.

“The students that I’ve spoken to are enthusiastic to come in and see what they’re entitled to as alumni,” she said.

One of the best offerings that all alumni have access to is the Career Development Office and the many services they provide, according to Weller, who makes sure to point each student in their direction.

“Career Development is available to every alumnus for the rest of their life. If they ever need help with their resume, cover letter or interviewing skills, they can reach out to Career Development, and it’s free.”

As lifelong members of the Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA), graduates also get exclusive benefits and discounts using the free DC Alumni Connect app.

Alumni are encouraged to stay connected with DC on social media and share the stories of their success with usThey’re also eligible for DC’s Alumni of Distinction award, which recognizes graduates who make extraordinary contributions to society while also achieving career success.


International Women’s Day: A conversation with DC’s new president, Dr. Elaine Popp

Durham College (DC) is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day. The success we have achieved over the last 57 years would not have been possible without the remarkable achievements of countless women – students, faculty, staff and administrators.

DC has ushered in a new era with the appointment of Dr. Elaine Popp as President. In recognition of International Women’s Day, Dr. Popp spoke to us about the women who have made a difference in her life, the lessons she has learned along her career path, her passion for higher education and more.

Who have been your female role models in your life and career?

I can think of a few women who have helped shape me and made me grow.

Dr. Marla Sokolowski would be one. She was my professor in the second year of my undergrad. She was the only female professor at that point in my academic journey, and she was the first person who truly served as a role model and made me think, “You know what? I could do what she’s doing.” I could stay in school, earn my Ph.D. like her, and teach.

When I was doing my Ph.D., Dr. Sokolowski’s lab was next to the lab I worked in, and her research studied fruit fly behaviour. She was the first scientist to show that behaviour can be linked to genetics – it could be linked to an allele in a gene.

I have also found inspiration from women who have blazed trails for other women to follow. Like Kathrine Switzer, who in 1967 ran the Boston Marathon – the first woman to run a marathon.

What inspired you to pursue a career in higher education?

I am passionate about teaching and learning. Having witnessed the transformative power education plays for both individuals and society, I was motivated to start my career in post-secondary 24 years ago knowing that this was an impactful way to make a difference – to help others realize their potential.

At its core, teaching has an overwhelmingly positive influence on the lives of others. When done well, it can help set someone on the path to success, which can last for the rest of their lives. And seeing the development and growth in others is so personally rewarding.

To this day, it thrills me when former students of mine reach out to me and share what they are up to now – the new job they have secured or the further education they have completed.

How would you describe the career path that has led you to your role as president of DC?

I’ve been fortunate to have a fulfilling and progressive career and have had many supportive colleagues and supervisors who have encouraged and challenged me to continue growing.

Bosses I had early on in my career believed in my talents and abilities and invested in me. They encouraged and supported me to pursue various leadership trainings, and pursue positions that I did not have on my radar as being achievable by me. I am so fortunate to have had these strong mentors and champions as I began my career.

I am sure I wouldn’t be here today – in this role – if it had not been for those very people who pushed me to better myself and supported me in doing so.

Perhaps this is why I am so supportive of mentorship models and ensuring everyone feels they have access to the professional development they need to be able to realize their full potential.

What does being DC’s president mean to you?

I’m feeling lots of emotions – I’m honoured, I’m excited, I’m humbled.

I’m so proud of our students. They are really doing incredible things. On a daily basis, they show up, engaging in their classes with their faculty members and learning new skills to prepare them for their futures. Many have outside obligations, like work and family commitments, which can make finding time for their studies difficult – but they still persevere.

And our students are successful because of our amazing staff and faculty members, who are hard-working and dedicated. Our faculty are invested in their professional practice and work hard to create quality learning experiences for our students. DC’s staff is unparalleled in their drive to deliver quality service to our students.

I am committed to DC, our students, our faculty, our staff and our community.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

I can think of a few pieces of advice I continue to draw on.

Perhaps I will start by sharing one piece of advice that has become somewhat of a mantra for me. “You always have time for the things you put first.” I remind myself of this when I am finding myself not sticking to my priorities.

Another piece of advice I have taken to heart is: “If you want to know what other people really think, make sure you aren’t the first to speak.” Listen first. I try to follow this advice as much as possible, whenever possible.

One other piece I will share is: “When something scares you, ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen?” It usually isn’t all that bad.

During your career in higher education, what changes have you seen related to gender equality and what work still needs to be done?

There is an increased representation of women in leadership positions within post-secondary academic institutions, reflecting a positive shift towards gender parity in decision-making.

Awareness of gender biases and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging continues to grow in higher education. In addition to a positive shift in hiring practices, this awareness is being integrated into our curricula, ensuring the next generation of professionals will continue working toward gender equality.

More and more, we are promoting programs focused on trades, science, technology and engineering to women and young girls. By encouraging these non-traditional career paths, we are working to make them realistic, achievable and desirable goals for women. The Expand the Possibilities 5.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference, scheduled for April 25 and 26, is just one way we move the needle in these traditionally male occupations.

We are also seeing more women entrepreneurs. Some of the biggest start-up success stories from FastStart, our entrepreneurial support centre, are from women.

I think there is always work to be done. Despite women having more education (according to Statistics Canada), as of January 2023, only 10 per cent of Fortune 500 companies were led by women (according to Forbes).

This is a clear indicator that transparent and equitable hiring and promotion practices must continue to be fostered alongside mentorship opportunities and career advancement education for women. Looking to the future, as we see more retirements, there are real opportunities to elevate more women into a broader range of leadership positions, increasing equality in these organizations.

Here at DC, while I am proud of the work we have done to support gender equality, I know that there are opportunities to do more. I think we need to look at benchmarking where we are today to be able to celebrate the successes we are realizing now and identify how we can leverage our institution to drive gender equality.


From our new president to dedicated faculty members and accomplished students and graduates, DC is home to remarkable women who are leading the way. In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re sharing just some of their stories. Meet some of the women who make us #DCProud.