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

Durham College recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges and a leader in artificial intelligence applied research

Durham College (DC) is a nationally recognized leader in research and innovation, having once again been named one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges by Research Infosource Inc.

The high-impact work done by DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (ORSIE) five research centres – the AI Hub, Centre for Craft Beverage Innovation, MRC Studio, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation and Social Impact Hub – received strong reviews in the annual report.

This year, DC placed first among medium-sized colleges in two artificial intelligence (AI) related categories; AI research partnerships, with 87, and AI completed research projects, with 106. Led by the AI Hub, DC has cemented its reputation as an authority in the burgeoning AI sector.

“AI is everywhere for companies right now, and they are looking to colleges and organizations like ours to help them bring it into their work in a meaningful way,” explained Natalie Arthurs, Senior Manager of the AI Hub. “DC is a destination of choice for cutting-edge, applied AI.”

As the only Technology Access Centre (TAC) in Canada that’s exclusively focused on artificial intelligence, the AI Hub has solved complex challenges for a variety of companies in eight provinces. For Niagara-based beauty brand Adoreyes, they helped develop a deep learning-based skin analysis platform that provides real-time insights to estheticians. They teamed with Forged Operations to determine how AI could improve the software utilized in nuclear environments.

“With the deep expertise we have across our five research centres, we are meeting the needs of our industry partners,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research at DC. “Being named one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges recognizes that expertise and the good work that we’re doing in our community and across the country.”

To learn more about DC’s applied research centres, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/orsie.

Alumni Entrepreneur Toolkit launched at DC Talks: Alumni Series

At the latest DC Talks: Alumni Series event, Durham College (DC) welcomed a panel of five graduates who all have one thing in common – they leveraged their DC education to turn bold ideas into thriving ventures.

Hosted in the Rotary Global Classroom at DC, this event explored the lasting connection between education, business and community.

“I was able to make all kinds of contacts in the school,” explained Paul Fritzsch, a Horticulture – Food and Farming graduate whose business idea developed during his time as a student. “I was able to come back and get help with marketing ideas, stay connected with those coming out of the program, and access breaks on insurance – you need it when you’re starting a business!”

Panel moderator Ariel Sully, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations, also announced the new Alumni Entrepreneur Toolkit, which pulls together many of the valuable resources Paul and fellow alumni entrepreneurs tap into to support their business growth. The toolkit includes information about promotion and advertising, opportunities for startup funding and growth support, savings on business insurance, and programs available through DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship on topics including AI, cybersecurity, and intellectual property protection.

Hosted by the Durham College Alumni Association and supported by Kleurvision, this event was also a part of ‘Do It In Durham Entrepreneurship Week,’ Durham Region’s celebration of entrepreneurship held each November during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Read on to get to know the panellists or watch the full recording of DC Talks: Alumni Series “From Education to Entrepreneur.”

  • Brittany Charlton

    Law Clerk Advanced, Class of 2016

    Brittany Charlton is a Forbes 30U30 entrepreneur and founder of Chocovate Labs. In 2017, Brittany started Ohh! Foods, a line of allergen-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free snacks inspired by her own food allergy. What started as a personal mission became a national brand, landing on shelves in Walmart, Costco, and 1,000+ retail doors across Canada. In 2025, she launched Chocovate Labs, a food-tech company developing cocoa-free chocolate that looks, tastes, and performs like traditional chocolate, without using a single cocoa bean. As cocoa prices skyrocket and supply chains strain, Chocovate Labs helps global food brands future-proof their chocolate products through scalable, sustainable alternatives.

  • Paul Fritzsch

    Horticulture – Food and Farming, Class of 2023

    After a 20-year career in software technology, Paul decided to follow a lifelong passion for agriculture and return to college. While at DC, he participated in the Student Work program, where he gained invaluable experience in his role as Community and Edible Gardens Ambassador representing the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture. During his last semester, he founded Urban Farm Solutions, an urban agriculture company with a mission to help create holistic communities that are food-sovereign and connected to the health of their own environments. By transforming underutilized urban green spaces into productive and beautiful market gardens, much of the food grown can be donated to local food banks and care organizations.

  • Zenon Issel

    Mechanical Engineering Technology, Class of 1998

    Zenon is a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur with a diverse career spanning engineering, business development, and brand leadership across industries and continents. After graduating from Durham College, Zenon spent over two decades with Solar Turbines where he designed turbomachinery products and managed a team supporting billions in annual revenue. Today, Zenon calls Hawai‘i home, where he blends his technical background with his entrepreneurial drive. Together with his wife, Cindy, he co-founded Surf-fur, a performance outerwear brand that pioneered a new product category in the watersports industry. For nearly 20 years, Surf-fur has provided warmth, safety, and protection to ocean enthusiasts and professionals worldwide, including members of the military and special operations.

  • Nicole Morais

    Hospitality Management – Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism, Class of 2016

    Nicole is the founder and CEO of Crave Doughnuts. Launched in 2018, Crave has become a local favourite in Durham Region with its first location in Whitby followed by a second in Oshawa, collectively selling approximately 5,000 doughnuts per week. Nicole has been passionate about hospitality for as long as she can remember and fell in love with the idea of creating memorable experiences through food while connecting with her community. With a focus on locally sourced, quality ingredients, Nicole and the team at Crave bring joy to people’s lives with doughnuts handmade with love from scratch.

  • Shanondoah Nicholson

    Event Management, Class of 2013

    Shanondoah is an award-winning event planner who makes magic happen. After 15 years of in-house roles in various industries, she has recently taken Beyond the BEO full time, offering not only her own event planning services, but career coaching and training for event professionals. Shanondoah has a unique ability to understand both her client’s, and her client’s clients’ needs, intuitively. These lead to her routinely producing experiences that attendees speak about for years to come. She is also the creator and host of the Beyond the BEO podcast, which routinely features notable industry guests discussing important topics to further educate listeners about all aspects of the events industry.

DC graduate receives prestigious award from Canadian Bureau for International Education

Taking a life-changing trip to Guatemala wasn’t on Andre Ata’s radar when he began his studies at Durham College (DC).

But last October, the 2025 Video Production graduate seized the opportunity to participate in a Faculty-Led Classroom Abroad (FLCA) trip to the Central American country. There, he and his DC peers visited the community of San Felipe and taught local students how to tell stories through visual media.

It was a powerful experience for Ata, and when he returned home, he produced a moving video essay to commemorate the journey.

In recognition of his contributions to the FLCA trip and the profound impact it had on him, he was nominated for the Canadian Bureau for International Education’s (CBIE) New World Award, given annually to a Canadian student who contributes to the internationalization of their campus community. Earlier this month, he attended the CBIE’s annual conference in Quebec City to accept the award.

“It was one of the greatest decisions I’ve made in my entire life,” said Ata of taking part in the trip. “If I could only describe it with one word, it would be fulfilling.”

Offering opportunities for students to become global citizens is a priority for DC, and they don’t even have to leave campus to gain an international perspective. With Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives, faculty members can co-develop and co-teach courses with international partners, and students can connect with peers from other countries virtually. And with DC’s Global Learner Recognition Program, students can participate in activities to explore different perspectives and worldviews.

“DC is a leader in creating global citizens and providing opportunities for students and faculty,” said Abbas Sumar, Dean, International Education. “Our students benefit from transformative global experiences that broaden their perspectives and complement their in-class education with experiential learning.”

Unsurprisingly, Ata and the DC contingent experienced some culture shock when visiting the small community, including a language barrier. But they overcame the challenges to bond with their welcoming hosts and find plenty of common ground. Together, the DC students and their Guatemalan friends worked on videos exploring important subjects like deforestation, climate change and pollution.

“It was very surprising to see kids who are no older than 15 or 16 years old having such mature mindsets and talking about real life problems,” he said. “They’re very self aware and very mature. I was able to teach them, but they were able to teach me things too.”

Sharing his knowledge with the students only solidified Ata’s love for teaching, which he first discovered in his role as an instructor at the Harmony Martial Arts and Fitness Center in Pickering. He plans to pursue it in the future, while continuing to develop his own multimedia design company.

His experience in Guatemala has proven to be invaluable, and he encourages students to embrace any opportunity to do something similar.

“It’s a very grounding experience. It takes you away from this western civilization that we’ve come to know and take for granted. Once you go into these different parts of the world, it really expands your view,” he said.  “There are so many other civilizations, so many other people, so many other things going on in this world, and I think experiencing them firsthand will help you grow as a person.”

More information about international education at DC is available online.

Durham College’s Voices in Durham honoured at Canadian Student Journalism Awards

Durham College (DC) Journalism – Mass Media students have earned national recognition for their work amplifying local voices through Voices in Durham — a community-driven storytelling project that connects students with local organizations across Durham Region.

The project received an Honourable Mention in the Community-Driven Project of the Year category at the 2025 Canadian Student Journalism Awards, hosted by J-Schools Canada. As the only Ontario college recognized among this year’s winners, DC stood proudly alongside leading university teams from across the country.

Community collaboration and impact

Launched in 2021, Voices in Durham was developed to help address what’s known as a news desert — communities where shrinking newsroom resources have left residents without consistent local coverage. In these areas, stories about social issues and everyday lives often go untold.

Through the project, DC students collaborate with local organizations and community partners to bring stories to light — with empathy, understanding, and an emphasis on community connection. Topics explored have included homelessness, mental health, criminal involvement, and racism, aligning with priorities identified in Durham Region’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.

“This initiative shows how collaboration between students and community partners not only strengthens local journalism but also ensures that important stories are told with care and accuracy,” said Teresa Goff, Program Coordinator of the journalism programs at DC. “It gives students the chance to practice journalism that listens before it speaks.”

The project spans multiple courses in the college’s Journalism and Broadcasting programs and has been supported through funding from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada and partnerships with organizations, such as Safety Network Durham, Revitaled Reintegration, Their Opportunity, Autism Homebase, and the Clarington East Food Bank.

Student leadership on display at CAJ Unplugged 2025

With support from the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), the students have built on this momentum and helped organize CAJ Unplugged: Voices in Durham 2025, a two-day event set to take place November 15 and 16.

Working together with DC’s Collaboragency team, students will support social media promotion, videography, and event coordination, continuing the project’s focus on hands-on learning and community storytelling.

Journalism student Lauren Cole, one of two producers for this year’s event, said the experience has deepened her understanding of the role local journalism plays in community life.

“As a journalism student, it’s important to know the community you report on,” she said. “This project helped me learn about the non-profits that make a real difference in Durham Region.”

Fellow producer Juan Suarez and Indigenous peer mentor Eva Ritchie are also contributing in key leadership roles, with Ritchie collaborating with traditional knowledge keeper Jim Adams to ensure Indigenous perspectives are represented respectfully throughout the event.

From classroom learning to national recognition, Voices in Durham continues to demonstrate the impact of community-first storytelling — and the growing role of DC’s Journalism students in revitalizing local news.

Durham College, Trent University accelerating talent for supply chain sector with new diploma-to-degree agreement

Durham College (DC) and Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have established a new transfer agreement that provides students in DC’s Supply Chain and Operations diploma and advanced diploma programs with an accelerated pathway to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Trent Durham.

Through the agreement, eligible graduates can fast-track their bachelor’s degree by transferring earned credits from the college to Trent. Students in this pathway will build on the practical, experiential knowledge gained at DC with a broader theoretical foundation at Trent and further application of logistics and supply chain principles. By working together, the institutions will strengthen opportunities for students pursuing careers in one of Canada’s fastest growing and most critical sectors.

“This agreement recognizes the deep value of the applied, hands-on training our students receive and gives them the opportunity to build on that with further academic theory – a combination that sets them up for success working in the complex world of supply chain management,” said Cristina Italia, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Information Technology at DC.

Industry demand continues to rise for supply chain professionals who can manage disruption, drive innovation, and lead in a rapidly evolving global market. By staying local while accessing high-quality education from both institutions, students benefit from convenience, continuity, and strong ties to regional employers.

“Dependable supply chains are the backbone of our global economy, so it is vital that we support the education and training of new talent in this field,” said Dr. Scott Henderson, Vice-President and Head of Trent University Durham GTA. “Businesses here in the Durham Region and around the world need leaders in logistics who can navigate shifting policies and emerging technology to help them succeed and grow. With this pathway, our institutions will facilitate a new generation of leaders and experts.”

The pathway is open to both current and recent DC graduates who began their studies from fall 2020 onward, who are looking to enhance their credentials.

For more information about this and other pathways, visit Durham College Transfer Pathways or ontransfer.ca.

Join us for Fall Open House at Durham College, November 8

Is Durham College (DC) in your future? Whether you’re still considering your options or you’ve already accepted your offer of admission, there are so many reasons that you’ll want to attend Fall Open House on Saturday, November 8 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

When Erin Hord was exploring post-secondary programs, she attended an Open House event, and the second-year Advertising and Promotion student is glad she did. From meeting her future professors one-on-one to getting an early look at classrooms and labs, it was an invaluable opportunity to get to know her future academic home. At Fall Open House, she’ll pay it forward by volunteering to guide the next generation of students as they discover DC for themselves.

“When I attended an Open House as a potential student, two upper-year students were there to answer my questions and give me a student perspective on what the Advertising and Promotion program would be like for me,” she said. Their support was essential in helping her commit to her program.

For first-year Electrical Engineering Technician student Stephen Pascoa, Open House was his introduction to a mentor in his DC journey; professor Robert Pinches.

“Being able to meet and talk to Rob gave me the confidence that I was making the right choice in going to DC. He gave me a lot of advice about becoming an electrician and joining a union,” he said.

After taking a campus tour and submitting his application, Pascoa spent the rest of the event with the professor, who gamely fielded every question thrown his way.

“Even if you’re an introverted person like me, try to build up a bit of courage to talk to the professors and coordinators,” he said. “They’re happy to meet you and will help you get a good idea about each program and the career path it’ll guide you towards.”

Volunteering at Fall Open House is an opportunity for Pascoa to share his own DC experience with new students.

Are you ready to find your own way at DC? Register now for Open House and you’ll be eligible to win a $5,000 tuition credit. Join us this Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to learn why DC is the Best. Decision. Ever.

Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture honoured with 2025 Durham Region Accessibility Advisory Committee Award

Accessibility is at the heart of Durham College’s (DC) Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, where every element of its work — from design to programming — is focused on ensuring everyone can learn, grow, and connect through food.

This commitment has earned the Barrett Centre a 2025 Accessibility Advisory Committee Award from the Region of Durham, which honours organizations and individuals making outstanding contributions to accessibility across the region.

Received in recognition of its work at the Ajax Urban Farm, the Barrett Centre is reimagining how agriculture and experiential learning can be inclusive for all. The farm was built with universal design principles in mind, and features accessible picnic tables, crushed gravel pathways, raised garden beds, and regular rest stops to support individuals with reduced mobility or complex needs. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) signage and handheld supports further ensure that everyone can communicate and participate fully in on-site activities.

“Creating inclusive spaces where everyone can learn and experience the benefits of sustainable agriculture is an important part of our mission,” said Carey Yeoman, Partnership Manager at the Barrett Centre. “This award reflects the dedication of our team and community partners who help us break down barriers every day.”

Through weekly on-farm partnerships and seasonal programming this summer, the Barrett Centre collaborated with various community organizations, including:

    • The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region, whose clients engaged in gentle movement, reminiscing, and hands-on activities.
    • The Community Development Council of Durham – Adult Newcomers, which focused on community building, agri-education, and language skills.
    • Grandview Kids, where participants explored communication, sensory experiences, and nature connections.

“This was our first time hosting one of our Active Living programs entirely outdoors, and it was largely made possible due to the accessibility considerations of the farm’s design and team,” said Sara Sellers, Manager, Alzheimer Society of Durham Region. “They took the time to learn about our client’s needs, abilities, and interests and completed our Dementia Friendly Community training beforehand to expand their dementia skills and knowledge.”

The Barrett Centre’s Food IQ workshop series also extends this work beyond the farm, engaging groups such as the Brain Injury Association of Durham to build food literacy, skill development, and hands-on learning focused on affordable, nutritious, and replicable meals.

As the farm season winds down, the Barrett Centre will continue advancing accessibility initiatives through the Food IQ series and other community-based programs across Durham Region.

“Our goal is to keep building on this momentum,” Yeoman added. “We want to continue demonstrating that agriculture can be a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone.”

The Barrett Centre received the award at the Region of Durham’s Annual Accessibility Awards Celebration in September.

Finance – Business Administration student wins $5,000 tuition credit

Winning a $5,000 tuition credit from Durham College (DC) was a big (and pleasant) surprise for Taylor Bacon.

“I was sitting in class while I received this news,” said the first-year Finance – Business Administration student. “I was absolutely thrilled and excited, and honestly I didn’t think it was real.”

Fortunately, it was. She’s the lucky winner of an annual contest open to all DC applicants who register for campus events such as Open House and Program Information Nights.

“Winning this tuition award means a lot to me, because growing up, money was something my family struggled with,” she said. “I come from a single parent household, and I have always watched my mom work a crazy amount to provide for me and my siblings.

After graduating from high school earlier this year, she had considered taking a year to work and save money for college. Ultimately, she decided not to delay her education, and now she has a big head start on paying her tuition fees.

“I’m very thankful and extremely happy. This money helps me in so many ways.”

For DC President Dr. Elaine Popp, it’s always a pleasure to see the profound difference this award can make in a student’s life.

“At DC, we’re committed to helping our students thrive. Support like this not only eases financial pressure but also shows our belief in their potential. We’re so pleased to celebrate Taylor’s hard work and be part of her continued success.”

Research project empowers parents with cognitive challenges

Durham College’s (DC) Social Impact Hub is at the forefront of a groundbreaking community-engaged research project designed to identify gaps and determine how to improve support for parents with cognitive challenges.

Research shows that while many such parents are able to hold jobs and live independently with minimal support, the average global rate of custody removal for those that become parents is significantly higher than any other group of children.

“Parents with cognitive challenges should not have to prove themselves capable of parenting and yet, they do,” explained Amanda Cappon, DC faculty member who led the project with DC faculty member Kay Corbier. “They are held to a level of scrutiny higher than any other parent, which was the motivation for this project – to challenge the stigma of being a parent with cognitive challenges and mitigate trauma to families.”

The project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), brought together a wide network of collaborators, including the Starfish Parent Support Program, the Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham Children’s Aid Society, Lake Ridge Community Support Services, and Brock University. Students from DC were hired as research assistants, gaining hands-on experience in community collaboration and applied research while contributing to positive social impact.

Raising Resilient Families: Empowering Parents with Cognitive Challenges highlights the importance of early intervention, community collaboration, and support systems rooted in respect and dignity, influencing lasting change that promotes the well-being of families and prevents unnecessary disruption.

At the heart of the project was a deep commitment to amplify the voices of parents with cognitive challenges, ensuring their lived experiences shaped the project at every step. The multi-phase project included:

  • Interviews with parents and service providers to identify barriers, strengths and gaps in support.
  • Training to over 30 staff from local service providers in the evidence-based Step-by-Step Parenting Program, developed by team member Dr. Maurice Feldman, to build awareness of the unique needs and challenges of parents with cognitive challenges and enhance their skillset for supporting them.
  • Collaborative sessions with parents and service providers to design supports, such as a post-birth plan and parent support group model.

The Raising Resilient Families Final Report identifies the need for systemic change — enhanced supports for parents, tailored training for service providers, and policies that reduce bias and promote equity. The project team will actively share the knowledge gained from this project over the next few months, aiming to spark further conversations and actions that will positively impact practice and the lives of families in our communities.

“The role of parents is critical, as they have the ability to quite literally shape future generations,” said Deanna Cooper, Research Associate and DC Alumni. “As individuals with cognitive challenges embark on their journey of becoming parents, we’re committed to improving the individualized support they may need to foster a safe and healthy environment for their children.”

Durham College Alumni Honoured with Premier’s Award

Two Durham College (DC) graduates and Toronto police officers have been recognized with one of Ontario’s highest honours for college alumni — the Premier’s Award — for their groundbreaking work supporting military veterans.

Jeremy Burns and Aaron Dale, both DC alumni and co-founders of the Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP), were named 2025 recipients of the Premier’s Award in the Community Advancement category, presented by Colleges Ontario in partnership with the Government of Ontario. The awards celebrate outstanding college graduates whose achievements have made significant contributions in their fields and strengthened Ontario’s economy, communities and industries.

Dale completed the Police Foundations program at Durham College in 2005 while in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force. In 2012, Dale joined the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), becoming a Special Forces Operator.

Burns graduated from DC’s Law and Security Administration program in 2004 and Penology and Youth program in 2005, before joining the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force in 2007. He was stationed at CFB Edmonton with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, deploying to Afghanistan in 2009. His experiences in combat profoundly impacted him and upon returning home, he struggled with mental health challenges.

While they both attended DC, the pair didn’t meet until they both joined the Toronto Police Service where they discovered a shared interest in developing a program to support other veterans.

Building on their college education and military service, Burns and Dale created the MVWP, a first-of-its-kind initiative that helps police officers better understand and support veterans as they transition to civilian life. Drawing on their own experiences in the military, the pair saw a gap in services for veterans struggling with mental health challenges, homelessness, and the risk of suicide — and took action.

Now in place at more than 90 police agencies, the MVWP has provided training and resources to over 18,000 officers across Canada and connected hundreds of veterans with urgent care. Endorsed at all levels of government and recognized by international policing bodies, the program helps to reshape policy across borders. Developed on their own time and launched in partnership with the Toronto Police Service, it is now mandatory training for all Toronto police officers, with the RCMP and Ontario Provincial Police also implementing it.

“At Durham College, we learned theories of community policing and at the Toronto Police Service, we had the opportunity to turn those theories into action,” said Dale. “We transformed our knowledge into living practice to help build trust within our communities and make lasting change.”

Through innovation, empathy, and leadership, Burns and Dale are transforming how communities support those who have served — and exemplify the impact of a Durham College education.