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.