Results of Durham College’s (DC) first Diversity Self-Identification Survey are now available and will help support data-informed decision-making to continue the building of an inclusive and equitable campus culture. The survey was a collaborative effort by DC’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) and the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE).

Of the staff and students polled, more than 500 full-time and part-time employees and 1,900 full-time and part-time students responded to the survey between January 25 to February 5, 2021, helping DC gather demographic data on five identity dimensions, including Indigenous identity, gender, sexual orientation, disability and ethnic origin.

Of note, eight in 10 employee respondents indicated that they believe people of all identities are valued at the college (85.5 per cent) and that they feel a sense of belonging as identities are valued at DC (80.3 per cent).

The results provide an opportunity to reflect on and improve DC’s current processes, policies and drive data-informed decision-making. One in five (20.2 per cent) employees perceive barriers to career progressions based on their personal identity, and over 68 per cent believe that transparency in decision-making about equity and inclusion decisions will help the college become a more diverse and inclusive institution.

This critical baseline information will support DC’s commitment to respect and inclusion. Together we will continue to lead the way to move the college beyond equity and inclusion to belonging.

Thank you to all who participated in the survey. For further information, please view the report online.

On October 25 and 26, girls from regional school boards participated in the Expand the Possibilities 4.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference (YWSTT) hosted by Durham College (DC). The on-campus event, in its fourth year, featured a series of interactive activities designed to foster a sense of curiosity in science, technology and skilled trades and connect Grade 7 and 8 girls to career opportunities in these fields.

To kick off each day of the conference, students heard from tech start-up founder and CEO Jessica Lui and HGTV home renovation expert Kate Campbell, before participating in several hands-on workshops at DC’s state-of-the-art facilities and learning spaces. 

“Women make up only 23 per cent of Canadians employed in science and technology, according to Statistics Canada,” says Bonnie St. George, associate vice president, Academic Administration. “As a post-secondary institution leading the way in science, technology and skilled trades, DC is uniquely positioned to help students surpass any gender barriers to entry in their chosen profession. We hope the conference helps these girls feel encouraged and inspired to pursue a career in a field they might not have considered.”

Students participated in a number of hands-on workshops including science and technology-themed activities, such as building a robot, investigating pond water under a microscope, and studying candy chromatography, the process of separating colours from candy using science. The event also featured a number of skilled trades learning opportunities, such as plumbing, welding and carpentry.

The event garnered praise from attendees, including Mikayla, a student at Monsignor J. Pereyma Catholic School in Oshawa.

 “Kate [Campbell] really inspired me today,” said Mikayla. “After hearing about how she grew up playing baseball around boys who would put her down and how her family supported her choices to do what she wanted to do, I think that would motivate other girls and break the stereotype that girls can’t do sports. Girls can do anything boys can do.”

This event was possible because of the generous support of community partners: Ontario Power Generation, Aecon, Black & McDonald, Elexicon Energy, Enercare, Gerdau, RESCON and Safran Landing Systems.

More information about YWSTT is available online.

As the federal and provincial governments emphasize the development of mental health support services as a priority to Canadians, Durham College (DC) is pleased to share that it has received consent from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer a new degree program available starting September 2023, the Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health (HBMH).

According to the National Mental Health Institute, one in two Canadians will experience mental illness by the age of forty. With the HBMH, students will be trained with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to support individuals, organizations and institutions across of variety of mental health areas and make a significant contribution to the health and well-being of our communities. As the fifth degree offered at DC, HBMH’s inaugural program intake is September 2023, where students will learn about counselling theory and skills, social psychology, professional practices and interventions and more.

“With one in five Canadians experiencing a mental illness each year, there is an unprecedented need for increased services and experts in the community mental health field,” says Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic. “Graduates of this interdisciplinary degree program will be able to create a meaningful impact on their community by supporting the mental health of diverse populations in Canada, including Indigenous peoples, immigrants, refugees, women and 2SLGBTQIA+ clients.”

HBMH will encompass multiple subjects, including psychology, counselling, health promotion, and social justice. Through a comprehensive mix of theoretical, research and applied courses, students will acquire the skills needed to become leaders in mental health services. There will also be an opportunity to bridge education into real-world experience with a 14-week mandatory field placement, allowing for the practical application of methods and techniques for working collaboratively in the industry.

“As the demand for mental health services grows in Canada, the next generation of graduates is entering a workforce that requires a complex combination of technical knowledge as well as soft skills like cultural sensitivity and social awareness,” says Don Lovisa, president. “Our excellence in blending theoretical education with experiential learning opportunities will give our students a competitive advantage among other new graduates and help them lead the way in the evolving landscape of mental health.”

HBMH graduates may apply to the Master of Counselling Psychology degree program at the University of Western Ontario or pursue graduate education at Carleton University or Sir Wilfred Laurier University, if desired. Career opportunities for HBMH grads are numerous and varied, from social workers to crisis counsellors to housing advocates.

To learn more about this exciting new program, please visit www.durhamcollege.ca/hbmh.

Media contact:

Elyse Carney
Communications Officer
Communications + Marketing
Durham College
elyse.carney@durhamcollege.ca

Durham College (DC) is officially on the map after recently acquiring the naming rights to one of GO Transit’s busiest stations.

On Tuesday, October 4, DC launched a 10-year station naming partnership with Metrolinx. What was formally known as the Oshawa GO Station will now be referred to by its brand-new name – Durham College Oshawa GO.

By partnering with Metrolinx, DC is strengthening its relationship with future students, employees and partners in the community, a priority for the college as it continues to fulfill its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. This unique marketing opportunity also helps DC position itself in the community and surrounding areas as a leader in education, collaboration, inclusivity and innovation.

Metrolinx is an essential part of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) that supports many of DC’s students and employees daily as they work, live and learn in the Durham Region and beyond.

“This exciting new partnership with Metrolinx is a prime example of how Durham College is leading the way,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Having served Durham Region and beyond for over 55 years, we take immense pride in our community engagement and continue to focus on excellence – not only in the innovative and transformative education we provide to our students but as a vital component of Durham Region’s economic landscape for years to come.”

Members of the Durham Region and the GTHA who rely on GO Transit services daily can expect many changes to reflect this new announcement. In addition to the new signage that was unveiled on the Oshawa station building, a rollout of further communications will take place over the coming weeks and months, including; ‘next stop’ passenger announcements, transit signage, digital and web updates, as well as system maps and schedules, to name a few.

Many transit agencies worldwide have already successfully incorporated naming rights into their transit systems, including San Francisco’s Salesforce Transit Center, Philadelphia’s NRG and WAWA Station’s and most recently, NJ Transit’s BetMGM Meadowlands Rail Line.

“This announcement marks an exciting milestone for Metrolinx. We look forward to this new agreement with Durham College and in doing so, we are increasing awareness about transit and GO connections for both students, employees, and visitors to the college and the City of Oshawa,” said Mark Childs, Chief Marketing Officer, Metrolinx.

For Durham College, this new opportunity bears as a sign that the transformative and experiential-based institution is prioritizing its relationship with its students, employees and community, which serves as a preview of what’s to come in the future – further collaboration, excellence and innovative thinking.

On September 30, Durham College (DC) recognized Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by hosting a number of events on the day of and leading up to September 30 to help foster understanding and a commitment to change. These events included a presentation by Pamela Post on Indigenous representation in media, a book club discussion of Phyllis Webstad’s “Beyond the Orange shirt story,” and a trip to the Heber Downs conservation area, where Traditional Medicine Keeper Joseph Pitawanakwat guided participants through an exploratory walk to learn about edible plant medicines.

The Naanaagide’endamowin Courtyard

Members of the campus community also gathered for a special ceremony in the Naanaagide’endamowin courtyard, which means The Art of Thinking. The courtyard is now home to the Pathway of Pause and Reflection, featuring six QR codes that link to information about Land Acknowledgements, the Indigenous Histories Modules, 13 Moons, Sacred Medicines, the Weeping Willow, and upcoming events at the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC).

At the ceremony, Dr. Elder Shirley Williams offered an opening prayer and shared the significance of recognizing Orange Shirt Day in educational institutions. Don Lovisa, president of DC, offered remarks on the college’s responsibility to ensure that Indigenous voices are included in ongoing conversations and that space is being held and encouraged, with Indigenous involvement at the forefront of the college.

This ceremony signalled a commitment to increasing awareness and understanding of our shared history by acknowledging our role and responsibility in reconciliation, as well as our commitment to honour Residential School survivors, their families, and communities.

Announcing the special naming stone

In the coming days, a special naming stone will be installed in the courtyard, honouring the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, held on September 30, 2021. This stone will welcome people to the space and encourage introspection as visitors seek knowledge by using the QR codes throughout the garden to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation and the work of the FPIC.

Lighting the campus orange

At sundown, the Oshawa campus’ Centre for Collaborative Education and the Whitby campus’ main building will both be illuminated orange. In doing this, we know it will increase awareness in our communities about Truth and Reconciliation and pay tribute to all the lives lost.

We hope that the DC community will continue to use the Naanaagide’endamowin Courtyard, sheltered under the branches of the weeping willow, for reflection and quiet contemplation on the lives that were forever altered by the Indian Residential School system, remembering those children who never returned to the loving care of their communities. The courtyard also serves as a place where individuals can review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and consider what they can do personally and professionally to ensure these calls to action are fully recognized.

You can learn more about FPIC online.