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Faculty Member Dave Hawey Earns Prestigious Worldchefs Global Certification

Chef Dave Hawey, Faculty Member in Durham College’s Faculty of Hospitality and Horticultural Science, has been awarded the prestigious Worldchefs Certified Chef de Cuisine certification, underscoring his expertise, commitment to sustainability, and dedication to culinary excellence.

To earn this globally recognized level of achievement, Hawey provided evidence of his years of experience, his job duties, and previously earned credentials. The process also involved responding to detailed questions covering topics such as food safety, customer service, and his philosophy on zero-waste food production. Additionally, he developed and presented three original, complex recipes as part of the evaluation.

“As a believer of both lifelong learning and professional certification, I’m proud to be certified by Worldchefs,” said Hawey. “Obtaining this certification shows my culinary management students that regardless of your age or level of experience, possibilities of personal and professional goal achievement are possible because of organizations such as Worldchefs.”

A Faculty Member in the Culinary Management program at DC for nearly 15 years, Hawey is passionate about hands-on learning and professional development.

“Teaching in the kitchens and classrooms, alongside my colleagues, is what I enjoy the most,” he said. “The Whitby campus has evolved tremendously over the years, and with our state-of-the-art facilities, we can offer a top-tier culinary education. The support from management and my fellow faculty has allowed me to engage in professional development activities that enhance our program, including charcuterie production, butchery, and cheese making. These elements differentiate us from other culinary programs and keep our curriculum dynamic and industry relevant.”

Kelly O’Brien, Associate Dean, Faculty of Hospitality and Horticulture Science, emphasized the impact of Hawey’s achievement on students and the program.

“Recognizing Dave for his Worldchefs Certified Chef de Cuisine global certification highlights his expertise, dedication, and commitment to sustainability within our programs,” she said. “His achievement not only reflects his pursuit of culinary excellence but also strengthens the program’s credibility and alignment with global industry standards.”

For students, this recognition offers direct value—learning from a chef with deep industry connections, a strong focus on sustainability, and an adaptive approach that ensures the curriculum evolves in response to industry demands, said O’Brien.

“Dave serves as a role model, exemplifying continuous learning, innovation, and professional excellence. His expertise enhances the student experience, equipping them with relevant, forward-thinking, and globally recognized skills.”

Durham College Partners with RPA Canada to Offer New Pathway for Accounting Graduates

Accounting – Business students at Durham College (DC) have another route to career success thanks to a new pathway agreement with Registered Professional Accountant (RPA) Canada.

By completing the program at DC, students will be recognized as meeting the RPA prerequisites and be eligible to write the RPA Mandatory Professional Exam. By receiving their RPA designation, graduates will be prepared to provide accounting services for small and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures.

“We are proud to partner with RPA Canada to offer our Accounting – Business graduates an additional pathway to professional success,” said Cristina Italia, Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Information Technology at DC. “This partnership expands our students’ opportunities for accreditation, equipping them with the credentials and competitive advantage needed to thrive in today’s dynamic job market.”

The agreement was made official with a special event at the Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) where RPA Canada President Zubair Choudhry and DC’s Vice President, Academic and Students Dr. Jean Choi signed on the dotted line.

“This partnership with Durham College represents a shared vision for empowering future accountants with the practical skills, technological expertise, and professional knowledge required in today’s evolving financial landscape,” said Choudhry. “Together, we are creating accessible and impactful pathways that will shape the next generation of accounting professionals.”

For Choi, the agreement is one more example of DC’s commitment to providing students with unique opportunities and a competitive edge as they launch their careers.

“At DC, we deeply value our partnerships with industry and professional organizations. It’s these connections that help inform our curricula and ensure our programs remain relevant,” she said.

“We hope our students will take full advantage of this opportunity, and we look forward to seeing all they can accomplish as future registered professional accountants.”

To learn more about the RPA designation, visit RPA Canada.

Exploring the zigzag career path at DC Talks: Alumni Series

No career path is the same and the path to success is not always a straightforward one.

To demonstrate this, four Durham College (DC) alumni from varying industries recently returned for a DC Talks: Alumni Series titled, The Zigzag Career Path. They shared with students, employees and fellow alumni how they leveraged the skills and connections they made during their time at DC to help propel them into the next, sometimes unexpected, chapters of their careers.

Karey Anne Large, CEO, Whitby Chamber of Commerce, and 1997 graduate of Legal Administration (now named Law Clerk), shared that when she didn’t make the move to work full-time in a law firm, she thought she would never use what she learned in college. “But my office role evolved,” she said, “And I ended up being the point person for executing contracts – and I still use those skills today! I wouldn’t change what I studied because it puts a different lens on the things I do now.”

The conversation covered the importance of building resiliency and adaptability, as well as embracing the opportunities in front of you.

“Younger me didn’t know it was okay to change the dream,” said Adam Hare, President of Petley-Hare Insurance Brokers, Co-founder of Bread & Butter Creative Agency and 2006 graduate of Multimedia Design (now named Interactive Media Design). “You all have a dream right now, but things are constantly evolving. Be okay with that.”

The DC Talks: Alumni Series is hosted by the Durham College Alumni Association and aims to inspire current students, facilitate networking among alumni, and highlight success stories. Hosted twice a year, this event welcomes panellists and guests to join online or in person in the Rotary Global Classroom.

Read on to get to know the panellists and learn from their experiences. Watch the full recording of DC Talks: Alumni Series “The Zigzag Career Path.”

  • Adam Hare

    Multimedia Design, Class of 2006

    Adam’s career journey began as a young entrepreneur, launching his own clothing line, and later evolved into managing a creative team at Universal Music Canada, one of the world’s top entertainment companies. More recently, Adam has made a significant impact in the insurance industry, modernizing a century-old business model into a cutting-edge, culture first, technology-driven operation. In addition, he co-founded a full-service digital marketing and consulting agency, Bread & Butter Creative Agency, helping large brands and small businesses across Canada elevate their presence and achieve success.

  • Karey Anne Large

    Legal Administration, Class of 1997

    While working in the corporate world in 2005, Karey Anne started making cakes out of her home kitchen. After discovering her passion for cake decorating, she dove in headfirst, leaving her corporate career behind and opening her first retail location in 2011. She saw many sweet successes during her cake decorating journey, claiming a number of awards, including first runner up on Food Network’s Cake Wars. In 2017, she became the Executive Director of the Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area, combining her experience as a small business owner with her love for the Town of Whitby. In recent years, Karey Anne has continued to serve the business community as the Executive Director of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce, and has now returned to Whitby as the CEO of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce.

  • Leslie Seeley

    Sports Administration, Class of 1986

    Leslie’s extensive career with General Motors of Canada spanned multiple roles, including Senior Community Leader and Business Manager. With over 30 years of experience in operations, project management, and safety oversight, Leslie retired from GM and opened Pure + Simple Oshawa, a premium wellness spa franchise. In addition to her role as manager and owner of Pure + Simple, she is also a part-time professor at DC, where she continues to focus on driving results, fostering innovation, and supporting others in achieving their potential.

  • Kirsten Walker

    Human Resource Management, Class of 2010

    In 2011, Kirsten moved to the UK to play professional football but stayed to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Psychology and now calls London home. Kirsten has over 10 years’ experience of leading, supporting and embedding large-scale transformation initiatives. A strong relationship manager, this has taken her cross-industry in the transport, pharmaceutical, energy, financial services and public sectors and has worked with various levels of executives to embed change. In her role as Business Manager at Newton Europe, she is currently leading a team of Operations and Digital consultants to improve people’s health and social care outcomes in Dorset by transforming their Urgent and Emergency Care pathways.

Durham College highlights research and development expertise at international tradeshow HANNOVER MESSE in Germany

Durham College (DC) is embracing an opportunity to showcase the college’s research and development capabilities to an international audience at one of the world’s most important tradeshows, HANNOVER MESSE.

The event runs from March 31 to April 4 in Hanover, Germany and DC will be represented by Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research and Robin Young, Director, Corporate Training Services.

“Durham College is thrilled to be exhibiting its research and development expertise at HANNOVER MESSE with its partners across Durham Region,” said McKee Demczyk. “Canada is the partner country for this year’s event, and more than 230 exhibitors and 250 delegates from Canada will be showcasing their technology and expertise across the tradeshow.”

DC’s exhibition partners include Invest Durham, local area municipalities, Ontario Tech University, Trent University Durham, Spark Centre, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, and Project Arrow. The college will focus on pitching cutting-edge technology services including: Artificial Intelligence Training and Advisory Services, 3D Product Video Production, Virtual Reality Training Development, Customized Corporate Training, and Cybersecurity Training and Services.

“We will also engage in preliminary discussions with international postsecondary institutions to contribute to research projects of global significance,” said McKee Demczyk. “We look forward to showcasing our expertise to international clients and partners and growing the international market for our future-focused business services.”

Through HANNOVER MESSE DC is hoping to create enhance partnerships with the local business community while building awareness of the college on the international stage.

“We have already been having very productive conversations with companies attending the tradeshow, and we look to deepen those partnerships while in Germany to launch real and meaningful collaboration on research and development projects.”

In July 2024, the government of Canada and the European Commission signed an agreement allowing Canada to participate in Horizon Europe funding calls under Pillar 2. Horizon Europe fosters opportunities for collaboration on international research and innovation.

“Now that Canada is eligible to participate in funding calls, Durham College hopes to develop international research partnerships where we can apply our cutting-edge technologies and services to consortiums who have come together to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges,” said McKee Demczyk.

Supply Chain students embrace experiential learning

Hands-on learning is a priority at Durham College (DC) and recently, students in the Supply Chain programs took advantage of two dynamic opportunities to put what they’re learning in the classroom to the test.

Global Manufacturing Sustainability SAP ERPSIM Challenge

In this competition, student teams managed a virtual manufacturing company using SAP S/4HANA – the same enterprise resource planning software utilized by businesses around the world.

Over three weeks, teams made critical real-time decisions in areas such as procurement, production, sales, inventory management, and sustainability initiatives. Their goal was to maximize their company’s financial valuation while maintaining sustainable business practices.

The DC team of Supply Chain Management – Global students Manik Badhwar, Deniesha Goldbourne, Ayokunle Ayodele, Ogooluwa Olafusi and Ravi placed sixth out of 22 teams from around the world.

“The competition was a great opportunity for me to apply the many concepts I had learned in my program,” said Badhwar. “It was one of the most memorable experiences of my time at Durham College—one I will never forget.”

For Supply Chain Program Coordinator Jennifer Souch, the team’s success in the competition was proof that their effort, dedication, and teamwork had paid off, and that her students are ready to launch successful careers.

“They demonstrated their ability to apply supply chain and enterprise resource planning knowledge in a practical setting,” said Souch. “Employers highly value hands-on experience and participating in a global competition of this caliber sets them apart in a competitive job market. It highlights their ability to make data-driven decisions, collaborate effectively, and adapt to complex business challenges—all essential skills for success in the industry.”

Collaborative Online Integrated Learning (COIL) initiative

DC and Inholland University partnered to give students a unique opportunity to collaborate with their peers on the other side of the world. Hundreds of students from each school took part in analyzing the fresh-cut flower and timber supply chains and providing actionable recommendations aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Five students stand in front of a screen studying a chart.

By taking part in the project, our DC students enhanced their intercultural communication skills, gained experience working in diverse, virtual teams and strengthened their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Working in concert with the SDGs was particularly helpful, as it challenged the students to consider real world problems that exist globally and how they might address them, according to Faculty Member Allana Persaud.

“Companies are looking for solution-oriented people. It’s one thing to know how to run a supply chain. It’s another thing to know how to proactively manage a supply chain with risk management, ensuring that you’re always looking ahead,” she said.

The initiative was an invaluable opportunity for experiential learning that will give the students an edge in the job market.

“If you’re in an interview and you’re asked about your experience, and you don’t have any, this project is something practical you can build upon,” said Chinasa Chukwuezue, one of the participating students.

Durham College hosts and sponsors epic ocean-themed FIRST Robotics Competition

More than 30 high school-aged teams embraced a thrilling, ocean-themed challenge at the FIRST Robotics Competition, which was hosted and sponsored by Durham College (DC) last weekend.

Around 1,200 high school students, parents, mentors and supporters from across Ontario converged in DC’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre on March 15 and 16 for the regional competition where teams looked to earn a spot in the Provincial Championships.

DC President Dr. Elaine Popp was on hand to welcome competitors at the opening ceremonies for the event.

“At DC, we are committed to fostering innovation and hands-on learning, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in today’s evolving technological landscape,” she said. “The FIRST Robotics Competition embodies these same values while providing participants with invaluable experience, lifelong friendships, and a passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).”

In the lead up to the competition, teams applied STEM knowledge and problem-solving skills to build and program 120-pound robots. Then, over the course of the weekend, teams deployed their robots in the alliance-based REEFSCAPE challenge aimed at encouraging them to explore STEM through the lens of sustainability and underwater ecosystems. During each match, two competing alliances used their robots to collect coral-themed pieces from human players and score them on the reef as well as dislodging and scoring algae-themed pieces.

After two days of action-packed competition, three teams were named event winners of the FIRST Robotics Ontario District Competition at Durham College: W.A.F.F.L.E.S. from W.A.F.F.L.E.S. Community Robotics in Kingston, Knight Owls from Northern Secondary School in Toronto and Wild WYRE from IE Weldon Secondary School in Lindsay. The prestigious FIRST Impact Award, honouring the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and embodies the purpose and goal of FIRST, went to ACCN UMOJA from African Canadian Christian Network in Scarborough.

Sitting volleyball a hit at Durham College

The inaugural year of sitting volleyball at Durham College (DC) was a big success.

Earlier this month, DC hosted the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Volleyball National Championship. During that event, DC partnered with ParaSport Ontario for the inaugural college/university sitting volleyball tournament. Five teams competed, including DC and Ontario Tech University. At the end of a fun day of competition, the Lords topped their campus rivals to finish third.

“It’s the first time that sitting volleyball has been included at a national level,” said Joe Millage, a former Director of ParaSport and Head Coach of the Lords team.

He got the volleyball rolling last summer when he approached DC Athletics and Recreation Director Scott Dennis about incorporating the sport, and he’s been amazed by the support from the college.

“Normally, I have to plead with people to give it a try. It took him about 10 seconds to say, ‘we’re in’,” said Millage. “Durham College truly embodies the spirit of inclusiveness.”

DC’s new team in the exciting and accessible sport hit the practice court last fall, and interest has been steadily growing ever since. Over the course of the season, the team grew from a handful of athletes to almost 30.

Recreation Therapy student Ashley Green was the first one on the court. With years of experience in the sport, she was eager to share it with her fellow DC students, and she helped lead the way for the team throughout the year.

“It’s been a great season and a lot of fun getting to play competitively and meeting a lot of new people along the way,” she said. “We had good turnouts for the practices each week, and everyone had good sportsmanship. “

The growing sport will continue to have a home at DC. The Ontario Volleyball Association is recruiting their first provincial sitting volleyball team, and the camp is scheduled to be held here in June.

Next season, the Lords will return to the court, and Green can’t wait.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to play, and I hope to make DC proud.”

Silent Voices heard at Durham College

A powerful new documentary made its debut at Durham College (DC) this month.

Silent Voices sheds light on the critical issue of mental health in Black communities by telling the stories of six individuals from different age groups and walks of life. In emotional interviews, they share their experiences of the racism and systemic barriers they’ve faced in their lives. Stories like these often go unheard, which is reflected in the name of the film.

It was a passion project for Dr. Crystal Garvey, a Faculty Member in the Nursing – Collaborative Bachelor of Science (BScN) program at DC, who co-produced it with Visual Redux with in-kind work from Vanceworld Media.

On March 6, the documentary premiered during a special event at DC’s Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) that also included a panel discussion with mental health professionals.

“It was overwhelming, in a good way,” said Garvey of the event. “I’m just grateful and humbled that it was well received. It’s very important to have the community come together, because I’m sharing their voice.”

Borne out of a desire to bring awareness to Black mental health, the documentary was produced over the last two years with the support and insights of Garvey’s DC colleagues.

The completion of the documentary dovetailed perfectly with Garvey’s role as lead researcher of a project at the CIR’s Social Impact Hub; ‘Bridging the gap: Developing Culturally Responsive Mental Health Care with and for Black Communities.’ Last year, the project received a $360,000 federal grant from the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

“This is where preparation met opportunity, because I had this documentary sitting on a shelf, and I wasn’t sure what to do with it, but I knew that I wanted to spread awareness,” she said. “When we launched this research project about Black mental health, it was the perfect opportunity to use this piece and platform to bring awareness. That’s how this event came about.”

Attendees from DC and the wider community filled the event space at the CIR, including Mojgan Rezvani, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Speaking before the screening, she set the stage for the impactful documentary and credited Garvey for the passion and commitment that made it possible.

“This is more than just a film. It is a testament to the lived experiences, the systemic challenges and the strength found in sharing our stories,” she said. “Dr. Garvey is the visionary behind this project, driving its creation, shaping its impact, and ensuring that black mental health is not only acknowledged, but actively prioritized. Through this powerful documentary, we explore the deep intersections of culture, race and mental health, conversations that are too often left unheard.”

Engineering brilliance on display at DC Innovation Showcase

The ingenuity and dedication of Durham College (DC) students was on full display at the 2025 DC Innovation Showcase last week.

Organized by the DC Engineering Club and held in the Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR), the event challenged students to present innovative projects aimed at addressing climate change, while competing for over $5,000 in prizes.

Members of the DC community and industry professionals attended, engaging with students about their cutting-edge projects and the real-world applications they have.

“Events like these are my favourite because they are student-led. This showcase is a reflection of not only the passion and the dedication that our students bring to their studies here at DC, but live demonstrations of the solutions they envision and test for societal challenges,” said Dr. Jean Choi, Vice President, Academic and Students. “This powerful platform allows students to showcase their incredible work while cultivating meaningful connections and building on the knowledge they have learned in labs, classrooms and work placements.”

A panel of industry professionals evaluated the prototypes based on criteria such as creativity, feasibility, and potential impact.

The top prize in the individual category went to Mechanical Engineering Technology student Nathan Colburn for his full carbon fibre bike frame.

“A lot of us in the Mechanical Engineering program work on tons of different things outside of school. This is an opportunity to show off what we can do,” he said. “It’s fun being able to show everyone different concepts and ideas.”

In the group category, the team of Mechanical Engineering Technology students Douglas Aubrey-Sleeper, Joshua Dervent, and Wyatt Martorino took the gold for their ‘KERS Bike.’ By incorporating a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), it can operate like an electric bike without the use of a battery.

“We’re just happy that we showed up and got good feedback from everybody. We were really happy with the experience,” said Aubrey-Sleeper.

With so many creative and boundary-pushing projects on display, the event lived up to its name as a showcase for the talented future professionals at DC.

“It was inspiring to see innovative projects tackling real-world challenges, with valuable interdisciplinary collaborations that brought together diverse perspectives,” said Tania Clerac, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Information Technology. “Our students truly showcased the power of innovation and their potential to make a lasting impact on society. I’m proud of the amazing work and excited for what’s to come!”

Here are the complete results of the competition.

Individual Category

  • Gold Winner – “CFG-01” by Nathan Colburn, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Silver Winner – “Arduino Dual Plant Hydration System” by Jack Koebel, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Third-year Finalist – “CFG-01” by Nathan Colburn, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Second-year Finalist – “Roll Up Charger” by Braiden Daschuk, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • First-year Finalist – “Thermal Battery Optimizer” by Thomas Heine, Electronics Engineering Technology

Group Category

  • Gold Winner – “KERS Bike” by Douglas Aubrey-Sleeper, Joshua Dervent, and Wyatt Martorino, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Silver Winner – “Fire Barrier” by Ridley Singh and Dash Darbyson, Mechanical Technician – Elevating Devices
  • Bronze Winner – “Medical Robot” by Xie Zonghuo, Brendan Mcbride and Ryan Groskopf, Electronics Engineering Technology

DC students get the skills and experience employers want

Experiential learning is a priority at DC. Read about some of the amazing experiences our students have to gain invaluable hands-on learning, all before graduation.