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Durham College awarded funding from 2025 Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships program

Durham College (DC) has been awarded funding through the 2025 Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships program (QES) to participate in a collaborative project that will provide life-changing international experiences for students. DC is among 22 colleges and universities from across the country to receive $6.2 million in funding from the program, which is led by the Rideau Hall Foundation and Universities Canada.

With this funding, DC will launch the Global Student Exchange for Community Resilience project, which will immerse students in cross-cultural experiences. “This opportunity creates a unique, cross-cultural learning platform that connects students with global communities actively addressing climate resilience,” said Kelly O’Brien, Associate Dean of DC’s Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science. “For DC students, it opens doors to international collaboration, cutting-edge knowledge, and invaluable work-integrated learning opportunities.”

Proposed by the International Education Office, The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, and along with DC’s Horticulture – Food and Farming and Social and Community Service programs, the project’s major goal is to help students understand the impact of climate change on well-being and develop as informed community changemakers capable of driving sustainability initiatives both locally and globally. Additionally, students will develop intercultural competencies, leadership skills, and a holistic understanding of the challenges and solutions related to climate resilience.

“This funding allows our students to see and appreciate firsthand the impact of climate change on less-privileged areas of the world,” said Danielle Harder, DC’s Global Learning Facilitator. “Students will be able to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom in meaningful and impactful ways by working with local communities. They will also grow as global citizens by understanding the interconnectedness of people and problems around the world and seeing their role in creating a more just and equitable future in the face of climate change.”

DC is also excited to partner with the international development organization World Vision and their “Vision for Vulnerable Youth” initiative on this project, which will see DC students and representatives of the Barrett Centre travel across the globe to broaden their education and work integrated experience. The Barrett Centre looks forward to elevating local innovation through its learning portal, while engaging students in the Urban Growers of Tomorrow program. The work-integrated learning experiences will benefit students in DC’s Horticulture – Food and Farming program as well as Social Service Worker, Child and Youth Care, Developmental Services Worker, Behavioural Science – Honours Bachelor and Behavioural Science Technician.

DC will also welcome international learners from World Vision, who will receive scholarships to attend DC to deepen their understanding of Urban Agriculture and global community adaptation to climate change. Seven inbound students from World Vision will attend DC on short-term exchanges and one inbound student from World Vision will attend a full program at DC in the Faculty of Hospitality and Horticulture Sciences.

Janine Knight-Grofe, Director, International Education, notes that this is the first year the QES program has been open to colleges, adding that DC is pleased to be among the first to be able to access the funding for the benefit of students. “We are grateful to have been selected for our proposal that supports DC’s collaborative cross campus internationalization work, including our relationship with the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture.”

Established in 2012, the QES scholarship has been awarded to more than 2,600 students from Canada and 80 countries around the world. It is Canada’s premier academic program for global leadership, collaboration and multidisciplinary learning.

DC’s Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation partners with Cyber Security Canada

In our increasingly connected world, the need for reliable cybersecurity is paramount.

Since its inception in 2020, the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation at Durham College (DC) has set the standard for providing applied research services and high-quality education in this crucial field.

That is sure to continue with the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Centre and Cyber Security Canada, a non-profit certification body dedicated to helping organizations become more secure online.

“Cyber Security Canada has done a phenomenal job of developing a standard that helps organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture. Through this MOU, we aim to leverage the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation’s strengths to assist Canadian organizations in improving their security measures and meeting these national standards,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research.

Over the years, the Centre for Cybersecurity at DC has worked with over 40 organizations in a variety of fields, developing solutions to help them be more efficient and secure in the face of growing cyber threats. In one recent example, they conducted security assessments for the Town of Ajax.

Working with Cyber Security Canada will help the Centre reach even more companies that are keen to improve their cybersecurity.

“Everybody is thinking about cybersecurity, but they don’t know how to start and where to start. They don’t have the budget. They don’t have talent who can work on it,” said Sushant Katare, Senior Manager, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation.

That’s where the talented minds at DC come in. By connecting with the Centre, companies get access to research expertise that will help them identify and address their cybersecurity issues and get them ready to apply for Cyber Security Canada’s certification.

In addition to certified professionals like Katare, the Centre also hires students from a number of DC programs to work on projects and gain real world experience.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” he said.

If a career in this burgeoning field interests you, our Cybersecurity graduate certificate can get you ready!

Durham College Faculty of Business students earn second place in national Sports Management case competition

Sports Business Management student Annika Bell had never been a part of a business case competition, so she was thrilled when her Durham College (DC) team placed second in the MLSE PrimeTime Sports Case Competition in November.

Under the guidance of professors and coaches Sheldon Koufman and Ian Ellis, and the leadership of Team Captain and Marketing student Mason Wright, the team of five included two other Sport Business Management students, Sapandeep Messina, Josh Dasilva, and Sport Management student Coulter Babcock.

Following tryouts in September, the team trained using MLSE cases from previous years. In the first couple of weeks, they figured out the team’s strengths and weaknesses and divided their members into specialty areas from financial analysis to creative. Then they drilled cases, working especially hard on refining the return on investment in each solution they presented. At each step, their coaches helped them tighten their teamwork and improve their speed and presentation skills.

“It was great to have the coaches. We needed that guidance and structure, and it was nice to have them to motivate us,” said Bell.

But nothing could prepare the team for the actual competition day, where the topic turned out to be a bit of a curveball: how to improve equity, diversity and inclusion within the sports industry.

“We had focused our practice on cases that would bring in revenue, and this was industry based,” said Bell. The team nonetheless quickly got to work, brainstorming ideas and coming up with a solution that really resonated with the judges. In their 15-minute presentation, they proposed community collaborations where every month would kick off a focus on a different equity-deserving group (a sample event was an LGBTQ+ game night), while continuing to follow up with each group afterwards to ensure continuity.

“The judges loved it—we got lot of comments, and they liked the idea of us thinking long-term,” said Bell.

Bell said that the overall learning experience of participating in the case team was valuable from start to finish. She called out the team captain in particular for his leadership. “We wouldn’t have gotten where we were without our captain, Mason. He was there for us, he really went above and beyond,” said Bell, adding that the day itself was great for networking, both with the other case teams and also with the opportunity to attend the PrimeTime Sports Management Conference and trade show where the competition took place.

Originally from New Brunswick, where she completed a bachelor’s degree from Mount Allison University with honours research in sports media and communication, Bell said she came to DC specifically for the Sport Business Management graduate certificate. She recently accepted an internship in Nova Scotia as marketing coordinator with one of Canada’s new soccer teams, the Halifax Tides. “My passion is to work within the sports industry, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” said Bell.

DC recognizes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Today, Durham College (DC) joins Canadians across the country in observing the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This date marks a somber anniversary when, on December 6, 1989, a shooter entered a mechanical engineering class at L’École Polytechnique in Montréal, and murdered 14 young women and wounded 14 others.

“The loss of these bright and talented women continues to deeply impact our post-secondary communities across Canada,” said DC President, Dr. Elaine Popp. “As we mourn them, we also reflect on all those whose lives have been impacted by gender-based violence.”

Memorial ceremonies will be held at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses for students and employees to come together, remember and reflect. Flags at the college have been lowered to half-mast.

Durham College is committed to creating a safe campus community, free of all forms of violence. All members of the DC community are encouraged to speak out against harmful behaviours to help end gender-based violence in our communities.

“This day is a call to action to build a world where everyone can pursue their aspirations without fear of violence and where we can all thrive,” said Dr. Popp. “To achieve this, we must challenge the systems, attitudes, and behaviours that perpetuate gender inequality.

“Together, we can work to dismantle harmful stereotypes, support survivors, and advocate for policies that protect victims while holding perpetrators accountable. Education, awareness, and allyship are critical tools in the fight to end gender-based violence.”

Durham College celebrates ranking as one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges

Durham College (DC) is proud to once again have been named one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges by Research Infosource Inc.

DC placed 24th in the annual ranking and was highlighted as second among medium-sized colleges for our number of paid student researchers and third for industry research income as a percentage of total college research income. DC also moved up in the ranking to fifth overall in both research partnerships and completed research projects.

Powering DC’s research success is DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE), which moved four of its five applied research centres into the new Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR), last year. In addition to centralizing DC’s research presence on campus, ORSIE continues to engage industry, business and community partners from the wider Region of Durham as it seeks out meaningful ways to collaborate in solving our community’s applied research challenges.

This year, ORSIE is proud to highlight several initiatives:

  • Hosting the ORSIE Impact Expo in October, where close to 150 visitors explored DC’s applied research centres. Researchers were on hand from the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, Mixed Reality Capture Studio and the Social Impact Hub, each eager to answer questions and share projects.
  • Recognition for the AI Hub, a new Technology Access Centre (TAC), with the Tech-Access Canada’s Tri-Pillar Excellence Award. This award highlights the AI Hub’s strengths in all three areas of research, training and technology. Last year, the AI Hub was awarded an annual grant of $350,000 per year over the next five years from the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program.
  • The Social Impact Hub launching a project to study and improve mental health care for Black communities thanks to a $360,000 federal grant.

DC continues to create meaningful applied research and co-operative education work terms for students, supported in part through the Diane Blake Student Success Initiative.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized for our research expertise and proud to have developed the Centre for Innovation and Research as a hub to connect our research centres across the campus,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research. “Within the business community, organizations are recognizing Durham College as an essential partner for their innovative ideas and that collaboration means more opportunities for our students as well.”

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

To learn more about ORSIE, read the 2023-2024 Annual Report.

Durham College is a Greater Toronto Top Employer for the 14th time

For a remarkable 14th time, Durham College (DC) has been recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers.

This distinction recognizes DC’s supportive culture as well as our commitment to the growth and well-being of our valued employees.

“We take great pride in being recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, President. “Employees are the heart of our community. When they thrive, so do our students. We foster a culture that inspires our colleagues to do great things, and we are always pleased to witness their growth both individually and collectively.”

The innovation and dedication of our employees shone through in a number of ways in this year’s application, from our work in applied research to solve industry and social challenges; to our community connections and work which this year, helped more than 100 charities; to the launch of new scholarship opportunities and programs that support our students and help ensure career-ready graduates.

We also received commendation for the DC pension plan with employer-matched contributions, parental leave top-up, tuition assistance, and mentorship and development opportunities.

These are just some of the reasons why DC employees routinely express their commitment and enthusiasm for the work they do and the difference they make in students’ lives.

Looking ahead, Dr. Popp is determined to maintain DC’s well-earned reputation as an exceptional place to work and grow a career.

“We will continue to nurture, embrace, and most importantly, maintain this incredible culture where people care. This dedication is what truly sets us apart.”

For more on what makes DC a great place to work, visit our Greater Toronto Top Employers profile.

Durham College students set to gain work experience while supporting local shelter

Durham College (DC) is partnering with the Regional Municipality of Durham to support people experiencing homelessness, while providing valuable work experience opportunities for DC students.

The 1635 Dundas Street East project in Whitby aims to provide safe and inclusive housing solutions to help individuals and families who need it most. A 45-bed low barrier shelter with wraparound supports was opened in the building at the end of March 2024, and has provided a safe and supportive environment to over 100 unique individuals. Phase 2 will focus on creating housing units with onsite access to health and social supports and services.

A recent meeting in early November about DC’s role in the project focused on how students could be involved.

“It was a great meeting, lots of excitement and innovative ideas about how students on field placement can support shelter patrons,” said Lorraine Closs, a professor in the Faculty of Social & Community Services’ Social Service Worker program and research lead with the Social Impact Hub in the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE). “We have a long-standing, strong partnership with the Region of Durham. We’ve done a number of multi-year research projects together.”

As well as sharing a formal conceptual design of how the housing space will be expanded in Phase 2, the Region also discussed the services that might be needed and how students across DC faculties could help work with them. With a vision to create a multidisciplinary, holistic support for the new shelter, the Faculties of Social & Community Services; Health Sciences; Hospitality and Horticultural Science; and even Media, Art & Design are all potential candidates for work-integrated learning opportunities. Closs is hopeful that one or two may even be able to start as early as January. A Steering Committee will decide which DC programs get connected first based on the needs of the shelter.

Lisa McIntosh, Social Services Director Income & Employment Support for Durham Region, says that having DC on board will help the region to achieve its goals for the project. “By fostering community partnerships, we create opportunities for individuals to support one another and work toward a deeper understanding of how we can collectively make a difference. Durham Region looks forward to working with Durham College to enhance 1635 Dundas Street East’s ability to help individuals regain stability. 1635 Dundas Street East exemplifies the strength of community.”

In addition to helping to support services and patrons at the low barrier shelter, the potential placements will offer fantastic hands-on learning for students, said Closs. “There are so many opportunities for students from many faculties to use the skills they are learning in class and put them in to practice in real life.” She added that a bonus will be the empathy that arises from this sort of practical experience. “Research has shown that students who do a work integrated learning experience with the homeless population really change their perceptions and overcome bias and stereotypes.”

The partnership will also provide applied research opportunities through the Social Impact Hub, one of five research centres at DC. Potential topics to investigate include the impact of these learning opportunities on students and their perceptions of homelessness, benefits of student interaction for shelter patrons, and the impact college involvement in service provision has on community member resistance to shelters. Closs, who has already been twice recognized with a DC Researcher Award of Excellence in 2019 and 2023, has submitted multiple research project applications, including for multi-year project funding. There’s also exciting research potential in documenting the pathway that the team is currently pursuing, to serve as a blueprint for other community collaborations.

For students, Closs says the partnership will be a win-win. “This project can also help students become aware of their own privilege. It’s an opportunity for them to support a vulnerable group of people and make a difference in their lives.”

Students can graduate with a degree and a diploma with DC pathway into Honours Bachelor in Community Mental Health

Blending the hands-on learning of a diploma program and the academics of a degree, Durham College’s (DC) pathway programs into an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Community Mental Health are the perfect combination of theoretical and practical knowledge setting students up for career success.

Students who already have an Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care or Social Service Worker from DC or another Ontario college can pursue a degree and enter the fourth semester of the Community Mental Health – Honours Bachelor (HBMH) program (second semester of second year), with only one additional course. With credit for completing the diploma, students fast track through the program to complete their degree in five semesters, plus the 420-hour placement opportunity.

The first cohort of pathway students will enter the Community Mental Health degree program at DC this January.

“The benefit of having a diploma and degree is the opportunity to combine hands-on training with academic and critical thinking skills,” said HBMH Program Coordinator, Jenny Andrus, adding that the degree also gives students the option to pursue future graduate-level studies. “It is a chance for the student to further distinguish their academic resume, and to graduate and enter the workforce with both academic and practical skills.”

Courses in the degree program allow students to learn more about a field that they have already demonstrated a passion for and gain additional employment-ready skills in the full-semester field placement.

“Having both a diploma and a degree broadens the student’s employability and the positions they can pursue in the workforce,” said Andrus. The degree builds on the diploma to offer a range of increasingly specialized courses in areas from psychology to communications skills to counselling skills. In the final year of the degree, a thesis project offers students the opportunity to engage in an area of mental health research that interests them, with the benefit of deeper expertise.

Besides the added learning, degree students also enjoy small class sizes and the opportunity to connect with others who share their passion for mental health.

“One of the biggest highlights about the HBMH degree program at Durham College is the class sizes and faculty-to-teacher ratio,” said Andrus. “Students find a community of like-minded peers and wonderful connections with their teaching faculty.”   

DC’s General Arts and Science program works to develop a sense of community from day one

The General Arts and Science program (GAS) in the Faculty of Liberal Studies may be a pathway to other places, but the program team wants to ensure that students enjoy every aspect of their time at Durham College (DC). Designed for students still figuring out their career path and interests or those preparing for future college or university programs, this one-year certificate program is focused on setting students up for success in their academic journey. Now the GAS team’s efforts to deepen the student experience, with a more interactive orientation and regular meetups, have resulted in double-digit increases to retention and graduation rates, and a closer-knit community.

For the faculty and staff, step one was to start on day one — orientation. Last year, the team re-formatted their event to focus on the fresh adventure to come, with a focus on building connections between students, faculty and staff through activities focused on goal setting and collaboration.

“We wanted to get away from piling on information,” said General Arts and Science program coordinator Nathan Wilson. “Talking as a team, a lot of us remember from our own orientations the fun, the cohort and the collegiality, a confirmation that you made the right decision.” In practical terms, the team created two orientation segments, a breakout session on creative thinking and brainstorming, and an activity where students worked together to create an infographic on the topic of “why choose General Arts and Science.”

To keep the connection going, the team also created a new weekly event called MEET 1000, where students could drop in for lunch and learn sessions and social time. From information sessions about pathways available through Durham College, Ontario Tech and Trent University, to guest lectures on student-centred topics such as wellness or motivation, the hour has become a gathering point and the response has been tremendous, with weekly attendance ranging from 50 to 100 students depending on the topic.

Recent feedback from one student said: “MEET 1000 was a great addition to the program as a lot of people were afraid to ask questions. It provided an opportunity to learn things you wouldn’t have thought to ask.”

Sometimes the MEET 1000 sessions feature pizza or giveaways, and always a presence from faculty and student advisors, as a way to raise the profile of student supports.

“I think it’s really helped cultivate a level of trust and rapport with students,” said Wilson. The team also circles back between events via the DC Connect program page with information and discussion forums for follow-up questions.

GAS has also increased efforts to stay in touch with alumni, inviting graduates back as ambassadors to participate in Q&A sessions with current students and contribute to Program Advisory Committees. Three GAS graduates were recipients of DCAA Leaders of the Future awards this year.

“Even though they are only with us for two semesters, we want them to actually feel like a part of the General Arts and Science community, and to see this as a valuable step along their path,” said Associate Dean Claire McCormack. “We’re helping them build a solid foundation, and academic self-confidence for future programs.”

Already, enrolment numbers show that these activities are making a difference with both an increase in enrollment and improved student academic performance. It’s a success that McCormack credits to her entire team.

“It’s a faculty team who I think really understands the goals of the GAS program,” she said. “Our faculty and staff team care deeply about supporting student success.”

 

Interested in joining the General Arts and Science program in the Faculty of Liberal Studies? Learn more about the program options here

Give yourself the time and space to explore a variety of options and evaluate the many paths that lie ahead with one of DC’s upgrading, general arts or pathways programs.

DC Advanced Law students use virtual reality to gain essential de-escalation practice

Durham College (DC) Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations students are using an innovative and interactive way to practice their crisis de-escalation techniques thanks to a new virtual reality (VR) scenario program.

The program was designed to deepen students’ communications skills by providing more real-time opportunities to practice the difficult scenarios they would face in the profession, said Program Coordinator Yvonne Armstrong, who was inspired to incorporate the new VR tools by both her own position on the Toronto Police Services’ Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Panel, as well as by recommendations from the Program Advisory Committee.

Christopher Patton is one of the 23 Advanced Law students who had the opportunity to try out the system first. He’s now gone through dozens of scenarios, which last five to 10 minutes each and deal with everything from suicidal people to citizens with dementia to domestic violence. Patton says that one of his most memorable recent scenarios was a traffic stop where he practiced pulling an individual over and talking them down and making sure everything was under control.

“When you’re in it, it feels real with the noises and traffic going by, you’re looking at everything and there’s a lot going on,” he said. Already a graduate of the Police Foundations program, Patton says he’s de-escalated similar situations on placement so appreciates how valuable the training can be.

Patton also gains a lot by watching his classmates go through their scenarios (students interacting with the scenario wear VR headsets but the rest of the class can follow along by watching a screen projection). The space is set in a 10 x 10 metre perimeter with cameras 360 degrees around the user, so users can look all around when using the headset.

“You get to see a different perspective when other people answer. Everyone approaches scenes a little differently, so it shows you that difference,” says Patton.

Armstrong unfolds the scenario in real time on the headset, advancing the scene based on students’ responses and even starting over if they get stuck, which is part of the benefit. “It’s a safe environment—it allows for the student in the scenario to stop, start and reset, and for students watching to also learn from the feedback,” said Armstrong. She says it’s a great opportunity to expand students’ communications practice, an essential employability skill.

“I don’t expect perfect responses, but I always say, ‘let’s talk, let’s think about the questions you should ask,’” she said, noting that while some students may have a bit of experience, others have never done this sort of exercise. “For them, it’s really a shock, and in real life, you can’t stand and freeze. Hopefully, this provides some skills and situations.”  

Patton agrees: “This is your time to make mistakes, where you’re allowed to mess up, versus on the job.”