June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize and reflect on the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

Durham College (DC) is committed to reconciliation, with the goal of building respectful, reciprocal relationships that will contribute to better educational outcomes for all students. This is underscored by our Indigenization Statement that we signed eight years ago, developed together with the First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC) and in consultation with the Durham College Indigenous Advisory Circle. The statement serves as a means of working towards the fulfillment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.  

Recognizing reconciliation requires genuine efforts to address the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities, education plays a pivotal role in this process. All members of our DC community to learn more about the history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, and educate themselves about Indigenous histories, strengths and contributions and take meaningful steps towards reconciliation.  

Here are a few ways to get your learning started:

• Browsing the First Peoples Indigenous Centre’s website for information and resources
• Joining an Indigenous event on campus or online
• Learning more about the importance of Land Acknowledgements

We are proud of the work we have done as a community, guided by FPIC and our Indigenization Council, to support Indigenization across our campuses and in our daily practices. We will continue to work together with Indigenous partners to guide our work to broaden our collective knowledge, challenge our perspectives and foster empathy and understanding, moving forward.

Have you noticed the automated external defibrillators (AED) placed throughout the campus? Would you know how to use one of them to save a life?

Earlier this month, in recognition of National Nursing Week, professors from Durham College’s (DC) and Ontario Tech University’s collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program took their AED simulator around campus to offer training to faculty members, employees and students. They also demonstrated the proper use of naloxone kits, which can save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

“We care about the health of Ontarians, and that means creating opportunities across the campus and the province for teaching and learning,” explained Dr. Sue Coffey, a professor in the collaborative program. “There’s a lot of basic first aid and intervention that can help the public make a difference.”

The demonstrations gave the campus community a glimpse into a career that plays a critical role in our health system. It’s never been more important to encourage people to enter the nursing profession, according to BScN professor Leslie Graham.

“We’re in a critical shortage of nurses,” Graham said. “We really encourage people to come to our Open Houses and see if nursing is a career that they would like.”

DC is leading the way in preparing the next generation of nurses, both in collaboration with Ontario Tech on the BScN program and on its own with programs like Practical Nursing and Critical Care Nursing.

“We provide high quality education in all of our programs,” said Dr. Coffey.

A high-pressure career at the best of times, nursing was significantly impacted by the strain of the pandemic. Some nurses retired early or switched careers, and replacing them isn’t easy, according to Dr. Arlene de la Rocha, another professor in the collaborative program.

“We almost always feel like we’re playing catch up. We can’t quite get enough people working, we can’t quite get enough people educated and through a program,” she said.

Whatever injury or illness brings a person to the hospital, nurses are there to provide skilled and compassionate care. Whether directing new arrivals in the emergency department or comforting patients and their family members, it’s a job that takes a physical and emotional toll every day.

“It is the art and science, the caring they bring to that patient but also that skill level, that high degree of thinking and critical judgment that they need to demonstrate,” said Dr. de la Rocha.

DC’s programs and professors are doing their part to ensure Durham Region, Ontario and Canada at large have an abundance of qualified and passionate nurses.

Durham College (DC) continues to graduate some of the best Project Management students in the province.

That was proven once again at the Ontario Project Management Competition (OPMC) on May 6 at the Ted Rogers School of Management in Toronto. Up against tough competition in a field of 11 colleges and universities, DC’s team of five students and two faculty members finished third.

It was another stellar showing for DC at the event, after finishing first in 2021 and 2022.

“It’s really a feather in the cap of DC, because it’s saying that we are one of the top project management programs province-wide,” said Mark Lewis, a faculty member who served as a coach for the team. “It’s a good selling point for our program.”

The OPMC challenges students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to be successful project managers. They are tasked with shepherding a project from beginning to end and then presenting it to a panel of industry judges.

“The students get to showcase their work and what they have learned at DC. It’s a great confidence builder,” said Lewis. “And an excellent opportunity for them to network and meet other people in the project management business.”

The projects must align with two or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. DC’s project, a website prototype called ‘DC Food Matters,’ addresses food insecurity and provides information on key initiatives like food literacy, sustainable urban agriculture, food bank access and health and wellness.

The DC team consisted of international students from India, the Philippines and the United States.

“We recognized food insecurity as one of the biggest challenges our generation faces today,” explained one member of the team, Manuel de Guzman.

The students credited Lewis, as well as program coordinator Sylvie Edwards and professor Elaine Catell for guiding them to success, both at the competition and in the classroom.

“We’re grateful for our professors. We have really learned a lot from them and we’re thankful for their support and guidance,” said Christine Wage, another team member. “We would recommend the Project Management graduate certificate program for aspiring project managers. It’s a great way to learn and provides an opportunity to jumpstart your career.”

Scores of young Black male students experienced a life-changing day at Durham College (DC) on May 25.

400 students in Grades 7 to 10 from the Durham District School Board (DDSB) visited the Oshawa campus for The Cypher: Black Male Empowerment Conference. DC was proud to host the event, which is designed to provide Black boys with the knowledge and resources to overcome systemic barriers and achieve their full potential. Attendees met and learned from entrepreneurs, community leaders, educators and other role models.

The full day of activities included speeches, a community networking market, science experiments, engineering simulations and more. There was also fun to be had with basketball, sketching and a jam session. Workshops covered a wide range of subjects, from physical fitness to money management. The students also had the chance to get to know DC by touring the campus and exploring a range of programs and opportunities beyond high school.

The day’s master of ceremonies was a prime example of The Cypher’s life-changing potential. De-Mario Knowles attended the event as a Grade 9 student in 2019, where poet Randell Adjei was a guest speaker. Inspired, Knowles developed a passion for poetry and public speaking.

“The Cypher really helped me lay the foundation that allowed me to thrive and reach where I am today,” he said. “As a Black individual, it’s nice to see that there’s an event for people like me to develop their skills, and network with people, and see that they matter and their characteristics are beautiful.”

As the event got underway, a number of guest speakers addressed the students, including DC’s chief administrative officer, Dr. Scott Blakey. Though their messages differed, they all recognized the limitless potential in the young Black men.

“Some of you are makers, all of you are doers, many of you are dreamers,” said Camille Williams-Taylor, DDSB director of education, who emphasized that everyone in the audience was in a supportive and welcoming space. “Each of you is a genius. Some of you haven’t realised your genius yet, but your genius today, in this space, is assumed. You do not have to prove it.”

A highlight of the day was a Q&A with keynote speaker Boi-1da. The Grammy-winning record producer enthralled the crowd with stories of working with Drake, Rihanna, Jay-Z and more of the biggest names in music. But the Toronto native acknowledged his humble beginnings, and stressed that the path he took to success is open to anyone who works hard and believes in themselves.

“Nothing is unrealistic,” he said. “Whatever it is that you’re passionate about, stick to it. If you don’t love what you’re doing, and if you don’t put your all into what you’re doing, you’re not going to get the results.”

With plenty of opportunities ahead of them, DC might see some of the students again when they begin their own post-secondary journeys in the near future.

Event held in brand-new EV lab at DC’s Whitby campus

Durham College (DC) welcomed more than 540 participants to its new, leading-edge EV lab for an exclusive two-day battery electric vehicle (EV) training event hosted by General Motors (GM). Four half-day sessions were held on May 24 and 25 to provide hands-on training to first responders to learn how to respond to emergency situations involving EVs.

Participants included first responders and community partners, faculty members and 30 students from DC’s Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training program. The opportunity provided students the chance to network with industry experts as well as gain valuable experience in a growing field.

“Our primary goal is to provide key information directly to first and second responders,” said Joe McLaine, GM global product safety and systems engineer, and leader of the training effort. “This training offers unique material and hands-on experiences that can help increase responders’ awareness of procedures to help maintain safety while interacting with EVs during the performance of their duties.” 

The event was hosted in DC’s brand-new EV Lab – a state-of-the-art facility uniquely designed in a multi-purpose, modular format that allows students to gain hands-on experience with EVs and their electrical and computer programming components. The lab features advanced equipment that enables DC to offer more in-depth training on the battery aspect of EVs – including their handling, testing and rebuilding – an area the college anticipates will see a growth in industry demands as the number of EVs increase.

“As more Canadians make the switch to electric vehicles, Durham College is proud to be one of only a few Ontario colleges with a dedicated EV Lab that will lead the way for future automotive professionals to effectively respond to evolving industry needs,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “We’re pleased to host General Motors for this unique training and explore further opportunities to leverage our leading-edge facilities.”

Today, Durham College (DC) acknowledges the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which draws attention to the ongoing violence and discrimination that is still a reality for members of the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) community.

At Durham College, we stand with members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and reaffirm our commitment that everyone has the right to be safe and feel that they belong, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. In recognition and support of this day and our 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, we have raised the progressive pride flag at both our Oshawa and Whitby campuses.

This year’s global theme – Together Always: United in Diversity – celebrates the many sexual and gender diversities and underscores the power of solidarity, community and allyship across different identities, movements and borders.

Join us in standing against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia and ensuring that Durham College remains a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.