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DC students reunite with new friends from Guatemala

The Rotary Global Classroom at Durham College (DC) was the site of an emotional reunion last week.

Earlier this year, professors Jennifer Bedford and Marni Thornton and 13 students from the Faculty of Media, Art and Design (MAD) travelled to Las Arrugas, Guatemala for a Faculty-Led Classroom Abroad (FLCA) trip. Working from a curriculum prepared by Bedford, the DC students provided the Guatemalan ‘youth mentors’ with lessons and hands-on learning activities focused on storytelling in all its forms, from videos and photo essays to writing accessible captions, hashtags, and media releases.

Strong bonds of friendship and mutual respect were forged on the trip, and on Thursday, April 13, a virtual reunion was held. Thanks to the state-of-the-art technology that powers the Global Classroom, the DC delegation was able to see and hear directly from their friends in Guatemala, many of whom prepared brief statements in English. Both sides shared memories and gratitude, as well as examples of the work they did together.

With the help of a translator, the students from Guatemala wowed the crowd at DC with their presentations. One group used the medium of video to highlight the importance of quality education, and the troubles they have accessing it in their communities. Another used a photo essay to illustrate the issue of gender equality.

"I couldn't be prouder of the youth mentor students and their incredible work in Guatemala,” said Bedford. “Their dedication, hard work, and passion for making a positive impact in the world are truly inspiring. They are a shining example of what can be achieved when we put our minds and hearts into making a difference." 

Each presentation was an example of how the youth mentors had taken the lessons shared by DC students and used them to tell their own stories, in their own voices.

DC may have brought knowledge, but the students in Guatemala had even more to offer according to Meagan Poole, a second-year student in the PR and Strategic Communications program.

“They’re beautiful people,” she said. “The potential, the creativity, everything they bring to the table… I felt like I was being mentored.”

International trips like the one to Las Arrugas are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up, according to Sarah Varty, a second-year student in the Music Business Management program.

“It will change your way of thinking, it will change the way you communicate with others, and it will open your eyes to how blessed we are in Canada and how much we truly take for granted,” said Varty. “I certainly appreciate my life in Canada much more now than I did before the trip.”

DC partnered on the initiative with Students Offering Support, a non-profit organization that connects students and learners from diverse cultures and communities. The FLCA@Home and Away storytelling project is generously funded by Global Skills Opportunity (GSO), the Government of Canada’s Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program. This innovative international learning opportunity is designed to engage with Indigenous and traditional communities around the world, with a focus on how Canadians can play their part to achieve meaningful reconciliation at home and abroad.

Read more about this trip, as well as other DC students who have taken their educational experience abroad, here.

Durham College named one of Canada’s 2023 Greenest Employers for seventh consecutive year

The future is green at Durham College (DC), which was named one of Canada’s 2023 Greenest Employers for the seventh consecutive year by MediaCorp Canada Inc. for its efforts to incorporate environmental values into everyday culture through its greener initiatives.

Among the many celebrated reasons for selection as a Greenest Employer, recognized initiatives highlighted in this year’s application included DC’s:

  • Launch of the new Centre for Organic Regeneration and the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture;
  • Two-time Silver Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) rating; and
  • Ongoing sustainable practices in harvesting, storing, processing, packaging and selling local food at the Galen Weston Centre for Food.

“It’s an honour to be named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers again and emphasize our commitment and motivation toward a greener future,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “The breadth of our sustainability projects and focus on green initiatives demonstrates how we are leading the way across both of our campuses for the betterment of the environment and our community.”

DC employees were also recognized for making a difference at the micro level in areas such as: going paperless, incorporating sustainability themes in orientation sessions, and participating in the college’s Green Office Certification program. Designed to encourage sustainable practices in day-to-day operations, the point-based program focuses on water, energy, waste reduction, transportation and other key areas. This year’s application featured a number of employees who earned bonus points for switching to electric vehicles.

Canada’s Greenest Employer is a part of the 2023 editorial competition organized by Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. Each year, the award recognizes employers who create remarkable workplaces that minimize the environmental impact of their operations.

Read more about how DC is leading the way to a greener future online.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hosts Town Hall for Durham College students

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Durham College’s (DC) Whitby campus on Wednesday, April 5 as part of his budget 2023 tour.

The leader of Canada’s federal government joined Member of Parliament for Whitby, Ryan Turnbull, for an intimate town hall event with more than 100 DC students, as well as some local high school students.

DC President Don Lovisa was on hand to welcome the special guests and commend them for their support of post-secondary education, particularly the 2023 federal budget’s investment in applied research.

“The federal government has always been supportive of colleges. This government, in particular, is very important to us because they are driving the economy, and all of you here today are so important to this economy.”

After encouraging the students to ask hard questions, DC’s President ceded the floor to the Prime Minister, who was in his element as he held court on a variety of subjects.

“This is pretty much my favourite thing as prime minister; getting to talk and listen directly to Canadians who are interested and engaged,” he said.

The students made the most of the rare opportunity to speak to a sitting prime minister, asking incisive and thought-provoking questions that more than once gave Trudeau pause. Food waste, climate change, mental health and supporting international students were just some of the important topics and issues that were addressed.

In discussing the labour shortage that Canada is currently facing, Trudeau recognized DC for its work in turning out job-ready graduates.

“There still are a lot of challenges in connecting people with those jobs, and that’s where a place like Durham College does such a great job of looking at where those gaps are. The placement rates are something Durham College is very proud of because responding to the actual needs in the market and giving people tools for that is a key part of it.”

The PM also touched on some more personal subjects. He shared memories of his father, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and offered advice to the assembled students on how to make the most of their time in college, and life in general.

“Showing up and being present as life is unfolding around you is probably the biggest thing. It’s better to show up to class and listen and take a few notes. That’s worth about eight hours of studying from reading the textbook.”

After speaking to the students for well over an hour, the Prime Minister greeted many of them in person. As the event wrapped up, DC’s President shared his pride in the campus community.

“I often tell people our world is in very good hands when you meet a DC student, and their questions today proved that to me.”

Watch the Town Hall online.

Spring Open House draws a crowd at Durham College

More than 2,000 visitors descended on the Durham College (DC) Oshawa and Whitby campuses for Spring Open House on Saturday, April 1.

Prospective students and their families filled the halls and classrooms to meet our expert faculty, explore labs and learning spaces, and learn about our 145+ career-driven programs and support services.

Guided tours showcased state-of-the-art facilities on both campuses, like the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre and the Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology. In Oshawa, a bus tour gave guests a whole new way to tour the campus and visit destinations like the Centre for Collaborative Education and the Campus Ice Centre.

Information sessions at both campuses walked prospective students through the application process, and those who couldn’t wait to begin their DC journey were able to register on the spot. In Oshawa, demonstrations in cosmetics, engineering and firefighting showed guests how DC is leading the way in innovative and transformative education.

Visitors also had the chance to speak with DC president Don Lovisa in Oshawa and Rebecca Milburn, executive dean and principal of the Whitby campus, while alumni, faculty, current students and employees were on hand to share their DC knowledge and experience.

Open House also had a lot to offer for current students who are interested in continuing their education with graduate certificates, honours bachelor’s degrees and other options.

DC will welcome prospective students once again for Program Information Nights on Tuesday, May 9 (Oshawa) and Thursday, May 11 (Whitby), and then in November for Fall Open House. Campus tours and information sessions can also be scheduled online.

Transport Minister, Whitby MP visit Durham College

Employees and students of the Durham College (DC) dental clinic welcomed a pair of special guests on Friday, March 31.

Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra and Member of Parliament for Whitby, Ryan Turnbull, were on hand to discuss the 2023 federal budget and its investments in a healthy future for Canadians. The clinic was a fitting stop for the Members of Parliament, as the budget includes the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, which aims to provide dental coverage for up to nine million Canadians by 2025.

During their visit, they met with faculty members and students from DC’s Dental Hygiene program, and pointed out that the new plan will have a significant, positive impact on their future careers. The more people who can afford dental care, the busier dentists and dental technicians will be.

“It’s great news for students who are entering this industry. I know that you will make Canadians smile better in the next few years,” said Minister Alghabra.

Dr. Elaine Popp, DC’s executive vice president, Academic, was there to welcome the pair and credit them for the federal government’s ongoing support of post-secondary institutions, applied research and for their investments in Canadian’s dental health and well-being.

“As important as training and innovation is, so too is access to public healthcare,” said Popp. “With the historic investments in health, the federal budget released this year is increasing access to dental care for Canadians who need it.”

Students in DC’s dental program have been leading the way in providing low-cost preventative dental care since 1976. In addition, the dental clinic operates year-round, providing accessible care to the community while also supporting students with experiential learning opportunities under the direct supervision of dental professionals.

That’s just one of the reasons why Turnbull has such a high opinion of DC.

“What makes DC so special is that it puts student success at the forefront of everything it does. DC is always thinking about students’ futures and creating more opportunities for students to grow and be successful.”

The Minister of Transport shared Turnbull’s appreciation.

“World-class institutions like DC are at the forefront of providing exceptional graduates who are ready to take on jobs that the world needs.”

Durham College celebrates young entrepreneurs with market, panel discussion

Accomplished young entrepreneurs shared their products and stories at Durham College (DC) on Wednesday, March 29.

The “We Love Entrepreneurs” event recognized young entrepreneurs who have faced all the challenges that come with building a business, as well as systemic and personal barriers like racism, ageism and mental health. They spent the afternoon showcasing their wares and services in The Pit before taking part in a panel discussion for Founders Drive, a start-up podcast (and work-integrated learning project) created by students in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design with funding from CEWIL (Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada).

Founders Drive is also an EnactusDC social impact project that recently won at the regional exposition of the TD Entrepreneurial Challenge and will go on to compete at the national event in Montreal in May.

Four young entrepreneurs took to the stage to speak about taking an idea and turning it into a business, overcoming challenges and building resilience, and all the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

“Entrepreneurs are often people working for low profit margins, selling things they make because of their own passion,” explained Danielle Harder, co-program coordinator of Journalism – Mass Media and an organizer of the event. “You can be an entrepreneur. You don’t have to be Jeff Bezos. You can just be someone who makes soap or earrings or labels. Entrepreneurship is for everyone.”

Passion and ingenuity were hallmarks of the assembled entrepreneurs, which included a number of DC students. A wide range of products was on display, including skincare (Jan’na Tchadouwa, Shea Shimmers), jewelry and adhesive patches (Brandy and Shawntelle Clarke, The No BS Label), handmade bath bombs (Victoria Landry, DuskMoon Shop) and vinyl stickers (Grace Whitaker and Brianna Duff, Artistik).

There are many benefits to building your own business, especially at a young age, according to Video Production graduate Mary Jubran, a digital editor at Frequency Podcast Network and freelance videographer and editor.

“It teaches you how to be confident, how to believe in yourself and your work,” she said. “Making an opportunity for yourself, connecting with others, building that network and building each other up, it’s extraordinarily valuable.”

A number of the young entrepreneurs cited their experience at DC as a big influence on their business journeys. Guedei Djimi co-founded All Blk Market, a networking and e-commerce platform that showcases small, Black-owned businesses. In doing so, he took full advantage of FastStartDC, which helps students develop and launch their own businesses.

Whitaker’s Artistik started life as a class project in her Entrepreneurship and Small Business program.

“There are amazing resources here for students to start businesses,” she said.

By launching successful companies even before they graduate, DC students are leading the way as young entrepreneurs.

Guedei Djimi’s All Blk Market showcases small, Black-owned businesses and bridges the gap between aspiring entrepreneurs and Black professionals. For more on his journey as an entrepreneur, click here.

Durham College Justice Games celebrate tenth year with epic battle of teamwork and strength

More than 200 Durham College (DC) students and alumni came together to test their strength, speed and teamwork as part of the 10th annual Justice Games.

The energy in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre was electric as students and alumni from the Faculties of Social & Community Services and Health Sciences competed in a number of events including three-point shooting, table tennis, shuttle run, push-up challenge, tug-of-war, and Stephanie’s Endurance Challenge, named in honour of former executive dean Stephanie Ball who retired in 2022 after more than two decades of service to DC.

The Justice Games are designed to build a sense of community – and a little rivalry – among students who compete to represent their programs, connect with students from related programs and practice their skills as first responders outside of the classroom.

This year’s theme – Justice Games X: Alumni Invasion – welcomed many previous winning alumni to battle either individually or as a team in the tug-of-war event. Members from local fire and police services also competed in several events.

“The Justice Games are a true testament to the talent and strength of Durham College students preparing to lead the way in various justice and emergency-related fields,” said Ralph Hofmann, executive dean, Faculty of Social & Community Services. “The combination of friendly competition and extraordinary camaraderie always makes for an exciting evening so many look forward to each year.”

“I look forward to this event every year, and the chance to showcase our students’ commendable talents and the way Durham College is preparing tomorrow’s leaders,” said Jason Vassell, professor, Faculty of Social & Community Services and Justice Games Committee lead. “Having alumni in attendance, who are making such positive impacts in their respective fields, made celebrating the games’ 10th year even more exciting.”

A tie for first place led the Firefighter – Pre-service, Education and Training and Police Foundations teams into a tie-breaker, resulting in a victory for the firefighters. The Paramedic program took home third place, behind the police team.

Each year, the Justice Games present the most valuable player (MVP) awards, in honour and memory of former Firefighter – Pre-service, Education and Training students Adam Brunt and Tasha Nickelchock. This year’s MVP winners were Victoria Monteils, Paramedic program, and Jayda Callan, Police Foundations.

Competing for the coveted Justice Cup, students from the following DC programs participated:

Durham College prepares for child care boom with new ECE stream

Durham College (DC) is helping Durham Region and Ontario prepare for the $10-a-day child care boom with a new program that allows Early Childhood Educators (ECE) to complete their education without leaving the workforce.

DC is launching a new stream of the Early Childhood Education program (ECE-E) designed for ECE assistants who are working in a child care program and early years environment. All classes, both on campus and online, will be held between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., allowing students who work in before- and after-school programs to complete their studies in between their daily shifts.

“We are proud to offer this program, which allows child care professionals to enhance their careers while also helping to bolster the provincial workforce,” explained Joanne Spicer, associate dean, Faculty of Social and Community Services at DC. “With this innovative stream of our popular ECE program, Durham College is providing valuable solutions not only to students, but to the families who count on child care programs in Durham Region and across Ontario.”

Students in the ECE-E program will have the unique option of applying for an Ontario ECE Grant, which will cover tuition fees. The eligibility requirements for the grant are identical to those for the ECE-E program. For more information and to apply, visit the Ontario ECE Grant website.

“This Durham College program is a great opportunity for those working in child care and early learning programs to earn their diploma and work towards becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator,” said Lisa McIntosh, director of children’s services for Durham Region. “The child care system is growing and needs a growing skilled workforce, which is why professional development in this field is so important.”

With this new stream of the ECE program, DC is leading the way in building workforce capacity in the critically important child care space.  

Enactus Durham College wins Central Regional Exposition 2023 in TD Entrepreneurial Challenge

Enactus Durham College (DC) has been declared one of the Central Regional Champions 2023 in the TD Entrepreneurial Challenge, a national competition empowering post-secondary students to deliver projects that teach entrepreneurial skills to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. 

DC competed against 20 schools in the entrepreneurship category and presented the Founders Drive podcast project, a global podcast aimed at helping young entrepreneurs overcome barriers and inspiring them to be their own bosses. Each episode features a business founder and, by sharing personal stories, advice and mentorship, the podcast strives to make a significant impact in the entrepreneurial community and help young entrepreneurs succeed. 

“When our team presented, everything fell into place like we were playing high-level sports,” said Andrew Neary, Enactus DC’s team member and presenter. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

The victory marks a significant milestone for the DC team, which will now move on to the National Exposition in Montreal in May. DC will compete against the League A and League C champions, as well as the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge champions from the Atlantic and Western regions at the exposition.

“Founders Drive has made such an impact on me personally, so it is amazing to see the impact it is having on others, even beyond whom we have helped through the project,” said Tammy Raycraft, Enactus DC’s team member.  

“This project has allowed students to enhance the skills they’re learning in their programs by working together to build a podcast together from the ground up,” said Danielle Harder, Journalism – Mass Media professor and faculty advisor with Enactus. “Experiential learning opportunities such as these are critical to ensuring our graduates stand out when they enter their industries.”

For more information about Enactus Durham College and the Founders Drive podcast, please visit www.enactusdc.com.

DC alumna making noise in the music business

Durham College (DC) alumna Anne Stirk’s successful career in the music business has been recognized with a place on the inaugural Women in Music Canada Honour Roll.

Working in artist and label partnerships at Spotify, she amplifies the voices of Canada’s homegrown artists and introduces them to the world, while also helping international artists increase their presence in the Canadian market.

She joined her peers at a gala event in Toronto on International Women’s Day, March 8, for an evening of recognition, gratitude and, naturally, music.

“I feel so deeply honoured to have been nominated, and even more so to have shared the space with such amazing individuals,” she said. “So much laughter, love and good vibes were had, and the evening was a testament to the incredible power of women coming together. It was an incredible and long overdue celebration.”

The career she enjoys today is one she dreamed of as a young girl growing up in a musical family. She found that she was more interested in working behind the scenes than in performing, and she spent her time exploring the nascent internet for news on her favourite bands, meeting fellow fans and interviewing musicians for her own website.

Her passion led her to DC’s Music Business Management program.

“DC started it all for me. That program is really good at making sure you have the fundamentals of everything in the music business, from publishing to copyrighting to event management.”

She is often reminded of her time at DC thanks to her enduring friendships with her classmates, some of whom also work in the industry. She has also employed a number of interns from the program over the years, confident that they have received a great education.

“The real-world scenarios that get thrown at you in that program are what prepared me to deal with different personalities and different people in the business, especially artists. You can teach people anything from a book, but nothing prepares you for life and dealing with people until you’re actually in those real-life scenarios. It gave me the ability to evolve quickly.”

That’s an ability she’s had to call on many times in her career. After graduating in 2007, she spent over a decade at Universal Music Canada, where she experienced a seismic change in her own career and the industry itself. She worked with the biggest music retailers in Canada on a number of in-store events with popular artists like Justin Bieber, Drake and Halsey before the rise of streaming services changed the way people buy music. Transitioning into digital marketing, she made sure that Universal artists were properly promoted on the new platforms.

In the constantly shifting music business, she has thrived by embracing change, and jumping to Spotify in 2018 was another big one. There, she works with artists and their managers to ensure that as broad an audience as possible hears them. Her most rewarding experiences are when an artist she has helped to cultivate experiences a surge in popularity on the platform.

Working at Spotify has given her a whole new perspective on the business, and not just the good parts. Her new position showed her the true scope of the inequalities faced by women, people of colour and Indigenous artists in the industry, and she devoted herself to addressing that imbalance. With so many voices struggling to be heard, she takes every opportunity to promote those that have been marginalized.

“If someone who needs and deserves support might not get it otherwise, we can amplify them a little further. That’s what keeps me going; making sure the artists that deserve to be heard, are heard, and have equal opportunity.”

Now that she has a voice of influence in the industry, she is determined to use it to create positive change, not just for artists around the world, but for those closest to her.

“I just want a world where my nieces don’t have to worry about being women, or being part Indigenous. I know the music business is a small percentage of that overall equity conversation, but if I can make a little difference for them, I will.”

That motivation will fuel her as she continues to lead the way in reshaping the music industry.