Durham College’s (DC) Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) is thrilled to share that two work-integrated learning (WIL) projects have been awarded more than $100,000 in total funding for the 2022-2023 academic year. These generous grants are provided by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada and its Innovation Hub (iHub) which is dedicated to developing future-ready students through its unique hands-on experiential learning opportunities and partnerships.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of CEWIL Canada and iHub on these two emerging projects at DC,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, dean, ORSIE. “These projects are perfect examples of how we’re identifying and responding to the evolving needs within our national and global community and serves as proof of how our students and employees are leading the way in inclusivity and innovation.”

The first project, led by Greg Murphy, executive dean, Faculty of Media, Art & Design (MAD) at DC is committed to improving media representation of people with disabilities living in Canada. This new accessible and inclusive image bank will authentically represent those with a disability by focusing on the individual rather than the equipment they rely on, which is unfortunately portrayed the majority of time in stock image sharing sites. To better improve this representation, 84 students in MAD will capture and edit images and videos in collaboration with Spinal Cord Injury Canada throughout the 2022 fall semester.

The second project receiving funding is a brand-new student-produced podcast called Founder’s Drive. It aims to spark inspiration and curiosity among entrepreneurial-minded youth world-wide to explore starting their own businesses. The podcast will help foster inclusivity, honesty, trust and accessibility for new entrepreneurs by building a foundation of self-determination. This project is led by Danielle Harder, a professor in MAD, and will be hosted through DC’s 360insights Entrepreneurship Centre and FastStartDC. This project will give 13 students across five academic programs in MAD the unique opportunity to host, produce, market and promote six podcast episodes, equipping them with the tools and experience they need to better conquer their entrepreneurial dreams in our ever-changing media industry.

“By offering innovative WIL opportunities at our institutions across Canada, we continue to see growth in students’ personal and professional competencies,” indicated Charlene Marion, director, WIL at CEWIL Canada. “The skills and competencies gained through these experiences serve to support students as they transition to the workplace, entrepreneurial endeavours, or future studies.”

The funding received for these two work-integrated projects at DC will provide students with the skills and experience they need to flourish post-graduation in careers and businesses of their own.

These projects have been funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning program and CEWIL Canada’s iHUB. For further information on these programs and funding opportunities, please visit their website.

On August 30, Durham College (DC) employees officially launched the start of the new academic year at the 2022 Academic Kickoff. After being held virtually for the past two years, the in-person event was nothing short of exciting, as more than 400 employees from all areas of the college gathered for a morning of inspiration and motivation.

Led by Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic, DC colleagues were greeted with a hot breakfast and the chance to reconnect with each other before the morning’s events kicked off with a keynote address from Dr. Henning Beck, neuroscientist and best-selling author. Exploring methods for better thinking and ways to identify the ideal environment to generate innovative solutions, Dr. Beck left employees feeling inspired to think in new ways.

For many, the event was an opportunity to meet new colleagues, as it was the first employee gathering on-campus since the college announced the realignment and renaming of our academic faculties in June 2022. In addition to hearing about updates and successes from the Academic Plan, the agenda also featured an Exemplary Faculty panel discussion, where members shared experiences and sparked new ideas to showcase how DC is leading the way in the student experience, both inside the classroom and beyond.

The event concluded with the announcement of this year’s nominees for the Employee Awards of Excellence, which recognize our employees’ outstanding achievements from the past year. The winners will be announced later this fall.

With the majority of classes set to start on Wednesday, September 7, the campus community is feeling energized and excited for the new year ahead.

From August 15 to 19, Durham College’s (DC) Whitby campus hosted 18 very special guests, who spent the week exploring future career opportunities available in the skilled trades. The summer camp was hosted by Skills Ontario and provided campers with several hands-on activities in each of DC’s skilled trades programs – including an off-site tour of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), a long-standing community partner and donor of the college. Skills Ontario has been providing programs like this for students in Grades 7 to 9 for over 30 years, with an intention to inspire youth to explore skilled trades and technologies. This is the first summer since 2019 that the camp has been able to run in-person.

“We’re thrilled to bring back our popular summer camps program,” says Ian Howcroft, chief executive officer, Skills Ontario. “It is crucial for youth to not only explore opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies, but also to build their skills for the workforce and consider what career path is right for them.”

Supported by experiential learning opportunities – a concept that is deeply embedded in many of DC’s programs – campers learned about the many career paths available in the skilled trades and technology fields. Daily camp activities were led by Skills Ontario staff and DC employees, and featured interactive activities and competitions, including: virtual reality welding, building birdhouses in the carpentry shop, learning hoisting and drilling techniques, creating tasty treats while learning about DC’s Field to Fork philosophy, using plumbing skills and materials to build hula hoops, as well as a Co2 Dragster car assembly and performance race.

“I had the pleasure of visiting the camp and was very impressed with each camper’s enthusiasm and pride for their work. I’m pleased to see youth taking such interest in the skilled trades and having the ability to experience the state-of-the-art facility we have at our Whitby campus,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “I’m grateful for the work Skills Ontario provides young people and I’m sure this will be the beginning of a lifelong passion of learning for the campers and foster DC’s relationship with them all as future leaders in our community.”

DC’s Whitby campus is leading the way in skilled trades and technology education. It spans over 350,000 square feet in state-of-the-art learning spaces, including the newly opened Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology, which features a double-height shop lab, new classrooms and student touchdown spaces. The campus also includes the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which is home to the award-winning full-service restaurant, Bistro ’67; retail store, Pantry, and the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and its community-inspired urban farm.

DC is proud to partner with Skills Ontario in an effort to introduce youth in the Durham Region to the many skilled trades professions while also helping them develop communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills. Skills Ontario summer camps are sponsored by the Government of Ontario and Magna. For further information on future camps, please visit their website.

*photo credit Skills Ontario

Durham College (DC) is excited to announce that its 2021-2022 Annual Report is now available. As one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the sixth consecutive year, DC is committed to sharing its report in the following interactive online format.

The highlighted accomplishments featured in this report serve as undeniable proof that the innovative work of our students and employees – inside and outside the classroom – is truly making a positive impact. Our DC family has a lot to be proud of, which is why we’re so pleased to share these stories of resilience and leadership with you.

“Despite the challenges we faced in the pandemic’s second year, the college’s commitment to our mission – Together, we’re leading the way – remained steadfast and strong,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “This year’s annual report features a number of stories that highlight the inspiring collaboration, innovation and determination exemplified by every member of our campus community over the last year. These stories demonstrate how DC is leading the way in everything we do.”

We hope the successes featured in this report inspire you and provide you with a glimpse into the future of Durham College and our global community.

Durham College’s (DC) most exciting event of the year returned this June, complete with confetti canons and inspirational guest speakers, as the college hosted its first in-person Convocation since 2019.

During this momentous occasion, more than 3,500 students crossed the stage to the cheers and smiling faces of their friends, family, and special guests. During the ten ceremonies held over the five-day event, DC’s 2022 graduates celebrated new beginnings as they received their credentials, and the 2020 and 2021 graduates returned to acknowledge how far they’ve come and experience their ceremonies that were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Not only did our graduates complete their program – setting their sights on a tremendous goal and meeting it with resolve – but they made it to the finish line during a once-in-a-century global event that has impacted all of us to varying degrees and in different ways,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC during his remarks to the graduates. “As COVID-19 changed the way we live, work and learn, our graduates showed the world that they have an undeniable amount of drive and determination that will continue to serve them in their career and life for many years to come.”

Held at the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa from June 13 to 17, the events honoured graduates from programs in the schools of Hospitality & Horticultural Science; Business, IT & Management; Professional and Part-time Learning, Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology.

Ceremonies on June 14 marked an important milestone for the Durham College Alumni Association as it reached 100,000 members with the graduating class of 2021. The ceremony on June 17 also celebrated the inaugural graduating class of DC’s first degree program, the Honours Bachelor of Health Care Technology Management.

The first and last ceremonies of the week also featured a Big Drum performance by John Snake and drummers from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, welcoming graduates and guests as they entered the building.

The opening song was performed to offer positive thoughts as DC honoured all graduates and their achievements, and the closing performance symbolized safe travels for graduates as they move on to new endeavours. An Indigenous student graduation celebration also took place on June 10, prior to Spring Convocation week, with a reception and Indigenous Heritage Celebration on campus.

Guest speakers at the ceremonies included:

• Nicole Blackman, DNP, MN, RN – graduate of DC’s Registered Nursing program in 2004, provincial director of the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council, former sessional instructor at Ontario Tech University, and member of the provincial Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine Table, Chief Medical Officer of Health Advisory Table, provincial Hepatitis C Working Group, and Durham Region Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
• Brent Lessard – graduate of DC’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program in 2014, co-founder and project manager for rLoop, director of programs and operations at Venture Development Institute, 2017 Premier’s Award winner, and member of the Durham College Alumni Association.
• Thao Nghiem – graduate of DC’s Music Business Management program in 2018, founder and managing director of the Vietnam Music Industry Network and Vietnam Music Week, co-director of the Oshawa Music Awards and marketing manager for Small World Music.
• Cameron Munro – graduate from the Business Administration – Operations Management (now Supply Chain & Operations Management – Business Administration) program in 2012, plant manager at FibreCorr Ltd., president of Munro Strategy Group Inc., and former chair and member of the Supply Chain & Operations Management – Business Administration Program Advisory Committee.
• Hannah Elkington – graduate from the Police Foundations program in 2014, K-9 handler with the Durham Regional Police Services, volunteer with the Imire Elephant and Rhino Sanctuary’s K-9 anti-poaching unit, 2016 Premier’s Awards nominee, 2016 Alumna of Distinction and winner of the Public Hero Award form the Intercultural Dialogue Institute.

Over the course of Spring Convocation, the college also awarded three deserving recipients with Alumni of Distinction awards based on their extraordinary contributions to society while achieving career success:

• Nicole Blackman – a 2004 graduate of the Registered Nursing program.
• Kristin Atwood – a 2017 graduate of the Advanced Baking and Pastry Arts program and 2016 graduate of the Culinary Management program.
• Andrew McNamara – a 2004 graduate of the Business Administration – Accounting program.

For more information about Spring Convocation, including links to videos of each ceremony, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/convocation. To learn more about this year’s Alumni of Distinction winners visit www.durhamcollege.ca/alumniofdistinction.