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Durham College takes proactive measures to support mental health on campus, launches new resources for employees to assist students

In response to the growing need for mental health supports on campus, Durham College (DC) is prioritizing resources and supports to ensure that students’ needs are met.

The fall 2024 semester is the first to welcome learners who experienced the pandemic throughout high school, starting in Grade 9, reinforcing the need for additional mental health supports in post-secondary education.

“Over the past few years, the CHWC has noted a substantial increase in both the volume and complexity of students’ mental health challenges post-pandemic, and we’ve implemented the supports to proactively address these needs,” said Jennifer Elliott, Director, Campus Health and Wellness Centre at DC.

To educate and empower employees to support student mental health, the CHWC has launched a comprehensive guide and quick reference flowsheet. The resources, developed by mental health experts on campus, support employees by enhancing their understanding of mental health while helping them navigate the college’s emergency processes. Both resources include a focus on user experience and are a part of DC’s broader effort to ensure that the entire campus community has the knowledge and support needed to succeed.

“These resources were developed in direct response to a growing demand for support among employees who are working diligently to assist these students,” said Elliott.

To support the launch of the CHWC’s mental health guide and flowsheet, DC is providing ongoing opportunities for employees to engage with CHWC mental health clinicians. Employees can ask questions and learn about how to support students in managing their mental health on campus. Additionally, employees have the option to book a classroom visit or health promotion session to explore various mental health topics.

For students, the CHWC offers access to confidential and comprehensive services with an expert team of health care professionals and are encouraged to visit the CHWC to learn about all the resources available. Students can also explore the online Wellness Directory, which highlights other resources available at the college to support them.

This month, on September 10, DC will be hosting the Canadian Mental Health Association Durham (CMHA) Durham’s Safety Expo, along with its partners, to recognize World Suicide Prevention Day. The event will include presentations and resource booths on key topics such as transgender care, suicide prevention, and more. Attendees will have access to valuable insights and the chance to engage with experts in the field, ensuring members of the community have the supports they need to thrive year-round; an initiative Elliott says is critical as mental health needs continue to evolve.

“Events like this further underscore DC’s dedication to prioritizing the mental health and well-being of its community, ensuring that support evolves alongside the needs of everyone.”

Outstanding Durham College alumni nominated for 2024 Premier’s Awards

Durham College is proud to celebrate five exceptional alumni nominated for the 2024 Premier’s Award.

The awards have been presented by Colleges Ontario since 1992 and they recognize outstanding college graduates who are making an impact in Ontario and throughout the world.  More than 100 graduates are nominated for a Premier’s Award each year, which recognizes achievements in areas such as health care, science, technology and engineering, community services, the arts, business and the skilled trades.

“At DC, we’re more than 114,500 alumni strong and we’re proud to select these five graduates who have built successful careers and made a significant impact on the lives of others,” said Bonnie St. George, Vice President, People, Equity and External Relations at Durham College (DC). “Our nominees this year not only excel in their chosen fields, they are also making important contributions to their communities including advancing diversity and mental health.”

Jeremy Burns – Law & Security Administration Class of 2004; Penology and Youth, Class of 2005
Aaron Dale – Police Foundations, Class of 2005

Building on their college education and military service, Toronto police officers Jeremy Burns and Aaron Dale co-founded the Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP), designed to help law enforcement members support veterans in crisis. MVWP has been endorsed by organizations including Veterans Affairs Canada, National Defence’s Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group, Royal Canadian Legion, and is now part of mandatory training for Toronto police officers. They are nominated in the Community Services category.

Chris Cull – Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician, Class of 2007

Founder of Inspire By Example, Chris Cull is a motivational speaker and filmmaker who uses his experience as a recovering opioid user to advocate for mental health and addiction recovery. He has cycled across Canada twice and produced two films to raise awareness and educate the public, transforming many lives. Chris has shared his expertise at numerous notable events, including the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. He is nominated in the Health Sciences category.

Shelby Nelson – Sport Administration, Class of 2000

With a love for sports and community, Shelby Nelson, has dedicated 24 years to the Toronto Blue Jays organization. With a DC education as a foundation, Shelby’s career trajectory has seen him rise to Vice President of Florida Operations where he leads a team responsible for Spring Training, the Dunedin Blue Jays, and the Player Development Complex. As the local face of the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Shelby is a respected community leader and a champion of diversity. He is nominated in the Business category.

Paula Sojo – Video Production, Class of 2024

At the age of 18, Paula Sojo was diagnosed with a severe case of Crohn’s disease, resulting in 17 surgeries and a permanent ostomy. Determined to help others, she teamed up with her brother to found Ostome Fashion, a thriving business that provides fashionable and empowering options to all ostomy users. With help from family, friends and mentors, she has not only changed her life, but promoted representation and acceptance and empowered her community. She is nominated in the Recent Graduate category.

The winners of the Premier’s Awards will be announced on November 25, 2024. Good luck to all the DC nominees!

School’s in session: Durham College ready to welcome back more than 13,000 students this fall

From refreshed physical spaces to wrap-around student services designed to help students succeed, Durham College (DC) is welcoming more than 13,000 post-secondary and apprenticeship students this fall.

These students will pursue credentials including graduate certificates, diplomas and degrees in 145-plus market-driven programs including four new programs starting this September.

We’re welcoming more than 6,700 new students and many of them are already on campus participating in orientation activities, including Academic Welcome Week where they get to know their faculties and pick up important tips for success in their programs. Orientation events also include fun social activities designed to help students connect, like a movie night under the stars at our Oshawa campus, a corn roast at our Whitby campus and the return of our popular Campus Cup soccer rivalry with its festival atmosphere. To help them start strong this semester, we have compiled a content collection of some of our most popular blog posts, which are full of helpful information.

Students will enjoy a number of new and refreshed spaces at both of our state-of-the-art campuses this year. Highlights include:

  • A new multifaith prayer room in the Justice Wing.
  • Additional bike racks and repair stations to promote sustainable transportation and convenience for cycling students.
  • A redesign of Founder’s One parking lot to accommodate increased pedestrian traffic between the Centre for Innovation and Research and the rest of campus.
  • A renovated garden at the Whitby Campus’ Don Lovisa Building, creating an inviting entrance and a welcoming space for students to gather.

Before opening our doors to students for the new semester, DC employees gathered for Academic Kickoff which featured panel discussions, a keynote speaker and more. The annual event sparked new ideas and generated excitement for the academic year ahead.

To help support students’ needs, DC’s Campus Health and Wellness Centre developed resources designed to educate and empower employees to support the mental health and well-being of students on campus. And our newest faculty participated in a multi-day professional development opportunity hosted by the Centre for Teaching and Learning. A number of important topics were covered, including the science of learning principles, teaching strategies, curriculum, assessment, and educational technology.

Visit durhamcollege.ca to learn more about our programs and upcoming campus events and follow us on social media including Instagram and TikTok and get a feel for our dynamic campuses.

Durham College kicks off Strategic Plan consultation sessions

A series of consultation opportunities for Durham College’s (DC) Strategic Planning Process are scheduled and set to launch in the coming weeks. DC’s Board of Governors, students, employees, alumni, retirees, donors and community partners are all invited to get involved and contribute to the process by sharing their unique insights.

“This is a pivotal time for Durham College as we shape the future together, and we are excited to collaborate with everyone in our DC community,” said Lisa Allen, DC Board Chair. “The diverse insights and perspectives of all our members are essential in guiding us to new heights, strengthening our institution, and enhancing the success and impact we have on the broader community we serve.”

Over the next several months, the DC community will consider how student and industry needs have changed, how our organization and the workforce have evolved and how the landscape of higher education has shifted. The result will be a new Strategic Plan – expected to launch in spring 2025 – serving as a roadmap with tangible goals and objectives to inform decision-making and resource allocation.

Consultation details, as well as timelines, objectives and team members are available on DC’s Future Focused: Strategic Planning microsite. There are many ways to engage in the process and share feedback. Students and employees are encouraged to register for upcoming in-person Town Hall sessions and participate in “one big question pop-ups” that will appear throughout the Oshawa and Whitby campuses over the fall. Alumni, retirees, and key community partners will hear directly from the Strategic Plan Working Group and have opportunities to provide their input. Additionally, all community members are invited to complete the online survey to share their thoughts.

“As our current Strategic Plan comes to an end, this is an incredible opportunity to look critically at our work and listen to our communities’ aspirations, needs and ideas,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, DC President. “Together, we will develop an actionable plan to move DC forward in building a sustainable, future-proof, equity-driven, people-focused and community-connected college.”

It starts with us: Thousands of students launch their post-secondary journey with Durham College’s Academic Welcome Week

A brand-new class of students at Durham College (DC) are buzzing with excitement as they kick off their post-secondary journey this September.

This year, DC will welcome more than 6,700 students across nine academic Faculties in 145-plus market-driven programs.

From August 27 to 30, new students attended Academic Welcome Week events at DC’s Oshawa and Whitby campuses. At these half-day events, students connected with their Faculty, receiving essential program-specific details. They also participated in social events and fun activities designed to help them connect with fellow students.

Taylor Norville, a Public Relations student, was excited to attend the event for students in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design on August  27.

“Today I just want to know a little more about my program because I don’t really know what to expect, I haven’t gone to school for something like this before, it’s totally new to me,” she said.

Norville attended a university nursing program before deciding to take Public Relations at DC. She works in the beauty industry selling makeup and fragrances in a retail store and that inspired her to consider a new career path.

“I kind of wanted to go to the business side of the beauty industry and I thought PR would be a really good career for me,” she explains. “At my work I do events, I do our social media so I thought it would be a good transition.”

Meanwhile, at the Faculty of Liberal Studies welcome event, Caleb Pike isn’t quite sure what career path he wants to pursue, so he’s exploring his options while pursuing a General Arts and Science certificate. Through the program, he will earn transferable credits towards a future post-secondary program.

“I’m going to do a one-year program and decide what I’m going to do after that,” he said. “It was either going to be a gap year or this, so I decided to try things out and see what I like and then choose a career.”

He said he was looking forward to picking up new information at the Academic Welcome event and connecting with people.

Liberal Studies Executive Dean Nora Simpson welcomed students in General Arts and Science programs and highlighted the importance of attending orientation events like Academic Welcome Week, pointing out that studies show students who attend orientation are more successful academically. She encouraged students to share what they learned at orientation with their peers.

“When you see some students who are not here today, take a moment and share with them what you’ve learned,” she said. “If there are some key tips or tricks or pieces of information, share it with them and that can be your first act of community-building within the General Arts and Science program, your first act of building this cohort of colleagues and friends.”

Simpson had simple advice for success: get involved and ask for help.

DC President Dr. Elaine Popp shared some heartfelt advice with DC’s newest class, advising them to prioritize themselves along with their academic and personal responsibilities, encouraging them to focus on well-being by keeping active and paying attention to nutrition.

“Another key piece of advice is to cultivate strong relationships with your faculty members,” said Popp. “They aren’t just experts in their fields—they’re also deeply connected with industry. These relationships can open doors to job opportunities or provide valuable references that will help you achieve your goals.”

And finally, she encouraged them to remain true to who they are.

“As you grow and learn this year, be sure to keep living your values.”

Sitting volleyball a new, accessible sporting option for DC students

This year, Durham College (DC) students will have the opportunity to play an exciting and accessible sport.

In addition to hosting the 2025 Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Volleyball Championship next March, DC is partnering with ParaSport Ontario for the inaugural college/university sitting volleyball tournament. As the host, DC will enter a team in the competition, and tryouts begin this fall. All students are welcome to give it a try, and the team will practice weekly in preparation for the competition next March.

Originating in the Netherlands 70 years ago, the sport is a modified version of volleyball primarily for athletes with a disability. During play, athletes sit on the floor and attempt to strike the ball over a lowered volleyball net.

“With the national championship coming to the Durham Region next year, it is important that we use our platform to create inclusive opportunities in sport that can be enjoyed by all,” said Scott Dennis, Athletic Director. “We could not think of a better partner than ParaSport Ontario to achieve our goals with.”

The initiative was announced at the ParaSport Ontario Awards Brunch earlier this summer.

The DC team is already off to a strong start with the addition of Recreation Therapy student Ashley Green as its first member. The 19-year-old is a veteran of the sport with six years of experience, and is excited to share it with her fellow students.

“I’m honored to be the first Durham College student on the team,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the growth of the sport in the last six years, and I’m looking forward to getting to play competitively.”

“We actively identify workforce trends and stay ahead of them”: How Durham College develops new programs to meet industry need

DC launches four new programs in fall 2024

This September, Durham College (DC) will welcome the first intakes of students in four new programs, designed to prepare them for today’s competitive job market with the skills and industry-specific knowledge they need to succeed.

The Law Clerk diploma, Professional Selling and Business Development graduate certificate , Clinical Bioinformatics graduate certificate, and the Public Relations graduate certificate programs are DC’s newest offerings – contributing to the college’s impressive repertoire of more than 145 programs, all developed to meet employer and industry needs.

“There is a heightened demand for professionals in these fields and we are proud to develop programming with a forward-focused perspective that prepares students to be career-ready in these industries,” said Dr. Jean Choi, Vice President, Academic and Students at DC. “We actively identify workforce trends and stay ahead of them by following a rigorous program development process that includes labour market analysis and consultation with industry professionals and leaders.”

DC’s new Clinical Bioinformatics graduate certificate program is addressing the growing demand in the health sciences, particularly in emerging fields like genomics and proteomics. These fields, which have evolved from advancements in gene sequencing, enable scientists to use big data to identify and analyze diseases and disorders, leading to the development of targeted drug therapies and precision medicine.

“Research indicates a significant need for experts in clinical bioinformatics who can effectively utilize genomic and proteomic data to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes,” said Choi.

Graduates of this program can pursue careers in clinical data analysis, clinical research, or genetic counseling within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

“We also know that there are increasing employability rates in the public relations sector and legal fields, and in the sales industry the acceleration of digital trends has elevated the need for sales professionals to adopt new strategies to drive business success,” Choi added.

As industries rapidly evolve and employer needs continue to shift, DC remains committed to a proactive approach to program development. The college is preparing students who will fill labour shortage gaps and support growth across sectors, enabling graduates to take on rewarding careers in new and evolving fields.

Discover more than 145 in-demand programs by visiting DC online today.

MRC Studio, AI Hub make a splash at virtual reality conference

Durham College (DC) students and employees showed off their applied research work at the VRTO Spatial Media World Conference & Expo in July, displaying their talent and ingenuity and making connections in the tech industry.

Representing DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE), the MRC Studio and AI Hub attended the conference to showcase their latest breakthroughs.

A team of work-study students showed off a mixed reality demo using the Meta Quest 3 virtual reality (VR) headset. By scanning real world objects and digitizing them for manipulation in 3D space, the demo allows users to pick up and examine items within an augmented reality.

The mixed reality demo was prepared by Game – Art students Joshua Vandergeer, Alexis Mantler and Nathan Lang and Computer Programming and Analysis students Connor Vandergeer and Manu Sugunakumar.

The experience of showing off their own work while rubbing shoulders with accomplished industry veterans was a highlight for the students, according to Connor Vandergeer.

“It felt really rewarding to be a part of the community,” he said. “Speaking to professionals, seeing what they think and how impressed they were and just enjoying the demo, it was a really great experience.”

The applications for the demo are practically limitless according to Jason Hunter, Manager of the MRC Studio.

“A lot of people still relate VR to entertainment and games only, but there’s a lot of applications within other industries that the hardware and software can be used for,” he said. “We have a lot of industry partners who want to find ways to do digital twinning, either of spaces or of objects, particularly for training and simulation.”

For example, an industrial company could use the technology to train new employees on heavy machinery, remotely and with no risk to their safety.

A second demo, developed by Game – Art student James Gleeson, used a Looking Glass display and Unreal Engine to create holographic 3D models that could be turned and rotated manually.

Both demos wowed the crowd, according to Hunter.

“There were a lot of smiling faces and minds blown,” he said. “It’s really satisfying to see that we could still impress people who have been working within the field for a long time. That’s really gratifying for the students.”

Working with the MRC Studio over the summer has been an invaluable experience for them.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to start getting industry experience within their field, and it’s a great place to test what you’re learning,” said Joshua Vandergeer.

Students weren’t the only ones making us #DCProud at the event. MRC Principal Investigator Harrison Forsyth was invited as a guest speaker to discuss his recent work digitizing real world objects and environments for virtual applications.

“It was a great pleasure to speak at the event on behalf of Durham College,” said Forsyth. “Most importantly, the teams from the MRC Studio and AI Hub got an opportunity to engage with leaders in the extended reality community. This was a huge win for our teams and I am certainly very proud of the work we do.”

Exploring the skilled trades: Durham College hosts Skills Ontario Summer Camp for kids

From measuring and building a bird house to checking under the hood of a car, a group of summer campers at Durham College (DC) got a chance to pick up practical life skills while exploring careers in the trades.

As part of the Skills Ontario Summer Camp, 18 campers were on site at DC’s Whitby campus from August 12 to 16.

Through the camp, kids entering Grades 7 to 9 get a chance to participate in hands-on activities relevant to the skilled trades while developing communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

On Thursday afternoon, they were in DC’s Motor Vehicle Shop.

“It’s been a pretty good day today, we did a couple of challenges and now I’m trying to check the air pressure on a car tire,” Spencer Hammill, 12, of Courtice said. “I’m actually going to be a cop when I’m older but I should also know this just in case anything happens.”

Spencer was attending his first Skills Ontario and said his favourite activity so far has been making a robot.

“It was really fun to move around, we could make it dance and do races.”

Alison Achtenberg, 13, of Oshawa took careful notes and measurements as she learned how to inspect a car. She’s enjoyed her week at camp.

“It’s just been really fun, all the people are really nice and I like a lot of the activities like yesterday we got to make a bird house,” she said. “We’re learning how to inspect a car, which I’ve never done before, which is interesting—like how to check the brakes, the oil, the tires.”

Homer Manlangit is a DC faculty member teaching in the Automotive Technician – Service and Management (Motive Power Technician) program. He said the campers came in with a lot of energy.

“They’re really excited about this department especially, when they came in the first thing they saw is the orange car behind me, it’s a Challenger, and they were all over it,” he said.

While kids couldn’t take the Challenger home, each of them got a chance to make a small solar and battery-powered toy car from a kit. They also got window into what a day in the life of a mechanic is like as they learned how to inspect a car.

“I think the importance of it is getting them engaged in what skilled trades are about, especially automotive,” said Manglangit. “Automotive can be a pathway to a lot of other skilled trades, you get a broad range of skills.”

Rebecca Milburn, Principal, Whitby campus and Executive Dean, Faculty of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship, explained that the goal is to introduce youth to the skilled trades.

“By introducing youth to the skilled trades, we allow them to explore opportunities and build essential life skills,” she said. “They participate in hands-on experiences and can discover their passion, develop practical abilities, and consider viable career paths.”

Music Business grad nominated at 2024 Canadian Live Music Awards

This spring, Durham College (DC) alumnus Brendan Kennedy was nominated in the Road Warrior (Tour Manager) of the Year category at the 2024 Canadian Live Music Industry Awards (CLMIA), recognizing his more than 10 years on the road working with bands including The Glorious Sons, Valley and Billy Talent. The 8th annual CLMIAs took place on June 4 and celebrated Canada’s live music industry.

Kennedy grew up in Brockville, Ontario, playing in local bands as a drummer. In a small town with minimal resources, he also took on the role of promoter and sound technician – creating a clear vision for a career in the music industry.

Coming from a musical family, with both of his parents being teachers, he was encouraged to get a post-secondary education in an area he felt passionate about. He enrolled in the Music Business Administration program at DC and graduated in 2013.

“I went into the program with a pretty solid goal of what I wanted to accomplish, but the courses and faculty helped me understand how the whole music industry ecosystem works,” said Kennedy. “I took every available opportunity to gain experience doing sound. I did every open mic and took on a really big leadership role at The Reel Music Festival.”

The Reel Music Festival, now Oshawa Music Week, is an annual event organized by students in DC’s Music Business Administration/Music Business Management program and features live music showcases, entertainment for music lovers, and music-industry education for aspiring and established music-business practitioners.

After graduation, Kennedy moved to Toronto with his band, but quickly found his existing connections in the industry were opening opportunities for him to kick-start his career off stage. He began working in the studio with his friend, and future Juno Award-winning producer, Derek Hoffman. He then secured a position doing sound at two Toronto venues working DJ nights and shows. A bartender at one of the venues was Chris Cresswell from Canadian punk-rock band, The Flatliners. Cresswell heard Kennedy mixing a show and invited him on tour.

Since that first tour, Kennedy has been on the road with different bands consistently for 10 years touring Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada and the United States.

He attributes his success not only to technical skills but to soft skills like organization, problem solving and an ability to connect with people. “You have to be good at your job, but being personable is also important,” he said. “I’ve been told I’m a very patient person, so that helps. I’ve always attributed that to my grandparents because they were so patient with my cousins and me as kids.”

A self-described open-book, Kennedy returns to campus when he can to offer guidance and inspiration to current students. His advice to those starting out in the music industry is to find an area you enjoy and stick with it.

“If you know you want to go into tour management for example, find people in that role to network with and just work really hard at that one thing. Putting yourself out there is the most important thing you can do in this business, and if you can stick close to your goals, it’ll pay off.”

* photo credit: Becca Hamel