DC grads to benefit from partnership with Supply Chain Management Association of Ontario

Recent alumni and current students of the Durham College (DC) Materials and Operations Management – Business Administration program (formerly Business Administration – Operations Management; now Supply Chain and Operations Management – Business Administration) are being offered advanced standing towards the Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation thanks to a new agreement between DC and the Supply Chain Management Association of Ontario (SCMAO). Signed in May, the agreement makes the path to Certified SCMP status more efficient for graduates and offers another level of certification to complement their diploma.

Advanced standing will be given to alumni of DC’s three-year program who graduated between 2013 and 2017 and who have obtained a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Some SCMAO modules and workshops have been exempted from this advanced standing, including Module 2, 3, 4, and 6; and Interactive Workshop 1 and 3.

The Certified SCMP designation is an internationally accredited certification of strategic supply chain leadership and is Canada’s most widely held and highly regarded designation in supply chain management. To achieve advanced standing for grads, DC worked with the SCMAO to assess the curriculum for each program component to determine its alignment with the SCMAO modules and workshops.

Future graduates of DC’s Supply Chain and Operations Management programs will also have the opportunity to receive advanced prior learning recognition towards the Certified SCMP as part of the program.

For more information on this opportunity, please contact Jennifer Souch, program coordinator, Supply Chain and Operations Management – Business Administration at 905.721.2000 ext. 2279.


DC faculty Sue Coffey wins coveted Nightingale Award for her innovation in nursing education

A nomination process that attracted 112 hopefuls from across the province for the coveted Toronto Star Nightingale Award worked out well for Dr. Sue Coffey, an associate professor in Durham College’s (DC) Nursing – Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, when she was chosen as this year’s award recipient by a panel of representatives from Ontario’s nursing associations and the Toronto Star.

 Nominated for her work in developing a hands-on patient overdose simulation and integrating it into course curriculum, Dr. Coffey worked with an interprofessional team of educators to provide students with the opportunity to test the skills they are learning in class in a safe environment. As part of the simulation, a debrief component allows students to refine their skills so they are prepared when faced with a real overdose situation on the job. 

Dr. Coffey, whose work in nursing started over 30 years ago, has spent the last 17 in nursing education with a focus on developing innovative nursing curriculum and theory development. The DC community offers their congratulations on receiving this momentous award.

 For more information on the Toronto Star Nightingale award, please visit the Toronto Star website.


Gender mainstreaming, occupational standards and a MAD documentary: DC’s third mission to Kenya

June marked a third mission to Kenya for Durham College (DC) as part of the Kenyan Education for Employment Program (KEFEP), a three-and-half-year project facilitated by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and funded by Global Affairs Canada that started in spring 2017.

During this mission, a team of nine DC students and employees attended the KEFEP partner forum hosted by CICan in Nairobi, Kenya. The forum brought together Kenyan and Canadian institutional partners, as well as organizations and institutions from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe; and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) stakeholders.

Following the forum, Joanne Spicer, a professor in the Victimology graduate certificate program, led gender-mainstreaming workshops at partner institutions in Sigalalaga, Eldoret and Kitale, while Kerry Johnston, faculty from Humber College, supported the development of occupational standards at Sigalagala National Polytechnic (SNP).

Danielle Harder, professor, Journalism – Mass Media and Jennifer Bedford, professor, Video Production, as well as four students from the School of Media, Art and Design also joined the team to interview partners and stakeholders of the CICan-KEFEP projects as part of a two-phase documentary that will showcase the progress of the project from its early stages to completion. Mark Herringer, dean, International Education and Ana Belen Jimenez, international projects co-ordinator, provided support throughout the trip. 

In February, Michelle Hutt, associate dean, School of Business, IT & Management, and Katie Boone, manager, International Projects and Partnerships, visited Kenya for the college’s second mission to take part in a two-week workshop series that supported SNP’s efforts to develop competency-based programs in the fields of renewable energies and advanced solar power systems.


DC employees learn and connect at PD Day 2018

On June 19, more than 450 Durham College (DC) employees took time to invest in themselves at Professional Development (PD) Day 2018.

This year’s event offered a refreshed format that included three feature presentations, an opportunity for attendees to enjoy lunch together and a choice of one of 13 concurrent sessions on a variety of timely subjects led by DC employees from all corners of campus.

Aboriginal student advisors Julie Pigeon and Peggy Forbes helped attendees start the day in a good way by leading a smudging ceremony in the courtyard of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre (CRWC). Next, DC president Don Lovisa kicked off the formal program by welcoming everyone and introducing the first of the day’s following featured speakers:

  • Mark Bowden – Winning body language: optimizing workplace and client relationships
  • Maydianne Andrade, PhD – Addressing unconscious bias
  • SmartLeese Creative – Building client-centric relationship with improv

PD Day is an annual event, organized by the college’s Human Resources department, which enhances employee engagement using thought-provoking presentations and opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and recharge through exposure to new ideas and skills.

With more than 800 full-time employees and approximately 1,000 part-time employees, DC is one of the region’s largest employers and provides more than $900 million to Durham Region in positive economic impact annually. Events like PD Day are one of the many initiatives that help make DC one of the GTA’s Top Employers.


Successful simulated emergency reception centre exercise at Oshawa campus

On June 20, Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology successfully participated in a simulated emergency reception centre exercise as part of the ongoing Durham Region’s emergency management program.

More than 300 community members and five canine participants took part in the exercise that the Durham Region co-ordinates in an effort to reinforce the practices that are in place to protect the safety of Durham residents.

The Oshawa campus has been set up as a reception centre along with other facilities throughout the region to be used during the extremely unlikely nuclear emergency, allowing Ontario Power Generation (OPG), City of Oshawa and Durham Region Emergency Social Services to provide emergency services to those in need.

During the exercise coordinated by the college’s Office of Campus Safety, participants practiced opening and operating an emergency reception centre.

Partner organizations for this regular exercise included OPG, City of Oshawa, Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, Durham Regional Police Service, Victim Services of Durham Region, the Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team and Oshawa Animal Services.

Learn more about emergency preparedness at durham.ca/demo


DC Dental Hygiene students give back to the Durham Region

Durham College (DC) hosted a free dental clinic in partnership with the Health Mission Outreach (HMO) at the Oshawa campus on June 17. While, over the past five years, students from the Dental Hygiene program have volunteered their skills learned in the classroom to provide free dental care clinics in Toronto and Brampton, this is the first time the service has been offered in Durham Region, catering specifically to those without insurance or living on a fixed income.  The HMO is a medical outreach organization that provides health care services to the disadvantaged.

The one-day clinic saw 45 DC students and a few from University of Toronto work alongside 18 volunteer HMO dentists from across Ontario to provide free fillings, extractions and other dental hygiene care for 162 local patients – one of the largest dental outreach initiatives in the Durham Region.

While students receive ongoing experience and skill-building in DC’s Dental Clinic as they perform dental examinations and cleanings under the supervision of faculty and staff, the free clinic with HMO also gave them the opportunity to give back to the community in which they live and study before they finish the final semester of their program.

A second, larger free health clinic with HMO will be offered in November for those that missed out, with participation once again from the Dental Hygiene program, as well as a few others in the School of Health and Community Services.


New appointments for chair and vice-chair of Durham College Board of Governors

The Durham College (DC) Board of Governors (BOG) is pleased to announce Paul Macklin and Ivan DeJong as the new board chair and vice-chair, respectively, effective Sunday, July 1, 2018.  The appointments are for a one-year term.

An experienced lawyer, businessperson and active volunteer, Paul has served as parliamentary secretary to two Ministers of Justice and is a member of the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada. Paul has been a Rotarian since 1975 and was involved with the Northumberland County United Way for six years, including as treasurer and co-chair of the 2015-2016 campaign.

Ivan is co-owner of Youngfield Farms in Nestleton, which was started by his family in 1953, and he has been involved in local organizations including the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee, the Durham College Community Choir and the Canadian Food Grains Bank. In 2013, Ivan received the Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service.

The BOG is responsible for the governance of DC and, as such, is accountable to the students, employees and communities the college serves for ensuring that it is effectively and appropriately managed to achieve its established mandate and to provide needed services.

As chair, Paul will be responsible for ensuring the board meets its responsibilities and established mandate through leadership, openness and transparency.


DC receives 2018 Urban Design Award for Centre for Collaborative Education

The Centre for Collaborative Education (CFCE), Durham College’s (DC) newest building has been honoured before the doors officially open. DC is proud to have been presented with the prestigious 2018  Urban Design Award from the City of Oshawa at a special awards ceremony, held at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa on June 14.  

Scheduled to open in September, the CFCE is the college’s most ambitious and transformative initiative in the institution’s 51-year history. Montgomery Sisam Architects designed the building in a joint venture with Architecture Counsel Inc. The CFCE replaces DC’s aging Simcoe building, which was built as a temporary structure and opened in 1969. 

A combination of limestone, white architectural block, wood soffit, and a Muntz copper metal panel system create a dynamic expression that references the existing campus while maintaining an efficient, more modern enclosure. Inside, Montgomery Sisam and Architecture Counsel designed light-filled, flexible spaces to accommodate a wide variety of programs and student needs.

“We are proud to be creating a facility that will expand local programming, further connect Indigenous communities to post-secondary education and drive entrepreneurship and internationalization in our community,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “The CFCE will be an educational hub that is about building possibilities and helping students realize their full potential by offering experiential learning opportunities designed to match the needs of industry, reflecting Durham College’s dedication to meeting the demands of students, employers and our changing economy.” 

The accessible, four-storey, 75,000-square-foot-facility will house three new interprofessional simulation lab and an anatomy and physiology lab. There will be a full-service spa that will support the Massage Therapy, Cosmetic Techniques and Management, and Esthetician – Spa Management programs. The CFCE will also include new academic learning spaces with the addition of nine general purpose collaborative classrooms and a state-of-the-art Global Classroom which enables students to interact with other students and experts from around the world. There will also be 10 classrooms for the Centre for Success program which allows secondary students to participate in post-secondary courses and apprenticeship training to earn dual credits that count towards both their high school diploma and post-secondary credential. The First Peoples Indigenous Centre, Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion and Transitions and Research office’s FastStart operation will all be housed in the new building as well.

“The CFCE building is visually unique and will serve as a stunning gateway for the college,” said Lovisa. “The architects have cleverly included part the college’s history into the new building, by creating a beautiful entrance feature, which incorporates a living wall and reclaimed stone from the original Simcoe building.”

The Oshawa Urban Design Awards program was created in 2011 to recognize the significant contributions that architects, landscape architects, urban designers, planners, developers, builders and other individuals make to the appearance, livability, and quality of life in Oshawa.  In 2012 the college received an Award of Excellence for its Student Services building, which officially opened in March 2011.

In addition to receiving this award DC’s CFCE building is also eligible to participate in the 2018 National Urban Design Awards (Tier II) Program administered by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.


Roger Anderson Charity Classic celebrates another successful year

Roger Anderson’s legacy was remembered by all who took to the greens during the 21st-annual tournament that bears his name. Held on June 14 at the Deer Creek Golf and Country Club, the Roger Anderson Charity Classic is one of Durham Region’s most popular and well-established fundraising events.

This year 220 golfers came together, raising $339,000 to support students in financial need at Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), as well as child and youth programs at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. This brings the total amount of funds raised since the tournament’s inception to more than $6.5 million.

Karim Mamdani, president, and CEO, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences; Dr. Steven Murphy, president, UOIT; Don Lovisa, president, DC, attended the evening’s cheque presentation, offering their own thanks for the hard work and dedication of the tournament organizers and the generosity of its sponsors. Roger’s son, Warren Anderson, also attended with his wife Sarah and daughter Riley, representing the family and honouring his father’s contributions over the last 20 years.

Tournament organizers are grateful to all the sponsors, volunteers and golfers for their generous and continued support and efforts to make this year’s Roger Anderson Charity Classic a success.


Durham College recognizes student achievement at 2018 Spring Convocation

On June 11, 12 and 13, more than 4,000 Durham College (DC) students received their credentials during this year’s Spring Convocation, with friends, family and the college community cheering them on.

Held at the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa, graduates from the Centre for Food and schools of Business, IT & Management; Continuing Education, Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology received their diplomas and certificates.

Guest speakers at each ceremony were:

  • Kent Farndale, a community philanthropist, volunteer, longstanding DC supporter and recipient of a DC Honorary Credential in Community Development, who spoke on June 11
  • Manjula Selvarajah, a freelance journalist, technology columnist for CBC Radio and producer for local CBC Radio shows, as well as a 2014 graduate of DC’s Journalism – Print and Broadcast program (now known as Journalism – Mass Media), who spoke on June 12
  • Andrew Genge, a Canadian Paralympian snowboarder who is currently enrolled in DC’s Practical Nursing program, who spoke on June 13

Over the course of the three days, the college also awarded four Alumni of Distinction Awards, which honour the extraordinary contributions DC alumni make to society while achieving career success.

The following alumni received the award:

  • Chief Bryant Wood, a 1990 graduate of the Electronics Engineering Technology program
  • Manjula Selvarajah, a 2014 graduate of the Journalism – Print and Broadcast program – now known as Journalism – Mass Media
  • Kurtis Sisk, a 2000 graduate of the Public Relations program
  • Roland Kielbasiewicz, a 1990 graduate of the Business Operations Management program