Durham College (DC) is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day. The success we have achieved over the last 57 years would not have been possible without the remarkable achievements of countless women – students, faculty, staff and administrators.

DC has ushered in a new era with the appointment of Dr. Elaine Popp as President. In recognition of International Women’s Day, Dr. Popp spoke to us about the women who have made a difference in her life, the lessons she has learned along her career path, her passion for higher education and more.

Who have been your female role models in your life and career?

I can think of a few women who have helped shape me and made me grow.

Dr. Marla Sokolowski would be one. She was my professor in the second year of my undergrad. She was the only female professor at that point in my academic journey, and she was the first person who truly served as a role model and made me think, “You know what? I could do what she’s doing.” I could stay in school, earn my Ph.D. like her, and teach.

When I was doing my Ph.D., Dr. Sokolowski’s lab was next to the lab I worked in, and her research studied fruit fly behaviour. She was the first scientist to show that behaviour can be linked to genetics – it could be linked to an allele in a gene.

I have also found inspiration from women who have blazed trails for other women to follow. Like Kathrine Switzer, who in 1967 ran the Boston Marathon – the first woman to run a marathon.

What inspired you to pursue a career in higher education?

I am passionate about teaching and learning. Having witnessed the transformative power education plays for both individuals and society, I was motivated to start my career in post-secondary 24 years ago knowing that this was an impactful way to make a difference – to help others realize their potential.

At its core, teaching has an overwhelmingly positive influence on the lives of others. When done well, it can help set someone on the path to success, which can last for the rest of their lives. And seeing the development and growth in others is so personally rewarding.

To this day, it thrills me when former students of mine reach out to me and share what they are up to now – the new job they have secured or the further education they have completed.

How would you describe the career path that has led you to your role as president of DC?

I’ve been fortunate to have a fulfilling and progressive career and have had many supportive colleagues and supervisors who have encouraged and challenged me to continue growing.

Bosses I had early on in my career believed in my talents and abilities and invested in me. They encouraged and supported me to pursue various leadership trainings, and pursue positions that I did not have on my radar as being achievable by me. I am so fortunate to have had these strong mentors and champions as I began my career.

I am sure I wouldn’t be here today – in this role – if it had not been for those very people who pushed me to better myself and supported me in doing so.

Perhaps this is why I am so supportive of mentorship models and ensuring everyone feels they have access to the professional development they need to be able to realize their full potential.

What does being DC’s president mean to you?

I’m feeling lots of emotions – I’m honoured, I’m excited, I’m humbled.

I’m so proud of our students. They are really doing incredible things. On a daily basis, they show up, engaging in their classes with their faculty members and learning new skills to prepare them for their futures. Many have outside obligations, like work and family commitments, which can make finding time for their studies difficult – but they still persevere.

And our students are successful because of our amazing staff and faculty members, who are hard-working and dedicated. Our faculty are invested in their professional practice and work hard to create quality learning experiences for our students. DC’s staff is unparalleled in their drive to deliver quality service to our students.

I am committed to DC, our students, our faculty, our staff and our community.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

I can think of a few pieces of advice I continue to draw on.

Perhaps I will start by sharing one piece of advice that has become somewhat of a mantra for me. “You always have time for the things you put first.” I remind myself of this when I am finding myself not sticking to my priorities.

Another piece of advice I have taken to heart is: “If you want to know what other people really think, make sure you aren’t the first to speak.” Listen first. I try to follow this advice as much as possible, whenever possible.

One other piece I will share is: “When something scares you, ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen?” It usually isn’t all that bad.

During your career in higher education, what changes have you seen related to gender equality and what work still needs to be done?

There is an increased representation of women in leadership positions within post-secondary academic institutions, reflecting a positive shift towards gender parity in decision-making.

Awareness of gender biases and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging continues to grow in higher education. In addition to a positive shift in hiring practices, this awareness is being integrated into our curricula, ensuring the next generation of professionals will continue working toward gender equality.

More and more, we are promoting programs focused on trades, science, technology and engineering to women and young girls. By encouraging these non-traditional career paths, we are working to make them realistic, achievable and desirable goals for women. The Expand the Possibilities 5.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference, scheduled for April 25 and 26, is just one way we move the needle in these traditionally male occupations.

We are also seeing more women entrepreneurs. Some of the biggest start-up success stories from FastStart, our entrepreneurial support centre, are from women.

I think there is always work to be done. Despite women having more education (according to Statistics Canada), as of January 2023, only 10 per cent of Fortune 500 companies were led by women (according to Forbes).

This is a clear indicator that transparent and equitable hiring and promotion practices must continue to be fostered alongside mentorship opportunities and career advancement education for women. Looking to the future, as we see more retirements, there are real opportunities to elevate more women into a broader range of leadership positions, increasing equality in these organizations.

Here at DC, while I am proud of the work we have done to support gender equality, I know that there are opportunities to do more. I think we need to look at benchmarking where we are today to be able to celebrate the successes we are realizing now and identify how we can leverage our institution to drive gender equality.

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From our new president to dedicated faculty members and accomplished students and graduates, DC is home to remarkable women who are leading the way. In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re sharing just some of their stories. Meet some of the women who make us #DCProud.

Durham College’s (DC) commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs took center stage on Monday at the She Means Business Panel and Networking Event which aimed to celebrate and empower women in business by providing a platform for female student entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and be inspired.

The event was hosted by FastStart, the college’s entrepreneurial resource hub, and the Durham College Student Association. Guests gathered inside DC’s Centre for Innovation and Research to hear from inspiring female leaders who shared their stories, insights, experiences, and advice on succeeding in the business world across a number of industries. The expert panel included Karen Campbell, Canadian Women’s Foundation; Belinda Ginter, Unstoppable; Melanie Pagan, RainSpark Media Group; and Jenna MacInnis, Bombshell Beauty Bar.

“Events like this are so important as they help amplify a range of voices, experiences, and business ideas from women and gender-diverse people in entrepreneurial ecosystems,” says Campbell. “These opportunities also empower feminist entrepreneurs to connect and learn from each other in an environment where supports have typically been designed by and for men.”

DC Journalism and Creative Writing student, Deidra Clarke, agrees and says the benefits of networking on-campus with like-minded women is extremely valuable and hearing from guest panelists like the ones at the event have helped her prepare for the launch of her business, D.I.A. Tribe.

“As a young entrepreneur myself, I felt reassured hearing the panelists speak on their successes, but also touching on some of the trials and tribulations they went through before they got to where they are now,” she said. “I love that we have events like this on campus. Students are already doing a lot and tend to have full schedules. So being able to just pop over to a spot-on campus and take it in was amazing.”

FastStart is committed to helping all DC student entrepreneurs, regardless of their program, with the skills needed to turn innovative ideas into successful ventures. Learn more about FastStart online or check out their Instagram for upcoming events.

 

Photo credit: Josiah Chung

March 1 was a momentous day at Durham College (DC) as we celebrated Employee Appreciation Day and officially welcomed new president, Dr. Elaine Popp.

Scores of DC’s dedicated support staff, faculty and administrative employees filled the Rotary Global Classroom for a day of events that underscored why we’ve been named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers a remarkable 13 times.

As she took the reins as president, Dr. Popp greeted the crowd and shared her appreciation of the great work DC’s employees do every day.

“Today is about recognizing you. Each of you plays an integral role in supporting our students by creating an environment where they can learn, grow and thrive,” she said.

As she outlined the themes that will guide conversations and efforts as the college begins the work of developing its next Strategic Plan, Dr. Popp expressed her confidence that the DC community will make the most of the opportunities that the future holds.

“I have been part of the DC family for more than eight years, and I immediately realized that this is the best place to work and learn, supported by a positive and inclusive campus environment and organizational culture,” she said. “I am both proud of all we have accomplished together and energized by the possibilities that lie ahead.”

After hearing from the new president, attendees enjoyed a keynote speech on personal and organizational growth from award-winning advertising writer and creative director Ron Tite.

Commending DC’s many successes, he offered sage advice on how we can continue to lead the way in post-secondary education.

“You are so lucky to have a job within an organization that has a wonderful purpose, helping prepare the leaders of tomorrow,” he told the audience. “You are leading together, and you’re doing more important work than most people have the privilege of doing. I hope you’re proud of that.”

In the afternoon, employees had the opportunity to participate in professional development sessions as well as a mindfulness session.

Durham College (DC) President Don Lovisa’s remarkable contributions and impact were formally recognized on Wednesday with the naming of DC’s Whitby campus’s main building: the Don Lovisa Building. The naming was announced during two, celebratory farewell events, held in honour of the award-winning President who is stepping down from his role effective February 29, and the impressive accomplishments made throughout his 16-year presidency.

“The honour of the Don Lovisa Building is just beyond words. To be counted and included with the Gordon Willey Building and Polonsky Commons is an honour and just so humbling,” said Lovisa. “It’s beyond belief.”

Nearly 500 guests visited the Whitby campus to celebrate and acknowledge the profound impact Lovisa has had on both DC and Durham Region. Both farewell celebrations featured live music, delicious food prepared by Bistro ’67, and formal speaking programs, including guest speakers who each touched upon Lovisa’s embodiment of the college’s four strategic pillars: our students, our people, our work, and our community.

Dale Burt, a Professor and Program Coordinator from the Faculty of Social and Community Services at DC, captured Lovisa’s supportive and inclusive personality in her remarks at the event. “Don is a connector. He naturally forms bonds with people, creates a sense of community, belonging, and opportunity for all those around him,” she said. “He has left a lasting impression on everyone at Durham College and in our community.”

Since 2008, DC has seen remarkable growth under Lovisa’s leadership, with significant increases in enrolment and the introduction of new programs tailored to community and industry needs, including six new honours bachelor’s degrees. His passion and dedication have also led to over $300 million in capital investments, enhancing campus infrastructure with a number of new buildings and projects like the Student Services Building and the Centre for Collaborative Education, and expansions at the Whitby Campus, such as the Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology, supporting DC’s commitment to innovation and industry relevance.

“President Lovisa’s leadership has been instrumental in growing the college’s impact, establishing it as a beacon of innovation and thought leadership,” said Gail Johnson Morris, Chair of DC’s Board of Governors. “Because of his dedication and tireless efforts, we have flourished, pushed the limits, and created a college community that is positively impacting the world around us.”

Lovisa reflected on his remarkable career, sharing a profound sense of pride and his deepest gratitude for DC’s outstanding faculty, dedicated staff, passionate students and invaluable broader community.

“It is a collective effort, the spirit of collaboration, that has defined our success as a college and community and I’m very proud to have been part of a community that understands the power of working together towards a common goal,” said Lovisa. “It has been an honour and a joy to be part of such an exceptional institution. Durham College will always hold a special place in my heart, and I have complete confidence that under the capable hands of our new President, Dr. Elaine Popp, and the exceptional individuals that make up this community, the institution will continue to flourish and achieve even greater heights in the future.”

Pitch competitions are exciting experiences that help founders share their businesses with industry professionals while improving their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Last month, 11 student entrepreneurs from a number of Durham College (DC) programs, experienced just that during an on-campus pitch competition, hosted by FastStart, the college’s entrepreneurial resource hub.

After spending weeks preparing, the student start-ups gathered inside DC’s Centre for Innovation and Research to share their unique business ideas to fellow-entrepreneurs, faculty, and local investors. FastStart also brought together a diverse group of expert judges, providing competitors with an opportunity to network and learn from industry leaders, including Ivan Cheung, Invest Durham; Kristen Marumoto, DNA Angels; Travis Dutka, 360Insights; and Andrew Ko, Futurpreneur.

“I’ve been to a few pitch competitions but this one at Durham College really tops the list, it was a pleasure to witness unique and creative solutions to existing problems and it was very inspiring for the judges.” says Ko. “What I loved most was the human side of their stories and why they want to start or continue their businesses, and the passion and enthusiasm for their communities and ideas. This energy was infectious, and I appreciated the dedication and commitment the pitches demonstrated.”

Each contestant had five minutes to pitch their business idea, vision and projected impact for their chance to win up to $1,000 and an iPad, generously donated by the Durham College Student Association. They also had two and a half minutes following their pitch to answer questions from the judges.

Each founder garnered great exposure for their business while also having fun honing their skills. Rochelle Palmer, second-year student in DC’s Fitness and Health Promotion program, took home first place with her business, EmpowHer, a fitness centre made for women that incorporates mental health with an onsite occupational therapist.

“After suffering from post-partum depression, I knew my dream of opening a gym needed to have a focus on mental health, and that’s how the idea of EmpowHer came about!” said Palmer. “I was nervous at the beginning of my pitch, but once I got up there, my passion shined through, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.”

Sundar Manku, Manager, Entrepreneurship Services at DC, says pitch competitions like this one, empowers student entrepreneurs and unlocks the doors to opportunity.

“All of our entrepreneurs did tremendously well, they’re now ready to effectively communicate their ideas to potential customers, investors, and stakeholders,” he said. “This competition not only showcased the creativity within our student community, but it also supports Durham College’s dedication to cultivating the next generation of visionary leaders and business trailblazers.”

The guidance and support found inside FastStart helps student entrepreneurs at DC develop the skills required to transform innovative business ideas into successful companies. Regardless of which program a student may be in, if they have a business idea, FastStart can help. This is something Palmer highly recommends to her peers who are thinking of starting a business or who need help scaling an existing one.

“I’ve been working with Sundar at FastStart once a week and he’s already taught me so much,” said Palmer. “Starting a business is not easy and having guidance and support along the way can make all the difference.”

Learn more about FastStart online or check out their Instagram for upcoming events.