Info for
Quick links
Download our Mobile app
Icon for Apple. App Store Icon for Android. Google Play

Durham College Partners with Community Care Durham to Deliver Workplace Training for PSWs

Personal Support Workers (PSWs) at Community Care Durham (CCD) recently gained essential workplace skills thanks to a successful partnership with Durham College (DC) Academic Upgrading. Over seven weeks, PSWs participated in a specialized training program focused on enhancing digital literacy and document use—critical skills that support their daily work and professional growth.

This initiative marks a milestone as DC’s Academic Upgrading’s first Workplace Training program delivered directly to professionals serving the local community. The program was made possible with support from the Literacy Network of Durham Region.

“Our collaboration with Community Care Durham has been an incredible milestone for Academic Upgrading at DC,” said Meagan Quesnelle, Manager School College Work Initiative & Academic Upgrading at DC. “Seeing the enthusiasm and growth of the PSWs as they developed their skills was truly inspiring. This partnership demonstrates the power of education to support professionals making a difference in our community, and we’re excited to continue building on this success.”

The impact of the training was clear, with participants strengthening key skills that directly benefit their work. “Participants improved their email communication and documentation skills, which are critical for their roles,” said Ayaan Mohamed, Program Manager for Assisted Living Services, Respite, and Supportive Housing at CCD.

“We really saw the value of the training and the excitement staff had for it. It created a snowball effect of learning and engagement,” Mohamed added.

Building on this success, DC’s Academic Upgrading will expand its partnership with CCD in Fall 2025 to offer additional training opportunities for both PSWs and PSW Care Coordinators.

For those looking to develop essential workplace skills or pursue a rewarding career in health care, Durham College offers a range of programs, including:

DC Alumni reconnect while cheering on the Oshawa Generals

It’s always a good time when Durham College (DC) alumni get together – especially when the home team gets the win. With the Oshawa Generals taking the lead in the third period, it was good cheer all around at the annual DC Alumni Hockey Night on January 24.

Hosted by the Durham College Alumni Association (DCAA), the event welcomed DC alumni, employees, and their friends and family to watch the Oshawa Generals take on the Peterborough Petes at the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC). Guests reconnected while enjoying dinner and the game in the TCC’s Medallion Lounge.

“Durham College Alumni Hockey Night brought together more than 170 attendees this year, showcasing the incredible strength of our alumni community,” said Mary Weller, Alumni Officer at DC. “A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsor, TD Insurance – their support makes nights like this possible!”

At the top of the game, DC’s Vice President, People, Equity and External Relations, Bonnie St. George; DCAA President, Drew Samuels; and DC’s mascot, Lou, represented the college during the ceremonial puck drop.

Next year, the DCAA will be celebrating the 10th DC Alumni Hockey Night. DC grads are encouraged to watch for more information about this and upcoming events in the digital Alumni Newsletter or on DCAA’s Instagram account.

Durham College to honour exceptional graduates with 2025 Alumni of Distinction Award

Durham College (DC) has been providing dynamic, hands-on learning for over 50 years, and our graduates can be found all around the world, contributing to their communities, making a positive impact and driving change. Each year, DC recognizes some of our remarkable graduates through the Alumni of Distinction Award. Nominations for this year’s awards are now open.

DC’s rapidly-growing alumni community exceeds 116,000 people who play impactful roles both locally and internationally. Since 1990, more than 120 alumni have been honoured with the Alumni of Distinction Award. Recipients are chosen based on their professional, community and personal accomplishments, the scope of their impact, as well as their contributions to the advancement of DC. Winners have ranged from respected medical practitioners to accomplished broadcasters and leaders in sport.

“We are proud of all our alumni, who are making a difference around the world, using the skills and knowledge learned at Durham College,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, President, Durham College. “This award is our opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional contributions they are making in their communities while recognizing and celebrating their remarkable achievements.”

The 2024 Alumni of Distinction included Shelby Nelson, Vice-President of Florida Operations for the Toronto Blue Jays, and Adam Ruppel, founder of Chico Racing and co-founder of Mud Hero and the Drive Festival at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

The nomination form is available online at www.durhamcollege.ca/alumniofdistinction and must be submitted to alumni@durhamcollege.ca before 5 p.m. on Friday, March 7. The award recipients will be recognized at DC’s Spring Convocation in June.

Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn, MPPs, gets a hands-on look at Durham College’s in-demand culinary and hospitality programs

Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn gained first-hand insights into how important Durham College’s (DC) innovative culinary and hospitality programs are to the local economy, as he interacted with students and participated in a cooking demonstration.

On January 17, Dr. Elaine Popp, DC President, welcomed Minister Quinn to the Whitby campus. He was joined by Durham MPP Todd McCarthy, the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, Whitby MPP Lorne Coe, and Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes. The visit kicked off with a meeting, during which President Popp provided an overview of the critical role colleges, like DC, play in producing the talent pipeline employers need and how funding sustainability is vital to achieving that mission.

The group then toured the state-of-the-art W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, stopping by the culinary labs where Minister Quinn met with first-year students who were busy learning how to prepare restaurant-quality dishes.  The lab visit included a presentation from Program Coordinator and Chef Dave Hawey highlighting unique aspects of DC’s culinary programs, such as cheesemaking.

“We were delighted to host the Minister of Colleges and Universities for his first visit to Durham College, alongside Minister McCarthy and MPPs Coe and Barnes, who are long-standing champions of DC and know us well,” said Popp. “It was wonderful to see the Minister engage with our students and learn more about our innovative and in-demand programs that drive the local hospitality and agri-food sectors. Our close connection with our community has led to many generous donations, which make these facilities possible.”

The group participated in a hands-on culinary demonstration making 15-hour crispy potatoes. Executive Chef Raul Sojo and second-year Culinary Management student Ashley Sedgwick explained how the process was an example of innovative zero-waste cooking with every part of the potato utilized, including transforming the skins into a powder that serves as a garnish for the dish.

Sedgwick shared her DC experience where she has an on-campus job in waste mitigation, finding ways to process and utilize excess produce from the fields that surround the Weston Centre.

DC and Bioenterprise Canada collaborate to strengthen cybersecurity in Ontario’s agri-tech sector

To enhance cybersecurity in Ontario’s agri-tech and agri-food sectors, Durham College’s (DC) Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation is collaborating with the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub (GOAH) through Bioenterprise Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine.

This partnership will to provide start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprise with robust cybersecurity measures to protect their digital assets and to foster innovation.

“Our collaboration with GOAH and Bioenterprise Canada is a significant step towards securing the digital infrastructure of agri-tech innovators,” says Sushant Katare, Senior Manager of the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation at DC. “We’re empowering agri-businesses to protect themselves against cyber threats, to earn customer trust and to maintain a competitive edge in the digital marketplace.”

The collaboration leverages the expertise of DC’s certified cybersecurity professionals at the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation in offering tailored solutions based on the CAN/CIOSC 104 standard—Canada’s national standard for baseline cybersecurity controls for small to medium-sized enterprises. This standard provides an accessible framework with up to 55 essential controls, making it an strong starting point for organizations looking to bolster their cybersecurity posture.

Digital transformation has increased vulnerability to cyber attacks in the agri-tech and agri-food industries and this collaboration addresses a critical need. By adopting the CAN/CIOSC 104 standard, businesses can mitigate risks associated with data breaches and ransomware attacks, safeguarding not only their operations but also the broader supply chain.

“Bioenterprise Canada is thrilled to support this initiative,” says Braden Kemp, GOAH Manager. “Cybersecurity is not just an optional activity for Canadian agri-food businesses; it’s imperative. By connecting our Engine members with top-tier cybersecurity expertise, we’re fostering a more secure and resilient agri-tech ecosystem in Ontario.”

With this strategic collaboration, DC’s Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, GOAH, and Bioenterprise Canada are set to make a lasting impact on the security and success of agri-tech businesses across Ontario. This initiative not only strengthens individual companies but also enhances the overall resilience of the agri-food and agri-tech sectors.

Durham College celebrates ranking as one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges

Durham College (DC) is proud to once again have been named one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges by Research Infosource Inc.

DC placed 24th in the annual ranking and was highlighted as second among medium-sized colleges for our number of paid student researchers and third for industry research income as a percentage of total college research income. DC also moved up in the ranking to fifth overall in both research partnerships and completed research projects.

Powering DC’s research success is DC’s Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE), which moved four of its five applied research centres into the new Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR), last year. In addition to centralizing DC’s research presence on campus, ORSIE continues to engage industry, business and community partners from the wider Region of Durham as it seeks out meaningful ways to collaborate in solving our community’s applied research challenges.

This year, ORSIE is proud to highlight several initiatives:

  • Hosting the ORSIE Impact Expo in October, where close to 150 visitors explored DC’s applied research centres. Researchers were on hand from the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, Mixed Reality Capture Studio and the Social Impact Hub, each eager to answer questions and share projects.
  • Recognition for the AI Hub, a new Technology Access Centre (TAC), with the Tech-Access Canada’s Tri-Pillar Excellence Award. This award highlights the AI Hub’s strengths in all three areas of research, training and technology. Last year, the AI Hub was awarded an annual grant of $350,000 per year over the next five years from the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program.
  • The Social Impact Hub launching a project to study and improve mental health care for Black communities thanks to a $360,000 federal grant.

DC continues to create meaningful applied research and co-operative education work terms for students, supported in part through the Diane Blake Student Success Initiative.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized for our research expertise and proud to have developed the Centre for Innovation and Research as a hub to connect our research centres across the campus,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Research. “Within the business community, organizations are recognizing Durham College as an essential partner for their innovative ideas and that collaboration means more opportunities for our students as well.”

To learn more about DC’s applied research centres, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/orsie.

To learn more about ORSIE, read the 2023-2024 Annual Report.

Durham College is a Greater Toronto Top Employer for the 14th time

For a remarkable 14th time, Durham College (DC) has been recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers.

This distinction recognizes DC’s supportive culture as well as our commitment to the growth and well-being of our valued employees.

“We take great pride in being recognized as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, President. “Employees are the heart of our community. When they thrive, so do our students. We foster a culture that inspires our colleagues to do great things, and we are always pleased to witness their growth both individually and collectively.”

The innovation and dedication of our employees shone through in a number of ways in this year’s application, from our work in applied research to solve industry and social challenges; to our community connections and work which this year, helped more than 100 charities; to the launch of new scholarship opportunities and programs that support our students and help ensure career-ready graduates.

We also received commendation for the DC pension plan with employer-matched contributions, parental leave top-up, tuition assistance, and mentorship and development opportunities.

These are just some of the reasons why DC employees routinely express their commitment and enthusiasm for the work they do and the difference they make in students’ lives.

Looking ahead, Dr. Popp is determined to maintain DC’s well-earned reputation as an exceptional place to work and grow a career.

“We will continue to nurture, embrace, and most importantly, maintain this incredible culture where people care. This dedication is what truly sets us apart.”

For more on what makes DC a great place to work, visit our Greater Toronto Top Employers profile.

Durham College students set to gain work experience while supporting local shelter

Durham College (DC) is partnering with the Regional Municipality of Durham to support people experiencing homelessness, while providing valuable work experience opportunities for DC students.

The 1635 Dundas Street East project in Whitby aims to provide safe and inclusive housing solutions to help individuals and families who need it most. A 45-bed low barrier shelter with wraparound supports was opened in the building at the end of March 2024, and has provided a safe and supportive environment to over 100 unique individuals. Phase 2 will focus on creating housing units with onsite access to health and social supports and services.

A recent meeting in early November about DC’s role in the project focused on how students could be involved.

“It was a great meeting, lots of excitement and innovative ideas about how students on field placement can support shelter patrons,” said Lorraine Closs, a professor in the Faculty of Social & Community Services’ Social Service Worker program and research lead with the Social Impact Hub in the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE). “We have a long-standing, strong partnership with the Region of Durham. We’ve done a number of multi-year research projects together.”

As well as sharing a formal conceptual design of how the housing space will be expanded in Phase 2, the Region also discussed the services that might be needed and how students across DC faculties could help work with them. With a vision to create a multidisciplinary, holistic support for the new shelter, the Faculties of Social & Community Services; Health Sciences; Hospitality and Horticultural Science; and even Media, Art & Design are all potential candidates for work-integrated learning opportunities. Closs is hopeful that one or two may even be able to start as early as January. A Steering Committee will decide which DC programs get connected first based on the needs of the shelter.

Lisa McIntosh, Social Services Director Income & Employment Support for Durham Region, says that having DC on board will help the region to achieve its goals for the project. “By fostering community partnerships, we create opportunities for individuals to support one another and work toward a deeper understanding of how we can collectively make a difference. Durham Region looks forward to working with Durham College to enhance 1635 Dundas Street East’s ability to help individuals regain stability. 1635 Dundas Street East exemplifies the strength of community.”

In addition to helping to support services and patrons at the low barrier shelter, the potential placements will offer fantastic hands-on learning for students, said Closs. “There are so many opportunities for students from many faculties to use the skills they are learning in class and put them in to practice in real life.” She added that a bonus will be the empathy that arises from this sort of practical experience. “Research has shown that students who do a work integrated learning experience with the homeless population really change their perceptions and overcome bias and stereotypes.”

The partnership will also provide applied research opportunities through the Social Impact Hub, one of five research centres at DC. Potential topics to investigate include the impact of these learning opportunities on students and their perceptions of homelessness, benefits of student interaction for shelter patrons, and the impact college involvement in service provision has on community member resistance to shelters. Closs, who has already been twice recognized with a DC Researcher Award of Excellence in 2019 and 2023, has submitted multiple research project applications, including for multi-year project funding. There’s also exciting research potential in documenting the pathway that the team is currently pursuing, to serve as a blueprint for other community collaborations.

For students, Closs says the partnership will be a win-win. “This project can also help students become aware of their own privilege. It’s an opportunity for them to support a vulnerable group of people and make a difference in their lives.”

DC alumna Victoria Rinsma is Canadian finalist in S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition

Young chef and Durham College (DC) Culinary Skills alumna Victoria Rinsma recalls first learning about the S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition as a student from Raul Sojo, executive chef of DC’s teaching-inspired restaurant Bistro ’67. Today she’s the Canadian finalist, and headed for the world competition in Milan, Italy, next fall.

Rinsma’s winning dish was called “Across the Sea and Home Again,” a two-part meal that includes a chawanmushi (Japanese savory egg custard) made with smoked ham hock, and a main course of striped bass with nixtamalized butternut squash and preserved tomatoes.

Rinsma says her dish represents her culinary journey, with the first part an ode to her grandmother’s split pea soup and the second to her culinary development and especially the influence of her mentor Rafael Covarrubias, executive chef at the Michelin-star Hexagon Restaurant in Oakville, Ontario, where Rinsma has worked for the past six years and is now sous chef.

“I wanted the dish to convey my story, all the people I’ve met and the cultures I’ve practiced cooking,” said Rinsma.

S. Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition is now in its sixth edition and receives submissions from more than 1,000 young chefs from 15 countries worldwide. The Canadian final was held at George Brown College in October, where each chef had five hours to produce their signature dish before presenting it to a panel of top chef judges. Rinsma’s win was a culmination of months of training with her mentor (a previous Pellegrino competitor) who worked with her on timing, flavours and process.

Rinsma has known she wanted to be a chef from an early age, and recalls watching cooking shows with her grandmother, pretending to stir pots of water alongside the chefs. Calling her grandmother an excellent home cook and the inspiration for her own professional aspirations, Rinsma started cooking seriously herself in high school. Growing up in Pickering, Durham College was a natural choice for her training, and Rinsma threw herself into both the program and into the mentorship she found at Bistro ’67. 

“I can’t say enough good things about the program and my experience. I dove in and did as much as I could. I started working in the Bistro in my first year—I was really keen. When Chef Raul started, we worked really well together, and he even allowed me to be part of menu development,” said Rinsma, adding that she even first heard of her current restaurant Hexagon while at DC.

Now that she is focused on competing in Milan, Rinsma knows that she will have many more hours of training ahead as she refines her dish even further and steadies herself for the challenges of competition.

“I’ll have to prepare myself mentally for that, the first round was a lot, and the finals will be even more,” says Rinsma, noting that her mentor also went to Milan, so she plans to call on his expertise along with the rest of the advisors she is gathering around her, calling it a team effort.

“It was not just me that was in the competition, it was a huge group effort, and I’m lucky enough to be the face of it.”

Durham College’s Barrett Centre recognized by the Province of Ontario for excellence in urban agriculture

The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture at Durham College (DC) has been recognized by the Government of Ontario through the 2024 Excellence in Agriculture Awards.

The awards were announced at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto on November 2 and the Barrett Centre received an Honourable Mention in the Urban Agriculture Excellence category from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Durham College President Dr. Elaine Popp was joined by Barrett Centre Partnership Manager Carey Yeoman and Community Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Hoban in accepting the award.

“We are so honoured to receive this award on behalf of the Barrett Centre and Durham College,” said Yeoman. “This is a testament to what can be achieved in our communities when municipalities, regions and community partners work together to create a lasting impact on food security and agricultural literacy.”

Recently, the centre celebrated the first anniversary of the grand opening of its innovative and dynamic Urban Farm in Ajax which has been developed as a community-based living lab replicating and scaling the successful farming operations already established at the college’s Whitby campus as a model for other urban farms. The Barrett Centre also operates an innovative indoor hydroponic growing unit on the urban farm which allows freshly grown food to be accessible to the community even during the winter months.

“I’m thrilled to congratulate the entire team at the Barrett Centre on this award and I am incredibly proud of their achievements including a fantastic inaugural growing season at the Ajax Urban Farm,” said Popp. “Managed by DC’s Faculty of Hospitality and Horticultural Science, the urban farm presents DC students with meaningful opportunities to gain hands-on learning experiences through the farm’s mission to build a more resilient, inclusive, collaborative, and diverse food system in our community.”

Some of the biggest challenges facing society today include food insecurity, access to a safe and stable supply of fresh food, economic stability and environmental regeneration of the land for local food production.

The adoption of a holistic and sustainable approach to urban agriculture, and vertical, regenerative farming methods offers socio-economic solutions that build resiliency into our communities, create financial opportunities for people, and solve food insecurity issues while also enhancing soil and air quality.

“Agritech is an incredibly exciting area for our students to participate in,” said Yeoman. “Connecting our students with industry leaders not only furthers their learning but allows our farm to bring food to market more efficiently.”

The Barrett Centre was founded at DC through the generous support of The Barrett Family Foundation and is a hub of excellence in the field serving as a model of best practices in urban agriculture.

Learn more about the Barrett Centre and urban agriculture resources for the Durham community.