Durham College (DC) was recognized for its commitment to diversity on October 8 when it was presented with a Diversity & Immigration Champion Award by the Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council (LDIPC).

DC President Don Lovisa and Ron Chatteron, chair of the DC Board of Governors (BOG), accepted the award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that show leadership in diversity and immigration matters; embrace the principles of inclusion; and have a commitment to sharing in the responsibility of making Durham Region a more welcoming community.

“As we internationalize our college community, this award is an excellent testament to the hard work of our Diversity office and our commitment to being an accessible college that serves students of every social and economic background, culture and ability,” said Don Lovisa, president, DC. “We are thrilled to be recognized for our dedication to ensuring a Durham College education is accessible to everyone.”

Allison Hector-Alexander, DC diversity officer, and Scott Blakey, DC vice-president, Administration, are both LDIPC members, with the council comprised of individuals representing agencies, school boards, faith groups, local business groups and the region. Its main objectives are to create a culture of inclusion; improve labour market outcomes for newcomers; attract and retain newcomers; and enhance Durham’s settlement capacity.

“As a campus community, we should all be very proud of this recognition,” said Hector-Alexander. “Our goals of respect and inclusion for all our members continue to lead our efforts in this area. As our many areas of diversity continue to grow so does our commitment to creating a campus culture that celebrates and embraces the uniqueness at this college.”