Durham College celebrates 2025 Alumni of Distinction recipients Posted on May 28, 2025 at 9:42 am. This year, Durham College (DC) welcomes five individuals to the long list of outstanding graduates who have been recognized as the college’s Alumni of Distinction. The 2025 Alumni of Distinction recipients Jeremy Burns, Aaron Dale, Chris Cull, Shawn Small and Paula Sojo, will be celebrated at DC’s Spring Convocation. “We are so proud to celebrate this group of inspiring DC graduates,” said Ariel Sully, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations. “Each of them has found success in a career path using their own experiences to guide and assist others.” Jeremy Burns Penelogy and Youth, 2005 Law and Security Administration, 2004 Aaron dale Police Foundations, 2005 As Canadian Armed Forces veterans, Burns and Dale have a personal understanding of the gaps in support for military veterans. Together, they co-founded the Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP), a pioneering initiative designed to support Canadian military veterans in their transition to civilian life and improve public safety. The program is now part of mandatory training for Toronto police officers and more than 18,000 people have participated in the training in Canada. MVWP has been adapted internationally and is in the process of implementation in Australia, Ukraine, and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). Burns graduated from the Penology and Youth program in 2005 and the Law and Security Administration program in 2004, while Dale graduated from Police Foundations in 2005. Both have served as Toronto Police Service officers for the past six years. CHRIS CULL Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician, 2007 A 2007 graduate of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician, Cull’s inspiring achievements in health sciences are rooted in his personal transformation from opioid addiction to recovery and advocacy. Collaborating with DC’s Social Impact Hub, he created his 2023-2024 docuseries, Surviving Addiction, which highlights the humanity behind addiction and how it affects individuals and those surrounding them. A motivational speaker, filmmaker, and policy consultant, he has advised numerous institutions, including but not limited to, the Ontario Health Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, the Government of Canada, and the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. In addition, he is a member of the World Health Organization's Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Neurological and Substance Use Conditions. SHAWN SMALL Sports Administration, 1998 Founder and President of RISE Integrated Sports + Entertainment, Small has built an agency that champions diversity, inclusion, and innovation in sports partnerships. Throughout his career, he has spearheaded major sponsorship initiatives for organizations, including Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Northern Super League, and the Canadian Elite Basketball League. An industry leader, he regularly shares his insights as an event speaker, panellist, and awards judge. Beyond driving measurable success for sports organizations, Small is dedicated to mentorship, helping to guide the next generation of sports leaders. He has also made an impact on DC students, previously teaching in the program that shaped his own professional journey in 1998, Sports Administration, and serving as a member of the Program Advisory Committee. PAULA SOJO Photography, 2025 Video Production, 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 also promoted representation and acceptance and empowered her community. Sojo is a 2024 graduate of the Video Production program and will cross the Convocation stage for a second time this spring as a 2025 graduate of DC’s Photography program. Thousands of graduates will celebrate their achievements next month at DC’s Spring Convocation, which takes place from Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 19 at the Tribute Communities Centre. Durham College Partners with RPA Canada to Offer New Pathway for Accounting Graduates Posted on March 28, 2025 at 3:42 pm. Accounting – Business students at Durham College (DC) have another route to career success thanks to a new pathway agreement with Registered Professional Accountant (RPA) Canada. By completing the program at DC, students will be recognized as meeting the RPA prerequisites and be eligible to write the RPA Mandatory Professional Exam. By receiving their RPA designation, graduates will be prepared to provide accounting services for small and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures. “We are proud to partner with RPA Canada to offer our Accounting – Business graduates an additional pathway to professional success,” said Cristina Italia, Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Information Technology at DC. “This partnership expands our students’ opportunities for accreditation, equipping them with the credentials and competitive advantage needed to thrive in today’s dynamic job market.” The agreement was made official with a special event at the Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR) where RPA Canada President Zubair Choudhry and DC’s Vice President, Academic and Students Dr. Jean Choi signed on the dotted line. “This partnership with Durham College represents a shared vision for empowering future accountants with the practical skills, technological expertise, and professional knowledge required in today’s evolving financial landscape,” said Choudhry. “Together, we are creating accessible and impactful pathways that will shape the next generation of accounting professionals.” For Choi, the agreement is one more example of DC’s commitment to providing students with unique opportunities and a competitive edge as they launch their careers. “At DC, we deeply value our partnerships with industry and professional organizations. It’s these connections that help inform our curricula and ensure our programs remain relevant,” she said. “We hope our students will take full advantage of this opportunity, and we look forward to seeing all they can accomplish as future registered professional accountants.” To learn more about the RPA designation, visit RPA Canada.
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