Durham College students support PARA Marine Search and Rescue through experiential learning partnership Posted on June 24, 2026 at 3:42 pm. Durham College (DC) students are applying their skills through a new partnership with PARA Marine Search and Rescue, a local organization dedicated to saving lives on Lake Ontario. PARA Marine Search and Rescue is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization operating across Durham Region’s waterfront. Working alongside agencies including the Canadian Coast Guard and local police services, the organization provides critical search and rescue services throughout Lake Ontario and surrounding waterways. Through a series of work-integrated learning projects, students from the Photography, Video Production, and Event Planning programs are contributing their expertise to help strengthen PARA Marine’s community awareness and outreach efforts. Students are creating photography, video, and written content that highlights the organization’s mission, while others are supporting event planning and public relations initiatives designed to increase community engagement and support. Faculty members are already seeing the impact of the collaboration. “This partnership demonstrates the value of experiential learning by connecting students with community organizations that are making a difference,” said Brian Stephens, Program Coordinator, Photography. “Through these projects, students gain industry-relevant experience while helping PARA Marine strengthen its outreach and deepen community engagement efforts throughout the region.” Students have the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a professional environment while building portfolios, expanding industry-relevant skills and gaining experience working with a community organization. Several initiatives have already been completed ahead of the partnership’s official launch this fall. Students from DC’s Event Planning and Photography programs participated in and documented PARA Marine’s involvement in the Pickering Easter Parade, while others from the Video Production and Photography programs also captured the organization’s annual pool training exercise, which featured PARA Marine Search and Rescue, Toronto Search and Rescue Marine and the Durham Regional Police Marine Unit. The resulting photos and videos will help support PARA Marine’s communications efforts and strengthen its ability to connect with residents, partners and potential donors across the region. The collaboration reflects DC’s commitment to providing high-impact experiential learning opportunities while creating positive community impact. By connecting students with organizations addressing real community needs, the college helps learners develop career-ready skills while contributing their talents to meaningful local initiatives. Future phases of the partnership are already being explored, including the development of a boat-driving simulator that would provide PARA Marine volunteers with a safe and cost-effective training environment to strengthen their vessel handling skills. Learn more about DC’s Photography, Video Production and Event Planning programs. 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 Penology 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.
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