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Recognizing Black History Month at DC

February is Black History Month and at Durham College (DC) we’re joining Canadians from coast-to-coast in honouring the legacy, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals and communities across the country.

We are proud to celebrate the excellence, resilience, and innovation of the Black community and we want to shine a spotlight on DC’s incredible students, employees and alumni through the Black Excellence & Achievement Content Collection. These stories highlight the contributions and accomplishments of incredible people who are shaping and strengthening our community.

Throughout February, and in support of the theme Pathways to Excellence: Celebrating and Cultivating Black Brilliance at DC, the college’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a series of community consultations to better understand the challenges faced by Black community members and to ensure their voices and perspectives inform DC’s decision-making processes.

“Black History Month offers an important opportunity for our Black students and employees to tell us what they need to nurture their brilliance, and facilitate their flourishing,” said Sadie Goddard-Durant, Director, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “Through these consultations, DC can enhance existing efforts to maximize the contributions our Black communities have been making to DC, Durham Region and beyond, and to document how they contribute to our future tapestry.”

DC has raised the Pan-African Flag at the Oshawa and Whitby campuses—a powerful symbol of Black liberation and solidarity for members of the Black/African diaspora.

“As we celebrate Black History Month, let us also take a moment to reflect on how we, as individuals, can contribute to building a community rooted in equity, respect, and inclusion,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, DC President. “By embracing these values, we not only honour the history being recognized this month but also uphold the principles that strengthen us as a college and as a society.”

As a college, we are uniquely positioned to address issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as we prepare our students to become leaders and contributing members of our community, said Dr. Popp. “This commitment calls on us to model equity and inclusion at every level of the institution—from leadership to classrooms and beyond. Together, we all have a role in fostering an equitable and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.”

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

Durham College’s resource event highlights mental health awareness on Bell Let’s Talk Day

To promote mental health awareness and empower students to prioritize their well-being, Durham College (DC) hosted a resource event, as part of Wellness Week. The event, timed to coincide with Bell Let’s Talk Day, underscored the importance of seeking help and fostering open conversations about mental health and connected attendees to vital mental health supports and services.

DC’s Campus Health and Wellness Centre (CHWC) partnered with local organizations to offer welcoming booths, engaging activities, and opportunities for students and employees to learn about counseling, crisis support, and self-care strategies.

“The resource event was a powerful reminder of the strength in community and connection,” said Ahil Nageswaran, Mental Health Services Manager at the CHWC. “It not only highlighted the extensive resources available at Durham College but also encouraged open conversations about mental health, helping to reduce stigma and build a supportive campus environment.”

DC’s Wellness Week also featured yoga and meditation sessions, a gratitude wall for sharing positive messages, interactive workshops on managing stress, and opportunities for students to participate in art therapy and mindfulness activities. First-year Developmental Services Worker student, Evneet Kaur, says initiatives like these are important as she made her way around the resource event.

“Events like this are really wonderful, being a student there are moments where we feel down, so by having these resources we know we have some help,” she shared. “This awareness is really important for everyone and also in this generation we have so much stress about like work and our studies, I really like this about the college, how they support us in every way.”

DC’s commitment to mental health extends far beyond Wellness Week. The college’s holistic approach to well-being is evident in its Wellness Directory, which provides a comprehensive overview of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. From physical and emotional to social and financial wellness, DC ensures the campus community has the tools it needs to thrive.

Programs like peer support services, group workshops, and one-on-one counseling are readily accessible, while initiatives such as nature themed activities and stress-management sessions create regular opportunities for students to practice self-care. Additionally, the CHWC collaborates with community organizations, such as Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, and Public Health, year-round to enhance the breadth and depth of mental health services available to students.

The success of this year’s Wellness Week underscores DC’s dedication to fostering a culture of care and resilience. By prioritizing mental health and encouraging open dialogue, the college continues to create an inclusive environment where students and employees feel empowered to succeed.

For more information on mental health services and wellness programs at DC, visit the CHWC online.

Kids from across Ontario explore science and technology at FIRST LEGO League provincial championships hosted at DC

There was a wave of excitement at Durham College’s (DC) Oshawa campus as kids from across Ontario competed in the 2025 FIRST LEGO League Challenge Ontario Provincial Championships last weekend.

More than 400 students from Grades 4 to 8 participated in the two-day event co-sponsored by DC. On Saturday they presented their creations in the Science Division while on Sunday students plunged into the Technology Division.

This year’s theme, Submerged, invited competitors to dive deep—both literally and figuratively—into the fascinating world of the ocean. Using creative thinking and LEGO technology, competitors explored the layers of the ocean, uncovering its mysteries, and bringing forward innovative ideas to solve real-world challenges.

“We were thrilled to host some of the brightest young minds from across the province for the 2025 FIRST LEGO League Challenge Ontario Provincial Championship. The challenge invited participants to blend science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with innovation and sustainability in a fun, competitive environment,” said DC President Dr. Elaine Popp. “Opportunities like this are instrumental in nurturing a love of learning and inspiring young people to dream big.”

Mississauga’s Hydrone team earned the championship title in the Science Division on Saturday while Aurora’s Solvers of X & Y won the Technology Division on Sunday. Learn more about FIRST LEGO League and check out the full list of winners!

Beyond this weekend, the competitors’ path to tackling real-world sustainability challenges in our oceans and on land may lie at one of DC’s campuses through our 145+ cutting-edge programs. They include programs like Electromechanical Engineering Technology centred on the exciting world of robotics and automation, degree and diploma programs in Artificial Intelligence focused on the limitless possibilities of AI and essential skilled trades like the Welding or Electrical Engineering Technician programs that serve as a foundation for STEM innovation.

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.

Five reasons not to miss Program Information Nights at Durham College

If you’re ready to take the next step in your educational journey and upgrade your skills, you don’t want to miss Program Information Nights at Durham College (DC).

On Tuesday, January 21 (Oshawa) and Wednesday, January 22 (Whitby), we’re opening our doors to prospective students, applicants and their families. From speaking directly with faculty members and current students to exploring our campus facilities and even catching some varsity volleyball action, you’ll get a closer look at everything that comes with being a DC student.

Ready to take the next step? Here are five reasons you should register now for Program Information Nights (PIN).

Meet your professors

Our website is a great place to find all the information about your program of choice. But at PIN, you’ll speak one-on-one with representatives of each Faculty. Whatever question you have about the program, they’ll have the answer.

Whether you’re passionate about the Arts, determined to conquer the Business world or preparing for a career in the Skilled Trades, you’ll gain deeper insight into your chosen path.

Explore DC for yourself

You can tour our campus from the comfort of your home, but you won’t know what it’s really like until you join us in person. Take a guided campus tour and you’ll visit state-of-the-art facilities like the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre and the Don Lovisa Building, home to many of our skilled trades programs.

Interested in Journalism? Take a seat in the Chronicle Newsroom and picture yourself covering all of DC’s latest news. Follow your passion for Construction to the Carpentry Shop, where students get their hands dirty learning the tricks of the trade.

Apply for free!

It’s always a good time to apply to your DC program, but there’s no better time than Program Information Nights. That’s because, for one night only, we’ll cover the $150 application fee. Every dollar counts when you’re going to school, so why not start saving early?

If the application process seems intimidating, don’t worry. Our Start at DC team will walk you through it step-by-step.

Learn about our student services

At DC, the student experience comes first, and we offer a wide variety of student services to help you succeed.

Visit Financial Aid and Awards to find the best way to pay for your education, and explore academic supports like the Access and Support Centre and Student Academic Learning Services (SALS). You’ll also learn about the many recreational opportunities offered by Athletics, and see how we’re prioritizing student well-being at the Campus Health and Wellness Centre.

Find your place at DC

Come to PIN and you’ll find out why our community is #DCProud. Our friendly DC team in green will be happy to share their experience and help you find your way.

Stop in to Gyms 1 and 2 at the Oshawa campus and cheer on our Men’s Volleyball team as they take on the Fleming Phoenix at 8 p.m. Head to the Campus Store to get yourself some DC Swag, and save 15%! And, to really build some school spirit, you can take a picture with our DC mascot, Lou.

We can’t wait to welcome you. Our Oshawa and Whitby campuses offer different programs, so be sure to visit our website to find yours. Register now and join us at Program Information Nights!

Online game development for Barrett Centre uses student skills and provides real-world experience

What if you could help children learn that the food doesn’t just appear on their dinner plates but grows on farms? What if you could make that heavy lesson fun? What if you could provide students from two creative programs with a real-world learning experience along the way? Now a collaborative partnership between the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and programs in the Faculty of Media, Art and Design is doing just that, by enlisting student talent to build educational games for the Barrett Centre’s website, in a multi-semester project.

The Barrett Centre is already a pretty fun place to visit as a kid. Hosting sessions with local schools as well as community organizations, the farm offers tours where children can see vegetable growing in action, as well as play farm games like “Maple Tree baseball” with different cards that help (seeds, light, soil, rain) or hinder (lawnmower, deer) plant growth—kids take their cards and run to  a base. If the group on base has all the conditions they need to help a plant grow, they are safe. But if seed meets lawnmower instead, they are out.

It’s that same spirit of creativity and fun that the Barrett Centre’s Community Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Hoban is hoping to extend online. Their web portal was developed in 2023 and already includes resources about sustainable urban agriculture, a community forum, Barrett Centre experts on call, and a blog with stories from the community. Students can already jump on to continue their experiences from home and the games are expected to make the site even more interactive, especially for kids and parents looking for educational tools.

“The Barrett Centre facilitates farm and food literacy at our Ajax Urban Farm, and online through the Urban Agriculture Community Portal.  Both before and after students visit the farm, they can continue their education on the portal.” said Hoban. “This project started with an intention of wanting to support this community by connecting the physical and digital learning spaces through gamification.”

The project began with a capstone student group from the Project Management Graduate Certificate program, where students generated several plans for how games could be integrated onto the Barrett Centre’s education initiatives.  It was then carried forward with a five-week field placement at the Barrett Centre, where students started to brainstorm types of games that might work. Now the creation process has moved ahead, with students in the Interactive Media Design program and Web Development each hard at work in their own domains, the former to design an interface for the game that the latter students will build.

Program Coordinator and Professor Linda Cheng said that she runs the class like an agency to facilitate student collaboration. Several games are in various stages of development, and each will go through planning, prototype and testing. As for the creativity, she’s leaving that to the students.

“When we launch, it will be a surprise. There are three different games, each approach is different, and the knowledge players gain will be different,” she said. She wants students to feel complete ownership of the project as they work to meet the practical needs of the Barrett Centre, and also to have the opportunity of receiving feedback from a real-life client, plus communicating directly as they would in any real-world agency.

For her part, Hoban just has one requirement for the finished product. “The goal of these games has to be educational and fun,” she said, adding that the target audience is Grades 1 and 2. “It‘s all about using the online games to facilitate food literacy education.”

Warm winter welcome for new DC students

The weather may be cold, but the welcome is warm for new students at Durham College (DC).

This winter semester, over 2,000 students are embarking on their DC journeys. To help them start strong, we hosted Academic Welcome Day at both our campuses on Friday, January 3. In Oshawa, students were greeted by Dr. Jean Choi, Vice President, Academic and Students, while in Whitby they were welcomed by Tara Koski, Dean, Students. They also met the Deans of their respective Faculties and heard from representatives of the Durham College Student Association.

The welcome sessions were followed by individual program orientations, as well as a social event in the Marketplace Cafeteria in Oshawa and in the Games Room/Shop in Whitby.

It was an invaluable opportunity for new and returning students alike.

“Academic Welcome Day helps students develop a sense of belonging and community, and sets them up for a successful start to their program,” said Lucy Romao Vandepol, Director, Student and Career Development. “This event provides incoming first-year students with an opportunity to connect with their faculty and peers, while also learning about essential program-specific details to help them start the year off on the right foot.”

Early Childhood Education student Nickey is excited to be back at DC after previously enrolling in two other programs.

“When I was at DC in the past I liked being in class and meeting new friends, so I’m excited to do that again,” she said. “I also didn’t do any of the orientation activities before, so I wasn’t aware of all the services on campus and what each building had. It’s really cool to know what’s in the building, like a doctor’s office!”

International students also took advantage of the event. Maasim, who has a master’s degree from the University of Windsor, is enrolled in Data Analytics and looks forward to preparing for his career with the courses and co-op in his program.

“Overall, I feel very welcomed here,” he said.

With classes now underway, there are a number of fun activities for students to enjoy this week and throughout the month of January. A full schedule of events is available online.

2024 – A Year in Review at Durham College

Durham College (DC) enjoyed an eventful year in 2024. We welcomed a new President and largest incoming cohort, we celebrated our largest graduating class ever, opened up our campuses to thousands of prospective students and cheered on our athletes. We made great strides in research, furthered our connections with our local and global community, kept in touch with our alumni and watched with pride as our students and employees thrived.

Read on to explore some highlights from this remarkable year.

News

DC ushered in a new era with the appointment of Dr. Elaine Popp as President.

With an eye to the future, we began development of our next Strategic Plan, which will launch in spring 2025.

Our state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) lab, opened in 2023, was named the Vanhaverbeke Family EV Training Centre, in recognition of the generous support of philanthropists Edmond and Sylvia Vanhaverbeke.

The main building of the Whitby campus was named in honour of former DC president Don Lovisa.

A $300,000 grant from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) will allow us to continue supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with our consultation and IP investment program.

Our Campus Health and Wellness Centre launched new resources in support of the mental health of our students.

DC researchers are partnering with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and the Abilities Centre in Whitby to study the impact of exercise on physical and mental health for forensic patients, thanks to a $350,000 College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grant.

Researchers at the Social Impact Hub utilized a $360,000 grant from the CCSIF to launch a project to study and improve mental health care for Black communities.

Accolades

Durham College was named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the eighth time, a Greater Toronto Top Employer for the 14th time, and one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges.

DC received twice the recognition at the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Awards of Excellence. We received a bronze in the Excellence in Sustainable Development category, and Program Coordinator Laura Maybury earned a bronze in the Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty.

Journalism student Andrew Neary received three impressive awards, including Experiential & Work-Integrated Learning Ontario (EWO) Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Student of the Year, Co-operative Education & Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada Emery-Dufault Student of the Year, and DC’s Alumni Association Scholarship for Academic Excellence.

Police Foundations graduate Maya Austin received the Joe Moylan Award of Excellence, given each year to a remarkable Police Foundations graduate from an Ontario college.

Our DC students brought home 10 medals from the Skills Ontario 2024 competition. Alexander Harley won gold in Auto Service Technology and moved on to the Skills Canada Nationals Competition in Quebec, where he finished fourth.

The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture was recognized at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, receiving an Honourable Mention in the Urban Agriculture Excellence category from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Programs

DC partnered with Sheridan, St. Clair and Fanshawe College to support women in the skilled trades. With over $2 million in federal funding, the partners will spearhead initiatives focused on elevating awareness and providing opportunities for women in exploring career education, networking and apprenticeships within the Red Seal skilled trades.

That commitment continued with the Introduction to Millwrighting program, which provided 10 women with personalized support and training to help them prepare for the millwright aptitude test. An all-Indigenous group of 11 students successfully completed the five-week program.

Our Journalism program marked its 50th anniversary with a special event in the Rotary Global Classroom. Six alumni took part in a panel discussion, sharing stories from their careers in the ever-changing industry and offering advice to today’s students.

DC’s Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) partnered on a Dual Credit program that gives Ajax high school students the experience of working on a farm.

Four new programs will launch in fall 2025, including the Electric Drive Vehicle Technician (EDVT) program, focused on creating skilled technicians capable of maintaining and servicing electric and hybrid vehicles. Other new programs include Environmental Technician, Interior Decorating, and the Immigration Case Management graduate certificate, furthering our commitment to meeting industry and community needs by producing career-ready graduates.

Events

We celebrated Employee Appreciation Day with President Popp’s first address to the DC community in her new role.

At Spring Convocation in June, we celebrated one of our largest graduating classes in history, while Dr. Elaine Popp was officially installed as President. Fall Convocation was equally special with over 2,200 graduates crossing the stage.

Our Open House events in the Spring and Fall welcomed thousands of prospective students and their families who learned about our 145+ career-driven programs and toured our state-of-the-art facilities.

The President’s Breakfast celebrated the donors who generously support our students.

The Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) opened its doors for the ORSIE Impact Expo, a celebration of the innovative research work happening at DC.

Over 300 students completed the Centre for Success (CFS) and Adult Dual Credit (ADC) programs, overcoming unique challenges to achieve academic success.

Experiential Learning

Our students enjoy scores of opportunities to gain hands-on experience and put their skills to the test.

Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations students are taking advantage of a new virtual reality (VR) scenario program to develop their communications skills and practice some of the challenging situations they’ll face in their profession.

The Faculty of Media, Art and Design’s 48-Hour Storytelling Challenge gave students a chance to showcase their artistic skills in a variety of mediums.

Talented musicians hit all the right notes during Oshawa Music Week, an annual celebration of the local music community organized by Music Business Management students.

Students from the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) and Journalism – Mass Media programs teamed up to produce the Rehab Matters Newsletter. OTA/PTA students brought their expertise on rehab while the journalism students provided guidance on writing and editing.

A number of Faculty-led Classroom Abroad trips allowed DC students to immerse themselves in new cultures while enhancing and applying the skills they have learned in the classroom.

Athletics

A successful winter season resulted in provincial bronze medals for the men’s basketball and women’s indoor soccer teams.

In a strong fall season, our women’s softball team became both national and provincial champions. The women’s rugby team also became provincial champions, while the men’s baseball team earned provincial bronze.

DC’s Esports team triumphed over their rivals from Ontario Tech University in the annual Campus Clash.

We announced the formation of a sitting volleyball team, a new accessible sporting option for DC students.

The women’s volleyball team prioritized their mental health by partnering with HONE Athletics to use a unique digital mental health platform to increase team communication and well-being through weekly check-ins.

We look forward to another great year at Durham College in 2025.

Durham College partners to support all-Indigenous Introduction to Millwrighting program

Durham College (DC) is helping break down barriers to entry into the skilled trades by partnering with industry on an innovative program aimed at helping to prepare people for millwrighting apprenticeships.

On December 6, an all-Indigenous group of 11 students successfully completed the UBC Millwright Local 2309 Toronto and Local 1410 Kingston Introduction to Millwrighting (ITM) program.

Participants in the five-week program received personalized support and training—including academic upgrading support from DC—to prepare them to write their millwright aptitude test so they could begin a millwright apprenticeship.

This program opens new doors to the skilled trades for graduates and offers a pathway to apprenticeships and careers built on excellence.

“At Durham College, we’re proud to support the success of the all-Indigenous Introduction to Millwrighting program,” said Meagan Quesnelle, Manager, Academic Upgrading and School College Work Initiative. “Through our Academic Upgrading program, we help students build the foundation they need to succeed in rewarding careers.”

Michaela Gervais is among the group of successful students who completed the program, and she said DC faculty made the experience memorable for her.

“Durham College played a crucial part in furthering our knowledge and success,” said Gervais. “Thank you for making this amazing opportunity possible.”

Quesnelle added that the initiative showcases the power of collaboration and the importance of creating pathways to opportunity.

“We’re honoured to be part of this journey, alongside our incredible partners.”

The Millwright Regional Council’s (MRC) partners for the Introduction to Millwrighting program included Durham College, Ontario Power Generation, Kagita Mikam Aboriginal Employment & Training, Aecon Group Inc., and Black & McDonald Limited.

DC has supported similar programs in the past including providing academic upgrading support for a cohort of women completing the ITM program.

Are you interested in a skilled trades career? Explore programs available at DC including our Mechanical Technician – Millwright program.

If you’re missing prerequisite courses for a college program, need help improving your grades or attaining your high school equivalency, consider DC’s free academic upgrading services. Learn more online or consider attending one of our upcoming information sessions.