Leadership in postsecondary education that benefits our students, our employees, our communities and our partners

Establish new student pathway opportunities, with a focus on college-to-college partnerships as part of the Seneca student mobility model

• New pathway agreements are now in effect with Athabasca University, University of South Wales, University of Toronto, Manchester Metropolitan University, Niagara University, George Washington University, Dalhousie University and York University
• A diploma-to-degree pathway with Cambrian College was finalized and an innovative diploma program was developed in collaboration with Lambton and Cambrian colleges, while four synchronous courses were offered in collaboration with Canadore College.

Launch a student mobility research project in collaboration with Ryerson and York universities

• Project analysis is underway, with the final report scheduled for submission to the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer in early 2019-20.

New Humber-Seneca Polytechnic Partnership announced

Humber and Seneca established the Humber-Seneca Polytechnic Partnership (HSPP) to promote cooperation and collaboration between the two institutions. This first-of-its-kind initiative expands learning opportunities as students begin, continue or complete their postsecondary education at either institution.

Academic pathway awards

Henry Decock, Associate Vice-President, Academic Partnerships, received the Leadership award at the inaugural 2019 Transfer Awards of Excellence from the government-funded Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer. Henry was honoured for the significant contributions he has made throughout his career toward building a culture of mobility and transfer in Ontario’s postsecondary system. Seneca’s Centre for Research in Student Mobility was awarded the Research Excellence award.

New routes to Niagara University

Seneca and Niagara University established a new partnership, with a focus on developing pathways for Seneca degree students to Niagara’s graduate programs. Collaborations include pathways for Seneca graduates into undergraduate and graduate studies at Niagara and professional development opportunities for Seneca employees.

Opportunities for PR students at Boston University

Seneca and the College of Communication at Boston University (BU) finalized an agreement for Public Relations - Corporate Communications (PRC) students to receive advanced standing in BU’s Master of Science Public Relations program. The agreement marks the fourth American university to give advanced standing to alumni of Seneca’s PRC graduate certificate program.

New partnership in the Philippines

Seneca and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde signed a memorandum of understanding in Manila, Philippines. This is the first academic partnership for each institution in the partnering country.

Increase the number of ventures accelerated through HELIX and host the second edition of the HELIX Summer Institute

• Sixty-six ventures entered the acceleration strand of the HELIX program – an increase of 16 from 2017-18
• The second edition of the HELIX Summer Institute took place with 36 participants.

Establish a Seneca presence at ventureLAB, the Regional Innovation Centre for Markham/York Region

• Seneca’s presence at ventureLAB includes Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship administration and HELIX ventures (four ventures per semester).

Strategically expand international education consultancy activities in new and existing markets and continue diversification of recruitment activities

• Five new contracts were established in China, Colombia, Indonesia and India and recruitment was expanded into three new markets, resulting in exceeded international enrolment targets for each term.

Expand corporate training offerings and partners

• Seneca developed new partnerships with Sanofi Pasteur, Macklin House Daycare Center Inc., IBM, Avid Authorized Training Partner, Toronto District School Board, York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board. Seneca also renewed its training partnership with Huawei.

MPPs visit Seneca

After the 2018 provincial election, Seneca welcomed various MPPs to campus including: Merilee Fullerton, Minister, Training Colleges and Universities; Caroline Mulroney, Attorney General and Minister of Francophone Affairs; Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Stan Cho, MPP, Willowdale; Vincent Ke, MPP, Don Valley North; Stephen Lecce, MPP, King-Vaughan; Billy Pang, MPP, Markham-Unionville; and Michael Parsa, MPP, Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill.

Attorney General speaks at Career Preparation Day

The Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Ontario’s Attorney General and Minister of Francophone Affairs, visited Newnham Campus to participate in the School of Legal, Public and Office Administration’s Career Preparation Day. She spoke to students about the changes she is making to improve Ontario’s legal system.  

Celebrating CITE

In February 2019, Seneca hosted MPs Jane Philpott (Markham-Stouffville) and Geng Tan (Don Valley North) and Don Valley North MPP Vincent Ke at the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE). The event celebrated CITE as one of the infrastructure projects supported by the federal government’s Postsecondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund. Seneca received an investment of $24 million through the fund – the largest investment in an Ontario college. 

HELIX receives $1-million grant

Seneca’s on-campus business incubator HELIX received a $1-million grant as part of the inaugural TD Ready Challenge. Seneca was one of 10 grant recipients from across North America and the only postsecondary institution from the Greater Toronto Area to be included. This grant will support the TD-HELIX Transformation Initiative, providing entrepreneurial skills to mid-career professionals. 

Partnering with global robots leader

Seneca and KUKA Robotics signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which identifies a number of areas for collaboration, including access for Seneca students and faculty to state-of-the-art robotic equipment and training and learning opportunities. As part of the partnership, a robotics lab featuring Kuka products will open in the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship at Newnham Campus.

Strengthening ties with Indonesia

A Memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Seneca and the Indonesian Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education during a visit by Minister Mohammad Nasir. Following the MOU signing, the Minister’s delegation toured Newnham and King campuses and attended a presentation by Dr. Tom Murad, Country Lead, Engineering, Technology and Academic Relations, Siemens Canada.

Vivienne Poy exhibit at The Boutique

The Fashion Resource Centre celebrated Fashion Arts alumna the Hon. Dr. Vivienne Poy through an exhibition called Vivienne Poy: A Legacy of Fashion, Politics and Philanthropy. Credited in The Globe and Mail’s Style Happenings column, the exhibition showcased the retired Canadian senator’s original couture knitwear.

Professional development in India

As part of President David Agnew’s trip to India, Seneca extended its memorandum of understanding with the National Institute of Financial Management, a leader in training Indian civil servants, for a five-year term.

President Agnew also signed a new agreement with Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University. This partnership will provide Seneca employees with invaluable international experiences.

Minister Hussen announces Student Direct Stream 

The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Hon. Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, visited Markham Campus to announce the Student Direct Stream (SDS). The SDS streamlines the application process for students applying from China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines to increase the number of international students studying in Canada.

Thomas Carrique named OPP commissioner

Former Seneca Board member Thomas Carrique was named the commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.  Most recently, he was the Deputy Chief for York Regional Police, where he spent his entire career spanning nearly three decades. The Commissioner also served as a program adviser for the Crime and Intelligence Analysis honours bachelor degree program and Police Foundations diploma program.

Conduct an Employee Pulse Survey and make recommendations to address identified areas for improvement

• The survey, focusing primarily on internal communications, took place with record participation, and the results provided information that will be used to address identified areas for improvement.

Develop strategies to address new HR legislation compliance

• A project team implemented process and system changes to ensure compliance with the Employee Standards Act, specifically the legal obligations arising from bills 148 and 47.

Launch Chair Leadership Development program

• The Seneca Leader program is now available for all managers and includes specialized content and resources for academic chairs.

Complete the Seneca-wide policy review and launch a forward-facing online database

• The Seneca-wide policy hub is live, with new policy development and current policy reviews ongoing.

CityNews and CTV highlight King and Newnham campuses

Graduate Stella Acquisto, weather specialist and journalist with CityNews, paid her alma mater a special visit, broadcasting four live segments on Breakfast Television from inside Magna Hall. Seneca also hosted Anwar Knight from CTV News at Newnham Campus during Fire Prevention Week.

A decade as a GTA Top Employer

Seneca was once again named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers. This marks 10 years of Seneca earning a spot in the annual competition, which has become a benchmark for best practices in the workplace.

50th anniversary celebrations honour Bill Davis

Former Premier William G. Davis was honoured at Newnham Campus as part of Seneca’s 50th anniversary celebration. Mr. Davis received several tributes including the Order of Seneca, a street adjacent to the Newnham Campus named after him and a Seneca 50th anniversary plane with a call sign representing his initials. As minister of education during the 1960s, he led the creation of Ontario’s college system – what Mr. Davis says is his crowning achievement in government.

Public Affairs Association of Canada recognizes President Agnew

President David Agnew was recognized for his contributions to public affairs with the 2018 Award of Distinction from the Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC). Special reference was made to his support of Seneca’s unique Government Relations graduate certificate program, which is endorsed by the PAAC and the Government Relations Institute of Canada.

#SenecaProud podcast launches

Seneca launched a podcast dedicated to telling the stories of the many members of the Seneca community. Created and hosted by Seneca Business Professor Pat Perdue, the first season of #SenecaProud featured one-on-one interviews with professors from a variety of academic programs and industry backgrounds.

Complete construction of Magna Hall at King Campus and the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE) at Newnham Campus, renovations to the residences at Newnham and King campuses, and the first phase of renovations to Garriock Hall

• Magna Hall opened on time and on schedule. At CITE, floors two and three were opened with construction of floors one, four and five on track
• Renovations to residence rooms and corridors at Newnham and King campuses took place, including surveillance improvements,
• The first phase of renovations to the Garriock Hall at King Campus was completed, including updates to classrooms and labs, enlarging the Test Centre, opening a new computer commons and creating additional cafeteria seating.

Launch Seneca’s redesigned website

• The redesigned public-facing Seneca’s website launched, based on the work of students and graduates. The new website focuses on recruitment and student-centred news and information.

Increase donations through major gifts, affinity and annual fundraising appeals in support of student financial aid, capital and programming

• Seneca raised $5.8M in donations and revenue in the fiscal year that will go to support students through financial aid and capital projects.

Complete implementation of a customer relationship management (CRM) system for recruitment initiatives

• With the integration of recruitment and CRM systems, Seneca has developed new ways of reaching applicants.

Grand opening of Magna Hall

Magna Hall, a 200,000-square-foot academic and athletic building, officially opened at King Campus. It features 25 classrooms, specialty labs, a new library, student centre with multi-purpose athletic space and the capacity to welcome 1,450 more students annually. Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Merrilee Fullerton spoke at the event.

Provincial investment in geothermal technology

Seneca received a $4.7-million investment from the Government of Ontario’s Innovation Grant Fund to support a geothermal retrofit at King Campus. Part of the Greenhouse Gas Campus Retrofits Program, the retrofit will reduce greenhouse gas emissions at Garriock Hall by more than 50 per cent, decrease dependence on natural gas and increase the efficiency of the heating and cooling systems. 

Campaign for Students exceeds fundraising goal

The 2019 Campaign for Students surpassed its fundraising goal of $130,000, with a record-breaking grand total of $311,345. Thanks to employee donations, fundraising events and a special donation from the Seneca Student Federation, the number of students benefiting from the campaign endowed bursary increased from 77 to more than 90.

Advocating for sustainable fashion

Seneca’s School of Fashion became a member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Canada, a global network of postsecondary institutions. In celebration of this membership, the school hosted a three-day series of events at Newnham Campus that focused on responsible consumption and production and highlighted the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell opened an exhibition showcasing student, alumni and faculty works.

Magna Hall nominated for Green Building award

Magna Hall was named a finalist in the New Construction category of the 2018 Ontario Green Building Excellence and Leadership Awards. The 200,000-square-foot space at King Campus was recognized for achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold standards.