Preparing Seneca graduates to be engaged citizens, who participate and are leaders in their communities

Expand international student exchange agreements

• New agreements have led to more student exchanges and additional summer exchange program options.

Launch a mentorship program with the School of Leadership and Human Resources, offering opportunities for engagement with students

• A new mentorship program connecting students with alumni mentors engaged 58 students with mentors from various sectors.

Increase student participation in the Alumni Sponsorship Program and applications to the Student Experience Fund

• Increased student participation in the Alumni Sponsorship Program to more than 2,500 students
• Supported 15 applications to the Student Experience Fund.

National recognition for student leadership

Gagandeep Singh Sidhu, Accounting and Finance graduate and former governor on Seneca’s Board, was a recipient of the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Leadership Excellence for Students award. Gagandeep has demonstrated ongoing commitment to supporting his community. At Seneca, he has been an orientation leader, SMILE mentor and peer tutor.

Alumnus receives Premier’s Award 

Neil Hetherington was the recipient of the 2018 Premier’s Award for Business. Neil was recognized for a lifetime of leadership in the non-profit sector. He is the CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank and previously served as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto and New York City, as well as Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services.

Grads elected to public office

Broadcasting – Radio and Television grad Donna Skelly was elected MPP, Flamborough-Glanbrook in the provincial election. And several Seneca graduates ran in various municipal elections. Those elected include Lisa-Marie Wilson, Simcoe County District School Board; Dino Giuliani, York Catholic District School Board; and Christopher Mammoliti, Toronto District School Board.

Develop an Indigenous education plan that integrates curriculum, services and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada recommendations affecting postsecondary education

• The Indigenous Education Council oversaw various activities, which will help to shape the formal Indigenous Education plan. Seneca with guidance from the Council launched a professional development course for faculty and led the infusion of Indigenous knowledge and issues into the core curricula of School of Early Childhood Education, School of English and Liberal Studies and School of Community Services programs.
• Seneca’s award-winning Indigenous centre, Odeyto, opened at Newnham Campus, providing a new home for the services and activities conducted by First Peoples@Seneca.

Create a comprehensive student mental health strategy with consultation from across the Seneca community

• Many activities took place in support of student mental health while next steps were identified to creating a formal student mental health strategy. This will include various health and wellness campaigns and programs, mental health training for employees and supports for cognitive behavioural therapy.

New Indigenous centre opens

Odeyto, the new home for First Peoples@Seneca, opened with an awakening ceremony. Odeyto, which means the good journey in Anishinaabe, was made possible through a contribution from the provincial government to mark the college system’s 50th anniversary. Odeyto offers more than 1,800 square feet of space with tall, wooden, rib-like arches, and includes offices, a computer lab and kitchen. It was named one of the 10 best Canadian architecture projects of 2018 by Azure Magazine.

Peter Gilgan invests in youth project

Founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes Peter Gilgan donated $30,000 to Seneca’s Youth to Postsecondary Education program (Y2P) at Yorkgate Campus. The program provides participants with a clear path towards postsecondary education and better career prospects with a focus on math, English, time management, goal setting and interpersonal communication.

Shining a light on mental health with RBC

Seneca and the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) hosted the second biennial RBC Mental Health Symposium at King Campus. More than 200 guests gathered to discuss best practices and research on mental health care, with a focus on Indigenous ways of healing. Speakers included Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University, and Elder Blu Waters from First Peoples@Seneca.

$163,000 raised for the United Way

The 2018 United Way Campaign raised more than $163,000 thanks to the participation of hundreds of students, faculty and staff. The top donor to the campaign was the Seneca Student Federation (SSF) who contributed $15,000. The funds raised will benefit community organizations and provide resources for those in less fortunate neighbourhoods across the Greater Toronto Area.