Preparing Seneca students for successful futures in a rapidly evolving world and economy

Launch new programs at various credential levels, with a focus on cross-disciplinary learning, in the areas of financial technology and business analytics

• Graduate certificates launched in Chronic Disease Management, Financial Technology and Business Analytics and honours bachelor’s degrees in Business Technology Management and Crime and Intelligence Analysis
• Programs developed included Business Management, Hospitality Nursing Unit Clerk, Electromechanical Engineering Technology – Automation, Settlement Worker, Cannabis Regulation and Quality Assurance and Workplace Safety and Prevention.

Refresh and renew programs through summative and formative reviews and consent renewals

• Completed Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) site visits in support of degree program consent renewal approvals in Data Science and Analytics, Business Management and International Business Management
• Degree program consent renewal applications were referred to PEQAB by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in Financial Services Management, Human Resources Strategy and Technology, International Accounting and Finance and Informatics and Security
• Completed 66 required summative and formative program reviews.  

Implement an Academic Planning dashboard, leveraging data visualization software, to support program development and prioritization

• The Academic Planning dashboard has been deployed to enhance the use of metrics during quality reviews.

Joint venture with IBM

Seneca and IBM signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Ontario’s first IBM Skills Academy Hub. The Academy is a new professional certification program that prepares students for information technology (IT) careers in an accelerated format.

EXFO certification integrated with engineering program

Twelve students in the Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) advanced diploma program received certification of expertise in fibre optics from industry leader EXFO. This certification was incorporated into the EET program in response to the growing need for technologists with fibre optic skills. Seneca is the only college in Canada to offer this certification as part of a technology program.

Addressing IT skills gap

Seneca and the multinational corporation Cognizant have partnered on a new training program that will advance in-demand digital technology skills. This collaboration aims to boost employment opportunities for current and future information technology professionals.

School of Aviation marks half-century

When the School of Aviation started in 1968, it had three planes and 25 students. After a half century, it has grown into an internationally-recognized leader with its own campus, 22 planes and wait lists for its programs. Employees, alumni and industry partners gathered to celebrate the program at its 50th anniversary reception at the Peterborough Campus, adjacent to the Peterborough Airport. World War II aviator Russell Bannock, alumnus Steve Linthwaite and industry partner Joan Williams (posthumously) were each honoured with the Senecans of Distinction Award.

Partnership leads to first Adobe Creative Campus in Canada

As part of Seneca’s Digital Learning Strategy, Seneca became an official Adobe Creative Campus — the first in Canada — equipping students and employees to be more digitally literate and creative.

Documentary Film Institute celebrates 10 years

Over the last decade, Seneca’s Documentary Filmmaking Institute has educated more than 200 aspiring filmmakers. In celebration of the program’s 10-year anniversary, Hot Docs recognized the filmmaking course for its industry contributions.

Launch Seneca’s Digital Learning Strategy (DLS) and develop faculty experts in hybrid learning to teach in a multi-modal environment

The DLS includes an open educational resources framework with micro-credential opportunities, professional development and digital portfolios for faculty.

Continue implementation of Faculty Development Portfolios and establish a Faculty Professional Development Framework, increasing the number of faculty teams engaged in the development of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning resources

• The goal of 20 per cent faculty participation in development portfolios was exceeded, with faculty teams working on collaborative Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects, focused on mastery learning, communications and transfer-based teaching.

Hall of Famer awarded University of Windsor honorary degree

Senior Sport Co-ordinator Angela James was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Windsor. Angela is the winner of four world championships with the Canadian women’s hockey team and one of the first two women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. She is also a member of the Black Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame and the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.

Professor elected President of Canadian Safety Association

Fire Protection Engineering Technology Professor Scott Pugsley was voted President of the Canadian Fire Safety Association (CFSA). Established in 1971 to promote fire safety through seminars, training courses and scholarships, the CFSA has members across the country.

Delivering training in Kenya

As part of a three-year project in Kenya, Azhar Laher, Professor, School of Leadership and Human Resources, and Kevin Pitts, Professor, Teaching and Learning, delivered leadership and management training to Kenyan polytechnic leaders at the Kenya Technical Trainers College in Nairobi.

Nursing professor secures two grants

Tania Killian, professor in the School of Health Sciences, was the winner of Advancement and Alumni’s first $25,000 challenge. Tania was also awarded a $10,000 grant from the King Township Women of Influence Giving Circle.

ELI professor pens second book

English Language Institute (ELI) professor Joshua Kloke wrote his second book, Come on You Reds: The Story of Toronto FC. Joshua is a sports and music journalist whose work has been published by Sports Illustrated, ESPN and Sportsnet.

Professor debuts short story collection

English and Liberal Studies professor Mina Athanassious released his debut short story collection, A Face Like the Moon. Published by Mosaic Press, the book features eight stories about young Coptic children living in urban and rural areas of Egypt.

A baseball hall of famer

Widely regarded as Canada’s premier baseball historian, Bill Humber, recently retired director of Eco-Seneca Initiatives, was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Bill is the first academic researcher to be inducted, recognized for his contributions to Canadian and international baseball history, including five books and nearly 40 years of teaching a baseball appreciation course at Seneca.

Award-winning podcast producer pens book

Amanda Cupido, professor in the School of Media, wrote her first book, Let’s Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing it Right. Amanda is an award-winning podcast producer, who previously worked as a reporter, anchor and producer at Newstalk 1010 CFRB.

Professor wins emerging jazz artist award

Independent Songwriting and Performance Professor Rebecca Hennessey was the 2018 recipient of the Emerging Jazz Artist Award from the Toronto Arts Foundation. Rebecca is a trumpeter and composer, who was recognized for her creative, unique compositions.

Professor nominated for Governor General award

Werner Zimmerman, professor in the Independent Illustration program, was nominated for the 2018 Governor General Literary Awards in the category of illustrated children’s books for his latest work, At the Pond. Werner has taught for several years at Seneca, and is a bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator of many children’s books, including the popular Farmer Joe series.

Professor recognized for directing

Professor Anita La Selva won the Gina Wilkinson Prize for Emerging Female Directors. Anita, who teaches in the Acting for Camera and Voice program, is an actor, director and dramaturge. She recently directed Stones, an interdisciplinary and intercultural theatre odyssey about women and violence.

Undertake the first phase of planned academic and service moves associated with Seneca2020

• The Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program moved to King Campus while HELIX and the Mechatronics lab relocated to the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE) at Newnham Campus

Roll out the Customer Service initiative

• A framework has been developed for a cross-functional committee that advises on customer service.
• In collaboration with students in the Applied Advertising Campaign Research course, a satisfaction survey was conducted for first semester students on their customer service experience.

Continue to enhance the Student Advising Model to support student success and retention

• Recommendations were implemented for the Student Advising Model, which included a student advising survey, external committee consultation, additional advisers, an appointment booking system and online group advising.

Provide alternative program delivery modes, including hybrid, online and compressed

• New online courses were made available through the Faculty of Continuing Education and Training, eCampus Ontario portal and OntarioLearn
• A compressed hybrid Business Studies certificate is now being offered, which allows students to complete all or most of the required six courses in one term.

Commence next phase of the Learning Centre model

• Peer tutoring is now included in first and second semester courses, providing students support earlier in their studies
• Student Optimizing Academic Resilience workshops are available across all programs.

Expand recreational programming at the new athletics facilities at King and Newnham campuses

• Recreation facilities at King Campus expanded with the opening of Magna Hall; amenities now include a varsity-level gymnasium, fitness centre, climbing wall and dance studios
• New programming across all campuses focuses on helping women feel more comfortable in fitness centres
• The StingDome at Seneca Fields now offers facilities to host sporting events year-round, including indoor rugby, cricket, softball, baseball and soccer.

Make enhancements to parking services 

• Additional parking will be available north of Newnham Campus to accommodate more students and employees resulting from the Seneca2020 moves
• DayPass, provides a flexible parking plan to benefit students with irregular hours and SecurePark enables Seneca to offer virtual parking passes for guests and greater ability to monitor short-term parking.

Richard Branson invests in alumni

Sister and brother team, Stephanie and Alexander Florio, were awarded $10,000 from British philanthropist Richard Branson as part of Virgin Mobile Canada’s Pitch to Rich contest. The School of Marketing alumni won the national contest pitching their mobile app, Swob, which matches students with potential employers.

Students win gold and bronze in provincial skills competition

Two students from the School of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Technology took home medals at the 2018 Skills Ontario competition. Nan-Rong Hui and Si Qi Zhen earned gold and bronze respectively. Skills Ontario is Canada’s largest skilled trade and technology competition.

New experiential learning platform launched

Seneca has partnered with Riipen, an online experiential learning platform that connects students and employers to collaborate on real-world projects prior to graduation.

Championship men’s basketball team celebrated

After winning the national championship title for the first time ever, the Seneca Sting men’s basketball team was honoured by the Toronto Sport Hall of Honour as the Team of the Year at an induction ceremony at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

Students debut book on varsity sports

Nineteen Public Relations – Corporate Communications students, led by Professor Tom Bartsiokas and Dean Michael Maynard, showcased their work in Character, Leadership, Excellence: Varsity Sports at Seneca. The book tells the stories of outstanding student athletes throughout Seneca’s history.  

Success at the Applied Arts design competition

Seven students from the Photography, Illustration and Graphic Design programs won awards at the Applied Arts Student Awards program. Hosted by Canada’s premier magazine of visual communications, this annual competition showcases the finest in students’ creative work across various media.

Students tops at provincial marketing competition

A team of 20 Marketing students, led by professors Scott Campbell and Theresa Seto, placed first in the Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition. This win marks the first time Seneca has placed first overall at the annual competition since 2006.

Fashion grad stitched winning dress

Alumna Laurie Brown won $10,000 after impressing judges with her floral-inspired couture-level creation on the Canadian fashion reality TV show STICHED. The Fashion Arts graduate has solidified her self-labelled design studio and has become a driving force behind Saskatoon’s growing fashion industry.

Student exhibit premieres at Nuit Blanche

An exhibition featuring work from 60 students and faculty premiered at Nuit. “Precipice: Seneca’s Ultimate Remix” marked one of the biggest cross-disciplinary showcases in Seneca’s history. The exhibition boasted 28 new works including photography, painting, sculpture, projection mapping, animation, music remixes, live performance, virtual reality and documentary film.

Marketing students win big at advertising competition

Creative Advertising students Laura Guerrero, Lissette Santana and Selina Testani presented a campaign pitch at the 2019 Ad Summit competition at the University of Toronto Mississauga. With the support of Professor Anthony Kalamut, they took the first-place title winning a $5,000 scholarship to the Miami Ad School and $500 cash.