Durham College recently hosted a successful Program Information Night, where prospective students had the chance to explore various programs, including four new ones starting this fall.
Among the highlights was the Electric Drive Vehicle Technician (EDVT) diploma, a unique offering and one of only two in the province. It equips students for careers in Canada’s rapidly growing clean energy sector.
Martin Jones, associate dean of the skilled trades and apprenticeship faculty, said, “It’s not just electric cars we’re focusing on, but other modes as well, like natural gas and hydrogen.”
The EDVT diploma was among the programs that drew significant interest at the event, where students and their families explored academic offerings, connected with faculty and learned about the college’s innovative approach to education.
From faculty-led program showcases to interactive booths and campus tours, the event highlighted the college’s commitment to student success and innovation.
Pamela Dunn, manager of events and special projects, said the main goal was to bring people to campus so staff could answer their questions.
Dunn said it took around two months to plan the event and ensure everything was in place. To help guests navigate, the entire Durham College team, including volunteers, wore DC-green uniforms during the event.
The event was a success, with more than 1,400 guests attending across both Oshawa and Whitby campuses. During the event, more than 300 prospective students submitted their applications to Durham College.
Clair Norman, a prospective student who has already been accepted into the developmental service worker program starting this September, said the event helped answer her questions because she could ask professors and faculty directly rather than “just sending emails and hoping for a reply.”
Norman highlighted Durham College’s accessibility for students with disabilities as a crucial factor in her decision to attend.
The event also impressed Aphiah McIntosh, a prospective Digital Media Management student. Though she initially planned a quick visit, McIntosh found herself pleasantly surprised by the depth of information available.
McIntosh was particularly impressed with the direct access to program information.
“I didn’t expect to get the information right from (the program coordinator),” she said. She appreciated the organized layout of the programs, noting, “It’s good to see that there are other options.”
While her overall experience was positive, McIntosh mentioned one minor issue: “The only thing is, the signs were a little confusing outside in the parking lot,” though she found everything else straightforward once she was inside.
Traci Ellis, director of marketing and student recruitment, emphasized why these types of events are essential.
“Our Whitby campus, for example, has programs that aren’t offered out of Oshawa and vice versa. Students who come and see our facilities, and parents and families who come to see Durham College’s campuses, are more likely to get a real sense of what their education would look like and get a taste for it,” said Ellis. “You know what their professors know and what the classrooms look like and what kind of facilities we have and what we offer.”
Dunn said that the team continuously looks for ways to improve event navigation and will explore additional measures to enhance the experience in the future.
Looking ahead, Dunn encouraged students who missed the Program Information Night to attend the upcoming Spring Open House, calling it the “perfect opportunity” for prospective students to experience Durham College.
“We invite everyone to join us and discover DC,” she said.