Each year, the Red River College Students’ Association presents a Teaching Award of Excellence in recognition of one instructor’s outstanding teaching practices and dedication to students.

The recipient of this year’s award is Treena Chabot, an instructor with RRC’s Applied Commerce and Management Education (ACME) department.

Back when Treena Chabot was of babysitting age, she used to seat her younger sisters in desks and assign them homemade quizzes.

No surprise, then, that she went on to build a career in education — or that her passion for making a difference in people’s lives has led to recognition from her very own students.

An instructor with RRC’s Applied Commerce and Management Education (ACME) department, Chabot got her start at the College’s Portage Campus in 2000, where she taught Office Technician courses for the School of Continuing Education.

She moved to the Notre Dame Campus a year later and joined the ACME team (then known as Marketing Management), where she developed the Office Management major and taught various Business Administration courses.

Having earned both a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba, Chabot was uniquely well-suited to work with students in RRC’s business programs.

Over the years, she’s taken a lead role on a number of related initiatives, including the development of the College’s new Human Resource Management major, and last year’s launch of First Impressions — a speed-dating-style networking event that has already led to employment opportunities for a number of RRC business students.  Read More →

Six Red River College students were among the Team Manitoba members who picked up medals at last weekend’s Skills Canada National Competition in Saskatchewan.

The students were part of a team of 60 high school, college and apprentice-level participants in the annual Olympic-style competition, which took place May 27-30 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.

All told, Team Manitoba brought home 27 medals — 10 gold, 11 silver and six bronze — from the event, which saw 550 young students and apprentices from across Canada competing in 46 different trades areas.

“I wish to congratulate Team Manitoba on their medals … and also to recognize our staff’s support,” says David Rew, interim president of RRC, which hosted Team Manitoba’s provincial qualifying rounds on April 9 of this year.

“Our College is committed to supporting skilled trades, as not only the host site for the annual Skills Canada Manitoba Competition, but also on a national level, with a large contingent of staff attending and supporting by judging, volunteering and contributing through the National Technical Committee.” Read More →

The College paid tribute to its largest group ever of Bravo Award recipients last month, during a reception that brought together staff and instructors from a wide swath of departments and program areas.

At the seventh annual Bravo lunch, held in the Jane’s dining room at the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute, RRC paid its highest level of recognition to employees who put the College’s core values into action by modelling leadership, professionalism and innovation in their work practices.

“Many of your co-workers, in the nominations they submitted about you, talked about how they aspire to conduct themselves with the care and compassion you demonstrate to others,” interim president David Rew told recipients.

“They see how you lead through your actions, and they want to learn from you in the way that you motivate others. They are inspired to perform with the same work ethic and skills that you bring to your roles.”

This year’s recipients include: Read More →

Red River College earned a bronze award for Innovation in Applied Research this week, during the closing gala of College and Institute Canada’s (CICan) annual conference in Winnipeg.

The award celebrates the College’s dynamic applied research partnership with Manitoba Hydro.

“We are pleased to be recognized for the work we have done with Manitoba Hydro, one of our most important research partners and graduate employers,” said David Rew, interim president and CEO of RRC. “What an excellent opportunity to celebrate our research achievements in sustainable technology and design.”

The College’s research collaboration with Manitoba Hydro has focused primarily on green building design and technology, and on the electrification of vehicles. Two of its most notable projects include Manitoba Hydro’s award-winning energy efficient downtown office tower and more recently, the all-electric transit bus.

“Our partnership with RRC has fostered an environment for creative integration on leading-edge technology that contributes to a more sustainable future,” said Scott Thomson, president and CEO of Manitoba Hydro. “We view our relationship with the College as an important driver for long-term change that will promote continued innovation and advancement of energy efficiency in Manitoba.” Read More →

Nancy Wheatley, Dean of the School of Construction and Engineering Technologies at Red River College, is pleased to welcome Shari Bielert as the new Chair of RRC’s Civil Engineering Technology department, effective May 4, 2015.

Bielert is a graduate of the Civil Engineering Technology’s former Engineering Design and Drafting program (now Architectural/Engineering Technology). She also earned her Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Architecture) from the University of Manitoba, and recently completed a Master of Education degree, also at the U of M.

After completing her RRC diploma and (first) degree, Bielert was employed as a structural design technologist in the building components industry. She was a founding member of the Canada Green Building Council’s MB Chapter, and continues to be a green building advocate.

Over the past 15 years, Bielert has served as an instructor for three Civil Engineering Technology programs – Architectural/Engineering Technology, Environmental Technology and the Construction Management degree.

Her most recent experience in the department has been as the coordinator for Technology Solutions for the Workplace, and as the program coordinator for Construction Management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology.

National Leasing has opened up new doors for students in Red River College’s Business Administration and International Business programs, through a $50,000 donation that has enabled research in the emerging area of social innovation.

The first step of the resulting student project — which culminated last week with a series of judged presentations — was for students to learn exactly what social innovation is, and to identify ways in which it can be implemented in different communities.

Tatjana Brkic, instructor of Applied Commerce and Management Education at RRC, says the ‘social innovation’ tag is one people are still struggling with.

“Social innovation is something that we as a global community have to figure out how to unravel,” Brkic said.

In its most basic form, social innovation occurs when an organization or concept meets a community’s needs. Social innovation fills gaps, addresses social issues, and develops the community. It’s about reducing negatives — like crime and poverty — and boosting economic development. Read More →

She’s devoted years to the development of a global online resource that links early childhood educators with the latest in research and knowledge.

So it’s no surprise that Red River College’s Janet Jamieson — Research Chair for the School of Health Sciences and Community Services, and the driving force behind the College’s world-renowned Science of Early Child Development (SECD) research project — has been nominated for a 2015 Women of Distinction Award.

Jamieson (shown above, at centre) was nominated in the category of Community Activism and Social Enterprise — a perfect match, given she’s been the principal researcher and lead developer on a series of projects for RRC that are grounded in the advancement of social equity, and have in turn led to the advancement of economic and environmental priorities.

The most notable of these is SECD, a knowledge mobilization initiative designed to make current research accessible to anyone interested in learning more about the profound impact of the early years on lifelong health and well-being.

First developed as a tool to help share the emerging science about early brain development and its implications for practice across sectors, SECD has grown and evolved into three online living textbooks, as well as other educational resources. Updated regularly, it brings research and concepts to life with hundreds of readings, videos, links and interactive activities. There have been many versions and modules developed to support its use with a variety of audiences throughout the world. Read More →

Red River College is proud to be named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2015. This prestigious recognition highlights employers that stand out through their efforts to create diverse, inclusive workplaces.

This is the first time the College has been recognized with this distinction. The full list of employers for 2015 was announced earlier today, with 65 organizations leading the nation in creating inclusive workplace cultures.

“At Red River College, we strive to ensure that equity and diversity are embedded in the College’s practices and that it is demonstrated in the classroom, and throughout the workplace,” said David Rew, Interim RRC President. “Equity and inclusion are an integral part of our values that allow the College to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. I know I speak for the entire organization when I say how honoured we are to have [been] recognized with this distinction.”

As part of the College’s submission, many areas were highlighted as initiatives that support an inclusive and open environment, including the College’s LGBTT* Initiative and Mental Health First Aid resources, along with a number of wellness and staff awards, and recognition programming to support staff success and well-being. Read More →

Congratulations to Red River College instructor Tim Appleton, who was recently named Chef of the Year by the Winnipeg branch of the Canadian Culinary Federation (CCFCC).

An instructor in RRC’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Appleton (shown above, third from left) has been an active member of the Winnipeg Chefs Association for years, and has been involved in the CCFCC at both the board and national level.

The Chef of the Year Award recognizes a deserving chef who has demonstrated both commitment to (and involvement in) the CCFCC Winnipeg Branch, as well as the community in general.

The award is voted on by a committee within the CCFCC, based on nominations brought forward by membership. The CCFCC is Canada’s national association for chefs and cooks, with 40 branches throughout the country providing links between industry and career development.

You know what they say about March: In like a lamb, out like a linebacker. (Out like a line dancer? Lion tamer? Something like that.)

Anyway, March is well underway, the snow is starting to melt, and as always, the Red River College Students’ Association has a full slate of activities on tap to help students and staff celebrate spring.

From pub nights and karaoke jams to cultural showcases from around the world, there’s no shortage of seasonal events in store. See below for details, or visit rrcsa.ca for more.

St. Patrick’s Day Pub Night

Tuesday, March 17
Kings Head Pub
Cover: $5

Sample from the Kings Head’s extensive selection of draft beer, while enjoying sets by local Celt-rockers Dust Rhinos and Celtic Way. Read More →