(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – May 8, 2024): Algoma University joins forces with Lakehead University for an international exchange of Indigenous cultural knowledge in Belize, immersing students in a one-of-a-kind educational experience.
Read the full story at https://bit.ly/3UTjAkn.
(pictured from left) John Zussino, lecturer, and Dr. Isabelle Lemee, associate professor, from the Department of Languages, Michael Fayrick, Rhapsody Shepard, Mark Piovesana, president of the IISLU, and James Aldridge, Vice-Provost, International.
April 25, 2024 - Thunder Bay, Ont.
Two Lakehead University students will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and learn in Italy this summer thanks to the Institute of Italian Studies at Lakehead University (IISLU).
Third-year political science student Michael Fayrick and second-year concurrent education student Rhapsody Shepard have each received a $2,000 bursary from the IISLU. This bursary will allow them to participate in a transformative four-week program in Siena, Italy in May, organized by the University for Foreigners of Siena in collaboration with Lakehead International.
The program offers students from diverse backgrounds a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Italian language and culture through structured language study, extracurricular activities, and excursions.
For Fayrick, a third-generation Italian Canadian, this is the opportunity to discover more about his heritage and culture. “My mother’s side of the family came to Thunder Bay from Italy so having the opportunity to go abroad to learn about my culture and the language is going to be awesome.”
Learning how to read and speak Italian will also support two of his passion projects: research into the rise of early Fascism in Italy and the translation of his Nonno’s Second World War Italian Army service records.
“I wouldn’t have considered this opportunity without the support of the Italian Institute,” said Fayrick. “It’s incredible and I love the principle of why they are supporting a program like this – to promote Italian language and culture and ensure that it carries on across generations.”
Shepard always wanted to learn as many languages as possible. Initially quite shy, learning languages allowed her to feel like part of a community but also allowed her to keep a sense of independence.
“As the only one in my family who can speak more than one language (English), I see multilingualism as something of my own that I can make something of and decided to keep pursuing it in university,” she explained. “I think language is fun and I want to make it fun for others.”
“I’m excited about the experience and cultural aspects of studying abroad in Italy. While you can learn a language anywhere, truly understanding its depth requires immersing yourself in that culture and actively learning and hearing it over an extended period.”
Shepard believes this experience will greatly enhance her comprehension of Italian and support her ambitions of becoming a high school language teacher. “Grazie! I want to thank all the language professors at Lakehead, and the Italian Institute for their passion and for providing this opportunity. It motivates me to continue learning languages, knowing that these opportunities for development are possible.”
Mark Piovesana, president of the IISLU, said the Institute is pleased to partner with Lakehead International to offer this opportunity to students.
“Our mandate is to promote and preserve Italian language, culture and history in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario,” Piovesana said. “These bursaries are just the beginning, igniting interest and opportunities for Lakehead students eager to embrace Italian language and culture. We hope that this bursary will encourage other students, whether they are studying art or engineering, to enroll in language courses at Lakehead.”
According to James Aldridge, Vice-Provost, International, global mobility programs, such as the one in collaboration with the University for Foreigners of Siena, help students build critical global and intercultural competencies.
“As we continue to foster a culture of internationalization on our campuses, we are grateful to partners like the Institute of Italian Studies for supporting scholarship opportunities that allow our students to have language and cultural immersion opportunities where they not only learn new language skills, but hopefully gain the critical intercultural competencies that we know are important for job success and navigating the modern globalized world,” he said.
“Thank you to the Board of the IISLU because without this support we wouldn’t be able to offer this outstanding opportunity for students.”
(Thunder Bay, ON – April 19, 2024) – Confederation College and Lakehead University have signed an agreement that allows students who complete an Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology or Bachelor of Kinesiology degree to receive advanced standing in the college’s Paramedic or Medical Radiation Technology diploma programs.
Shane Strickland, Dean of Health, Negahneewin, and Community Services at Confederation College, emphasized the strategic design of the Paramedic program to address the immediate needs of Northwestern Ontario. "This program not only meets the urgent demand for paramedics in the region but also incorporates vital field experience, allowing students to gain hands-on learning in real medical situations," said Strickland. Highlighting the program's significance, Strickland noted that it is recognized as a priority by the Government of Ontario, with students eligible for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, which covers the cost of tuition and books for students who commit to serving in the region post-graduation.
The Medical Radiation Technology program, similarly, stands out with its Accreditation Canada seal of approval, preparing students for the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) certification exam. Successful graduates find rewarding careers in diagnostic imaging across hospitals, clinics, and various medical settings. "Our programs are meticulously designed to ensure graduates are not just qualified but are ready to excel in their professional roles," Strickland added.
Lakehead University kinesiology graduates will be well-positioned to seek a career in both health program areas.
Lakehead University's Associate Vice-Provost (Academic), Dr. Michel Beaulieu, highlighted the mutual benefits of this agreement. "This partnership not only acknowledges the value of prior learning, optimizing health care education pathways, it also actively reduces barriers to student mobility within Northwestern Ontario."
Echoing the sentiment, Dr. Ian Newhouse, Director of Lakehead University’s School of Kinesiology, pointed out the versatility of kinesiology graduates.
"Our graduates are discovering that their skills are immensely beneficial in various health care roles,” he explained. “This collaboration with Confederation College opens doors for them to further their careers in meaningful ways."
Aaron Skillen, Vice President Academic at Confederation College, elaborated on the synergy between the two institutions. "This initiative is part of Confederation College’s ongoing commitment to innovating educational pathways in collaboration with partners like Lakehead University. Together, they aim to equip students with practical skills and knowledge, preparing them for the dynamic world of work in Northwestern Ontario and beyond.”
Skillen also added that the pathways offer an especially good fit for students. “We have observed that students with a kinesiology degree transition smoothly into these programs, as they come equipped with a robust foundation of knowledge. This agreement formally recognizes their prior learning, streamlining their educational journey by reducing the number of courses they need to undertake with us."
Students interested in learning more about this pathway can visit the Confederation College website www.confederationcollege.ca/pathways
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Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has seven regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Greenstone, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake, as well as a growing Distance Education division.
Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,000 combined full- and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 600 full- and part-time employees. Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $707.3 million annually.
Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 9,000 students in THE’s 2023 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.
Innisfil, ON – The Town of Innisfil and Lakehead University will be hosting the first ever Lakehead University South Simcoe Innovation Week from April 30 to May 2, in partnership with Nottawasaga Futures, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and the County of Simcoe. The event, funded in part by the County of Simcoe Entrepreneurial Innovation Fund, will bring together entrepreneurial thinkers from across Simcoe County to access business and innovation oriented workshops and events.
“Our community is fortunate to have world-class post-secondary partners, like Lakehead University, who are able to educate and empower business leaders to innovate within their own organizations,” says Mayor Lynn Dollin. “Through this partnership, we're thrilled to support entrepreneurs and even more thrilled that Lakehead will involve students from secondary schools in an innovation competition that will include future changemakers.”
The inaugural initiative will include an Adaptive Leadership and Design Thinking Workshop for business leaders who are looking at helping their teams incorporate entrepreneurial practices into their organization. A Business Model Canvas Workshop will support current or aspiring entrepreneurs capture their business idea in a simple yet structured business plan which can be used as a foundation to build or scale a business. Experts from Lakehead’s business accelerator, Ingenuity, will also host a student-only event at Nantyr Shores Secondary School to teach students about the entrepreneurial journey and engage them through an innovative competition.
This initiative aligns with Innisfil’s new Economic Development Strategic Plan, and in particular supports the goal of building an innovative and investment ready business community. The purpose of South Simcoe Innovation Week is to connect entrepreneurs with supports like those available at Lakehead’s Ingenuity business accelerator and showcase the expertise available through Lakehead faculty and students. As part of the festivities Lakehead will update the community on valuable and innovative research taking place at Innisfil’s Circle Park.
“Lakehead is proud to be part of a such a creative and innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says Dr. Linda Rodenberg, Interim Principal of the Lakehead Orillia Campus. “We’re excited to be able to bring this programming to the South Simcoe community, and to empower the entrepreneurs of the future.”
South Simcoe Innovation Events will take place between April 30 and May 2, 2024, and registration is required. For more details, and to register, visit these links:
Business Model Canvas Workshop (in-person)
Business Model Canvas Workshop (virtual)
Adaptive Leadership and Design Thinking Workshop
To learn more about Economic Development in Innisfil, entrepreneurial supports and to stay up to date on news and events, subscribe to our email list.
(from left) Wadika Faisal, Nadine Elmehriki, Ibrahim Shaheed, Mohamed Abi, Lovely Faith Donaldson, Karl Prentice, Zachary Morgan, Cory Hubbard, Kailash Bhatia, and Dr. Yanglin Gong.
April 18, 2024 – Thunder Bay, Ont.
The Lakehead University steel bridge team achieved top prizes at the annual American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Western Great Lakes Student Symposium in Chicago from April 4 to 6.
The Lakehead team won three awards including first place in lightness, second place in aesthetics and third place in construction economy, and were ranked fourth place overall among the 16 universities competing.
The team was made up of third- and fourth-year civil engineering students: captain Zachary Morgan, co-captain Karl Prentice, Lovely Faith Donaldson, Ibrahim Shaheed, Mohamed Abi, and Wadika Faisal.
In this year’s competition, students were challenged to design and fabricate a 1:10 scale model steel bridge spanning 21 feet over an extra-wide eight-foot river and subject to height restrictions to minimize interference with its surroundings. The bridge was then tested under 2,500 pounds of weight to confirm its stability, strength and stiffness.
“Ever since I started at Lakehead, my goal was to be on the steel bridge team,” said Morgan. “I have had an amazing experience learning skills that will impact my life and my future career.”
The competition experience included conceptual design and details design, fabrication, erection, and testing.
“Every challenge we faced was not just an obstacle, but a valuable opportunity for growth and learning, guiding us to redefine success through perseverance and ingenuity,” Prentice explained. “As a team, we embraced the unpredictable knowing that tenacity fuels innovation and resilience.”
“The competition weekend was a fantastic experience, especially seeing the diverse designs and innovations from many different universities,” added Donaldson.
In addition, third-year civil engineering student Nadine Elmehriki participated in a paper competition, representing the Lakehead ASCE student chapter.
The Lakehead delegation was led by faculty advisor Dr. Yanglin Gong and supported by technologists Cory Hubbard and Kailash Bhatia. Construction company Facca Inc. and the Iron Workers Local 759 in Thunder Bay were the major sponsors for the team.
“The bridge competition challenges our students to extend their classroom knowledge to a practical, hands-on design and construction project that grows their professional and interpersonal skills,” said Dr. Gong.
Dr. Jian Deng, chair of civil engineering in Lakehead’s Faculty of Engineering added, “The Department of Civil Engineering is incredibly proud of our students. Their performance was exceptional and they once again demonstrated that Lakehead can compete and win against tough competition from top U.S. universities in the region.”
Lakehead's Ingenuity Ascend Accelerator program is a 10-week program that provides mentorship, networking, and business development workshops to entrepreneurial-minded students and alumni looking to transform their ideas into tangible realities.
April 16, 2024 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont.
A $132,000 award from the John Dobson Foundation’s Dobson Entrepreneurship Excellence Project will help Lakehead University train future entrepreneurs through Ingenuity’s Ascend Accelerator program.
With the support of the Dobson Entrepreneurship Excellence Project Award (DEEPA), the Ingenuity incubator space will fund 24 business ideas over the next two years and expand Ascend Accelerator programming to Lakehead’s Orillia Campus.
“The Ascend Accelerator program is one of Ingenuity’s biggest success stories,” said manager Alyson MacKay. “I am beyond excited that we’ll be able to engage students year-round through Ascend Accelerator and support our entrepreneurially-minded students in Orillia – an opportunity we have not had until now.”
Launched in 2020, the Ascend Accelerator program supports entrepreneurial-minded students and alumni who are looking to transition an idea into a business opportunity or accelerate the growth and development of their early-stage start-up.
The program provides entrepreneurs access to mentorship, develops their business knowledge, and creates accountability through milestone goal creation.
“Ascend also delivers seed funding to student entrepreneurs to support business development costs,” explained MacKay.
To date, the program has run three cohorts and supported 12 business ideas, nine of which are still active.
"Lakehead University is fortunate to have the support of the John Dobson Foundation,” stated Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice-President, Research and Innovation. “The Ascend Accelerator program is important to both support and facilitate the growth of our entrepreneurial students. We are excited to see where this year's cohort of participants take their business ideas thanks to the support of this increased funding.”
To follow along as we grow the next generation of innovators and changemakers, please visit www.lakeheadu.ca/centre/ingenuity.
Ascend Accelerator graduates (from left) Joshua Sanchez, Aliss Chavarri, Lesly Gunasekara, and Bryan Wong are pictured with Ingenuity manager Alyson MacKay.
April 9, 2024 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont.
Lakehead University recently celebrated graduates from its fourth cohort of the Ascend Accelerator program, hosted by the Ingenuity incubator space.
This year’s cohort saw four student-led Thunder Bay and Orillia-based ventures navigate their way through the entrepreneurial journey. The businesses range from augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) software development to sustainability consulting services, and Airbnb cleaning solutions.
Along with funding from the John Dobson Foundation, students were provided with a platform to transform their ideas into tangible realities. Participants received mentorship and weekly workshops and were held accountable to milestone goals created over the 10-week program, which ran from January to March.
Ingenuity manager Alyson MacKay said it was exciting to help the students develop their businesses. “I continue to be amazed at the talent that we are seeing in our students. The level of commitment and passion I have seen from these participants is incredible and I look forward to continuing to work with them,” she said.
Nestar is one of four new businesses supported through Ascend. Created by Joshua Sanchez and Aliss Chavarri, the Thunder Bay-based business specializes in providing rental solutions that enhance the renting experience for both landlords and tenants.
Nestar’s user-friendly website provides automatic payment facilities, electronic lease signing, and a sophisticated matching system with integrated background checks to connect the right tenants with the right landlords. The business is committed to setting new standards in the rental industry and transforming the way people rent and manage properties in Thunder Bay.
“The Ascend Accelerator program has had a profound impact on our company, allowing us to navigate challenges and seize opportunities we never thought possible,” Sanchez said.
“Their spaces, webinars, and connections provided us with the resources and knowledge needed to develop, launch and grow our business. We are truly grateful for their dedication to our success and recognize the countless entrepreneurs who would greatly benefit from this program. Thank you for believing in us and helping us turn our vision into reality.”
Sidney Howlett started Sidney Howlett Consulting in Orillia to help organizations navigate the complex landscape of climate action. Her firm delivers a comprehensive suite of services including consultation on climate action and sustainability strategies, professional development workshops, public speaking engagements, and informed research support.
“From access to a lawyer to review my service contracts to guidance in developing my website, the mentorship, funding, and workshops have been instrumental in establishing my business,” Howlett said. “I have already had my first successful climate action consultation with a school board and can't wait to see the impact my services have thanks to the support of the Ascend Accelerator Program."
Bryan Wong’s venture, Sprout Circle, is pushing the boundaries of technology by developing cutting-edge interactive AR/VR solutions that revolutionize education, offering students and professionals alike an unparalleled opportunity to explore and comprehend complex concepts in an immersive 3D environment.
Lesly Gunasekara’s Lavender and Luxe Cleaning Services specializes in premium cleaning services exclusively for Airbnb hosts. From swift turnovers to deep cleaning between guest stays, they ensure Airbnb properties maintain the highest standards of cleanliness.
Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation, congratulated the five graduates of the program, wishing them luck with their businesses.
“The graduating entrepreneurs have demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills by addressing market gaps with their unique products and services. Their contributions are meeting consumer needs but also fostering regional economic growth,” Dr. Dean said.
“I would like to congratulate all the graduates. I wish you all the best as you take your businesses to the next level in your entrepreneurial journey.”
For more about Ingenuity, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/centre/ingenuity.
April 5, 2024 – Orillia, Ont.
Lakehead University’s Orillia Campus celebrated a successful 2023-24 athletics season on Thursday, April 4, handing out awards at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet.
Paige Galbraith walked away with the Female Athlete of the Year, with Jonathan Aronov claiming Male Athlete of the Year. Bethany Foster received this year’s Principal’s Award for leadership in athletics.
“Congratulations to all of the award winners, exceptional student athletes, and coaches on a successful season,” said Drake Aldred, Coordinator of Athletics and Recreation. “The annual awards banquet is an opportunity to gather and highlight all of the hard work that goes into the season; your commitment to academics and athletics is remarkable and we look forward to witnessing your continued success as student-athletes.”
Most valuable player and rookie of the year were also announced and presented to top athletes in each of the University’s sports teams: men’s and women’s hockey, dance, and men’s and women’s varsity indoor soccer.
For a full list of awards, please see below:
Major Award Winners
Female Athlete of the Year
Paige Galbraith, Varsity Women’s Indoor Soccer
Male Athlete of the Year
Jonathan Aronov, Varsity Men’s Indoor Soccer
Principal’s Award
Bethany Foster, Varsity Women’s Indoor Soccer
Team Awards
Men’s Varsity Indoor Soccer
MVP: Alec McNeil
Rookie of the Year: Domenic Pecchia
Women’s Varsity Indoor Soccer
MVP: Alison Birkett
Rookie of the Year: Hannah Szeplaki
Men’s Extramural Hockey
MVP: Ryan Graff-Sakasov
Rookie of the Year: Desmond Kropf
Women’s Extramural Hockey
MVP: Rachel Poole
Rookie of the Year: Alexandra Walker
Dance
MVP: Reese Chamberlain
Rookie of the Year: Alexis Sheppard
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March 21, 2024 – Thunder Bay, Ont.
Lakehead University researchers have received over $2.1 million from the Government of Ontario to advance innovative research in
mining and mental health.
Dr. Peter Hollings and Dr. Noah Phillips from the Department of Geology are receiving $2 million from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence program to develop new models that will enrich mineral exploration in Northern Ontario.
Dr. Hollings is the NOHFC Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration and Director of Lakehead’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration. Dr. Phillips is an Assistant Professor in Geology.
“Noah and I are really excited to be starting this project,” Dr. Hollings said. “The funding will allow us to continue to develop mineral deposit research at Lakehead University, which in turn will establish us as an essential partner in the search for Ontario’s critical minerals and the training of the next generation of geoscientists.”
This research will study the geological processes leading to the formation of valuable mineral deposits in Northern Ontario. It will develop novel models for industry partners to seek new deposits that will be developed into mines.
With this project the researchers are focusing on two themes – one is nickel-copper-platinum and the other is gold.
The team will work on a range of sites where the researchers will develop models that can be applied to create more efficient exploration in Canada.
“We will develop an innovative research hub at Lakehead University that will train a diverse group of highly qualified people in a wide range of traditional and state of the art techniques,” Dr. Hollings said.
This group of highly qualified people will include approximately 30 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
Collaborators include Dr. Mike Hamilton, University of Toronto; Dr. Wouter Bleeker and Dr. Jennifer Smith, both from the Geological Survey of Canada; and Dr. Andreas Kronenberg from Texas A&M University. Kaitlin Richard from Science North is the youth outreach collaborator.
Industrial collaborators include Goldshore Resources Inc., Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd., Romios Gold Resources Inc., Impala Canada Ltd., Generation Mining, Clean Air Metals Inc., and Enersoft Inc.
“Combined with undergraduate research projects, this will help reverse the current trend of declining numbers of graduate students working on mineral deposit studies in Canada,” Dr. Hollings said.
Dr. Aislin Mushquash, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, is receiving an Early Researcher Award (ERA). This $140,000 grant, supplemented by an additional $50,000 from the University, will support research aimed at supporting youth mental health.
“While we can’t rid life of stress or stressful situations, we can enhance individuals’ abilities to cope with the stressors they face in order to have a positive impact on their wellbeing and health,” she explains.
The five-year ERA, designed to bolster research capacity among emerging scholars, will help Dr. Mushquash build a team of graduate and undergraduate student researchers to examine youth and emerging adult stressors, coping mechanisms and outcomes and evaluate innovative interventions to support coping.
"This award not only supports our research endeavors but also provides crucial support for students," adds Dr. Mushquash. "It allows us to provide some funding to students to offset the costs they incur during their education and gives access to exciting training opportunities that may not have otherwise existed.”
Dr. Mushquash emphasizes the importance of involving student researchers in the research process. "The earlier we can get students involved, the more passionate they'll become about the research process," she says. "By engaging student researchers in developing research objectives, data collection and analysis, and knowledge translation activities, we are not only building their skills but also ensuring the sustainability of future projects and the field of mental health research."
Mushquash would also like to explore a multidisciplinary team approach that will facilitate collaboration across faculties, creating opportunities for innovative solutions to mental health challenges.
“My hope is to build health-related research capacity in Northwestern Ontario, producing future generations of researchers and clinician-researchers that will carry on this important work.”
“The real-world impact of the research being conducted at Lakehead University is only strengthened by these awards, and speaks to our commitment to research and innovation,” stated Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President, Research and Innovation. “Thank you to the Government of Ontario for recognizing the exceptional work that is being undertaken at Lakehead.”
March 20, 2024 – Thunder Bay, Ont.
Lakehead University will join the global community in raising awareness about the importance of fresh water on World Water Day.
The University will host its inaugural World Water Day celebrations on Friday, March 22 in Thunder Bay, to focus on the importance of protecting and respecting water and to raise awareness of those living without access to safe water.
“Water or ‘nibi’ is not merely a resource; it is a basic necessity and has such profound importance for all of us,” says Denise Baxter, Vice Provost Indigenous Initiatives. “On World Water Day, we will explore the work being done to address some of the challenges related to access to clean, safe water, whether that’s through advocacy, research, policy development, and more. Without nibi there is no life.”
The World Water Day celebrations will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Agora with Elder Sheila De Corte. Students, employees and the Thunder Bay community are invited to hear teachings and stories from Elder De Corte about the Water Walkers.
Then, from 11:50 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., attendees will hear from Dr. Juan Guillermo Sánchez Martínez, Associate Professor in the Department of Indigenous Learning; Maya Oversby and Katie Freeman, Master of Social Justice program students; and Dr. Glenda Bonifacio, Dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities.
The Lakehead University community is invited to attend and learn more about the collective responsibility of individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to ensure access to clean, safe water for generations to come.
