Introductory Seminar Week (ISW) is underway at Trent University, and students, staff and faculty are preparing for a new academic year to begin on Thursday, September 4, 2014, with more than 2,000 new students, including 150 international students, welcomed to campus.

TRENT INTRODUCES NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS FOR 2014-2015:

The educational opportunities offered at Trent University contribute to students’ success after they graduate. 88% of Trent students are employed within six months of graduation, and that rate increases to 92% two years after graduation. New reports from the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) show that Ontario graduates also earn an average salary of $43,000 within their first 6 months in the workforce, increasing to $49,000 after two years. Data also shows that a university experience geared toward developing critical thinking abilities supports civic engagement, with graduates more likely to vote, start a business, donate, and volunteer.

Bachelor of Social Work Program Launches at Trent University Oshawa

The new Bachelor of Social Work program will prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills for meaningful professional practice in a wide range of social work contexts. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in social justice, human rights and cultural awareness, students will develop a strong foundation of clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and social responsibility. Trent also extends a warm welcome to Dr. Tara La Rose, who joins the Social Work program in Oshawa this fall. Prof. La Rose most recently taught at York University’s School of Social Work, and has extensive experience in the field, having worked as a counselor with the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, and as a child protection social worker with the Peel Children’s Aid Society in Brampton among many other experiences.

Human Resources Certificate Will Help Build the Organizations of the Future

Trent University’s new postgraduate certificate in Human Resource Management begins this month at the Thornton Road Campus in Oshawa. The program provides a university-level focus on human resource skills and encourages students to understand and question the evolving nature of how companies organize and lead people. Faced with constant adaptation to change, businesses today need smart, versatile human resources professionals who can assemble teams and bring out their best. Trent’s postgraduate program is designed to provide professional development that will prepare graduates for career success, especially for students focused on a future of employment in one of Ontario’s most highly-developed economic centres. Oshawa and the Durham Region have a strong manufacturing sector undergoing rapid diversification and a young, skilled labour force poised to lead local and regional organizations into the future.

New Kinesiology Program in Partnership with UOIT

Trent University is collaborating with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) to deliver a comprehensive new program in Kinesiology, the scientific study of human movement with a focus on prevention of injury and chronic disease. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a kinesiology practitioner, able to prescribe individualized exercise programs to improve or maintain the health, functional capacity and well-being of a range of healthy and clinical populations. Fourth-year Kinesiology students will have the opportunity to apply for internship opportunities. After completing the program, Kinesiology graduates will be prepared to write the competency exam to become a registered kinesiologist in Ontario’s regulated health profession.

GETTING THEIR HANDS DIRTY: LEARNING BY DOING

Through experiential education and hands-on research opportunities, students are encouraged to get their hands dirty working in the field, alongside their professors. Trent’s internationally-recognized faculty members ask big questions, and work with their students, to find the answers. The following are a few examples of cutting-edge research being undertaken this fall by faculty and graduate students.

How Do Children Develop Math and Language Skills?

Dr. Nancie Im-Bolter, associate professor of Psychology at Trent University Oshawa, is leading a new research project aimed at discovering developmental pathways among language, numeracy and executive function in young children. Along with Dr. Brenda Smith-Chant, Dr. Cathy Bruce and co-investigators at Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, Prof. Im-Bolter received close to $400,000 over four years to study how various skills develop in young children and contribute to their long-term cognitive, language and mathematical abilities. The knowledge gained through the study will help to identify the skills that processes that are critical for language and math success, which will support improved educational assessment and intervention for children at risk for learning difficulties. Both graduate and undergraduate students will have the opportunity to assist Prof. Im-Bolter in practical aspects of the study, providing them with valuable research experience.

Challenging The Way We Think About Food Production

Sinking their hands into the soil of Trent’s groundbreaking Sustainable Agriculture Experimental Farm, professors and students are taking learning to a whole new level. The farm, a 33-acre living laboratory located right on Trent’s Symons Campus, was started by Dr. Mehdi Sharifi, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture, and a professor in Trent’s new Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program. With funding provided by an NSERC Engage grant, Prof. Sharifi and his students work together to cultivate the land and have exceptional hands-on experiences. Currently, they are working to challenge the way we think about the food we eat. “Most conventional agriculture educational programs focus on food production, but the marketing, social and environmental sustainability aspects may be missing,” said Prof. Sharifi. The Trent farm is currently growing two varieties of quinoa, a relatively new crop in Ontario. Prof. Sharifi hopes to find ways of improving organic quinoa production as a sustainable food source, providing supplies for local cafes while teaching his students about the production, social, economic and environmental aspects of the field.

Researching the Most Effective Ways to Teach Math

Dr. Cathy Bruce challenges the way we think about math education. An associate professor in Trent’s School of Education and Professional Learning, Professor Bruce coordinates and instructs the mathematics program, helping teacher candidates better understand math, not only preparing them to teach the subject, but also to really enjoy it. This year, she has also embarked on a new research project, funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), aimed at further understanding of the development of children’s spatial reasoning and its role in mathematics learning. Math is a crucial area of learning for young children, yet in Canada, there has been limited research of mathematics education in the early years. With studies showing that math is the best early predictor of student success, Prof. Bruce will research effective teaching strategies to enhance mathematics learning and allow teachers to help their students succeed.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Academics are just one aspect of the collaborative learning experience at Trent. Outlined below are some examples of innovative student engagement programs, resources and services offered to students at Trent to enrich their undergraduate experience.

Colleges: Providing a Social and Intellectual Home for Students

Trent colleges are an integral part of the student experience, and the University is continuing to expand the events, programs and supports that help new students feel closely connected to their college community. Each of Trent’s colleges welcomes new staff this fall, including a team of four college life facilitators at each of Gzowski, Otonabee, Champlain and Lady Eaton Colleges. The facilitators will assist in ensuring that the colleges are warm and welcoming places for on- and off-campus students, and act as students’ first resource in accessing the many services and opportunities available to them at Trent. This year, more of the college staff are students themselves, including the new college life programmers, who assist students in networking with alumni and faculty.

ISW Welcomes 2,000 New Trent Students to Symons Campus in Peterborough

Introductory Seminar Week (ISW) 2014 runs from Sunday, August 31 to Friday, September 5 and is intended to help new students connect with each other, their interdisciplinary college communities, Trent University as a whole, and with the City of Peterborough. Helping to make ISW 2014 an outstanding experience for new students, almost 200 senior students, faculty and staff dedicate their time and work together to coordinate and run the various dynamic events. Highlights include the Opening Ceremony, featuring a colourful march of students from their respective colleges to Justin Chiu Stadium led by a bag piper; the Trent Carousel, a new event pairing first-year students with student leaders to provide insights on Wellness, Human Rights & Equity, the First Peoples House of Learning, and more; and the new Trent Think Tank, offering students the chance to connect through literature and film and experience a faculty-led seminar before classes begin.

International Students Welcomed Back at TIP Camp

150 new international students from around the world joined 20 upper year international and Canadian Trent students at Trent International Program (TIP) Camp 2014. This long-standing and unique program provides new international students with information to assist them in successfully transitioning to university studies at Trent and life in Peterborough. No other university in Canada does a three-day orientation program of this kind. At Trent, the inclusive environment that every student should experience is made a reality through TIP Camp.  

Exploring Diversity Through Trent World Day

Organized by Trent students and the Trent International Program, Trent World Day focuses on the many nationalities on campus. Activities are intended to both celebrate international diversity, and to educate the Trent community about the range of cultures represented among our students.

Streamlining Textbook Orders at the Bookstore

The Trent Bookstore is offering new options this year to enhance the student experience. With the support of the TCSA and several university offices, the Bookstore is offering a ‘move-in’ program, allowing students to pick up their books on move-in day at their college. The new program will help to make first-year students feel welcome and will also assist with line-ups during September. 

Official Opening of the Trent in Durham Tipi

Trent University Oshawa is proud to announce the installation of a traditional tipi on the Oshawa campus grounds. “Our goal is to enhance the awareness of Aboriginal history and culture to all students at the Trent Oshawa campus and ensure our current and future indigenous students feel their culture is represented,” said Justin Fisher, director of student affairs for Trent University Oshawa. “I believe, along with meaningful indigenous events, the tipi will have a significant influence on creating a positive and inclusive environment.” Trent would like to thank the First People’s House of Learning, the Baagwating Community Association and Alderville First Nation for ensuring the success of this initiative.

Expanded Food Options at the Trent Oshawa Café

Mr. Raymond Lu and Chef Jimmy Zeng are the new Food Service providers at Trent University Oshawa, with the new Trent Café opening this month. The new providers were selected from a bidding process using criteria such as quality and variety of food, price, and service model, and reviewed by a committee consisting of student representatives from TOSA, staff, and an outside consultant. The Trent Café will offer a more diverse menu including salad and steam tables, sushi, and hot entrée options, as well as longer hours of operation, and an enhanced customer experience.

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE: TRENT’S 50^TH ANNIVERSARY

Trent University invites the entire community to join alumni, students, staff and faculty in celebrating its history and its future at a series of special fall events:

“Ron Thom and the Allied Arts”: free panel discussion on Thursday, September 11, exploring the life’s work of Ron Thom, master planner of Trent University. Featuring distinguished speakers including architect Bill Lett Sr., who worked with Mr. Thom on the design of Trent’s campus, the panel is part of the national coast-to-coast traveling exhibit “West Coast Points East: Ron Thom and the Allied Arts”, hosted at Alumni House until October 19.

Chancellor’s Gala: Dr. Don Tapscott, chancellor of Trent University, will welcome 400 special guests to celebrate Trent's past, present and future at the Chancellor’s Gala to celebrate 50 years of excellence on Friday, October 17. With bestselling author and Trent alum Linwood Barclay as MC, guests will be entertained with live music from “now and then”, and inspired by remembering 50 years of personal, purposeful and transformative learning.

50^th Anniversary Community Parade & Celebration – Saturday, October 18, 2014 Trent will re-create the University’s original opening ceremonies held 50 years ago at the Community Parade & Celebration on Saturday, October 18, from Trinity Church to Rubidge Retirement Home, the original building for the University. To thank the community of Peterborough for a wonderful partnership, the parade will include family-friendly activities, gifts, live pop music, and discounts at local restaurants for attendees.

“Trent @ 50: In Story and Song”: Students, friends, alumni and many celebrity guests will put on a unique show at Showplace Performance Centre on Saturday, October 18, written by Beth McMaster and directed by Gillian Wilson.