Trent University Welcomes Minister of Colleges & Universities to Peterborough Campus
University leaders spoke with the Honourable Jill Dunlop about career opportunities for students, expertise in aging, and world-class water quality research at Trent
Trent University was pleased to welcome Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges & Universities, to the Peterborough campus on Monday, where Trent leaders shared details about career-ready skills development, world-class water quality research, and a new university-integrated seniors’ village.
“It was a pleasure to welcome Minister Dunlop back to Trent,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “During the visit, we were able to showcase research and student learning opportunities that are quintessentially Trent – highlighting interdisciplinary thought-leadership in aging, work-integrated learning, and environmental research.”
Before embarking on a campus tour, several members of Trent’s senior administration, including President Groarke, Provost Michael Khan, and Julie Davis, Trent’s vice-president of External Relations & Development, met with Minister Dunlop, who was accompanied by Peterborough MPP and Trent alumnus Dave Smith ’91.
“It was such a pleasure to be back at Trent University’s Peterborough campus to see the vibrant student community in action and to learn about how the University is prioritizing student success, research and innovation,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “From delivering career-ready skills development opportunities through its Careerspace, to the community impact of projects under its Centre for Aging & Society – and everything in between – Trent is doing incredible work preparing students for the workforce. Thank you, President Groarke, for showcasing the talent and work happening all over campus.”
Dr. Cathy Bruce, vice-president of Research & Innovation at Trent, guided Minister Dunlop and MPP Smith on a tour of the campus, highlighting Careerspace – the University's career services centre, the Trent Centre for Aging & Society (TCAS), and the Water Quality Centre.
While at Careerspace, staff spoke about ways that Trent continues to innovate to deliver guaranteed career-ready skills development opportunities for students. Representatives from Careerspace shared news about 23 new paid co-op streams for Trent students, virtual learning strategies, and the Community Concierge program, which has created partnerships with more than 70 local employers, to talent needs in City and County of Peterborough and City of Kawartha Lakes.
At TCAS, Drs. Mark Skinner and Elizabeth Russell highlighted Trent’s reputation for outstanding thought-leadership on the study and celebration of aging. They also highlighted the international impact of TCAS’s interdisciplinary aging research, the new Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies, the community impact of projects including the long-term care home being developed in collaboration with peopleCare communities and Seniors’ Village project to be located on Trent lands – a long-term vision for an intergenerational Trent.
The tour concluded at Trent’s world-class Water Quality Centre (WQC) – the most comprehensive mass spectrometry facility in Canada – where Dr. Paul Szpak, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Archaeology, showcased key equipment and research. In the WQC, students in Trent Master’s programs also shared with Minister Dunlop opportunities they have had to build specialized skills and experience working with state-of-the-art equipment.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Cara Walsh, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6240 or carawalsh@trentu.ca