This is SLC: Our College News

Students in the Business Consulting course in Cornwall are putting their project management learning into practice this semester through collaborations with community partners, including the City of Cornwall and Habitat for Humanity.  When the call for project proposals went out, the response from organizations across SDG and Ottawa was immediate and enthusiastic. Local partners were eager to tap into the fresh perspectives and problem‑solving abilities of SLC students, highlighting the strong trust and value placed on the work our learners contribute.  This hands‑on experience is giving students the opportunity to apply classroom concepts to complex, real‑world challenges—strengthening their analytical skills, creativity, and confidence while supporting community priorities. 

Dr. Jeff Ridal, Executive Director and Chief Research Scientist at the River Institute, and former faculty with the Environmental Technician program, has been profiled in Canadian Geographic. The two‑page feature highlights his more than 30 years of work advancing scientific understanding and community‑focused stewardship of the St. Lawrence River. Ridal first joined the River Institute in 1995 as its inaugural Research Scientist, helping address major data gaps related to industrial contamination along the Cornwall stretch of the river. Today, he leads an organization that conducts more than 30 research and education projects annually, using the St. Lawrence as a “natural laboratory.”  

We are pleased to celebrate the launch of a client-based project in ADMN1002 – The Human Side of Business: Thinking and Thriving in the New World of Work. Two sections of second-semester business students have begun a term-long Capstone project with Independent Living Centre Kingston (ILCK). To mark the start of the project, students met with ILCK representatives Natalie Dupuis, Program and Services Manager, and Morgan deMolitor, Program Coordinator, who provided a detailed background and overview, followed by an engaging Q&A. 

After a five-year hiatus, the Esthetician program is proud to return to the Skills Trades Competition, taking place May 4–6, 2026. This milestone marks not only the revival of competitive excellence within the program, but also a powerful story of resilience, mentorship, and growth.  The program last participated in the Skills Trades Competition in 2019, when Esthetician student Katie Salamone earned gold. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented disruption to hands-on education and competitions across the country. Like many programs, Esthetician at SLC paused its participation in Skills as safety restrictions reshaped learning environments and limited opportunities for experiential competition. 

Diana Laura Castillo Verdejo, a student in Autism and Behavioural Science (AUBS) brings with her a strong academic background and a passion for supporting children and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from Universidad de las Américas Puebla in Mexico and gained valuable experience working with a clinical consultation team of psychologists during her undergraduate studies and following her graduation. Diana was also involved in a research project on vengeful tendencies, which was later published in the National Library of Medicine.