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At a small gathering this afternoon, Red Deer Polytechnic leaders and members of the Welikoklad family toured the newly named Welikoklad Simulation Lab to learn more about the upgrades made possible through a generous donation from Bill and Irma Welikoklad. In the Welikoklad Simulation Lab, Health Sciences students work through simulations of real-world patient care scenarios, which are facilitated by instructors. These experiences help students develop competence and confidence in a safe environment. In simulation, students may either work with actors, who represent a variety of patient scenarios, or with high-fidelity manikins that simulate a range of high-pressure situations, such as cardiac arrest. At the event this afternoon, attendees observed two Bachelor of Science - Nursing students participating in a high-fidelity simulation involving a post-operative complication. Experiential learning opportunities for students help them connect classroom theory to the real-world application of their skills, which is important across all programs. “For students in our Health Sciences programs, the scenarios they work through in the safe environment of the Welikoklad Simulation Lab help them to develop critical skills in patient care,” says Sharon Hamilton, Dean of the School of Community, Wellness and Health “Through these experiential learning opportunities, including mandatory professional practice

February is Black History Month in Canada, where we honour the contributions, achievements and lived experiences of Black community members. At Red Deer Polytechnic, we honour the contributions, achievements and lived experiences of students, alumni, faculty and staff. Read on to discover the strength, resilience and passion of RDP's community members. Meet Wemi and Encounter His Passion for Social and Racial Justice Meet Wemi whose passion for impacting, helping and advocating for people led him to pursue his studies in the Social Work Diploma program at Red Deer Polytechnic. Wemi is from Nigeria and emigrated to Canada, and he also holds a degree in Industrial Chemistry. “Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate Black community members who had influenced and significantly impacted their society. It's an opportunity to create awareness of the legacy of the heroes in the past. These people have helped shape and well position our society. I am passionate about social and racial justice because of their common traits: fairness, equitable division, and opportunity. As a prospective social worker, I want to fight for the right and justice of the oppressed, irrespective of who they are or what they believe. We live in a dysfunctional world where people

Red Deer Polytechnic has reimagined the way that it provides learners with applicable volunteer, learning and employment opportunities, along with career guidance, through the Career Education and Experience Development (CEED) Centre. With the efficient combination of several RDP departments such as Career Services and Work-Integrated Learning, the CEED Centre is a comprehensive, centralized hub on main campus that offers career education services to help meet the needs of students, alumni, employers, and organizations. The CEED Centre’s resources and free services, which include workshops and resumé building, are offered on campus and virtually. “The valuable services provided through the CEED Centre complement Red Deer Polytechnic’s industry-relevant programming and range of credentials,” says Dr. Paulette Hanna, Interim Vice-President Academic. “The dedicated staff within the CEED Centre facilitate collaborative connections between students and organizations, which further prepare learners to become successful leaders in their careers.” Along with partnering with employers and industry, the CEED Centre collaborates with faculty and staff across the Polytechnic to help students obtain skills, workplace experiences and jobs. Through the Centre, students are matched with appropriate work-integrated learning opportunities, including internships, co-ops, and required professional practices with regional industry. These opportunities are beneficial to students, organizations, employers, the region

Red Deer Polytechnic is excited to host the Indigenous Perspectives Conference from February 9-10, 2023. The conference, which is planned by student volunteers, provides Polytechnic learners, faculty, staff, alumni, educators and community members with immersive academic, cultural and social experiences. The Indigenous Perspectives Conference, which is organized by the Education Undergraduate Society of Red Deer Polytechnic in collaboration with several partners, offers a range of engaging sessions. The sessions include Indigenous Games and Cross-Curriculum Connections, Talking Circles, Nehiyam/Cree Language Lesson, The Spirt of the Métis, and Tipi Teachings. “The Indigenous Perspectives Conference plays an important role in the academic, personal and professional journey of many people by growing their knowledge and understanding of Indigenous experiences and perspectives,” says Annika Sudlow, Vice President of RDP Education Undergraduate Society and Advisor of the Indigenous Perspectives Conference. “Through the generosity of our sponsors – Central Alberta Regional Consortium, Indigenous Student Services, and support through the Cultural Activities Trust Fund provided by the RDP Students’ Association – we are able to offer this conference at no cost, which reduces barriers to participate.” Kendra Rosychuk, a Cree and Ukrainian pow wow dancer, will be the keynote speaker on February 9. Rosychuk is a fitness trainer

Red Deer Polytechnic is proud to be ranked 38th on Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges 2022 list by Research Infosource Inc. The ranking highlights that in 2021, Red Deer Polytechnic attracted $2.6 million in applied research investment. It is also ranked first in the country in annual growth in research income. “We are proud of our institution’s ranking and growth in applied research income,” says Dr. Maureen Toews, Associate Vice President of Teaching, Learning, and Research. “With world-class facilities, strong partnerships, and expert faculty and staff, Red Deer Polytechnic will continue to enhance its funding and applied research impact.” The Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) and Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), which includes the Alternative Energy Lab, are key on-campus applied research and learning hubs. In 2022, 73 projects were initiated in the CIM-TAC, supporting innovation and economic prosperity across Alberta for 57 companies. Staff conducted more than 1,300 engagements with industry representatives. The CIM-TAC currently houses $6.6 million in advanced manufacturing equipment. As a key driver of economic and social prosperity in the province, the Polytechnic is proposing a $16 million expansion to the CIM-TAC. This expansion will increase RDP’s ability to support Alberta companies with

Red Deer Polytechnic is pleased to welcome Patrick Machacek as Vice President, Development & Partnerships. “This exciting new position will provide leadership toward RDP’s strategic and operational planning, communications and marketing, applied research, extended education, external relations and also guide our partnerships with industry and the community,” says Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic. “Patrick’s experience and track record speaks for itself, and we look forward to his contributions to RDP and the Red Deer region.” Patrick has spent his career as a fund development professional. He has more than twenty years leading post-secondary external relations portfolios including roles as the Vice President, Development & Strategy at Olds College; Vice President, Transformation at NorQuest College; and Associate Vice President, Advancement, Communications & Corporate Training at NAIT. During the past two decades, Mr. Machacek has led teams and implemented new business models that have produced significant impact. Through his leadership, he has increased enrolments, market and brand growth, enhanced industry and stakeholder engagement, and raised more than $450 Million in donations, research funding, corporate training, capital grants and other earned revenues. Patrick received his undergraduate education from the University of Lethbridge (BA) and his MBA from Queen’s University. “I am

Eligible Red Deer Polytechnic students will have the opportunity to enhance their competencies and career opportunities by participating in unique global experiences, including in Costa Rica and Saint Lucia, through the newly launched RDP Abroad program. This exciting study and work abroad program will provide learners with valuable opportunities to experience different cultures, develop their skills, and grow academically and personally through life-enhancing experiences. These academic and cultural learning opportunities are offered through the Global Skills Opportunity program, which is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and jointly administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada. Through the RDP Abroad Biology Experience, students enrolled in Red Deer Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree can apply to work with the Centre for Rescue of Endangered Marine Species ( CREMA) and Turtle Trax, which are organizations responsible for sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica. Learners will participate in applied research while receiving credit for their work. Students have the option to select a three-week volunteer experience or apply for a three-month research assistant role. In addition, learners enrolled in the Polytechnic’s Practical Nurse Diploma program can develop their health promotion skills and expand global connections while working in

Eighteen months ago, Red Deer College was formally re-designated Red Deer Polytechnic. Central Alberta’s largest post-secondary institution embarked on a journey to fundamentally shift its purpose and elevate its economic and social impact to benefit the province. Our new designation brought with it a new name, a new brand and even a new logo for our athletic teams. However, the evolution to becoming a polytechnic was not merely a marketing exercise or a cosmetic upgrade. As we close out 2022, I am reflecting on two key questions that are often top of mind for those with whom I have spoken: what does it mean to be a polytechnic and why does it matter? In my view these questions are key to our identity and the answers below will guide our accomplishments in the years to come. What does it mean to be a polytechnic? As described within Alberta’s Post-secondary Learning Act, a polytechnic is focused on the economic and social interests of the province. It operates a “bigger game” than a community college (whose focus is its region) and offers industry-relevant programming and enhanced applied research opportunities. It is fundamentally applied, externally focused, and responsive to the needs of employers

Red Deer Polytechnic has launched a new Life and Employment Skills for Independence (LESI) certificate to support learners with developmental disabilities. This one-year, non-credit program will help learners acquire the competencies to obtain and maintain employment and independence through classroom instruction, experiential learning opportunities, and work experiences in a supportive environment. “We engaged in several stakeholder consultations and sat on various provincial committees with other post-secondary institutions to strategically plan the LESI certificate program to best serve the needs of learners and communities,” says Kim Hogarth, Dean of Extended Education. “With a range of valuable course offerings and relevant work-place experiences, this program has a more inclusive approach to provide enhanced support and training for students while also helping to build their confidence.” The LESI certificate program has three terms which focus on Social Skills and Personal Development, Independent Living Skills, and Employment Readiness. The certificate is comprised of 16 courses, including Financial Literacy and Numeracy, Healthy Relationships and Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Technical Proficiency and Digital Literacy, and Leadership and Self-Advocacy. “Students will take their theory classes at Red Deer Polytechnic from Monday to Thursday, so they can experience a collaborative post-secondary environment. Each learner will work with the

During a creative holiday-themed campaign, community members and the Red Deer Polytechnic Alumni Association (RDPAA) raised $12,600 for student scholarships, including the Student Emergency Bursary. The Sweaters for Scholarships initiative encouraged community members to donate to student scholarships and to share a photo of themselves with friends, family or coworkers in a festive sweater to show that they had committed their support. “Our community is generous and at this time of year, many donors think of our students’ needs and make donations to scholarships or other areas. This year, through conversations with students and alumni who have received scholarships and bursaries, we wanted to add extra impact for students to see the faces of the donors who are so generously invested in their success,” says Richard Longtin, Vice President External Relations at Red Deer Polytechnic. “Sweaters for Scholarships provided an avenue for our donors to share their photos with us on social media so that we could show students the people who are championing them.” This initiative resonated with the Board of Directors of the Polytechnic’s Alumni Association (RDPAA). Two current members volunteered to share their stories as part of the campaign. Lynne Madsen, RDPAA Secretary (and instructor in RDP’s

At the Building on Excellence Skills Canada event held today, Red Deer Polytechnic recognized an outstanding group of apprentices who demonstrated their high-level competencies at Skills Canada competitions. Skills Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of careers in technology and skilled trades across the nation and has chapters, including Skills Canada Alberta, in every province and territory. In 2022, Red Deer Polytechnic Apprentices earned three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals at Skills Canada Alberta and two gold medals at Skills Canada National competitions. Dayton Playford (Welding) and Tristen Hatto (Electrical Installations) also represented the Polytechnic and Team Canada at WorldSkills International competitions. WorldSkills, of which Skills Canada is a member, is an organization that hosts conferences and competitions to promote the benefits of and need for skilled trades professionals around the world. “With high-quality learning opportunities that are provided by dedicated Red Deer Polytechnic faculty and staff, our apprentices equaled their highest annual medal total in the history of the institution at the 2022 Skills Canada competitions,” says Joel Gingrich, Dean, Red Deer Polytechnic’s School of Education and Trades. “We were thrilled to gather as a Polytechnic community with alumni, employers and industry partners to

In just two weeks, staff and faculty of Red Deer Polytechnic raised more than $13,000 in support of students and United Way Central Alberta partner organizations. Employees also held a food drive for the Students’ Association Food Bank which netted nearly a ton of donated non-perishable food items. During the internal fundraising campaign, staff and faculty participated in a range of community-building activities that included themed dressing days, a coffee cart staffed by Polytechnic leaders, recreation activities and more. “The activities that staff and faculty design contribute to a sense of community across the institution,” says Mara-Lee Moroz, Executive Director of People and Culture at Red Deer Polytechnic, who served as one of the volunteer co-chairs of the 2022 campaign. “Emphasizing the breadth of United Way’s work, this year we worked together to highlight the Students’ Association Food Bank as one of the featured organizations where employees could direct their gifts. This was a valuable reminder that the constituencies the United Way benefits are our friends, neighbours, classmates and colleagues.” The workplace campaign netted $7,880 for the Students’ Association (SA) Food Bank, in addition to 1,951 pounds of food items. The Students’ Association has experienced a significant increase in requests