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Laurentian University student enrolment exceeds planning forecasts

Demand for LU education remains strong despite anticipated year-over-year drop

(November 4, 2021) - With nearly 8,000 individual students currently enrolled at Laurentian University for the Fall 2021 semester, thousands of students continue to place their trust in the academic programs, faculty members and community that support their education.

“As we march on the path toward a more sustainable future, it’s incredibly encouraging to see that the demand for Laurentian University is still strong and signals that we continue to be an important part of Ontario’s postsecondary system and a critical institution supporting the growth of northern Ontario,” said Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

Students are completing their education both online (2,100) and in degree programs which are primarily being delivered in-person at the Sudbury campus (5,900). This level of enrolment is approximately 400 students above planned enrolment.

Of note, enrolment numbers show a positive trend for French-language programs year-over-year, which results in more than 20% of the student population currently enrolled in French-language degree programs.

The University measures enrolment levels in November each year in order to account for new and returning students. This count, which shows a 14% year-over-year drop, represents students who are currently enrolled in 106 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Recently, due to many converging circumstances, Laurentian embarked on the path of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), fundamentally restructuring its academic offerings to ensure it continues to deliver on its mandate to northern Ontario and Canada.

“Everywhere I go, I hear, ‘We need nurses!’”

Celebrating nursing week by highlighting two Nursing students

May 6, 2024 - To celebrate National Nursing Week (May 6-12) we don’t have to look far to see that the future of the profession is in skilled hands.

Two future nurses are on parallel trajectories at Laurentian University. Joseph “Joe” Colasimone is from Sudbury, a graduate of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. Caleb Smith is from Azilda, a graduate of École secondaire Macdonald-Cartier. Both are proudly from Northern Ontario and appreciate the northern lifestyle. Both are going into their fourth year in nursing. Both spend much of their spare time outside of their school work volunteering and gaining experience in nursing and healthcare.

“Everywhere I go, I hear, ‘We need nurses! You won’t have any trouble finding work,’” says Joe, Bachelor of Science in Nursing student. With the high demand for nurses in Ontario, Joe is hopeful about his future in the healthcare sector. Caleb is also entering his final year of studies next fall in the Sciences infirmières program and is equally optimistic. “There are so many opportunities as a nurse. I’m especially interested in access to French healthcare services in Ontario and I can see opportunities for growth in that area. I’m passionate about this work and I think the biggest challenge is just going to be picking one direction to take my career.”

Between the two of them, Joe and Caleb have had placements in cardiac inpatient, orthopedics, neurology, general surgery, acute inpatient psychiatry, maternity, and internal medicine. They both feel that this clinical experience is precisely what drew them to Laurentian and it has been integral in their development.

For Joe and Caleb, a love of science was the starting point in choosing a program but the added bonus that nurses get to interact with patients and improve lives daily was ultimately the deciding factor. “Laurentian is one of few universities in Ontario that offer clinical experience in your first year,” says Joe. “This meant a lot to me because I didn’t have any clinical experience prior. I was excited to get that patient-facing experience right away.”

Caleb agrees saying, “I love that from year one we have the chance to go into placement and interact with patients. Exposure to various healthcare settings like long term care, community, and hospital, help us build on our skills and knowledge from general to specialized care.”

Joe and Caleb have served several terms on their program's student associations, the Laurentian University Nursing Student Association and l’Association des étudiants et étudiantes en science infirmière, respectively. In their final undergraduate year, Joe will serve as the vice president of academics and Caleb will serve as the co-president in their respective associations.

Not only do they devote their time to the student associations but they also sit on steering committees, volunteer with local not-for-profits, work as student ambassadors, and work as externs with Health Sciences North.

Caleb already sees the positive impact and personal growth from his efforts. “I’ve built confidence and developed my scope of understanding of the process and procedure within an organization, and I am always meeting and interacting with people who inspire me.”

Joe echoes this, saying that he hopes that involvement in these activities will make him a more well-rounded health care provider. “I’m on the student association, I’m working as an extern in the stroke prevention clinic, and I’m part of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee with Health Sciences North. I want to gain as much experience as I can and develop my knowledge and skills so that I can provide the best patient care possible. I always ask a lot of questions and make the most out of every opportunity I get.”

Now looking ahead to their final year of study, Joe and Caleb realize it is time to start thinking about what the future holds for them. The pair agree that the opportunities open to them as future nurses in Sudbury are abundant. They don’t plan to limit themselves to just one path forward but will continue to pursue new opportunities and grow as individuals and nurses.

Whether you can thank Joe, Caleb, or anyone in nursing, National Nursing Week is as good of a time as ever to take a moment and recognize the important role of these selfless healthcare workers.

School of Nursing Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)

Nurse Practitioner (M.Sc.N./G.Dip)

Nursing (MScN)

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

French Bachelor of Science in Nursing BScInf

Sciences infirmières - Passerelle pour infirmiers et infirmières auxiliaires autorisées

Sciences infirmières - Pour infirmiers et infirmières autorisées

Infirmières et infirmiers praticiens en soins de santé primaire (M.Sc.N./G.Dip)

Maîtrise en sciences infirmières (M.Sc.Inf.)

Maîtrise en Administration de la santé (MAS)

Neuroscience student accepted to prestigious 2024 Amgen Scholars Program

Ashtyn Mowbray-Mcmillan to experience cutting-edge research with some of Canada’s leading science researchers.

April 30, 2024 - Every summer, undergraduate students from around the world are given the opportunity to experience premier research through the Amgen Scholars Program. The Canadian branch of the program accepts only 10 students and this year, Ashtyn Mowbray-Mcmillan, Behavioural Neuroscience student at Laurentian University has been selected to participate in the prestigious Amgen Scholars Program in science and biotechnology.

The 10-week summer program will be held at the University of Toronto where Ashtyn will have the opportunity to collaborate and support research alongside world-renowned researchers. The program offers the opportunity to learn the value of teamwork and social responsibility from networking and community-building events and is capped off with a final symposium where research is presented to the academic community.

“The program is a great opportunity to get even more hands-on research experience before graduating. To apply, I chose a member of the faculty at the University of Toronto and had to explain why I wanted to do research in their lab in particular,” said Ashtyn. “Now I actually get to work with that faculty member, learn from them, and collaborate on research. It feels unreal to have been selected for this program, it is very competitive,” said Ashtyn.

As he enters his final year of his undergraduate program in the fall, Ashtyn looks forward to bringing new research skills from the summer program back to Laurentian to incorporate into his own thesis research. Ashtyn is interested in memory systems of the brain and consciousness and hopes to carry on his undergraduate research into a Masters and then a PhD.

“Neuroscience is a real life application of chemistry and psychology concepts that I could use day to day. Learning about how the brain works is incredible. For example, the amount of circuitry and mechanisms that go into something as simple as saying this sentence right now is so interesting. I love learning about it,” said Ashtyn.

Ashtyn is particularly excited about this experience because it not only builds on his practical skills but also on his resume. With an ambitious future goal to one day teach Neuroscience at a university, Ashtyn is eager to network and absorb every moment of this opportunity. “I’d love to work as a professor and researcher and hopefully teach at an institution,” Ashtyn said. “I know that involves a lot of hard work and many more years of school but I feel really inspired and I know my Bachelors of Science at Laurentian and this Amgen Scholars Summer Program are just the beginning for me.”

Registration Now Open for Archi.North Summer Camp

Camps open to students entering Grade 11 and 12

April 26, 2024 - A unique pre-university experience that challenges participants to exercise new ways of seeing, imagining, and designing the world around them returns to Greater Sudbury this summer. Archi·North, the bilingual, tricultural, in-person architecture summer camp at the McEwen School of Architecture at Laurentian University is now open for registration.

Archi·North participants will receive instruction from faculty and Architecture graduates in a one-of-a-kind introductory experience in architecture, design, drafting and drawing at McEwen School of Architecture’s award-winning campus.

“Summer 2023 was a big success for the first season of Archi·North. Bringing the program back this summer was an easy decision,” said Louis-Pierre Bélec, Assistant Professor, McEwen School of Architecture and Coordinator, Archi·North. “The professors and grads loved instructing and working with the students–and we got incredibly positive feedback from students and their parents. We’re excited to offer the camp again but also to continue to grow the program for both new and returning students.”

Building on the success of the inaugural camps last summer, this year offers two levels of the day camp. Session 01 for first-time participants, and Session 02 for returning participants who are interested in an extended two-week camp experience. This year, Archi·North will be issuing Sector-Partnered Experience certificates to students pursuing a Specialist High Skills Major in eligible sectors.

The camp is open to high school students who are entering Grade 11 and Grade 12 in September 2024. No other qualifications are required. A limited number of bursaries are available to eligible students through the Collab·North Sponsorship program.

Laurentian University’s Board of Governors Approves 2024-2025 Annual Budget

Budget supports student experience, strategic plan, and transformation plan

April 26, 2024 - Laurentian University’s Board of Governors have approved the University’s annual budget for the 2024-2025 year. The forecasted budget is focused on improving the student experience, investing in the University’s transformation, and supporting the implementation of the newly approved 2024-2029 Strategic Plan.

“This budget will enable us to unlock the great potential that exists at Laurentian. It helps us focus on what matters most and brings the strategic plan into action. We are thankful for the many consultations with key stakeholders, which I believe to be a valuable part of the planning and budgeting process.” - Dr. Lynn Wells, President & Vice-Chancellor.

Multiple planning meetings were held with budget managers from faculties and administration (+40 managers), including representatives from Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA), Laurentian University Staff Union (LUSU) and Laurentian University Administrative and Professional Staff Association (LUAPSA), to discuss ongoing challenges and priorities.

The budget places emphasis on supporting the student experience by funding new and vacant roles within faculty and staff; an increase to full-time equivalent employees of 64.10 (Academic 33.9, Academic Support 16.8, Administration 12.9, Ancillary 0.5). Of note, new faculty positions support growing and high demand programs, the University's strategic initiatives and mandates including the integration of Indigenous knowledge and teachings into multiple disciplines and building capacity in French language programs.

“The goal of the budget was to address critical staffing and operational needs – continuing to build on a solid foundation. Laurentian is uniquely positioned to invest into transforming the university to become more efficient, financially sustainable, and deliver an exceptional student experience.” - Sylvie C. Lafontaine, Vice-President, Finance and Administration.

In addition to the multiple deferred maintenance projects taken on in the previous year, key projects are planned for 2024-2025 ($8.5M) to improve critical infrastructure (heating and ventilation, roofing, elevators, food service facilities, exterior stairs, and lighting).

Budget Highlights:

Total consolidated revenue: $201.710M
Total consolidated expenses and restructuring costs: $201.170M
Total consolidated surplus: $0.540M

Operating Budget:

Scholarships and bursaries: $7.5M
Transformational costs: $7.2M
Deferred maintenance: $8.5M
New investment into Information Technology: $2.6M

The Critical Contributions of Speech-Language Pathologists

Laurentian Alumna Krysta Beaudry helps give a voice to the medical side of speech-language pathology

May 3, 2024 - Speech-language pathologists are key contributors to the education system, and they are well-known for their work with kids in schools. Locally, you would find that many of the speech-language pathologists with the French and English school boards are graduates of the Orthophonie program at Laurentian. Though school settings may be the first to come to mind when thinking about speech-language pathologists, they are not the only space where these practitioners are making an impact.

Krysta Beaudry is a Speech Pathologist at the Timmins and District Hospital. Originally from Timmins, Krysta attended École secondaire catholique Thériault before graduating from Laurentian with a Bachelor of Orthophonie in 2019 and Masters of Orthophonie in 2021. Krysta’s role as a medical speech-language pathologist, offering services to patients in both English and French, shows the many career possibilities as a speech-language pathologist.

Krysta knew speech-language pathology was the career for her once she completed a high school co-op at the Porcupine Health Unit in Timmins. During her undergraduate studies, she built on her experience in health care settings, working as a summer student at various agencies. “These early experiences as a student are when I really got a feel for speech-language pathology as healthcare and fell in love with it,” said Krysta.

“Being from a small city, Laurentian was a really comfortable fit for me,” Krysta said. “I loved the access to nature all around and the small town feeling of the university.” As a French student, the Association des étudiants francophones (AEF) played a big role in Krysta’s student experience. She recalls the community created by the student association and how the activities and bonding made her feel more at ease and at home. Krysta also said that “living in residence was the perfect experience” for her first year away from home. She loved the opportunities to help out with events and was especially happy to take on a leadership role, coordinating the Intramurals Sports program.

During her time at Laurentian, Krysta enjoyed the small class sizes, allowing her to receive direct support from her professors whom she says showed a desire for student success. “I loved the Orthophonie program at Laurentian. The classes were all so open and collaborative,” said Krysta.

Continuing to keep busy and be ambitious, Krysta is currently playing basketball and ringette 3 times a week. She also tutors elementary students in French.

Speech-Language Pathologists assist patients with speech, language, safe swallowing, voice, and cognitive-communication. A large part of Krysta’s current work involves supporting patients recovering from a stroke, those with traumatic brain injuries, and some patients with neurological disorders. “Many people don’t realize that there are tests that we conduct and rehabilitation work that we do with patients that are really medical in nature,” said Krysta. “We’re assessing, working with patients on a treatment plan, collaborating with other healthcare providers, and rehabilitating people’s communication and swallowing.”

The clinical work is rewarding but Krysta says something she values most about her job is the continued advancements in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. “There’s always new and exciting evidence-based practices where standards are always improving. I feel like I’m never doing the same thing year to year because I’m always learning and keeping up with the evolving research,” Krysta said, reflecting on her first three years as a practicing speech-language pathologist. “The scope of practice in this role keeps the job so interesting, no days are the same. Collaborating with other practitioners within a patient’s circle of care in the hospital setting is one of my favorite parts.”

MineOpportunity Games hosted at Laurentian University

Over 300 students and teachers from 13 schools representing all four local school boards are expected to attend.

April 25, 2024 - On May 1st, Modern Mining and Technology Sudbury (MMTS), in collaboration with Laurentian University and the Goodman School of Mines, will be hosting the MineOpportunity Games as part of Modern Mining & Technology Week in Sudbury. Over the past 18 years, more than 4000 local English and French high school and postsecondary students have been educated on the modern technologies and career possibilities in the mineral resources industry through the MineOpportunity Games.

The MineOpportunity Games teach skills and knowledge about academic pathways, industry leaders, and career possibilities within the mineral resources industry in Greater Sudbury. To play the game, teams of students roll their dice on a gameboard and actively engage with academic and industry professionals to learn about programs, company operations, and careers. Teams start with a set budget and play the board game to increase their income by building mines, finding answers to industry-related questions, and completing hands-on tasks. Advancing in the game requires students to find answers and complete challenges related to mining technology, engineering, geosciences, the environment, business, health and safety, careers, corporate social responsibility, and more. The game requires students to collaborate, interact, and research. By leveraging these skills, the "wealthiest" teams at the end of the game, win.

This year’s event is bigger than ever, since both French and English games are being hosted on the same day. Over 300 students and teachers from 13 schools representing all four local school boards are expected to attend. Partnering organizations eager to interact with students during the games include: Laurentian University, Cambrian College, Vale, Glencore, Technica Mining, Unmanned Aerial Services, Orix Geosciences, Levert, Deswik, Responsible Mining Solutions, NSS, Norcat, Froskr, Bestech, Epiroc, Sandvik, MineConnect, Women in Mining, and Cementation.

The games are free of cost for students and schools, thanks to partner companies who are donating their time to attend, and to MMTS sponsors who financially support all of their events. We would like to thank this year’s generous MMTS sponsors and partners: Laurentian University, Vale, Glencore, Technica Mining, Komatsu, Maestro Digital Mine, KGHM International, CIM Sudbury Branch, Sudbury Prospector & Developers Association, Sudbury Geological Discussion Group, SOVFIE, Sudbury Rock and Lapidary Society, Hyperflo, My Mining Tee, PG Creative, the Web Boutique. Ontario Ministry of Mines, Dynamic Earth, College Boreal, and Rainbow District School Board.

Location:

Laurentian University: Parker, Cliff Fielding, and Fraser Buildings

Games Schedule:

May 1st, 2024

9:30-10:00 - Game Overview and Board assignment (Fraser Auditorium)

10:00-11:30 - Game Play - part 1 (Parker and Cliff Fielding)

11:30-12:00 - Lunch (Parker and Cliff Fielding)

12:00-12:45 - Game play - part 2 (Parker and Cliff Fielding)

12:45-1:00- Tally winners at boards

1:00-1:30 - Awards ceremony (Fraser Auditorium)

Team Categories:

English Junior - Grades 9-10

English Senior - Grades 11-12

French Junior - Grades 9-10

French Senior - Grades 11-12

Prizes (each category):

1st - $75 Best Buy Gift Card + Winning Banner

2nd - $50 Best Buy Gift Card + Winning Banner

3rd - $25 Best Buy Gift Card + Winning Banner

Dr. Daniel Archambault’s legacy honoured with new Service Awards recognizing outstanding service from the Laurentian University research community

This year marked the inaugural distribution of the Dr. Daniel Archambault Research Service Awards during Research Week 2024. These awards recognize Laurentian University faculty, staff and students for outstanding dedication and commitment to, as well as impact through their valuable contributions to the academic research community.

This award is created in memory of Dr. Daniel Archambault who served the Laurentian University research community for more than 15 years, a tribute to his accomplishments and dedication. Dr. Archambault passed away in 2021.

Qualifying services may include serving on committees supporting research enterprise, mentoring and supporting colleagues and students, fostering interdisciplinary research, advancing community engagement through knowledge dissemination, and/or establishing new research collaborations.

The inaugural recipients of the Dr. Daniel Archambault Research Service Awards are:

Faculty recipient:

Dr. Thomas Merritt, (Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences)

For his outreach work exhibiting science-related themed artwork for local elementary schools and Science North, mentorship initiatives, Peer-review work for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and service at Laurentian University with his roles on the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, LU NSERC Tri-Council, and Research, Development and Creativity Committee.

Student recipient:

Valérie Gauthier-Fortin, (Doctorante en sciences humaines et interdisciplinarité)

For her work and leadership with l’Acfas-Nouvel-Ontario (formerly known as Acfas-Sudbury). Valérie first joined the steering committee in 2019 after completing her master's degree and while embarking on doctoral studies at Laurentian. She currently serves as the President of l’Acfas-Nouvel-Ontario. She is described as the driving force behind the revival of Acfas and is credited for providing researchers from Nouvel-Ontario a forum to present their work in French.

Staff recipient:

Karen Oman, (Business Manager, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit and Vale Living with Lakes Centre)

For her professional contributions and passion for supporting world-class research out of the Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit and Vale Living with Lakes Centre for the last 19 years. Karen’s assistance played a key role throughout the $22-million fundraising effort to build the Vale Living with Lakes Centre, as well as landing the $1.2-million CFI grant for equipment and research infrastructure support, all in addition to her many day-to-day duties.

The award recipient received a personalized framed certificate, and their name has been added to a permanent notation on a University display which will list the names of those who receive this honour.

“Indigenous Education and Mapping Out Institutional Spaces”: Laurentian Announces Theme, Preliminary Program, and Keynote Speakers for 8th National Building Reconciliation Forum

Registration now open, Sponsors welcomed

April 18, 2024 - Over the course of three days (June 25 - 27), the 2024 National Building Reconciliation Forum, hosted by Laurentian University, will be focused on the theme, “Indigenous Education and Mapping Out Institutional Spaces”. The Forum’s preliminary program, keynote speakers, and registration form is now available on the Forum website.

Four guiding sub-themes will be shared, including:

- The Power of Storytelling: Crafting Compelling Narratives;

- Language and Culture: Elders and Cultural Practitioners in the Workplace;

- Cultural Diversity: Celebrating Differences and Building Bridges;

- Shaping the Future: Trends and Insights in Implementing Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

This will be the eighth National Building Reconciliation Forum since 2015 when these annual events were initially planned, in part, as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The Forum is an opportunity to bring together university leadership and administrators with Indigenous peoples, governments, researchers, academics and students to advance reconciliation and Indigenous education in Canadian universities.

“We are honoured to host the National Building Reconciliation Forum,” said Dominic Beaudry, Associate Vice-President of Academic and Indigenous Programs. “As an academic institution that has prioritized Indigenous education and reconciliation, we hope to both model and strengthen the collective understanding of what postsecondary institutions can do to advance reconciliation at universities across Turtle Island.”

The 2024 Forum will facilitate knowledge sharing in a wide variety of formats. Planned events in the preliminary program include panel discussions, oral histories, workshops, lectures, and artistic presentations. Guest speakers, Elders, and Knowledge Holders will be engaging with participants throughout the event.

Esteemed guest speakers who will provide keynote presentations include authors, Tanya Talaga and Waubgeshig Rice and academics, Dr. Susan Manitowabi and Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek. Some social engagements planned include, The Nibwaachidwin Social, which will be held in the Round Room at the Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre and visits to two local First Nations, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation on Day 1 of the Forum.

Universities from across Canada will be in attendance for the Forum. Events throughout the weekend are open to the public. Registration is required and is now open.

Former Student Now Sociology and Criminology Professor

Dr. Jordan Babando on making his way back to Laurentian as a professor

April 17, 2024 - Dr. Jordan Babando isn’t new to teaching and he isn’t new to Laurentian. He received both his Bachelor’s of Sociology and his master’s degree from Laurentian. He then went on to complete his doctorate at Queen’s University before teaching at several Ontario Universities and for a short time at UBC, until he eventually came back to Sudbury.

“Once I had my PhD, I wanted to focus on work, growing my career, and growing as a professional,” Dr. Babando says. That’s exactly what he did, teaching and working at seven different universities throughout the course of his PhD and over the following four years.

Dr. Babando finds the experience surreal and humbling, “I get to be back here in a community I love, working at a school that I love. My colleagues are the same people that once mentored me and believed in me and now our offices are just down the hall from each other.”

Dr. Parveen Nangia, Full Professor in the Faculty of Arts, is one of the professor-turned-colleagues that Dr. Babando mentioned. Dr. Nangia supervised Dr. Babando’s master’s and has similar feelings about Dr. Babando’s return to Laurentian. “I am pleased to see Jordan back at Laurentian in a different capacity, as my colleague,” says Dr. Nangia. “He has accumulated a wealth of knowledge through his experience teaching at various universities. He has already started making an imprint in the Criminology program. Dr. Babando’s disciplined work ethic, his care for the students, and his friendly and supportive nature make him a valuable asset to Laurentian University in general and the Faculty of Arts in particular.”

This academic year, Dr. Babando is teaching courses in the Bachelor’s of Criminology program, which is offered both online and on campus. At one time wanting to be in law enforcement himself, Dr. Babando now finds himself teaching criminology to future law enforcement officers, lawyers, and social service workers. He sees the program as a great option for those in rural areas who want to study at a distance and eventually have career prospects, like policing, that are needed everywhere, not just in bigger cities.

Dr. Babando brings with him a unique teaching background in sociology and criminology, and a specialization in mental health and homelessness research. He encourages students from all disciplines to consider criminology courses for their electives, “Criminology courses are appropriate for all students. In my experience, diverse perspectives make for fascinating conversations which are very complimentary to the course content.”

As his Laurentian experience continues to evolve, Dr. Babando says that he is most excited to build a future as a researcher and professor. He is eager to help students achieve their goals, the same way his Laurentian professors did with him.

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