(BRAMPTON, SAULT STE. MARIE, TIMMINS, ON – June 2, 2023): Algoma University is excited to announce the expansion of the Community Economic and Social Development (CESD) Degree Program to all three campuses: Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton and Timmins. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the University as it seeks to meet the growing demand for its innovative curriculum and provide enhanced opportunities for students across its multiple campuses. 

By expanding the CESD program, Algoma University aims to extend its educational reach and foster an inclusive environment that promotes intellectual growth and global perspectives. The expansion will enable the institution to accommodate all students and provide increased flexibility in course offerings. It will also foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among students and faculty across all campuses, creating a dynamic and interconnected learning environment.

The CESD program provides students with an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, well-rounded education. In students’ third-year of study, they will complete a 150-hour work placement, while in their fourth-year, they will be required to complete a 300-hour placement and a major paper or project. Students have been placed in organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), Thessalon First Nation, Garden River First Nation, NORDIK Institute, United Way, Save Our Young Adults (SOYA), and many more. These placements allow students to apply concepts, theories, and methods from their coursework in the community, advocate for change, and implement new analytical strategies, making the degree action-packed and very hands-on. Prospective students can visit the Algoma University website or contact the admissions office for more information regarding the application requirements, deadlines, and campus-specific details. 

Algoma University has also recently secured a Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) Grant, the Government of Canada’s national outbound student mobility pilot program, which aims to empower post-secondary institutions to increase the participation of Canadians in international learning opportunities. The program has a focus on students with disabilities, Indigenous students and those from low socio-economic backgrounds who have traditionally faced barriers to participation in similar programs; which has allowed CESD students to attend course-based international excursion opportunities. This past year, CESD students went to the Slow Food Movement in Turrin, Italy; and on a ten-day trip to Colombia, as part of a special topics course on peace and education. This new academic year brings more opportunities for international student mobility trips as well.Global Skills Opportunity is an integral component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy and is administered jointly by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada.

With the support of Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada), the CESD Department was able to develop this video to highlight some of the students in the CESD and CDEV Degree program work that they have been doing over the course of the winter semester. This project has been funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning program and CEWIL Canada’s iHUB. For more information about CEWIL Canada, please visit the CEWIL Canada website.

To view a video about the CESD program, click here.

Quotes

“CEWIL Canada is pleased to support innovative WIL experiences for students at Algoma University, where students have received financial support and recognition for their WIL experience. Funds such as these aim to eliminate barriers to WIL and increase access for all post-secondary students.” 

• Charlene Marion, Director WIL at CEWIL Canada

“The CEWIL grant is an excellent opportunity for the Community Economic and Social Development Department at Algoma University to highlight the amazing work that our students do in the field in their third and fourth-year placement courses. This work could not happen without the dedication and support of community organizations. We want to thank all the community agencies, the students, and the CEWIL funding for making this video possible.” 

• Dr. Laura Wyper, Chair of the Department of Community Economic and Social Development

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