2025-09-11 – Newsroom

#DawsonProud, In the news/in social media

Dawson on the cover of AASHE Sustainable Campus Index annual publication

Dawson College is featured on the cover of AASHE's Sustainable Campus Index annual publication because Dawson achieved the platinum rating, a global first for an “Associate” level institution! Dawson is one of a dozen institutions in the world to have achieved this.

ICYMI: here is the news from last spring: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/news/dnews/platinum-rating-in-sustainability-a-global-first/

Visit the link to see the SCI report.

#DawsonProud, Homepage news, In the news/in social media

Active Learning pioneer Liz Charles honoured with the 2025 Prix Gérald-Sigouin

Dawson's own Elizabeth (Liz) Charles, a trailblazing educator and researcher whose innovative work has reshaped active learning in Quebec’s CEGEP system, has been awarded the 2025 Prix Gérald-Sigouin by the Association québécoise de pédagogie collégiale (AQPC).

“Elizabeth Charles has fundamentally changed pedagogical approaches at Dawson College and beyond,” said Academic Dean Leanne Bennett, one of her nominators. Colleagues describe her as “the heart and soul of SALTISE,” and praise her vision and unrelenting dedication: “Liz includes willingly all those who wish to contribute to her quest to improve pedagogy, making the classroom a place for reflective, inventive, and expressive individuals.”

Visit the link to read the homepage news story.

Milestones

Q & A with Selma Hamdani, Associate Dean of SMSE (Interim)

Selma Hamdani began her new role as Interim Associate Dean, Science, Medical Studies and Engineering on Aug. 22. She holds an M.Sc. in Neuroscience from McGill University. Since 2012, she has been an active member of the Dawson community. Prior to her appointment, Selma was a faculty member in the Psychology Department, a Coordinator of the Psychology profile of the Social Science program and a co-lead of the Dawson Active Learning Community.

Visit the link for a Q & A with Selma.

Photo credit: Dawson Professional Photography students

Milestones

Q & A with Brid Nic Niocaill, Dean of CAA (Interim)

Brid Nic Niocaill began her new role as Interim Dean, Creative and Applied Arts on May 22. She completed her studies in Ireland with a Ph. D in neuroscience before moving to Montreal to pursue a post doc at McGill University. Brid joined the Dawson community in 2010 as a faculty member of the Biology Department. She has also served as Department Chair and (interim) Science Program Coordinator. In 2023, Brid joined the Academic management team with primary responsibility for the Medical Technologies.

Visit the link for a Q & A with Brid.

Photo credit: Dawson Professional Photography students

Milestones

Q & A with Andreea Panait, Associate Dean of CAA (Interim)

Andreea Panait began her new role as Associate Dean of Creative and Applied Arts on Aug. 22. Previously, she had been an active member of the Dawson community involved in multiple projects and committees in addition to serving as faculty member and chair of the Mathematics department and Program Coordinator of Science, Computer Science and Mathematics. Andreea began working at Dawson in 2004 and holds both a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Mathematics and an an M.Sc. in Cryptography. Most recently, in 2024 she obtained a Micro-MBA for New Managers from the McGill Executive Institute.

The Communications Office asked her to do a Q & A. Visit the link to read it.

Photo credit: Dawson Professional Photography students

Milestones

Q & A with Jonathan Perlman, Manager of IT Support (Interim)

Jonathan Perlman (Dawson Class of 2002, Computer Science) began his new role as Manager of IT Support on July 2. He is well-known in the Dawson community having worked in Dawson’s IT Solutions department for over 20 years, leading projects and supporting students, faculty, and staff, while also teaching IT courses through Dawson’s CTD and the Lester B. Pearson School Board. Beyond his IT work, Jonathan has served on the Dawson Support Staff Union Coordinating Council as the Professional Development representative and later on the Union Executive as Treasurer.

Visit the link for a Q & A with Jonathan.

Photo credit: Dawson Professional Photography students

Communications Office

Academic Integrity in new 90-second video

Students need to make sure they know the rules at Dawson before submitting assignments or taking tests. The Communications Office and the Deans Group created a 90-second video to make students aware of the ISEP policy and the importance of knowing the rules.

Students will be invited to watch the video in the student bulletin, named Dawson Insider, edition of Sept. 12 delivered via MIO to all students.

Visit the link to go to the new webpage, which showcases the video.

Awards Office

Applications and nominations for awards open Sept. 25-Oct. 14

Nominate suitable students for Fall Awards and encourage students to apply for application-based awards. The period to nominate or apply is Sept. 25-Oct. 14.

To nominate: a link will become active during the nomination period in your Dawson College Omnivox portal (Student Services > Awards and Scholarships) that will lead you to the nomination form.

Visit the link for more information about the Fall Awards.

Decolonization, Office of Academic Development

Indigenous Perspectives Fall series

Indigenous Perspectives: The Iroquois Great Law of Peace
Learn how five warring nations in ancient America came to become allies and developed the first true democracy in human history.
Sept. 16 10 AM-11:30 AM
Register

Sept. 17 2 PM-3:30 PM
Register

Indigenous Perspectives: Truth and Reconciliation from a Kahnawake Mohawk’s perspective
Sept. 30 10 AM-11:30 AM
Register

Oct. 1 2 PM-3:30 PM
Register

Indigenous Perspectives: Documentary series and discussion.

Native America: Explore the Americas before Columbus
Sept. 24 10 AM-12 PM
Register

In the news/in social media

Be prepared for STM strike Sept. 22- Oct. 5

STM maintenance workers are going on strike Monday, Sept. 22 to Sunday, Oct. 5. This will impact all bus and metro service in Montreal during that period. Essential service will be provided. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the link to go to the STM's webpage for the strike period.

Awards Office

Wanted: new members for the awards selection committees

Being on an awards selection committee gives you an opportunity to meet colleagues from across the College and be inspired by some of our amazing students. The time commitment is not that great and most members keep returning because they enjoy it.

Visit the link to sign up.

Fall series of brown bag sessions with the Academic Dean

Academic Dean Leanne Bennett has a fall series of brown bag sessions that she invites the Dawson community to attend:

Concerns and questions about the impact of the Ministry’s investigation on academic freedom, and the supports that exist to help teachers who are handling sensitive topics in the classroom.

Monday, Sept. 15, 12 PM to 1:15 PM; Boardroom 5B.13

Thursday, Sept. 18, 12 PM to 1:15 PM; Colab 3F.43

Removing barriers, where possible, for Indigenous students.

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 12 PM to 1:15 PM; Boardroom 5B.13

Thursday, Oct. 23, 12 PM to 1:15 PM; Rose Lounge 7C.5

Ideas for well-being.

Thursday, Nov. 20, 12 PM to 1:15 PM.; Colab 3F.43

Everyone in the Dawson community is welcome, even if the topic does not directly relate to your work. As these events are informal, people may drop in and leave as their schedules permit.

Dawson Professional Theatre

Sept. 17-20: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Dawson Professional Theatre presents The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens

Christopher is a 15-year-old with a remarkable intellect and a deep passion for
mathematics. One night, just after midnight, he is found standing beside the body of
Wellington, his neighbour Mrs. Shears’ dog, who has been brutally killed with a garden fork.

With suspicion quickly falling on him, Christopher decides to uncover the truth and begins
documenting everything in a book he is writing about the investigation. Christopher
struggles to understand the subtleties of everyday human interaction. He finds physical
contact unbearable, is wary of strangers, and has never gone beyond the end of his street
on his own. Despite these challenges, and against his father’s explicit wishes,
Christopher’s determination to solve the mystery propels him on a courageous and
unsettling journey that shatters everything he thought he knew about his world.

Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Saturday, Sept. 20, 7:30 PM each night. Visit the link to get your ticket(s).

Directed by Jonathan Monro and performed by the second-year students of the Professional Theatre program

Communications Office

Student bulletin Dawson Insider goes out every Friday

Improving communications to students was an objective of the Strategic Planning group and the Communications Office. This semester, the Dawson Insider continues to go out to students via MIO every Friday. It is intended to bring need-to-know information to students in the form of a brief bulletin.

Visit the link to see the Dawson Insider.

Sustainability

The DUMP is Sept. 18

Watch out for The DUMP on Thursday, Sept. 18! Come to the Upper Atrium for a FREE School Supply Giveaway! Faculty member Jessica Lim spearheaded a pilot last term to give away supplies. It was, with little surprise, a resounding success.

This year the Financial Aid Office, the Office of Sustainability, Jessica and others have teamed up to make it an even bigger event! We have the regular stuff, like binders and pencils, BUT we also have art supplies, notebooks, and random other materials that could be useful!

Tell your students to bring a tote bag that day so they fill up while saving money, repurposing, reusing, and upcycling. Sustainability, Mutual Aid, and Compassion all in one stop, what could be better?

Sustainability, Well-being for all

Book a Living Campus tour

Living Campus Tours - This September: The Office of Sustainability loves to showcase the amazing work it has accomplished over the years with faculty, students, and various other partners! Take your students on a tour so they can get a sense of the campus, how they can volunteer as a Sustainabili-TEAM member with the Office of Sustainability (counts for ROSI hours) as well as all the different projects that have been spearheaded by students and faculty over the years.

Please visit the link to sign up for your tour!

Sustaining Friendships, Sustaining Campuses: Dawson at the Mexico–Canada Forum

More than five years after the Mexico–Canada Sustainable Campuses Initiative wrapped up in 2019, its impact and friendships continue to thrive. In June, Dawson College faculty member Gisela Frias (Geography) and Chris Adam (retired Head of Sustainability) traveled to Mexico to represent Dawson at the 5th Binational Forum on Institutional Memory and Sustainability: Seeds of Yesterday, Fruits of Tomorrow. Both played central roles in the original initiative, which fostered international collaboration on sustainability in higher education.

Visit the link for the homepage news story.

Continuing Education and Community Services (CECS)

Register now for non-credit courses at CTD

Dawson's CTD non-credit fall courses are starting soon, sign up now! All courses are open to the public, but current Dawson students get 20% off.
We offer French, English, 8 world languages, technology and arts.

Visit the link or drop by room 2H.1 for more information.

Office of Academic Development, Sustainability, Teaching & learning, Well-being for all

Third edition of Inclusion and Wellness Retreat

On June 11 and 12, the third edition of Dawson’s Inclusion and Wellness Retreat took place at the picturesque Far Hills Inn in the Laurentian mountains. Thirty people from a variety of departments (faculty and professionals) gathered to explore ways we can adapt our teaching approaches, interactions, and course design to meet a wide range of student needs.

In between workshops, participants connected with colleagues through movement and being outdoors with activities such as yoga, swimming, pickle ball, a campfire sing-along and Nature walks.

Visit the link for the full story and more photos.

#DawsonProud, In the news/in social media

“Tops in Physics” : Global News covers Dawson students testing their prototype at DESY

Physics faculty members Joel Trudeau and Manuel Toharia are accompanying nine Dawson students who arrived in Hamburg, Germany today, Sept. 11. They will be there for two weeks testing their prototype at the world-renowned DESY Research Centre after winning CERN's Beamline for Schools competition.

Phil Carpenter of Global News made a feature TV news report on Sept. 9, which aired Sept. 10. Visit the link to see it.

ICYMI: see the feature published on Aug. 28 on the Dawson website.

Dawson Foundation, Dawson Gives

Get to know the Dawson Foundation

The Dawson Foundation is a dedicated team of two people who work together to raise money and then use that money to support Dawson students.

The Foundation not only provides funding to help bolster existing services at the College such as Financial Aid, but they also coordinate three of their own initiatives: The Food Justice Program, SAGE Projects, and Seeds Microgrants. As a Foundation, the team raises money to make its work possible through fundraising events, grants, and generous donations from individuals in the wider community beyond Dawson’s walls.

Donors have contributed to awards and scholarships, the Financial Aid Office and psychoeducational assessments for students.

Today, the Foundation looks forward to continuing to fulfil its promise to be here for Dawson students by allocating nearly $50,000 towards programs that help provide free access to food including free breakfasts twice a week, free lunch once a week, and free grocery produce distribution every other week, on top of an increased budget for the Food Bank and the free snacks that the Foundation gives to students who haven’t had a chance to eat anything before they write their English or French exit exams.

Curious to learn more? Visit the Dawson Foundation at their office in room 3H.01 during their drop-in hours every Wednesday from 9:30 AM–11:30 AM.

Dawson Grads, Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery

Alumna Kim Vose Jones’ Lifeboat: An Unnatural History

The Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery is pleased to present the work of alumna (1992) artist Kim Vose Jones. Now living and working in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Jones’ has created a rich multimedia installation exploring the dichotomies and paradoxes of migrant life, past and present.

Visit the link for the homepage news story.

Human Resources, Office of Academic Development

Ped Days Call For Proposals

Faculty and educational professionals are invited to present their explorations of innovative, inclusive, evidence-based practices that enhance student engagement across disciplines and learning environments. For more information, please contact Azra Khan, pedagogical counsellor, Office of Academic Development.

Ped Days will take place on Nov. 7, 2025 and on Jan. 14, 2026.

Deadline for proposals Oct. 3, 2025. Please be prepared to be scheduled on either Ped Day in November or January.

French prof Adeline Caute’s book comes out Sept. 16

The first young readers book of Adeline Caute (Faculty, French) is coming out on Sept. 16. Aimed at readers aged 9-12, Les Rescapés de l'orage, published by Éditions du Boréal, tells the story of four kids who find themselves alone on the streets of Montreal after a violent storm. There will be a book launch on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Librairie Fleury (1169 Fleury est). Adeline has taught French literature at Dawson since 2013.

Office of Academic Development, Professional Development

Resources for faculty and external professional development opportunities

AQPC Grand Conferences: Les nouvelles représentations mentales du travail dans l’enseignement supérieur : le cas des générations Y et Z: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Performa non-credit training:
Littératie et apprentissage dans les disciplines https://www.usherbrooke.ca/performa/fr/formations-non-creditees/litteratie-apprentissage-disciplines

CCDMD: Sketches of the History of Science in English and now en francais: https://ccdmd.qc.ca/en/resources/sketches-of-the-history-of-science/

Éductive: le Marathon technopédagogique, 5 au 9 janvier 2026, sur le theme ludopédagogie. Soumettre votre proposition d'atelier.

PARC Changing areas open during renovations

The bathrooms in Dawson’s PARC (Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation Center) on the metro level is undergoing renovations, which are expected to begin the week of Sept. 8 and continue until early November.

The changing areas will still be accessible and free to use during this time but the bathrooms, sinks and showers will not. All scheduled activities (courses, recreational programs, etc.) will proceed as planned.

DawsonITE

DawsonITE Newsletter # 677

DawsonITE is your curated news related to IST and Education prepared by Dawson's Rafael Scapin.

In this issue:

What A.I. Really Means for Learning
5 Microsoft 365 Tools All Students Should Use in the Fall Semester
How AI is giving teachers back six weeks of time each school year

Kim Vose Jones: Lifeboat: An Unnatural History

The Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery presents an exhibition by Dawson alumna Kim Vose Jones, who is now based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. While researching her family genealogy, she discovered her ancestor, Ann Dodin, arrived in Quebec in 1669, along with over 800 French girls known as the Filles du Roi, who sailed to the New World to populate the land with French settlers. In four stunning tableaux, Jones draws a parallel with the fates of humans fleeing genocide, war, and poverty across the globe, and draws lines between the treatment of women, the environment, and the project of Empire then and in 2025.

Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

Dawson on the cover of AASHE Sustainable Campus Index annual publication

Active Learning pioneer Liz Charles honoured with the 2025 Prix Gérald-Sigouin

Q & A with Selma Hamdani, Associate Dean of SMSE (Interim)

Q & A with Brid Nic Niocaill, Dean of CAA (Interim)

Q & A with Andreea Panait, Associate Dean of CAA (Interim)

Q & A with Jonathan Perlman, Manager of IT Support (Interim)

Academic Integrity in new 90-second video

Applications and nominations for awards open Sept. 25-Oct. 14

Indigenous Perspectives Fall series

Be prepared for STM strike Sept. 22- Oct. 5

Wanted: new members for the awards selection committees

Fall series of brown bag sessions with the Academic Dean

Sept. 17-20: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Student bulletin Dawson Insider goes out every Friday

The DUMP is Sept. 18

Book a Living Campus tour

Sustaining Friendships, Sustaining Campuses: Dawson at the Mexico–Canada Forum

Register now for non-credit courses at CTD

Third edition of Inclusion and Wellness Retreat

“Tops in Physics” : Global News covers Dawson students testing their prototype at DESY

Get to know the Dawson Foundation

Alumna Kim Vose Jones’ Lifeboat: An Unnatural History

Ped Days Call For Proposals

French prof Adeline Caute’s book comes out Sept. 16

Resources for faculty and external professional development opportunities

PARC Changing areas open during renovations

DawsonITE Newsletter # 677

Kim Vose Jones: Lifeboat: An Unnatural History

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