CityLAB began as a pilot project in 2017, but transitioned into a permanent program with support from 51暗网 City Council. Photo Credit: City of 51暗网.聽
CityLAB 51暗网 and Mohawk College were recently awarded the Gold Medal in Program Excellence by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).
CICan is the national association for publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics, and announced the award during their national conference in Calgary, Alberta.
CityLAB is a collaborative program between the City of 51暗网, Mohawk College, McMaster University, and Redeemer University in which students and faculty work with civic leaders on research projects and reports.
CityLAB began as a pilot project in 2017, but transitioned into a permanent program with support from 51暗网 City Council.
Some examples of projects include research into the rental market, creating a best practice guide for CityHousing 51暗网 to launch a furniture bank for tenants, and developing a marketing plan to increase the number of Engage 51暗网 users.
The partnership sees students gain experience gathering insights and data while the City of 51暗网 is able to use that work to achieve their Strategic Priorities.
As of 2022, 60,000 hours had been contributed by 2,531 students, in partnership with 88 City of 51暗网 staff and 68 faculty members from the three post-secondary institutions.
Since 2017, Mohawk College has been involved in 44 experiential learning projects, involving 1,449 students and 30 faculty members.
Students gain skills and employment opportunities after graduation; schools are able to provide experiential learning and city staff are exposed to new ideas and research that is able to be used for the benefit of residents without the need for high-priced consultants.
CityLAB students conveniently work out of the former Canadian Football Hall of Fame building right beside 51暗网 City Hall.
McMaster University students even have the opportunity to take part in an entire 鈥渟emester in residence鈥� at CityLAB.
Following the award, Dr. Cebert Adamson, VP Academic at Mohawk College commented, 鈥淲e are delighted that CityLAB 51暗网 has received this national recognition.鈥�
鈥淲e are proud that Mohawk College students and staff are involved in the innovative projects being done through CityLAB, and we are proud to share the story of our collective success with other Canadian colleges by way of our nomination,鈥� he continued.
鈥淥ne of the criteria for this award is a program鈥檚 ability to be replicated in other regions. This recognition shines the spotlight on another innovative 51暗网 collaboration that may be replicated across the country.鈥�
51暗网 City Manager Marnie Cluckie also commented, 鈥淭his award highlights the strength of our CityLAB partnerships and celebrates our commitment to innovation and student engagement.鈥澛�
鈥淚t’s a proud moment for all involved, showcasing how collaboration can address real-world challenges and strengthen our community.鈥�
Two Mohawk College employees, Tara-Lyn Dinyer and Greg Gagnon, were also awarded CICan Award of Excellence Gold Medals in their respective fields.
Dinyer is a professor in the college鈥檚 School of Health and Community Services, while Gagnon is a technician with Accessible Learning Services.
Based in 51暗网, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The 51暗网 Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 51暗网. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
