November Hub Highlights: A Month of Innovation, Leadership, and Gratitude at SLC
November at the Innovation Hub was a whirlwind of activity, fueled by the ingenuity and collaborative spirit of the St. Lawrence College community. We're incredibly thankful for the partnerships that allow us to offer such enriching experiences to our students. From tackling real-world product challenges to exploring the nuances of leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of accounting, this month's highlights demonstrate the Hub's commitment to fostering innovation and empowering students with the skills they need to thrive.
AMC Workshop: Creative Solutions to Product Problems
We welcomed Jessica Breadscheider's AMC/DMC program to the Hub on November 4th and 7th for a two part workshop. The students engaged in dynamic workshops focused on addressing real-world product problems. Using the ideation framework and tools like the "Crazy 8's" brainstorming technique, the room quickly filled with sticky notes brimming with creative solutions. By the end of the workshops, the students had generated exceptional ideas and demonstrated their ability to deliver real value when faced with real-world challenges.
Leadership Blueprint Talk: Inspiring Leaders in Cornwall
The Hub in Cornwall was energized on November 5th by a Leadership Blueprint talk. This event brought together aspiring leaders from across the SLC Cornwall campus. Patrick Hymus provided attendees with practical knowledge and inspiration to enhance their own leadership skills. We extend our sincere gratitude to the speakers and facilitators who made this event possible.
Leadership Blueprint Talk: Kingston Campus Edition
The Kingston campus hosted its own Leadership Blueprint talk on November 13th, facilitated by Mike Richards and featuring Steve Nash. Mike's exceptional facilitation brought together aspiring leaders from across SLC Kingston, while Steve's insights and anecdotes provided attendees with practical knowledge to enhance their leadership skills.
The Future of Accounting at SLC: Connecting Students with Industry Experts
Later on November 13th, the Cornwall Hub was proud to host a networking event focused on "The Future of Accounting at SLC." This event, skillfully organized by Team Phoenix of the Project Management program, connected current accounting students with six accounting professionals, many of whom are SLC alumni. The event was sponsored by Victoria Workman and facilitated by Saima Naqvi. We're incredibly grateful to Angie Savard TEP, Bruce Tessier, Erin Lalonde CPA CA, Amy Summers CPA, Mathieu Genier, Scott Hodgson, and Emily Whalley for sharing their career journeys and insights. The discussions covered career growth, the evolving role of technology and AI in accounting, and the importance of adaptability in today’s job market. A big thank you to Team Phoenix students Tom Heath, Nilkanth Panchal, Aniss Khelifi, Bridget Clara Sackey MSC, BSC, HND, and Emmanuel Oteng Appiah for their outstanding work.
Entrepreneur Connect: From Concept to Reality
On Tuesday, November 19th, a Level 2 Project Management capstone team, consisting of Temitope Salu, Rayan Hajaig, Akshay Athilattu, Akshay Karunakaran, and Shyam Das, facilitated an insightful Entrepreneurship Panel. We're so appreciative of their hard work in organizing this event. The panel featured Ali Zaydan, Tina Yan, Ian Nicholls, and Tomilola Adebiyi, with special guest facilitator Norman Musengimana. A huge thank you to all our panellists and Norman for sharing their valuable experiences and insights. The panel explored key topics vital for entrepreneurial success, and the panellists’ personal stories of transforming ideas into thriving businesses provided valuable takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Career Readiness and Leadership: Preparing Students for Success
The Cornwall Innovation Hub was pleased to host Arthur de Oliveira Correa, Job Consultant and Newcomer Specialist at Job Zone d'emploi, for a "Career Readiness and Leadership" class on November 20th. Arthur's insightful presentation provided students with invaluable career guidance, drawing from his personal journey as a newcomer to Canada. He shared practical advice on every stage of the job search, from resumes and interviews to navigating cultural nuances. Students benefited from Arthur's wealth of experience and the resources available through Career Services. Thank you, Arthur, for sharing your expertise and to Job Zone d'emploi for this first collaboration with our Project Management Program.
City of Kingston Challenges Project Management Students with a Pitch Competition: Design Thinking in Action
November 18th and 25th, we hosted a two-part ideation series with Deanna Davies’ Project Management students. Working with "How Might We" statements provided by the City of Kingston surrounding issues like underused city infrastructure, creating pathways for youth civic leadership, and sustainability in our food sector. The students embarked on a journey through the ideation process, culminating in pitches to their community partner. The workshops highlighted the power of design thinking, as students transformed statements into concrete ideas and plans. These sessions equipped students with essential skills for success in today's innovative project management landscape.
Looking Ahead: A Time for Hibernation we will see you in January
November was a month of growth and learning at the Innovation Hub, demonstrating the power of collaboration and the innovative spirit within the SLC community. We are incredibly grateful for the partnerships that make this work possible. We are excited to see what this winter brings and look forward to continuing to support the development of future leaders and entrepreneurs.
We at the Innovation Hub wish all of our SLC community a safe and happy winter break, we hope that you can take this time to rest and recharge with the people most important in your life. We will be back in January with our next edition of Hub Highlights!