As the winter term winds up and the weather gets warmer, it’s important to remain vigilant and proactive regarding safety, health, and security across all campuses. By staying informed and following outlined protocols, everyone can contribute to creating a safer environment for our community.

Exchange District Campus Hours and Access

• Monday to Friday – 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and student and staff swipe card or buzz-in access only from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday – swipe card or buzz-in access only

At the Exchange District Campus (EDC), the requirement for students, staff and faculty to scan their valid RRC Polytech-issued ID card upon arrival will remain in place. This process is an extra layer of security to verify individuals are permitted to be on campus. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue to proactively enhance security measures to best support everyone on campus.

For more information on how to get or reprint your RRC Polytech ID card, visit rrc.ca/ID.

Notre Dame Campus Hours and Access

• Monday to Friday – 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and student and staff access only through the east doors of Building C (Security entrance) from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday – use the Security entrance of Building C.

Students, staff and faculty at the Notre Dame Campus (NDC) are encouraged to get their RRC Polytech ID, as swipe card access is required for certain facilities and spaces on campus, including the library, fitness centre, and meeting rooms.

Work Placements

Ensuring student safety during work placements is a shared responsibility and should be treated the same as when staff and students are on campus. Students should share any safety concerns they encounter while on placement, and instructors or coordinators should regularly check in with students to discuss their experiences and address any issues that arise.

New Health Centre at EDC

A reminder that the Health Centre at EDC is now open! Students, staff and faculty can drop in; no appointment is needed. We encourage folks to stop by the Health Centre at the Roblin Centre to say hello and meet our staff members.

• Location: W103 (First floor, William Building)
• Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Health Services team provides a variety of health and wellness information for general interest, ongoing health condition maintenance, plus treatment for injuries and illness.

Services include mental health support, sexual health and teaching, assistance connecting to RRC Polytech and community resources and more.

Access to Menstrual Products

Recently the Government of Manitoba announced the requirement for all workplaces to provide menstrual products free of charge for employees. RRC Polytech has provided access to menstrual products across its campuses since May 2024. A reminder that pads and tampons are available for students, staff, and faculty in all washrooms on campus, plus at our Health Centres and the RRC Polytech Students’ Association Offices.

Access to menstrual products free of charge supports removing known barriers, fostering inclusion and dignity, and helping reinforce that menstruation is a normal bodily function that should not impeded education or employment.

Infrastructure Updates

Both EDC and NDC have had safety infrastructure updates over the last several months. At NDC, with the recent CCTV update there are now over 500 cameras installed and operational on campus.

The Security Help Phones are currently being updated to a new camera intercom with video system. A reminder that these phones at EDC and NDC put you in direct contact with Security personnel for any questions or concerns you may have. You can also use the phones to request a Safe Walk or Ride!

Safety Inspections

In collaboration with staff, faculty and program areas, Safety and Health Officers are completing inspections across RRC Polytech – with a focus on high-risk areas – to confirm compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring a safe learning and working environment for all. Thank you for your cooperation as we proactively undertake these inspections.

Active Aggressor Training

Updated Active Aggressor information and training sessions for staff and faculty are being planned for this spring and summer. The new training will still be one-hour long but include more scenario-based components. Stay tuned to Staff News for more details.

Share Your Feedback

Your feedback matters and helps us proactively enhance safety, health and security measures and initiatives on campus. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to Safety, Health and Security Services at safety@rrc.ca.

An RRC Polytech student-led online magazine is the top overall winner at the 2025 Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPA).

Produced by Creative Communications (CreComm) students, Working Draft is a web magazine that highlights the emerging voices of students in the program. The magazine won a total of six awards – five gold and one silver – for its 2025 issue, “Movement.”

“Having our work recognized in national awards is a profound validation of students’ hard work on these stories,” said Emily Cain, Working Draft faculty advisor. “These achievements show Working Draft contributors are producing top-notch work that holds up among the country’s top publications.”

The recognition placed Working Draft at the number one spot in the national medal standings, surpassing outlets like Legion Magazine (four gold, two silver) and CBC/Radio-Canada (three gold, one silver).

The winning COPA entries from Working Draft include:

• Gold – Best Patriotic Story (Academic): “A Chance to Dream” by Sofia Peralta-Baron
• Gold – Best Feel Good Story (Academic): “Moving Through Grief” by Grace Wilmer
• Gold – Best Feature/Cover Story (Academic): “More Than Words” by Zoé Buissé
• Gold – Best Photo Journalism (Academic): “Chasing Fire” by Georgia Dyck
• Gold – Best Service Article (Consumer): “Supporting Sobriety at Work” by Mackenzie Oliver
• Silver – Best Investigative Article (Consumer): “Breaking the Ice” by Brielle Campbell

Working Draft also received its first-ever recognition at the John H. McDonald (JHM) Awards for Excellence in Student Journalism on February 14. The magazine earned an additional three gold medals and one bronze at the national ceremony hosted by the Canadian University Press.

“Winning at the national level for an investigation into the barriers facing female para-hockey players proves that Manitoban stories have a place on the national stage,” said double-award winner Brielle Campbell. “It’s an honour to see Working Draft recognized by both the COPA judges and the Canadian University Press in the same week.”

For more information and to read stories, visit workingdraftmagazine.com.

Sean Rayland-Boubar was shaking like a leaf as he stepped up to pitch his social enterprise, Red Rebel Armour, at the Indigenous Venture Challenge finals.

“It’s always nerve-wracking, especially when you know there are other high-level entrepreneurs there. You feel like you have to be some expert or something,” said Rayland-Boubar. “But what always helps me is just grounding myself in who I am.”

It paid off. He won the national challenge, earning $50,000 in funding after being selected from a total of 77 Indigenous businesses across Canada. He said the funding will help stabilize Red Rebel Armour’s finances while supporting inventory, advertising and continued expansion.

A 2022 graduate of RRC Polytech’s Social Innovation and Community Development program, ​​Rayland-Boubar said what he learned continues to shape how he runs his business.

“Human-centered design is at the heart of what we do. We frame it as paid, flexible on-the-job training in a culturally safe work environment. That’s a big skill I retained,” he said. “And business development in general, from planning to launching a minimum viable product.”

He also credits the college as an ongoing partner in the business’s growth. “RRC Polytech has been one of our main supporters,” said Rayland-Boubar.

Since October 2025, Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, RRC Polytech’s Indigenous business incubator and accelerator, has been working closely with Rayland-Boubar to advance the next stage of Red Rebel Armour’s growth. Amy Jackson, Director of Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah, said he was the ideal candidate to pilot a new accelerator program in partnership with FlintHub, Manitoba Innovates and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

“Sean really is that champion in Manitoba who’s been pushing through all the challenges,” said Jackson. “So I feel like working with Sean specifically is a really great way for us to learn more about how we can support established Indigenous entrepreneurs… we want them to be sustainable for the long term.”

Through the accelerator, Rayland-Boubar has access to a fractional COO and an advisory committee that has been offering expertise and connections across operations, finance and marketing.

He’s also mentored entrepreneurs in the four-month incubator through workshops and served as a judge for the program’s pitch competition. Jackson said Rayland-Boubar will serve as one of two community leaders mentoring entrepreneurs as Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah’s accelerator expands.

“He’s come into our ecosystem as somebody who contributes by inspiring our entrepreneurs, but also somebody that we also work with in discovering ways that we could be giving back to him as well.”

Jackson said this reciprocal approach reflects Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah’s broader philosophy. “Our goal is to empower entrepreneurs to build and scale their businesses, but also to take up that position of leadership in the community.”

Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah is already preparing its next group, with four entrepreneurs from the incubator set to transition into the newly formed accelerator this winter.

At the incubator’s pitch competition, Rayland-Boubar sat on the other side of the judging table and told participants not to shy away from building profitable businesses.

“It’s so cool to see that everybody’s community focused, but one of the things I mentioned is that it’s okay to make money too,” he said. “The social impact is always important, but we have to make money while we’re doing it, so it makes it sustainable.”

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms how we learn, work, and innovate, RRC Polytech is committed to ensuring these technologies are used thoughtfully, ethically, and in ways that strengthen our mission. To guide this work, we’ve developed a set of AI commitments rooted in responsible practice and aligned with our institutional values and global standards. 

Our approach is shaped by key considerations, including safety and security, data privacy, explainability, transparency, reliability, accountability, fairness, data sovereignty, and human-centered design. These principles reflect our belief that AI should enhance education and community impact and not compromise it. 

Commitments

RRC Polytech makes the following AI Commitments:

1. Grounded in Our Values and Purpose
   Every AI initiative reflects our Polytechnic values and aligns with our mission to advance education and community impact.
   
2. Human-Centered Always
   AI will enhance, not replace, the human experience. We keep “humans in the loop” to amplify critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
   
3. Purpose Over Hype
   We adopt AI where it creates real value for students, faculty, staff, and the institution. Every use case must serve strategic goals and community benefits.
   
4. Shared Adaptation and AI Literacy
   We commit to building AI literacy for students, faculty, and staff while fostering a culture of shared responsibility for learning and adaptation as roles evolve.
   
5. AI for Good and Sustainability
   We use AI to advance learning and innovation while considering equity, environmental impact, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Principles

RRC Polytech upholds the following AI principles that align with global standards:

1. Safety and Security
   AI systems are robust, secure, and designed to protect and enhance. They prioritize cybersecurity resilience and reliability to ensure trust and safety.
   
2. Data Privacy
   AI upholds personal, institutional, and cultural data privacy, ensuring responsible use, secure storage, and compliance with governance, policies, and Indigenous data sovereignty
   
3. Explainability and Transparency
   AI decisions and operations are clear, traceable, and openly communicated. Transparency fosters trust and strengthens academic integrity while protecting intellectual property rights.
   
4. Validity and Reliability
   AI is accurate, consistent, and purpose-driven, supported by ongoing monitoring and quality enhancement.
   
5. Accountability
   AI is guided by clear responsibility for decisions, supported by human oversight, and committed to ethical governance, regulatory compliance, and proactive risk management.
   
6. Fairness and Bias Detection
   AI systems strive to promote equity, reduce bias, and foster inclusivity across the Polytech community.
   
7. Ethical Purpose, Social Responsibility and Sustainability
   AI is ethical, accessible, and inclusive, with consideration for sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.

Learn more about RRC Polytech’s AI Strategy.

Potential learners who self-declare as First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis or Inuit are now eligible for free application to any RRC Polytech program.

“We know improving access for Indigenous learners and for students from different backgrounds requires multiple forms of support,” says Dr. Christine Watson, Vice-President Academic.

“Waiving the application fee and working directly with Indigenous students and the communities that support them allows us to remove a financial barrier that is faced when individuals begin to think about joining RRC Polytech as a student. This is one step in alleviating additional barriers they may face in their journey from applying to attending.”

The initiative reduces a financial barrier for Indigenous learners and follows two month-long pilot campaigns in 2024 and 2025 that drew more than 400 and 700 applications, respectively.

These results demonstrated the demand for more accessible application pathways, contributing to the decision to make the initiative permanent. Laureen Janzen, Director of Student Support Services, said many Indigenous applicants shared that the initiative helped them feel welcome at RRC Polytech.

“One person said they felt like they won the lottery,” says Janzen. “By making this a year-round initiative, Indigenous applicants can now also take their time to consider program fit, meet with some of our support services on campus and really understand the programs and the admission requirements.”

RRC Polytech recognizes that financial barriers are only one of several challenges some Indigenous learners may face when considering post-secondary. Potential learners can connect with an Indigenous Academic Advisor to help navigate the transition to post-secondary.

Current students can also access support at RRC Polytech’s Indigenous Student Support Centres, where they can participate in events, cultural teachings and ceremonies, or spend time with friends.

RRC Polytech’s Winkler Campus recently played host to a stop on the Red River Technology Vocational Area (RRTVA)’s “Amazing Race” tour, joined by Manitoba’s Minister of Advanced Education and Training, Renée Cable. The whirlwind day took the Minister and fellow delegates through a series of schools and vocational shops across southern Manitoba, showcasing the hands-on learning that shapes the region’s future workforce. 

A key highlight was the visit to the Winkler Campus, where the group met with students in the Health Care Aide program. This cohort is unique, as the majority of the students are currently in Grade 12 and participate through the RRTVA network. Representing five school divisions across the Pembina Valley, these students travel to the Winkler Campus to complete their training – an innovative model that delivers high-quality, polytechnic-level education directly to rural learners. 

“This tour provided valuable visibility to our rural campus and highlighted the importance of expanding access to advanced education in communities like ours,” said Shaun Hillman, Manager, Winkler Campus. “Providing students in Winkler with local access to training allows them to build meaningful careers while strengthening the communities they call home.” 

Read more about the tour and its stops at Pembina Valley Online. 

At RRC Polytech, we know that a polytechnic education can take you far. Right now, a handful of alumni have taken their skills all the way to Italy for the Winter Olympics, Milano Cortina 2026.

Taking a break from their busy schedules, four Creative Communications (CreComm) alumni shared some pictures and perspectives from the Games – read more about how their time at the Polytech has prepared them for a career beyond borders.

Mike McIntyre

Sports Reporter/Winnipeg Jets Beat Writer, Winnipeg Free Press

Creative Communications, class of 1995

Daniella Ponticelli

Creative Communications, class of 2012

Tanner Grywinski

Creative Communications, class of 2004

Kyle Jahns

Media Attaché, Canadian Olympic Committee; Lead, Communication & Media Relations, Curling Canada

Creative Communications, class of 2013

Due to blowing snow conditions across the province, RRC Polytech’s regional campuses will be operating as follows: 

• Winkler Campus is closed and classes will be moved online
• Portage Campus classes will be moved online
• Stevenson Southport classes will be moved online

All other Campuses – including Regional and in Winnipeg – will be open with regular operations.

For those driving both inside and outside of Winnipeg, please drive with caution and adjust to weather conditions. 

If you are unable to make it to campus safely due to road conditions, please contact your supervisor or instructor. 

RRC Polytech will continue monitoring today’s changing weather. Any updates to campus operations will be shared on rrc.ca/marcom/news 

When RRC Polytech instructor, Melissa Deroche, landed in Shenyang, China, she was greeted by her soon-to-be students at the airport. Deroche was heading to the Shenyang Institute of Engineering (Shenyang) along with co-facilitator Shanshan Wang to deliver an introductory module to the newly developed Post-Graduate Certificate in Adult Education (PGCAE).

“I immediately felt the strong partnership [between RRC Polytech and Shenyang] and connection to the cohort of 20 students,” said Deroche.

Building on almost 40 years of collaboration, RRC Polytech and Shenyang continue to share knowledge, partner on programming, host staff and student exchanges, and facilitate applied research projects.

Representing a decade-long conversation about offering a Certificate in Adult Education for instructors at Shenyang, the PGCAE program is the latest collaboration to launch between the two institutions.

The framework for the PGCAE is RRC Polytech’s Teaching for Learning in Applied Education (TFL) program, which was launched during the pandemic as a six-course-long online training. The TFL program is for educators of all experience levels, from new instructors, subject matter experts coming from industry to those with lengthy teaching careers who want to learn new practices to integrate into their classrooms.

Since launching the TFL program in 2021, RRC Polytech has been better equipped to support Shenyang’s request for training, integrating valuable feedback from its own instructors to enhance the course offerings.

The idea to develop training for instructors at Shenyang was reignited in 2022, leading to renewed conversations about a Certificate in Adult Education. The partnership was solidified during an Executive trip to Shenyang in fall 2024, and development of the PGCAE based on the TFL Program began that December.

Deroche led the development of the PGCAE program, adapting TFL content to best fulfil the needs of learners at Shenyang. For example, adjusting or removing Canadian-specific content or content such as YouTube videos that aren’t shareable in China, and building in HP5 interactive games and activities in lieu of in-person exercises.

Alongside the work to adapt content, Deroche worked with an instructional designer at the Polytech on a weekly basis to ensure accessibility and effectiveness for all learners.

To launch the PGCAE program in July 2025, Deroche and co-facilitator Shanshan Wang delivered a preliminary module in-person, as an “appetizer” to the five-course program which participants will complete asynchronously online.  

The goal of delivering the training in-person was to prime participants to develop a strong foundation for learner-centered, inclusive teaching principles and strategies.

Deroche notes that before heading to Shenyang, she wasn’t sure what to expect when delivering the preliminary module. When she and Wang met the cohort, they discovered that they brought a wealth of knowledge – more than half of the participants had over 20 years’ teaching experience – and they were eager and enthusiastic to learn.

“The experience felt like a mini teaching retreat between countries. It’s rare that as an instructor you get [the opportunity] to just talk and focus on what makes good teaching,” said Deroche. “It was truly special to carve out five days to focus on our teaching craft.”

The PGCAE brings Canadian teaching concepts and pedagogical approaches to Shenyang, allowing instructors to discover new practices and core principles to integrate into their classroom.

The experience with the first cohort at Shenyang was a resounding success, receiving positive feedback from participants, including:

“It feels good to learn and know that I am working to be a better teacher. I feel supported by the instructors.”

“This is the best teacher training course I have ever attended.”

The first cohort is now working through the PGCAE program on LEARN with Deroche providing support and guidance to participants.

The strong relationships fostered by the program instructors, Deroche and Wang, have played a pivotal role in maintaining effective communication and providing ongoing support. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in building the program’s momentum and ensuring learners receive a high-quality experience.

The PGCAE program demonstrates strong cross-institutional collaboration, which has been made possible through the support of leadership from Shenyang, the School of Education, Arts, and Sciences and the Centre for International Education and Global Partnerships at RRC Polytech.

Building on the success of the PGCAE program, a second cohort of instructors at Shenyang will begin their training in July 2026.

RRC Polytech is striding into the future with an interactive session on AI, automation, and leadership – and what they mean for Manitoba’s tech workforce.

Join us on February 25 at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae for Designing Manitoba’s Tech Workforce: Industry Insights, a dynamic, interactive event focused on where technology is headed and how we can get there together. This opportunity brings together industry professionals, educators, and innovators to spotlight the best and brightest shaping Manitoba’s tech landscape as part of MbTech Week, driven by Tech Manitoba.

“Tech Manitoba encourages anyone with a stake in Manitoba’s digitally-enabled workforce to attend this session. It’s an opportunity to share your perspective on existing skills gaps and will help shape practical, targeted training solutions that are needed by industry,” says Kelly Fournel, CEO, Tech Manitoba.

If you’re looking to build new skills, strengthen your organization’s workforce capacity, or stay ahead of emerging tech trends, this event offers practical insights and fresh perspectives you can put to work right away.

Stephanie Remniak, chair, Information Technology and Professional Studies, says that RRC Polytech is eager to empower individuals and organizations to stay ahead of the constantly-evolving curve.

“Whether through upgrading skills in our programs, courses and microcredentials or partnerships to design custom training, we help build the talent and expertise needed to close skills gaps, strengthen teams, and drive real innovation,” says Remniak.

At the centre of the event is an interactive, facilitated discussion where participants will share insights on current skills gaps in Manitoba’s tech sector. Attendees will also explore how RRC Polytech, Manitoba’s only polytechnic, responds with targeted, rapid training solutions that meet industry needs in real time.

The session will feature Marie Hacault, Youth and Talent Initiatives, Industry Engagement, Community Connector at Tech Manitoba, who will share industry perspectives and help spark conversation around workforce development and innovation.

Join an engaging design‑thinking experience that begins with a brief, light LEGO/AI activity to spark creativity, then quickly shifts into the core of the session with deep, question‑driven exploration. Participants will collaborate in groups, use technology to engage with thought‑provoking questions, and take part in facilitated discussions that fuel innovative thinking and lead to practical, high‑impact solutions.

The event will be held in the Roundhouse Auditorium at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae with plenty of time to network with peers, industry leaders, and education partners.

Come ready to share, build, and help design the future of Manitoba’s tech workforce.

Read more or sign up for the event here