Communications and Marketing

News and Events

May Safety Update

May 1, 2025

Over the last few months, the monthly safety updates to the College community have focused mainly on security, however another important initiative at RRC Polytech is the health services we provide to students and staff.

RRC Polytech’s Health Services provides students and staff with a variety of health and wellness information for general interest, ongoing health condition maintenance, plus treatment for injuries and illness.

RRC Polytech has continued to see growth and expansion of the Exchange District Campus with the opening of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae and more students and staff working and learning downtown.

With the increased presence and growing needs downtown, we have recently begun an exciting initiative to bring a health centre to serve the downtown campus community.

This space is currently being renovated at The Roblin Centre and will be open to students or staff to make appointments with members of the Health Services nursing team who will work from this centre.

While the Health Services nursing team currently serves students at EDC through regular meetings downtown, bringing students to the Notre Dame Campus for appointments, or annual events like the flu vaccine clinics, this new space and presence will help ensure the College community can seek health service assistance from the nursing team when they need it.

We look forward to sharing more information about this exciting initiative with the College community once the space is complete and open in the near future.

Please remember the Health Services team is here to help with a number of supports and services to all members of the College community. The Health Centre is open from 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday and we encourage students or staff to call anytime to speak with nursing staff at RRC Polytech: 204-632-2238 or HealthServices@rrc.ca  

RRC Polytech’s Comms team takes home hardware at 2025 Manitoba Communicator of the Year awards

April 28, 2025

Canadian Public Relations Society of Manitoba (CPRS) awards Emerging Communications Leader and Outstanding Contributions to Truth and Reconciliation and EDIA to College’s comms team.

The Communications and Public Relations team at RRC Polytech was named Manitoba’s Communicators of the Year (MCOY) in two categories by the Canadian Public Relations Society of Manitoba last week. These six individuals were recognized amongst their peers at the annual awards ceremony celebrating excellence in the communications industry in Manitoba. 

Since 2008, CPRS Manitoba Communicators of the Year Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose work in communications has made a significant impact. The College’s Communications Officers took home the hardware in two of six award categories. 

Jenn Pazdor was named Emerging Communications Leader, a category recognizing public relations professionals with up to six years of experience who have demonstrated a strategic mindset and innovative approach above and beyond what is normally expected at the early stages of their career.  

Jenn joined the College as a Communications Officer in March 2024 for a one-year term position. In that time, she led communications efforts for several large-scale events at RRC Polytech, including announcing the College’s largest-ever gift to establish the Schroeder Institute of Entertainment and Media Arts and the grand opening of the Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre.  

Jenn Pazdor accepts the award for Emerging Communications Leader at the 2025 Manitoba Communicator of the Year Awards Ceremony at the Qualico Family Centre

A Creative Communications grad (2019), Jenn is now pursuing a post-graduate diploma in Communications Management while working full-time as a Digital Automation Specialist at RRC Polytech. 

“I am truly honoured to be the recipient of this year’s MCOY Emerging Leader award. I often say the best decision I ever made was coming to RRC Polytech for the Creative Communications program,” said Jenn Pazdor.  

“This award is yet another example of how well the program prepared me with confidence and tools to achieve big things in this profession. Having one of my former instructors – now a valued mentor – present me with the award was a very surreal experience and makes this achievement even more special. I’m deeply grateful for the trust and support I’ve received from the team at RRC Polytech and from all the folks I’ve worked with and learned from in my career so far. Manitoba’s communications industry is truly special to be a part of.” 

Jenn was also recognized for her commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead in the ever-evolving communications landscape. She is also actively involved in Winnipeg’s creative and running communities, as a committee member of CreativeMornings Winnipeg and The Good Way Run.  

In the Team Award Category, five Communications Officers – Robin Ringland, Kevin Olszewski, Laina Hughes, Breanne Lucky, and Lauren Parsons – were awarded for Outstanding Contributions to Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. 

RRC Polytech Communications Team receives award for Outstanding Contribution to Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion at the Manitoba Communicator of the Year Awards Celebration at the Qualico Family Centre

They were recognized for their efforts to advance RRC Polytech’s reconciliation and EDIA initiatives through strategic communications, including the pivotal role they play in supporting the College’s strategic plan, “In Front of What’s Ahead,” and advancing its commitment to enact truth and reconciliation, and pursue EDIA in everything we do. 

“This small yet nimble team consistently puts forward new, creative, and strategic ideas to engage the community in our institutional efforts,” said Conor Lloyd, APR, Director, College and Public Relations.  

“Initiatives such as the ‘Not a Grey Area,’ anti-racism campaign, the EDIA calendar working group, the Indigenous style guide, and their efforts to meet and engage with students across the province and share their stories, have significantly enhanced our outreach and engagement, making our commitment to these values more visible and impactful.” 

The team also played a key role in developing the College’s annual Report to the Community, which shares data collected through Key Performance Indicators and highlights the stories of progress towards the college’s commitments. This report is a powerful tool for accountability and transparency, showcasing the college’s achievements and ongoing efforts. 

“Through storytelling, outreach, internal campaigns, and a focus on diverse voices, the Communications team has helped build a culture that truly celebrates and embraces difference. Their efforts have boosted engagement among employees and students, bringing people together through events and initiatives that reflect our commitment to inclusivity,” said Melanie Gudmunson, Chief Human Resource Officer at RRC Polytech in her letter of support. 

“The RRC Polytech Communications team is a great example of how strategic communication can drive meaningful progress. Their innovative and thoughtful approach to reconciliation and EDI sets a benchmark for others to follow.” 

Both nominations were submitted by Emily Doer, Manager of Communications and Public Relations at RRC Polytech. 

RRC Polytech’s goal is to prepare students to become leaders in their fields. Creative Communications and Communications Management grads and staff continue to be recognized for their contributions to the public relations and communications industry. At the 2024 MCOY awards, out of five award categories, four were won by RRC Polytech grads and teams they worked on, and one by a current program chair. 

Learn more about the 2025 MCOY Awards: Past MCOY Award Recipients – Canadian Public Relations Society Manitoba 

Olympic-Style Skilled Trades Competition Draws Hundreds of Provincial Competitors 

April 10, 2025

The next generation of skilled professionals are putting their talents on display today as they compete in the 27th Annual Skills Manitoba Competition. 

Approximately 500 young Manitobans will compete in over 40 Olympic-style hands-on contests at the secondary and post-secondary/apprentice level. It’s a showcase of skills in robotics and manufacturing, 3D character computer animation, construction trades, hairstyling, and many more. 

Gold medal winners of many of the competitions will form Team Manitoba and advance to the Skills Canada National Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan May 27-May 31, 2025 

Hosted by Skills Canada Manitoba, this event is designed to provide much needed awareness of Canada’s skilled workforce shortage, while encouraging young people to pursue a career in a trade they enjoy. 

“The skilled trades offer opportunities for positions with great pay, job security and flexibility. There is a continuing significant worker shortage in many of these areas,” said Maria Pacella, Executive Director of Skills Canada Manitoba, “Most people are unaware of the merits of post-secondary training in trades and technology and competitions like this allow students to explore their options and see where something that started as a hobby can be a rewarding career.” 

Skills Canada Manitoba has hosted the annual competition at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech)’s Notre Dame Campus for 26 years, and for high school competitors it is also an opportunity to meet instructors, see the shop and lab spaces and learn more about post-secondary options. 

“The Skills Manitoba competition is one of the most exciting and energizing days on campus every year,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “Our programs provide training for in-demand skills that allow our graduates to have a positive impact on our province’s economy and communities. It’s exciting to walk through the Skilled Trades and Technology Centre and see the incredible talent showcased by our students and competitors from both the high school and post-secondary levels. We’re always proud to watch our students compete, and to welcome the next generation of talent onto campus in hopes we will see them enrolled as students in the near future.” 

The 27th annual competition will take place today, Thursday, April 10, 2025: 

9:00 am – 2:30 pm 
Red River College Polytechnic, 2055 Notre Dame Ave. 
Operations Room – A137 

Medal Presentations at 3:30 pm in the South Gym 

Annual Young Women’s Conference:
During the competition, 170 young women from junior highs in Manitoba will have the opportunity learn about career options in the trades and technology field at the Young Women’s Conference. Also hosted by Skills Canada Manitoba, this one-day event features entertaining and informative keynote speakers and team activities plus an opportunity to talk to mentors from employers such as Manitoba Hydro, CN and Birchwood. 

Media is invited to learn more about how these young women view their future career opportunities in the trades and technology field on: 

Thursday, April 10, 2025 
9:30 am- 2:30 pm 
Red River College Polytechnic, 2055 Notre Dame Ave. 
Voyageur Cafeteria 

For information contact:  
Maria Pacella, Executive Director 
Skills Canada Manitoba 
204-770-4287 

RRC Polytech Student takes mechanical engineering skills Down Under

April 8, 2025

Outstanding co-op experience at MacDon takes Brandon Doucet to the fields in Australia

It took Mechanical Engineering Technology student Brandon Doucet approximately ten seconds to say ‘yes’ to an opportunity that would take him across the world to Australia for six months.

While on a co-operative work placement with MacDon Industries, Brandon was working on a prototype for a new combine header that was completely new to the agriculture industry. When it came time to test the product in the field, his supervisors noticed the interest he had taken and asked if he would be willing to conduct the testing with Australian farmers.

“It was a big leap, I learned a lot about who I am and what kind of worker I am and what kind of work that I enjoy,” says Brandon, who was 19 years old at the time of his co-op. “All in all I travelled every state and drove more than 30,000 kilometres – on the other side of the road. I got to see a lot of the country and met locals who had so many stories about farming and life.”

The product Brandon was testing is the MacDon FD261 FlexDraper, which is now available publicly to farmers worldwide. The header is 61-feet long, which about ten feet more than the previous FD2 design and about double the length of a standard combine header used to harvest crops. The header also flexes to cover the ground better and produce a better yield.

The six months of field testing entailed working directly with Australian farmers, using their combines with the MacDon prototype header. Brandon would perform regular inspections, maintenance, upgrades, and operation of the prototype equipment in the field. He would also collect data from the hydraulic and electrical systems, which would then be relayed back to the engineering team in Winnipeg for further analysis. 

“I really enjoy all the nitty gritty details of engineering testing, laying out what’s being tested, why it’s being tested and how the improvement can make a better product,” says Brandon. “During this experience I really grew to respect how much documentation plays a role in engineering. Keeping things organized so it can be looked back on after each change, and using what was learned to continuously improve.”

When Brandon first started his co-op with MacDon he had one more term left in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program before graduating. On top of the stint in Australia, he also had the opportunity to work on projects in cities across North America and decided to take a total of 16 months off from the program to gain the real-world experience.

Part of the reason he felt comfortable and confident in that decision was the reassurance from his instructor, Doris Peloquin, that the program would still be there for him to complete. She emphasized that having the diploma completed would help him in his career, but that there is value to taking on practical experiences when they present themselves.

“Co-op or internships give the students the ability to apply what they’ve learned during classwork in a real-world scenario. At RRC Polytech we do a good job of providing hands-on learning scenarios in class but it’s not quite the same experience of what you gain from a real-world experience,” says Doris. “There’s networking and professionalism and learning their soft skills – especially that ability to communicate at different levels; with leaders and those on the shop floor, and interdepartmentally.”

After graduating from RRC Polytech this June, Brandon plans to attend Lakehead University to obtain his Engineering Degree and aspires to work in Motorsport Engineering.

“Before my co-op with MacDon, I remember thinking there’s no way I’d leave Manitoba. But now I know I can always travel, learn from different parts of the world, and then come home with new ideas or ways of doing things,” says Brandon.

For more information about the Mechanical Engineering Technology program visit RRC Polytech’s Program Explorer page.

Spring Safety Update

April 4, 2025

The following message is from Fred Meier, President and CEO at RRC Polytech:

Since the end of last year, we’ve committed to sharing regular Safety Updates with staff and students to keep everyone informed about safety enhancements and existing services on campus.

Safe Ride and Safe Walk are services familiar to most staff and students. For those who aren’t familiar, the Safe Walk and Safe Ride programs at RRC Polytech provide escorts for students and staff between two points on campus or to nearby locations, ensuring safety and security.

Although I was familiar with Safe Ride, I had never used the service. When invited by Safety, Health, and Security Services for a “ride along,” I seized the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

I headed to the Exchange District Campus (EDC) during peak hours – between 8:00 and 10 a.m. – and buckled up in the passenger seat next to Dilawar (Dil) Singh Randhawa, Security Officer, who drives one of the two Safe Ride vans. The second van was added in fall 2024 to support an average of 180 safe rides each day at EDC.

One of my greatest points of pride is the incredible work that supports our campus community daily. It’s always an eye opening experience to see behind the scenes or a day in the life. As I’ve discovered through experiences like this ride along, there are many hidden heroes who make our campuses better places for all.

While I could write more about my experience, I want to keep this message brief, so you can all take a few minutes to watch the Safe Ride Along video, below.

Thank you to the Security Services team for sharing an inside look at the Safe Ride program, letting me tag along to chat with students and staff about their experiences. And I would be remiss to not acknowledge everyone who took the time to chat with me – both on- and off-camera. I recognize people were likely not expecting a camera crew as a part of their morning commute to campus!

As a reminder, if you need a Safe Ride – or Safe Walk – call Security Services at 204-949-8305 (EDC) or 204-632-2323 (NDC). Services are available from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at EDC and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at NDC, with evening Safe Rides available upon request. 

March Winter Storm Advisory and Campus Operations

March 28, 2025

Manitoba has been hit by a heavy snowfall overnight that is expected to continue with periods of snow throughout the day. There is also a risk of freezing drizzle early this morning, and the potential of icy road conditions. Please click here for more information on highway closures and road conditions.

Winnipeg campuses remain open and will operate as usual and please use caution while commuting.

RRC Polytech’s regional campuses will be operating as follows:

  • Portage Campus is open however classes will move to online delivery.
  • Stevenson Southport is open however there are no classes scheduled today.
  • Stevenson Winnipeg is open and will maintain regular operations
  • Selkirk and Peguis Campuses are closed and classes will move to online delivery.
    • please note the exams will be rescheduled
  • Steinbach Campus is open and will maintain regular operations.
  • Winkler Campus is open and will maintain regular operations.

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

If you cannot make it to classes or work safely due to weather conditions, please work with your instructor or supervisor directly.

Any updates to campus operations will be shared here.

WIL Power: Electronic Engineering Technology student goes above and beyond, is named RRC Polytech Work-Integrated Learning Co-op Student of the Year 

March 26, 2025

Gurman Ubhi has made significant impacts throughout their time at RRC Polytech – for themself, for fellow students, and – through their co-op placement at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) – for the environment. Their commitment to going the extra mile has recently earned Gurman the title of RRC Polytech’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Co-op Student of the Year. 

As a student in the Electronic Engineering Technology program, Gurman not only excels academically, but volunteers their time to serve as the Chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch at RRC Polytech.  

A person wearing a grey sweatshirt smiles at the camera.

It was during Gurman’s co-op placement with ECCC where their skills, passion, and initiative truly shone. Gurman worked for the Atmospheric Monitoring Division of the Meteorological Service of Canada, and traveled throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nunavut during their four-month placement. 

This work saw them assisting senior technologists during weather station verification inspections – learning and working on complicated weather station systems that involved high-powered electrical components and complex instrumentation. These are the systems that generate the climate data that the ECCC uses to provide weather forecasts to Canadians across the country. 

“Gurman’s work in assisting the senior technologists during site inspections directly contributed to the safety of the Canadian public,” noted Michael Maurice, Supervisor/Expert Technologist, Monitoring and Data Collection, Prairie Northern Operations – East at ECCC. 

Gurman credited their education at RRC Polytech with preparing them for the complex work at ECCC. 

“One of the most technically challenging yet rewarding aspects of my role was working on radar systems. This included inspections and testing of critical components such as antennas, power delivery systems, and safety equipment,” said Gurman. “These experiences required me to draw upon my coursework in circuits, signal processing, and measurements, demonstrating the real-world applicability of my academic studies.  

“Through these tasks, I developed a strong understanding of high-powered electrical systems and advanced instrumentation, further enhancing my technical expertise and critical thinking skills.” 

On top of their regular duties, Gurman developed and implemented a new online fleet vehicle tracker – a project that was so successful, it was eventually adopted by the division and is still used to this day. 

“Gurman demonstrated outstanding problem-solving skills, adapting to feedback from multiple departments and ultimately delivering a valuable tool that streamlined fleet monitoring,” said Maurice. “This project showcases Gurman’s ability to think beyond assigned tasks and actively contribute to our team’s objectives.” 

Gurman’s contributions during their co-op placement have reinforced ECCC’s commitment to RRC Polytech’s WIL co-op program, as their high performance and proactive approach demonstrates the value of working with emerging talent. 

“Co-operative education has been pivotal in shaping me into a well-rounded professional,” said Gurman. “It has provided me with the skills, experiences, and network to excel in my career while reinforcing the importance of giving back to the student community. This experience has not only prepared me for my future career but has also inspired me to advocate for the expansion of WIL opportunities, ensuring that more students benefit from such transformative learning experiences.” 

Co-operative education plays a vital role in RRC Polytech’s commitment to delivering high-quality education and training. Learn more about Co-operative Education and other types of Work-Integrated Learning at RRC Polytech.   

Polytechnic Showcase: Full Program Now Available

March 26, 2025

The full program for the 2025 Polytechnic Showcase, hosted at Red River College Polytechnic from May 13-15, is now available.

Each of Polytechnics Canada’s partner institutions will be presenting sessions with topics ranging from harnessing wearable technology and machine learning to support first responders, to building community as part of campus expansion, bolstering the skilled trades, and empowering innovation through AI and applied research.

RRC Polytech’s session, Indigenous Strategy at Work, will be on May 14 during lunch:

At this insightful panel discussion, RRC Polytech will share how its Indigenous strategy is transforming the institution. Hear from staff leading this work and students who are experiencing changes firsthand as they discuss how new approaches are reshaping learning outcomes, institutional policies and procurement, human resource practices and the student experience. Discover how weaving Indigenous viewpoints and strategy into everything we do creates meaningful change across the polytechnic and adds new dimensions to its culture.

Presenter: Jamie Wilson, Vice President, Indigenous Strategy, Research & Business Development

Click here to see the full schedule and session descriptions

Early bird registration for the 2025 Polytechnic Showcase is available until April 1. Visit Polytechnics Canada’s event page to learn more and to register today.

Polytechnic Showcase Keynotes: Dr. Niigaan Sinclair and Ben Wildavsky

March 12, 2025

From May 13 to 15 Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) will be hosting delegates from 13 polytechnic institutions across Canada as well as representatives from industry, business and government for Polytechnics Canada’s annual showcase, focusing on the theme of Propelling Canada’s Productivity.

This year’s keynote speakers, Dr. Niigaan Sinclair and Ben Wildavsky, are sure to inspire attendees to bring new ideas into their thinking and work.

Opening Keynote: Dr. Niigaan Sinclair

A photo of Dr. Niigaan Sinclair next to the words 'Opening Keynote' and the Polytechnics Canada logo.

Dr. Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe from Peguis First Nation. He is an award-winning writer, editor and professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba who was named by Maclean’s magazine in 2022 as one of the most influential people in Canada. Niigaan is a multiple nominee of Canadian Columnist of the Year (winning in 2018) and his commentary appears weekly on multiple platforms across Canada – from the pages of The Winnipeg Free Press to TV shows on CBC, APTN and on his co-hosted podcast Niigaan and the Lone Ranger. His first book, Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre (McClelland & Stewart, 2024), was a national bestseller that won the 2024 Governor General Award for Non-fiction. He is a former secondary school teacher who won the 2019 Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Closing Keynote: Ben Wildavsky

A photo of Ben Wildavsky next to the words 'Closing Keynote' and the Polytechnic Showcase logo. The logo has the words 'Propelling Canada's Productivity'.

Ben Wildavsky is a veteran higher education strategist, writer, speaker, convener and host of the Higher Ed Spotlight podcast. His decades of experience in journalism and education policy include leadership roles at Strada Education Network, the College Board and U.S. News & World Report. He is a visiting fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2024-2025.

He is the author of The Career Arts: Making the Most of College, Credentials, and Connections. He is also the award-winning author of The Great Brain Race and coeditor of Reinventing Higher Education and Measuring Success with bylines in many national magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, Foreign Policy and the Washington Post. His New York Times guest essay, Let’s Stop Pretending College Degrees Don’t Matter, was reprinted in the bestselling textbook The Norton Field Guide to Writing.

He was recently selected as a Fulbright Specialist and a Salzburg Global Fellow. A former scholar at the Brookings Institution, the Rockefeller Institute of Government and the Kauffman Foundation, he has been a speaker on globalization and higher education innovation in 16 U.S. states and 10 foreign countries, including events at Google, the World Bank, the OECD in Paris and the London School of Economics. He has long experience as a consultant on high-profile writing projects, including policy reports and thought leadership articles by education and workforce executives. He has convened leading thinkers to produce memorable events and publications.

Register for the 2025 Polytechnic Showcase

For more information, and to register please visit Polytechnics Canada’s website. Early bird registration is available until April 1.

CreComm grads take home four awards at the COPAs

March 11, 2025

Last December, Megan Hederson received news from her instructors she’ll never forget – she was shortlisted for the 2024 Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPAs). And this January, her instructors asked whether she would like to attend the awards to represent RRC Polytech. 

“I was so honoured that my story was worthy of recognition. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I couldn’t not go,” said Hederson, 2024 graduate of the Creative Communications (CreComm) program. 

The COPAs are presented by Masthead, an industry magazine for Canadian publishing professionals, and are judged by media professionals from across the country. Eight student articles – plus the online magazine where they’re hosted – were submitted for the 2024 awards by Emily Cain and Karen Press, CreComm instructors. 

The articles selected by Cain and Press are part of the student-produced Working Draft online magazine. All Working Draft articles are long-form pieces that CreComm students write, peer edit, and focus on continuous improvement through diverse feedback, as a second-year final project. 

The Working Draft theme for 2024 was Time. With this theme, students could take their writing in many directions, opting for a long-form non-fiction creative piece, feature article or white paper. For Hederson, she chose to share a deeply personal moment of time from her life, recounting her experience of psychosis and navigating the mental health system in her feature article, Together We Escape.  

Whiteboard "mind map" on the 2024 Working draft theme of Time.
Whiteboard “mind map” on the 2024 Working Draft theme of Time.

Together We Escape was one of five Working Draft submissions shortlisted for the 2024 COPAs. 

This February, Hederson, who now resides in Bracebridge, Ontario, invited her mom to join, and made the train commute to the COPAs in downtown Toronto. As Hederson sat on the train to Toronto, she read all the fellow Feature Article (Academic) nominations, noting that she was sure In Sickness and Health written by Chloe Hannan would win. 

At the COPAs Hederson made her way to the stage to accept awards on behalf of her peers. She recalls the event MC commenting as she stepped on stage to accept the third award on behalf of her peers and RRC Polytech, “you’re producing really great things out there!”  

When it came time to announce the winner for Feature Article (Academic) category, the Silver award winner was called first, In Sickness and Health written by Chloe Hannan. Next, Hederson heard her name. Together We Escape took home the Gold. 

Megan Hederson holding her award at the COPAs
Megan Hederson at the 2024 Canadian Online Publishing Awards.

“While receiving this recognition is incredible, what was even more meaningful was the support of my instructors and classmates throughout the entire process. CreComm instructors – especially Karen Press, Emily Cain, and Joanne Kelly – go above and beyond to set their students up for success. This isn’t just my win; it’s a win for all of RRC Polytech and its CreComm program,” said Hederson, acknowledging that she shed a few tears when she realized she had won. 

Throughout the awards, Hederson was texting live updates to her instructors back in Winnipeg, letting them know each time another CreComm graduate was awarded. 

“When I teach students in semester four of Writers Craft, I haven’t taught them since their first semester, so there’s a lot of growth. It’s rewarding to see how far students have come,” said Cain. 

CreComm students are building an award-winning reputation, placing RRC Polytech in the top three out of 50 post-secondaries and publications such as Toronto Life and CBC British Colombia, at the 2024 COPAs. 

Congratulations to all the 2024 Canadian Online Publishing Awards winners – Danna Carreon (Silver for Investigative Article), Megan Hederson (Gold, Feature Article – Academic), Caleb Jutzi (Gold for Feel Good Story – Academic), and Christina Klysh (Silver for Lifestyle Article).  

Read the award-winning articles that were published as part of the 2024 Working Draft issue on Time: 

A Forest in a Day by Caleb Jutzi  
10,000 trees or bust. 

Together We Escape by Megan Hederson  
When a psychotic break lands a teen in the hospital, she is forced to navigate the mental health system. Eight years later, she meets a woman with similar experiences — and finds community and connection. 

Life Beyond Borders by Danna Bianca Carreon  
International students leave their home countries to pursue their dreams — and education — in Canada, but once they arrive, many are faced with a harsh reality. Housing, employment, and issues around recruitment that don’t surface until they are already thousands of kilometres from home leave many international students in precarious situations. 

The Resale Revolution by Christina Klysh  
Thanks to TikTok, Gen Z, and the impending climate crisis, the online second-hand clothing resale market is booming — but in-person thrifting is here to stay. 

Shortlisted Working Draft article 

Aaniindi Ezhaayin? (Where are you Going?) by Hannah Palamer 
In the family tree, trauma’s roots run deep. After losing a family member to addiction, one young woman confronts the pain of her past and reconnects to her Indigenous identity. 

The Working Draft online magazine was also shortlisted for Best News/Sports site. 

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.