Every year, Red River College Polytechnic awards up to four Lieutenant Governor’s Medal awards to graduating students who excel in academic and technical achievement, involvement in College and/or community activities, and good character.

This year, RRC Polytech is proud to have selected a recipient who embodies every aspect of the award:

Michael Stewart, Applied Accounting

He cannot hear you.

He can barely see you.

But he’s ready, willing and more than able to help you with anything.

In fact, nothing makes Michael Stewart happier than smashing a negative stereotype associated with the deaf-blind community – it is his mission and one of the many reasons he has been awarded the only Lieutenant Governor’s Medal at RRC Polytech’s 2022 Fall Convocation.

“I just have a heart for supporting people and being involved in the community and so I want to help other people become successful and fulfill their dreams,” says Stewart.

Michael’s unwavering positivity inspires everyone around him. A lack of hearing since birth and diminished sight since age nine have never deterred him from chasing his dream of creating an inclusive society by empowering others who face similar challenges and educating those who don’t.

“My message for fellow graduates is to continue to push themselves into uncomfortable situations,” he says. “Overcome your fear and insecurities because that is where you ultimately grow the most. Make short-term and long-term goals with a detailed breakdown. When you accomplish a small goal, reward yourself so you can be proud of yourself. Also, be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions!”

He credits his late father for his belief in himself, his work ethic, and for instilling his passion for volunteerism and his faith for the values that guide him.     

Michael lives those values each day, effortlessly balancing his community involvement and studies while working multiple part-time jobs to support himself, including as a Professional Direct Support Worker for deaf and autistic clients at New Directions.

His decision to further his education was sparked by his experience serving as a Chairperson for the Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81) designed to make Canada barrier-free by January 1, 2040 and his ongoing committee work at the first national summer camp for deaf-blind adults at Camp Manitou, which he helped found in 2017.

His strength in math combined with a desire to help organizations or individuals that he believes in, led him to choosing a career in accounting.  

A classroom leader achieving excellent grades and attendance, Michael has graduated with Honours from the Applied Accounting Certificate program.

He appreciates his instructors for challenging him by encouraging group activities with some of his classmates who spoke English as a second language and had little to no experience with his interpreters and supports, teaching them all patience, respect, and how to adjust their communications.  

The pandemic forced a shift to virtual and hybrid delivery systems for the majority of students in his graduating class of over 1200. But already an expert in adaptability, Michael used remote learning to his advantage in May, attending classes while volunteering at the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil, and shared the enriching experience with his classmates.

Jill Patterson, Manager of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services describes Stewart as a positive, dynamic and hardworking individual who is ready to take on the world of work and says his willingness to help teach others around him about his community sets him apart. 

“It’s been a privilege working with Michael for the past year,” says Patterson. “I only wish he would stay a Red River College Polytechnic student forever because he will be missed. Congratulations on this award, you deserve it.”

Michael says his award wouldn’t have been possible without all the amazing people who have helped him along the way and encourages everyone to volunteer and foster relationships to create healthy communities.

“From instructors and interpreters to classmates, I am blown away by the generosity, kindness, and top-notch service provided by RRC Polytech,” says Stewart. “My education will open so many doors for me as I work toward becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant and achieving my ultimate goal of changing the stigma associated with the ability of deaf-blind Canadians to work and contribute.”

Michael Stewart is a tireless advocate for accessibility, an outstanding role model and a worthy recipient of the College’s most distinguished award.

The only reason he would ever not lend you a hand, is because both his arms are already busy supporting someone else.

Next week, RRC Polytech staff and students will cuddle with dogs, walk through the forest, and learn the art of Japanese taiko drumming, all in the name of supporting their mental health and well-being.

The College’s Thrive Week encourages students and staff to focus on balance and self-care, while developing positive mental health that supports success in learning and work.

“RRC Polytech is committed to providing an environment where equity, diversity and inclusion can thrive – and part of that is addressing the diverse realities we each face when it comes to mental health,” says Melanie Gudmundson, RRC Polytech’s Chief Human Resource Officer. “Campus well-being is a priority at RRC Polytech. We understand that personal and community health contributes both to student success and employee engagement, so it’s important to offer opportunities for our community to find some much-needed balance in their busy days, whether they’re on campus or learning or working remotely.”

The week starts off on Monday, November 7 with a visit from the St. John Ambulance therapy dog program. On Tuesday, the College hosts Jaime Manness for a keynote address. Manness is a nurse and RRC Polytech grad who’s the creator, owner, and author of Hike Manitoba, which includes five guidebooks on hiking in Manitoba. Manness will talk about how spending time in nature helps her manage a high-pressure career, while sharing expert tips on hiking in the province.

Thrive Week also features a series of virtual and in-person events – such as a group walk through Birds Hill Park and a workshop with Fubuki Daiko – where staff and students are invited to take a moment to do something for themselves that promotes relaxation, creativity, or connection.

“Addressing our mental health can often feel like a daunting task. Thrive Week focuses on accessible ways we can all be more mindful and present in our day-to-day lives,” says Breanna Sawatzky, RRC Polytech’s Campus Mental Health Specialist. “Health is not only about our bodies, but also our minds, emotions, spirit, and relationships. Our hope is that the events provided throughout the week will allow our community to focus on small but significant ways to improve our mental health.”

RRC Polytech’s Campus Well-Being unit provides year-round support and activities for physical and mental health, including recreation and fitness classes and mental wellness initiatives such as the MindWell platform, which includes online mindfulness training and live guided mindfulness practices. For more information, visit rrc.ca/well-being.

RRC Polytech is solidifying its commitment to embodying equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) with the launch of Inclusion Week.

From October 31 until Friday November 4, the College is hosting a series of virtual and in-person events designed to inspire its community to live out the values of EDI at work, in class, and in their personal lives.

“The principles of EDI are embedded into everything we do at RRC Polytech, and they make up an important pillar of our Strategic Plan. Rather than just talking about how important these values are, Inclusion Week gives our community the chance to experience these teachings first-hand through a variety of events they can attend throughout their typical work or school week,” says Fred Meier, President & CEO, RRC Polytech. “One of our strengths as an institution is that we care deeply about the people who work and study here – Inclusion Week helps to foster a respectful, equitable atmosphere for our entire community.”

RRC Polytech is committed to addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action within its operations and in its work to advance Indigenous education in Manitoba. This commitment is a critical foundation for the College’s work in pursuing EDI within the institution and its partnerships — because those goals cannot be advanced without doing the work of reconciliation. Inclusion Week builds off the momentum of RRC Polytech’s Truth and Reconciliation week, held at the end of September, to further provide staff and students with opportunities to engage in the principles of EDI.

Inclusion Week kicked off on October 31 with a keynote luncheon at Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, focused on representation. During the event, keynote speaker Uzoma Asagwara shared their experiences as one of the first Black and openly queer MLAs to ever win a seat as an elected representative in Manitoba, as well as being Manitoba’s first gender non-conforming MLA. Events throughout the week include an Indigenous language and Bannock-making workshop, a drag queen story-time and q+a session, and a Diversity speaker event featuring Laurelle Harris, the Founder, CEO and Principal Consultant at Equitable Solutions. The week concludes with an inclusive dance party hosted by the Red River College Students’ Association.

“The events of Inclusion Week give our staff and students the opportunity to delve deeper into inclusive practices and to become better allies and co-conspirators,” says Cynthia Kulczycki, Instructor at RRC Polytech and a member of Inclusion Week’s planning committee. “EDI is important and fundamental to how we operate as an institution, but it can be accessible, too – it can be as simple, and beautiful, as learning another language, cooking a meal together, or listening to a story.”

RRC Polytech plans to make Inclusion Week an annual event to further deepen its commitment to EDI. For more information, visit rrc.ca/diversity.

Due to a Manitoba Hydro power outage, RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus is closed until 12:00p.m. today, October 24 2022.

All on-campus classes and services at the Notre Dame Campus will be cancelled.

Regular operations are expected to resume at 12:00p.m. today. All other campuses remain open. 

Updates, if required, will be shared on the College’s website, through email, and on social media. 

Red River College Polytechnic is committed to providing a safe environment for everyone to work and learn. We are pleased to introduce a new Campus Alerting System to centralize notifications of potential impacts to personal safety. The new system will ensure all members of the college community will be informed in real time with reliable information.

The Campus Alerting System will use multiple channels to consistently share important information to you depending on the type of situation:

• Broadcasts on hallway speakers
• Desk phone calls with the same broadcast as the hallway speakers
• Desk phone display
• Emails
• MS Teams
• Text messages and phone calls on college-issued cellphones and stipends
• *Coming soon: digital television display and desktop display

Campus Alerts will include a brief description of the situation, instructions to keep yourself safe, how the college is addressing the situation, and updates as the situation is resolved.

SMS Alerts will come from (+1-844-961-4619) and phone call Alerts will come from (+1-608-480-6382). *After November 9, 2022, the SMS Alerts will change to (+1-833-232-5051). Phone call alerts will remain the same. The numbers from which the Alerts are issued are not usually subject to change, so we don’t expect that the number will change again. You can add these numbers to your contacts so you know when an Alert is live.

The introduction of the new Campus Alerting System means we are moving away from the Mobile Safety App.

Staff members will automatically be enrolled in the system on all college-issued devices and emails. If staff members would like to receive alerts on their personal phones, please contact safety@rrc.ca.

Students will receive notifications through academic email, MS Teams if they self-subscribe to the MS Teams channel, and hallway speakers throughout applicable campuses.

If you have any questions, please see the FAQ or contact safety@rrc.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

Red River College Polytechnic staff, faculty and students can now access medical services through QDoc. Current RRC Polytech partners, Dr. Norm Silver and Dave Berkowits are part of a new initiative called QDoc that provides virtual medical services when you need them.

No more running out to medical appointments, trying to find and pay for parking, and time wasted in waiting rooms. Save time by using QDoc with wait times less than 15 minutes.

Starting September 26, you will be able to access a doctor with the click of a button here.

See Q & A below for additional information:

How do I access it?

Go to  Home – QDoc and press SEE DOCTOR NOW.  You can access it from any mobile device.

What are the QDoc hours?

QDoc is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Please note that after midnight to 6am there may be longer waiting periods.

Is there a cost?

No. This is FREE for staff, faculty, and domestic students.

However, International students’ visits will be direct billed to their insurance provider (Gallivan).

Do I need my provincial Health Card?

Yes. Domestic students will be required to show their MB or other provincial Health card.

International students will be required to show a current health insurance card to either the treating physician or to a Health Centre staff.

What if I go to the Health Centre and the nurse determines that I do need to see a doctor?

No problem, you will be asked to sign a waiver that will identify that your treatment is shifting from the nurse to the QDoc physician.

There will be a treatment space that you can use to contact the QDoc physician.

Due to a safety incident, Red River College Polytechnic evacuated Building Z, RRC Polytech’s Vehicle Technology Research Centre, at its Notre Dame Campus shortly before lunchtime today. The incident was a Freon leak that occurred outside a classroom while a contractor was performing regular maintenance work, resulting in a small spill of less than 5 litres.

Safety protocols were activated immediately, the Building was evacuated and the College notified our staff and students about the incident through our Campus Alerting System. No injuries were reported, and our nurses assessed any staff or students near the spill at our Health Centre.

There was no risk or impact to the rest of the campus. Normal operations at all other buildings continue.

RRC Polytech reported the incident to workplace safety and health, and we have worked with them to declare the Building safe to return. Building Z will reopen around 4:00pm today and scheduled classes will resume tomorrow.

We appreciate the quick action and support from our staff, faculty and students in quickly responding to this incident to keep everyone safe.  

RRC Polytech alumnus Glenn Garbett has made the full circle journey from determined student to successful business owner to trusted partner and generous donor. As someone who received financial support during his studies, he knows what a difference it can make.

“I have never forgotten how big of an impact a few extra bucks from a small business owner had on my life when as a Civil Engineering Technology student I received an award for a paper I wrote,” says Garbett, President and CEO of Keystone Projects Limited. “After I graduated, I worked a number of jobs to gain experience, but when I set out on my own the business plan always included finding a way to return the favour – to me, it’s the right thing to do.”   

Read more about Glenn’s gift and how he’s supporting students at RRC Polytech.

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day! RRC Polytech is proud to announce we have worked with local artist Peatr Thomas on an original design for Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters in support of the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award, created in partnership by RRC Polytech’s School of Indigenous Education and the Campus Store.

Peatr Thomas is a multidisciplinary Ininew and Anishinaabe self-taught full-time visual artist from the Pimicikamak and Miskooseepi territories. A Youth Facilitator for many years, he is sharing passed down knowledge, traditional teachings, culture and the healing process in creating visual forms of art.

“Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters and truth and reconciliation have become such a large part of College community and we can see how it has been embraced through the engagement and attendance of our events and workshops, but also through the funds we have raised for the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award and the Indigenous students we’ve been able to support so far,” says Carla Kematch, Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement. “Part of the values of truth and reconciliation is embedding Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and I’m so honoured that Peatr agreed to work with us to create an authentic piece of artwork that staff and students can feel proud to wear that is true to the meaning behind Every Child Matters. Peatr is an established artist in our community with a distinct vision, many will recognize his incredible murals throughout the city, and we are so grateful for him sharing his art and teachings with us. I can’t wait to see this path for us grow and to create more opportunities.”

All proceeds for Orange Shirt Day t-shirt sales, as well as designs for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit, go towards the Mínwastánikéwin Truth and Reconciliation Award. The word Mínwastánikéwin is Cree and means ‘to set it right.’ This award seeks to advance Indigenous student achievement and has annually distributed $1,000 awards since 2019 with the launch of the College’s first annual Truth and Reconciliation Week held at the end of September.

A crowd of 100 teachers and teacher candidates from RRC Polytech’s Bachelor of Education programs were honoured at the annual Cooperating Teacher Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday night (May 3, 2022). The hosts from Teacher Education were thrilled to pay proper tribute with an in-person banquet for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.       

Cooperating teachers are an integral part of Bachelor of Education programs that host and mentor student teachers in their Applied Commerce Education, Industrial Arts Education and Technical Vocational Education classrooms.

RRC Polytech’s President and CEO, Fred Meier was in attendance and formally opened the evening’s festivities, while Dr. Jeanine Webber and Kerri Caldwell Korabelnikov brought congratulatory messages on behalf of the College’s School of Education, Arts and Sciences. The University of Winnipeg’s Dean of Education, Dr. Laurie Hellsten also lent her support, while the Manitoba Teachers’ Society was represented by Raymond Job.