Profile by Stacy Cardigan Smith (Creative Communications, 2006)

A new Corydon Avenue men’s boutique is re-imagining the Winnipeg shopping experience, thanks in part to one graphic designer’s eye for detail.

Amanda Remond, along with boyfriend Chris Saniuk, owns Normandy, which opened last November and carries upscale menswear, housewares and lifestyle goods. Remond, 22, completed nearly two years of Red River College’s Graphic Design program; she accepted a job offer before graduating, but says her design training is part of what’s helping the store create a buzz.

“I am a designer,” says Remond. “That’s how I identify myself, so everything I do, I try and do it with a certain esthetic.”

Remond describes the store’s style as “high-quality heritage.” As you might expect from a boutique, the clothes are all hand-picked and each item is given the display space it deserves. Favourites include Gitman Vintage shirts ($165 each) and Red Wing boots (ranging from $270-$390 a pair). But it’s not just what’s for sale that counts; the physical shop and its social media presence play a big part in the store’s appeal.

“We just want it to feel like you’re walking into someone’s living room,” says Remond of the shop.

Maybe so, but this isn’t your average living room. With the exposed brick, reclaimed wood, a concrete floor and vintage and mid-century modern furniture, it’s a lot like a trendy Exchange District loft.

While Saniuk renovated the physical space, Remond tailored the store brand. What resulted is a fresh esthetic that’s steeped in history – and reflects Remond’s definition of good design.

“As little design as possible. Something that is simple but still translates a strong message. And is just clean and the bare necessities… Design that makes sense.” Read More →

Evan Walker (left) and Brittany Adrian, who were named Playoff MVPs at the 2014 MCAC Basketball Championships.

A special double-congratulations to the members of the RRC Rebels Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, on their double-gold performances at last weekend’s MCAC (Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference) Championships.

The Men’s squad brought home their sixth straight MCAC title, edging out Canadian Mennonite University by a score of 78-76. The Women’s team scored their third consecutive title, dominating Providence University College to the tune of 69-29.

Rebels Evan Walker (guard) and Brittany Adrian (forward) were named Playoff MVPs. Click here for additional tournament details.

Red River College has launched its first international pathway program in India.

The new initiative will allow students at the Xplora Design Skool (XDS) in Ahmedabad, India to receive an International Diploma in Digital Media Design. Students will take their first year of studies at XDS and will be granted direct admission to RRC following the successful completion of Year One.

Students aren’t required to complete their second year at Red River College; however, the option exists and is advantageous, as Canada has many engaging and emerging opportunities for digital media designers.

“This partnership is important for moving our strategy to create opportunities for global engagement, and it opens the doors for students from India to learn cutting-edge skills in Canada,” says Christine Crowe, vice-president of community development at RRC. “The new program showcases RRC and Manitoba as a world-class education destination for students.”

As part of the new program, RRC has sent Chris Brower, program coordinator for the College’s Digital Media Design program, to facilitate a train-the-trainer workshop for instructors at XDS. Part of Brower’s visit will include an overview of DMD, as well as available career opportunities and information about Manitoba. Read More →

Keep your eyes peeled for a brand new advertising campaign positioning Red River College as a compelling first choice for education.

The newly-launched, province-wide bus and billboard campaign achieves a number of key goals – chief among them that of celebrating our graduates and their success stories, while at the same time showing prospective students all that can be accomplished with an RRC education.

The campaign also strengthens partnerships with the countless employers who hire RRC grads, identifies programs and industry areas that may be of interest to prospective students, and showcases RRC’s core strengths, including employment success and employer satisfaction rates.

The billboards feature 27 RRC alumni, and will be visible for 12 weeks (March 3-May 25, 2014).

See the campaign in its entirety →

Red River College is pleased to see infrastructure and skills training identified as top priorities in the Federal Budget 2014.

“We welcome a collaborative approach with government, industry and community partners in expanding our ability to train Manitoba’s workforce,” said Stephanie Forsyth, President & CEO, Red River College. “This approach will ensure we meet the needs of education in the 21^st century and prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce.”

With the creation of the Canada Apprentice Loan, additional funding by the federal government will reduce waiting lists for access to education and meet employer demands for skilled workers. This can help address youth unemployment at the same time.

The government’s pledge of $305 million over five years to extend and enhance broadband high-speed Internet access for rural and Northern communities is welcomed. This aligns with RRC’s strategic plan in ensuring access to education for all Manitobans. RRC is equipped to provide distance education via Internet training but we are hampered in rural areas, particularly in the north for Aboriginal students. Expanding broadband networks and making the Internet more available is a way to open the door to post-secondary education for many, while also providing another solution to the anticipated skills gap.

Read More →

Red River College’s (RRC) 2014 winter convocation saw 107 students graduate from the inaugural Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree program.

“Red River College is proud to offer this degree program, designed by us for the benefit of Manitoba students and the provincial health care system,” said Stephanie Forsyth, RRC’s President & CEO.

“I congratulate the staff in RRC’s Nursing Department and the leadership of Dean Louise Gordon and Program Chair Karen Wall for developing and implementing this innovative program.”

RRC first launched its Bachelor of Nursing program in 2010, in order to provide an accelerated alternative to the four-year programs offered at universities. RRC’s first class of graduates completed their studies in August 2013, and crossed the stage during winter convocation ceremonies held Tuesday, February 4, 2014.

Read More →

Festival du Voyageur celebrates the history and culture of our Franco-Manitoban community with an amazing two weeks of great food and some of the best music you can find. It’s a party you don’t want to miss, and this year RRC is getting into the Festival du Voyageur spirit!

Head down to the Voyageur Dining Room at lunch and make sure you’re hungry!

We’re featuring special Franco-Manitoban lunch items in the Voyageur Dining Room all week long. Everything from sugar pie to tourtière to pea soup will be offered, so come hungry. There might even be some live entertainment!

Show your Festival du Voyageur spirit to win free passes!

Wear red or get creative to show off your Festival du Voyageur spirit in the Voyageur Dining Room and you might be lucky enough to win a couple of passes to the event.

Make sure to follow RRC on Twitter for more updates.

Find out more about the Festival du Voyageur →

Tell us what you love about Red River College and you could win a $50 gift card for Jane’s and delicious handmade chocolates from RRC’s Culinary Arts students!

How to Play

Participating in this month’s Valentine’s Day contest is easy! All it requires is some creativity, a camera or smartphone, and a Twitter or Instagram account.

1. Follow RRC on Instagram (@RedRiverCollege) or on Twitter (@RRC).
2. Take a picture showing us what you love about RRC! Use your imagination, it can be anything.
3. Post it to your Instagram or Twitter account making sure you use the hashtag #iloveRRC and @redrivercollege (if you’re using Instagram) or @RRC (if you’re posting on Twitter).

So, how do you win?

The contest starts today and all posts need to be made before the end of the day on February 13, 2014. We’ll make the draw at noon on February 14 and announce the winner on Twitter and Instagram.

The contest is open to all staff, students and RRC alumni.

Good luck!

RRC grad Sandra Sukhan, who currently serves as a curriculum consultant and teacher-educator for the College, will be on campus this week reading from a newly-released book about her childhood experiences in Guyana, and her sometimes difficult transition to life in Canada in the 1970s.

In Search of the Blue Lotus tells Sukhan’s story of growing up in Guyana during the 1960s, a time of political upheaval and racial unrest resulting from British efforts to colonize the nation. It also documents her arrival in Canada in 1970, following her move here at the age of 16 for an arranged marriage.

From the official bio: “Through a first-person reflective narrative, Sandra takes you on her very personal journey of her arrival in Canada to complete high school, her work as a hairstylist, her efforts to challenge systemic injustices of schools, and in later years during her academic studies toward a doctoral degree, her growing awareness of some of the issues of her youth that affected and impacted her life.”

A professional hairstylist with a doctorate in Environmental Studies, Sukhan is also a graduate of RRC’s Teacher Education program. Her story will be of interest to anyone working in the field of technical and/or vocational education.

RRC’s Library is proud to host two readings from the book, both of which will include conversation and refreshments:

• Wednesday, Jan. 29: Notre Dame Campus Library 3-4pm
• Thursday, Jan. 30: Exchange District Campus Library, 3-4pm

Click here for more information on In Search of the Blue Lotus, and here to register for one of the readings.

Red River College plays a supporting role in the new Winnipeg comedy series debuting online tomorrow at winnipegfreepress.com/windcity

On January 7, the first Winnipeg-centric, locally-produced digital sitcom hits the airwaves. What started as one person’s idea to celebrate Winnipeg as a city and boost local pride has grown into something much bigger. Season 1 of WindCity finds a man embarking on a mission to reclaim his business and the love of his life — only to find inspiration in the most unlikely place.

Kyle Nobess plays “Sam” an RRC Student.

WindCity character Sam Fortier is a Red River College student interning at the RBC Convention Centre. Sam (played by Kyle Nobess) is a proud Métis and an energetic, passionate, ever-helpful goofball. He always speaks his mind and gets away with it because of his positive disposition. Sam is a leader on campus, and has made himself the unofficial welcoming committee to RRC’s international students. Sam loves Winnipeg, and is happy to show off his pride – as well as his famous jigging skills, which can be viewed here.

“Red River College is proud to be a partner in this innovative local project,” says Stephanie Forsyth, President & CEO of Red River College. “RRC’s character in the series is a fun representation of a student on campus and we believe our exposure in the show will showcase some of RRC’s best assets, such as our brand new student residences in the heart of the Exchange District.”

“This is truly Winnipeg’s series and we’re happy to have so many local stars supporting it, both on camera and behind the scenes,” says Creator and Producer Paul Vieira. “The excitement has been building during production and we look forward to the public’s reaction when it finally launches.”

WindCity’s cast includes: Adam Hurtig (as Dylan), Rebecca Gibson (as Kate), Sierra Noble (as Switch), Kyle Nobess (as Sam), Sarah Constible (as Julia), Trish Cooper (as Loni Chase), Ali Tataryn* (as Morgan), Karl Thordarson* (as Duke) and Abbey Thickson (as Olivia).

*RRC Grads

Take a minute and enjoy the trailer for Season 1 of WindCity.