Student Support Services
Quick Reference Guide
Student Support Services has made important changes to enhance the services and support delivered to students.
We understand that students often come to faculty to share their need for support. Please see this quick reference to know who best to refer students to depending on their needs for services and support. Included are some tips for making that referral.
If you would like to consult or connect with a particular area, don’t hesitate to be in touch with the Manager of Student Accessibility Services, Student Counselling Services, Academic Advising, Healthy Minds Healthy College, or Student Employment Services. Additional updates to come through the Fall.
Student Accessibility Services
Description
Accessibility Services – Accessibility Specialists meet with students identifying with a disability to develop academic accommodation plans.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services works with students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, developing accommodation plans; a team of ASL Interpreters and computerized note takers work to implement these plans.
Assistive Technology works with students with disabilities who use assistive technology as an accommodation.
Manager
Lori Walkow
lwalkow@rrc.ca
Staff
Accessibility Specialists
NDC
EDC
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Manager
Jill Patterson (EDC and NDC)
Assistive Technologist
Graeme Gagnon (EDC and NDC)
How to Refer Students
If a student discloses they have a diagnosed disability or comes directly to you to request academic accommodations, please refer the student to Student Accessibility Services, by sharing our online registration form.
Here students will find up to date information about appointment options including, telephone, virtual delivery or in-person.
Students can also call Naomi Kruse at 204-632-3966 to get service information and for subsequent appointment bookings.
Student Counselling Services
Description
Counselling Services – counsellors provide short-term solution focused counselling and a range of other supports to assist students who may have:
- declining mental health
- are in crisis
- are struggling with personal issues that are impacting their wellness and functioning while in college.
Please note there is an Indigenous counsellor at NDC and at EDC.
Manager
Karen Gowryluk
kgowryluk@RRC.CA
Staff
Counsellors:
NDC
- Melanie MacPhee Sigurdson
- Justin Penner
- Indigenous counsellor (TBA)
EDC
- Pamela Rosen
- Nolin Turenne (Indigenous counsellor)
How to Refer Students
To refer a student to Student Counselling Services, please share information to our services including our online registration form.
Here they will also find updates on services delivery, in-person appointments and virtual appointments.
Students can also call Naomi Kruse at 204-632-3966 to get service information and for subsequent appointment bookings.
Quick Tips to make a referral:
- listen with empathy and without judgment or criticism
- be frank with students about the limits of your ability to assist them: your time, energy, training, objectivity
- normalize the need for help
- let students know that counselling is professional, in a private setting, confidential, free of charge
Academic Advising
Description
Academic Advising Services – advisors provide a range of services including academic advising in the following areas:
- Admissions
- Programs
- Recognition of Prior Learning
- Indigenous advising and recruitment
Manager
Stacey Thorarinson
stthorarinson@RRC.CA
Staff
Academic Advisors, Admissions
NDC
EDC
RPL Advisor
NDC
Indigenous Liaison Advisor
NDC
Academic Advisors, Programs
- 3 positions (TBA)
How to Refer Students
- To refer students to Academic Advisors, Admissions: The student can complete the online intake form.
- To refer students to the RPL Advisor: The student can email rpladvisor@rrc.ca.
- To refer students to the Indigenous Liaison Advisor: The student can complete the online intake form.
Student Employment Services
Description
Student Employment Services – Employment Advisors offer a range of employment supports and services to:
- Students/Alumni with job search strategies, cover letter and resume writing, interview preparation, and LinkedIn
- Employers with their recruitment needs via job postings, information sessions and career chats, and other employer events
- Faculty/Staff in delivering employment-related presentations and workshops, as well as consultation in navigating various employment situations to support students and alumni
Manager
Dusty Ritchie
duritchie@rrc.ca
Staff
Employment Advisors
NDC
- Matt Purdey
- Norman Umali
- Frank Parkes (Indigenous Employment Advisor)
EDC
How to Refer Students
To refer students to Student Employment Services, please have students email ses@rrc.ca. Please note, there is an Indigenous Employment Advisor at NDC.
Campus Well-Being
Description
RRC Polytech understands that personal and community well-being contributes to both student success and employee engagement. That’s why Campus Well-Being provides programs, services and resources to support the holistic health of students, staff and faculty.
Through sport, fitness, recreation and mental wellness initiatives, we create a greater sense of well-being, belonging and connectedness in our campus community. Health is not only about our bodies, but also about our minds, emotions, spirit and relationships.
Campus Well-Being has primary responsibility for RRC Polytech’s college-wide mental health strategy while operating two fitness facilities, two gymnasiums, and a variety of virtual and in-person activities.
Manager
Breanna Sawatzky (Acting)
blsawatzky@rrc.ca
Staff
Mental Health Coordinator: Pamela Villafranca
Sport and Fitness Supervisor: Evelyn Carriere (Acting)
Fitness Coordinator: Mario De Negri
Customer Service Representative: Vacant
Recreation and Wellness Coordinator: Vacant
How to Refer Students
To refer students to structured volunteer opportunities designed to meet course credit requirements please have students email Breanna Sawatzky.
To refer students to our Mental Health Coordinator for information about mental health supports and resources please have students email Pamela Villafranca.
To refer students to sport, fitness and recreation opportunities please have students email recreation@rrc.ca.