THIS IS SLC: OUR COLLEGE NEWS

Amanda Babcock, SLC alumna and owner of Loyalist Concierge Co., has been recognized as co-recipient of the New Business of the Year award at the 2026 Kingston Business Awards. The awards are presented by title sponsor MNP LLP and organized by the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Amanda graduated in 2005 from the Child and Youth Work program and has built a long and impactful career with Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, where she worked until 2023. In 2023, Amanda returned to St. Lawrence College to expand her skillset, graduating from the Digital Marketing Communications program in 2024.

As we recognize Nurses Week and celebrate the dedication, compassion, and expertise of nurses across our communities, we are pleased to share an important milestone in our ongoing research: Shaping Positive Perceptions of Long-Term Care: Linking Educational Innovations with Social Media Strategies to Inspire Future Nurses.  With the support of a three-year grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), our team is leading a province-wide initiative to address the critical shortage of nurses in Canada’s long-term care (LTC) sector. At its heart, this project is about elevating LTC as a meaningful, rewarding, and essential area of nursing practice. 

In the second semester of the User Experience Design (UX) program, students take on a culminating, client-based challenge. This year’s collaboration with the City of Kingston invited them to dive into a complex, real-world issue, pushing them to think deeply about systems, collaboration, and community impact. The City brought forward a timely challenge: while it distributes millions of dollars in grants each year, processes vary widely across departments and community members are not always aware of what grants are available or how to apply for them. The idea of a more integrated, user-friendly grants portal became the foundation for the students’ semester-long work. 

When I think about the kind of graduate we hope to see come through St. Lawrence College, Aayush Sapkota stands out as a remarkable example of curiosity, initiative, and follow-through. Aayush is graduating this year from our Advanced Diploma in Computer Programming & Analysis program, having already gained meaningful industry experience through a 10-month placement as a Software Engineer with Empire Life. In the classroom and beyond, he consistently demonstrated a willingness to step forward—whether that meant refining his technical skills or helping to build community. 

I recently finished my final placement with Hayabusa Fightwear Inc., closing out three years in the  Advertising and Marketing Communications Management (AMC) program. But for me, this experience didn’t start on day one—it started in second year. We were given a task to connect with a professional. I treated it as an opportunity, not an obligation. I reached out to many people, some didn’t respond, others led to short conversations, but one connection stuck. I connected with Kyle C., Community and Relationships Manager at Hayabusa. We had a call, stayed in touch, and continued to check in over time. So, when placement season arrived, I wasn’t starting from scratch; that connection led me to where I am now. 

Have you ever encountered a word that opened the door to a story you didn't know existed? For many people, that moment comes when they first hear the terms Two-Spirit or Indigiqueer. While it may be tempting to look for a quick definition, these words represent much more than labels. They connect to conversations about identity, culture, history, and resilience. Before exploring these terms, it's important to remember that there is no single Indigenous experience. Across Turtle Island, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have distinct cultures, languages, and traditions. Understanding that diversity helps us approach these conversations with respect rather than assumptions.