THIS IS SLC: OUR COLLEGE NEWS

As we recognize National Indigenous History Month, St. Lawrence College is proud to share that Dr. Lindsay Brant, SLC’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives, has been appointed Invited Scholar and Pedagogy of Peace (PoP) Nexus Leader at the Queen’s Institute for Educational Scholarship and Research (QIESR). This distinguished appointment reflects Lindsay’s leadership and the growing impact of Indigenous-led approaches to teaching, learning, and research.  

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.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Upper Bound AI Conference in Edmonton, one of Canada’s leading events focused on artificial intelligence, innovation, and emerging technologies. My participation was supported through a talent bursary provided by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). The conference brought together researchers, educators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the country to discuss the rapidly evolving role of AI across multiple sectors. Throughout the event, I attended sessions and engaged in conversations focused on applied AI, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and the growing importance of AI literacy in education. 

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. 

This year’s Pride Month is the 10-year anniversary of the first time a Pride Flag was raised on Parliament Hill in recognition of Pride. Throughout Pride Month (and the rest of the year) you are likely to see several variations of Pride flags. These flags range on the unique identities and lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. One flag, you may see commonly is the Intersex Inclusive Pride Flag, designed in 2021 by activist Valentino Vecchietti.