This is SLC: Our College News

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.

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.