Story submitted by Marie Miller, Senior Development Officer, Development and Alumni Relations, and Shelley Aylesworth-Spink, Vice-President, International Education
A new program geared to ease transitions for SLC international students into their new community is launching thanks to a generous philanthropic gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
The Global Engagement Community Development program is a new area of focus in the SLC Global Engagement Strategy, in support of SLC in Five. The gift will fund a new position to lead the program.
In the last five years, SLC has welcomed an increasing number of international students to each of its three campuses. Today, the College has approximately 1,500 international students studying and living in Kingston, Cornwall, and Brockville.
"The increased presence of international students in our tri-campus communities and opportunities for connections between SLC, the community, and the international students struck a chord with this generous donor," said Liz Gorman, SLC’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations. "It was exciting to share how the Global Engagement Strategy will not only provide direction and leadership to our students and campuses, but also impact our communities more broadly."
In particular, the new program will work with other SLC staff tri-campus and community members to understand how international students can be initially welcomed to their community and then supported in their transition to the local workforce. Connections will be made between international students and key community services and employers.
"This program will consider how international students are welcomed and can bring their incredible perspectives and energy to our SLC communities," said Shelley Aylesworth-Spink, Vice-President, International Education. "I want to thank the donor as this incredible gift will immediately make a difference in our communities and for international students."
The initial focus for the program will be in the Cornwall community.