News

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon now has a university and Canada has a university north of 60°.

Guided by Yukon communities and the 14 Yukon First Nations, Yukon University (YukonU) is grounded in reconciliation and the northern experience.

With over 50 degree, diploma, certificate, trades and university prep programs, YukonU will continue the tradition of northern-focused education, training and applied research established by Yukon College, while expanding opportunities for northerners.  

WHITEHORSE, YT—The Yukon University Foundation launched a new giving circle campaign today to mark #GivingTuesdayNOW.  

The SOS (Support Our Students) North giving circle campaign is raising funds to support students and recent graduates into the spring and summer with food security, increased access to the student Emergency Fund, as well as access to mental health and Elder on Campus supports via phone, email or video conference technology. 

“Normally, at this point in the school year students are leaving to take on summer jobs or start a new career. This year is unprecedented. For many, part-time work has ended due to the pandemic and summer employment is unavailable, leaving students unable to meet their basic needs,” said Wally Rude, Registrar and Dean of Enrolment Services. 

WHITEHORSE, YT—Despite response measures to the COVID-19 pandemic ending face-to-face classes and workshop access, all five Yukon College Pre-Apprentice Millwright students successfully completed the program this term.

Cody Joe, Glen Carpenter, Fathallah Bouchama, Marshall Michaud and Aaron Mendelsohn are now eligible to be hired as Level One Millwright Apprentices.

“This was a strong cohort of students. They were very committed to the program and remained so even after we switched to online delivery,” said Logan Sherk, Millwright instructor.

According to Sherk, by the time pandemic response measures were initiated, students had completed most workshop projects and all theory components. Continuing the program meant a switch to online assignments and quizzes to ensure they retained key knowledge. It also meant that planned final projects were not completed.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Thanks to United Way Yukon, 48 Yukon College students have received $25 grocery gift cards to assist them during the COVID-19 pandemic response. 

Cards went to students identified by faculty or through contact with the student support case manager as needing additional support at this time.  

United Way Yukon (UWY) donated 50 gift cards as part of its COVID Community Response campaign. Working through community partners, the cards empower individuals affected by COVID restrictions to make choices that best meet their immediate needs, whether it’s food, prescription drugs, cleaning supplies or clothes. 

"COVID-19 has affected everyone and we all need help to stay in good health. I am very grateful to the United Way. I got to buy fresh veggies this week because of their generosity — thank you," said a student who wished to remain anonymous. 

WHITEHORSE, YT— Today, Yukon College Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) launched PIVOT., a new program to help local companies minimize the effects of COVID-19. The program is designed to support Yukon businesses of all sizes and stages during the global pandemic and beyond. PIVOT. was developed in partnership and supported by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Government of Yukon, Department of Economic Development.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Today, Yukon College becomes the first territorial post-secondary institution to launch an online registration option for academic students and registration opens for fall semester programs. 

“Online registration increases self-serve opportunities for students. Once successfully admitted into a program, it is a faster, independent way for students to research, build and register the course pathway of their choosing. Most post-secondary institutions in southern Canada now offer online registration and we are pleased to introduce this for our students,” said Wally Rude, registrar and dean of Enrolment Services.  

Online registration enables students to check course availability, select courses and register from the comfort of their personal computer. As students register, the new online portal notifies them of pre- and co-requisite courses, schedule conflicts and tuition totals. When complete, students can print their class schedule. 

WHITEHORSE, YT— Yukoner, Stefan Weissenberg has been named the winner of the 2020 Yukon Innovation Prize (YIP) by the Government of Yukon, Economic Development and Yukon College’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) for his hydrogen cell snowmobile idea. The announcement was made this afternoon, via a video posted on the Yukon College YouTube account.

In response to the 2020 YIP theme, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Weissenberg’s project addresses affordable clean energy and climate action by designing the first hydrogen fuel cell snowmobile in the world, giving northerners a cleaner engine for over-land transport in the winter. The reliable and durable design will outperform battery hybrid options by way of a longer range, quicker fill times and better performance in cold temperatures. Weissenberg received a $10,000 award and wrap-around business supports from I&E.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon College announced today that it is postponing the annual May Convocation Ceremony and planned Yukon University transition celebration. New dates will be announced once they have been determined. 

“Given the serious health implications of COVID-19 and protective measures in place at the present time, we have made the difficult decision to postpone these events for the health and safety of our graduates, their families, guests, faculty and staff,” said Karen Barnes, Yukon University president and vice chancellor. 

The 2020 Convocation Ceremony will be the first Yukon University convocation and feature the first graduates of the new institution crossing the stage.  

WHITEHORSE, YT—The Yukon University Board of Governors is pleased to announce Dr. Mike DeGagné as president and vice chancellor of Yukon University, Canada’s first university north of 60.

DeGagné will begin a five-year term on July 1, 2020. He will be the eighth president of Yukon’s only post-secondary institution, succeeding Dr. Karen Barnes, who has served two terms since 2011 and will retire June 30.

DeGagné comes to YukonU from Nipissing University, in North Bay, Ontario. He was appointed Nipissing president and vice chancellor in 2013, as one of the first Indigenous presidents of a Canadian public university.

While president of Nipissing, DeGagné dedicated much of his life to Indigenous issues and ensuring Nipissing University took a leading role in the Indigenization of the post-secondary education sector.

WHITEHORSE, YT—Following the request from Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health to limit gatherings and support working from home, Yukon College is moving to alternative service and class delivery for the foreseeable future. 

In an email sent late yesterday, students are told not to return to campus on Monday, March 23 following Reading Week. 

During Reading Week there are no classes and reduced services at all campuses. Faculty and staff are using this time to work out the details of this change in service in the next few days and shifting to working from home this week wherever possible.  

For the remaining six weeks of the Winter Term, it is anticipated that some classes may wrap up early, or students can access class materials and their instructor remotely at the usual class time via Zoom software or access materials and video lectures at any time via the Moodle platform.  

WHITEHORSE, YT— Today, Yukon College Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) and the Government of Yukon launched the application period for the 2020 Yukon Innovation Prize (YIP).

The contest, open to all Yukoners and Yukon-based organizations, is back for its sixth year, with the UN Sustainable Development Goals as its theme. Applicants are asked to submit their innovative ideas to evolve their existing business or start a new one, addressing one or more of the UN goals.

WHITEHORSE, YT — The Yukon College community is saddened by the passing of former chancellor Elder T’aaḵú Tláa Pearl Keenan. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends and the Teslin Tlingit Council. In observance with Tlingit protocol we will not display images of Pearl until after the headstone potlatch.

Pearl was passionate about education and dedicated to the College and all our students. In the 1960s, she was a fierce advocate for a vocational school to provide training, skills and education to Yukoners. The school opened in 1963 and became Yukon College in 1988. 

Pearl then became our longest-serving chancellor, from 1993 to 2000, during a time when the College saw the first graduates of the Bachelor of Education (YNTEP) program, the creation of the Bachelor of Social Work program and establishment of the Northern Research Institute