LTE: How bad is it that we might be losing St. Lawrence College (SLC)? It’s devastating.
When I returned home to Cornwall from San Francisco in 2016, I was inspired to create more learning opportunities in our community. Having volunteered with Canada Learning Code while working at Salesforce, I developed a passion for teaching computer science and using technology for good through community hackations. This led me to create Code Heroes, a program that traveled over 14,000 km across Eastern Ontario, reaching rural communities that lacked access to tech education. Thanks to a $75,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant and the leadership of Tim Mills at the Upper Canada District School Board, we were able to bring this program to students who otherwise would have been left out. You can read about the program’s impact here: Code Heroes Evaluation.
Though we couldn’t secure further funding for phase two of Code Heroes, I went on to lead the Cornwall Innovation Centre, where we created the Ontario Emerging Jobs Institute. There, we developed innovative courses in fields like Agritech, Business Skills, and Digital Skills (in partnership with Canada Learning Code). I care deeply about education and its role in empowering our community.
That’s why it’s so heartbreaking to see St. Lawrence College at risk. As an alumnus of SLC’s Computer Programming and Analysis Diploma program in Kingston (2004), I know firsthand the value this institution brings to its students and the community. SLC nominated me for a Premier’s Award for Technology in 2018, so on top of everything, I have been blessed by the kindness of their staff and administration. They have been champions for the community, providing jobs, cooperative learning opportunities, and supporting economic development through their community outreach.
To think that our only post-secondary institution might be lost—or downgraded to a “Learning Centre”—is a huge blow. This is especially disheartening in a low-income community like Cornwall. It’s devastating not only for those of us who rely on SLC for education and career advancement, but also for the staff, professors, and students who benefit from the resources and support it provides.
What’s even more troubling is that our MPP, who is also the Minister of Colleges and Universities, seems unable to stand up for our community. As a graduate of the Cornwall campus, it must be hard for him to see his alma mater downgraded while his own political career thrives. For him, this might not be a significant issue, but for many students in our community, this is a loss that cannot be ignored.
I’ve watched our community face setbacks in recent years, but the loss of SLC would make it even more challenging. I’m ready to fight for our right to higher education in this region, even if that means bringing more opportunities to the region. From 2020-2024 I worked with a tech education program remotely and helped expand into Canada with a focus on recruiting Indigenous teens from Tribes across Turtle Island: https://blog.google/intl/en-ca/company-news/outreach-initiatives/code-next/.
I urge SLC to reconsider their decision, and I hope our MPP will advocate for the resources necessary to support Cornwall, Brockville, and other communities at risk or those who have lost essential educational institutions. Education is vital for critical thinking and informed communities, and we cannot afford to let these opportunities slip away.
Sincerely,
Kelly Bergeron
Image from SLC’s 2019 Voyageur magazine
