The 19-member task force was convened by Mohawk President Ron McKerlie in early 2015 to help identify how the college could better serve international students and support newcomers to Hamilton. Following a year of conversations and consultations, the task force has made 34 recommendations aimed at:

• helping newcomers make a successful transition to Hamilton
• creating stronger connecting in Hamilton for newcomers
• building intercultural competency within Hamilton businesses and organizations
• moving Hamilton from friendly to welcoming by promoting the value of global citizenship

In response to the Welcoming Communities Task Force recommendations, Mohawk has developed a multi-year action plan. The plan includes opening a Language and Culture Centre at the Fennell campus for international students and newcomers to Hamilton, launching a smartphone app for international students, promoting volunteer opportunities in the community for international students, launching an entrepreneurship program for international students, strengthening ties with community groups and introducing a global exchange program for students to live and learn in other countries.

The Welcoming Communities Task Force report and recommendations, along with Mohawk’s action plan, are posted at: www.mohawkcollege.ca/welcomingcommunities.

QUOTE:

FAST FACTS:

• The members of the Welcoming Communities Task Force were Layla Abdulrahim-Moore (City of Hamilton / Global Hamilton Connect), Luke Baylis (Mohawk Students’ Association), Max Brown (Mohawk Students’ Association), Clement Chan (Columbia International College), Jim Commerford (Hamilton Burlington Brantford YMCA), Terry Cooke (Hamilton Community Foundation), Huyen Dam (Global Hamilton Connect), Laurie Davidson (RBC), Glen DeCaire (Haimlton Police Services), Howard Elliott (Hamilton Spectator), Christine Hoey (Fell Fab), Vahn Kalong (My Thai Restaurants), Keith Monrose (Mohawk College), Eric Taylor (Fell Fab), Judy Travis (Workforce Planning Hamilton and chair of the Hamilton Immigrant Partnership Council), Jim Vanderveken (Mohawk College), Dr. Gary Warner (McMaster University), Sarah Wayland (City of Hamilton / Global Hamilton Connect), Sandra Wilson (Hamilton Police Service).

• The Welcoming Communities Task Force met four times, organized an October conference at Mohawk, held consultations with the Hamilton Immigrant Partnership Council and presented to Hamilton City Council.

• Leadership in internationalization and global experiences is one of the commitments made in Mohawk’s new five-year strategic plan.

• Mohawk currently educates and serves 2,000 international students from more than 70 countries.

• Mohawk officially opened its Language and Culture Centre at the Fennell campus on April 14. The centre offers services and supports to both international students and newcomers to Hamilton.

• The GoMohawk orientation app for international students is available for free download through the iTunes App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gomohawk!/id1090954269?mt=8

• According to Statistics Canada, 24 per cent of Hamilton residents were born outside of Canada.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Robb, Director of Communications, 905.979.8893, jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca

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