Simcoe/Norfolk campus offers a tighter knit community

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: FANSHAWE COLLEGE SIMCOE/NORFOLK REGIONAL CAMPUS/FACEBOOK
The Simcoe/Norfolk campus offers a welcoming atmosphere to students by offering small class sizes, state-of-the art facilities, and easily accessible supports and services.

Fanshawe's Simcoe/Norfolk campus is continuously growing in order to meet the needs of the labour market. The campus provides students with a unique atmosphere with small and non-intimidating classes, state-of-the art facilities and easily accessible supports.

Donna Gates, associate dean of Simcoe Norfolk Regional Campus, spoke with the Interrobang and highlighted some of the benefits of attending this campus.

“We offer alternative delivery methods for some programs often enabling students to complete their credential over a short period of time,” Gates said.

Gates also added that two other highlights include a small campus offering individualized and personalized attention, with access to faculty and support as well as a service-oriented environment focused on students' success.

“Regional campuses provide an opportunity for local students who may not be mobile to participate in post-secondary education,” Gates said. “Colleges offer all the communities within which they reside significant local economic benefits.”

According to Gates, the Simcoe/ Norfolk campus offers a range of full-time programs such as welding techniques, social service worker and developmental services as well as non-traditional and customized programs like MyPath and Eco-Tourism.

“Studying locally can save students a lot of money without residence, food and parking expenses if they choose to live at home while they study,” Gates said. “Programs specifically designed to the local labour market result in strong ties in our community and our employers”.

When asked how the Simcoe/ Norfolk campus differs from the main campus, Gates said that size is the biggest difference.

“We are a full-service campus with all of the supports and services available on site with no need to travel,” Gates said.

According to Gates, parking at the Norfolk/Simcoe campus is free and student services follow and integrated approach with virtually no lines.

“We do not have varsity athletics or as many of some of the out-ofclass activities that may be offered at a larger campus,” Gates said. “Students interested in these types of activities can find some of them within the community but it is not our focus.”

With the population in Simcoe being roughly 14,000, Gates said that the campus offers small town living.

“For those who prefer the smaller towns to the big city, Simcoe is a great community in which to learn, live and work,” Gates said.

According to Gates, there are a few plans in the works for the summer semester at the Simcoe/ Norfolk campus.

“This summer we are introducing a new Eco-Tourism program for deliver in Ohsweken on the Six Nations,” Gates said. “We are also currently developing a new outdoor education program which is a graduate certificate designed to train teachers, ECEs [early childhood educators], naturalists and others how to integrate nature into educational curriculum for children.”

To learn more about the Simcoe/Norfolk campus, visit www.fanshawec.ca/about-fanshawe/campus/simcoe-campus or email simcoe@nullfanshawec.ca.