Annual Report - Continuing Education

Founded in 1970 by professor emeritus Jack L. Eggens, the Turf Managers’ Short Course (TMSC) has become a world-renowned educational program for aspiring and established turf industry professionals wishing to increase their knowledge, grow their network and elevate their careers. This year, the TMSC celebrated 50 years, showing no signs of slowing down. The archives and records indicate that the TMSC has not only helped to influence the lives and careers of over 1500 graduates, but it has also shaped the fabric of the Canadian and global turfgrass industry.

The Guelph Turfgrass Institute and OpenEd honoured the achievements of this program and its alumni by hosting a reunion dinner in February 2019. 

The reunion dinner included attendees Pelino Scenna (student) and Dr. Clayton Switzer (instructor) in the first course, and was an opportunity for TMSC alumni to reminisce about the course, past students and instructors, and the impact that the course had on their careers in the turf industry. 

This fall, we launched four exciting new horticulture and landscape design programs—the Horticulture Certificate, Horticulture Diploma, Landscape Design Certificate, and Landscape Design Diploma.

The new programs feature redeveloped and enhanced courses, an improved student online learning experience, and a program structure that allows participants to tailor their studies to their personal and professional learning goals. 

The newly developed courses and programs reflect new market demands and trends in the horticulture and landscape design industries. Three of the new programs offer participants the option to complete at least one area of focus. Available areas of focus include cannabis production, turf management, urban agriculture, landscape design, and computer assisted drafting.

The cannabis production area of focus provides graduates with opportunities to pursue employment in the emerging cannabis industry. Cannabis Production, first offered in fall 2019 and capped at 60 students, was oversubscribed with 60 enrolments and another 130 people joining the wait list. The cap was raised to 90 students after an additional instructor was put in place to help facilitate the online course.  

  I enrolled in the first offering of Cannabis Production last fall. Since it was my first time taking an online course, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Surprisingly, even for someone like me with limited computer skills, I found it pretty straightforward. Navigating the content and taking online quizzes was very user-friendly. The two instructors were both quick to respond and really knew their stuff, which is important for such a comprehensive course. Overall, it was a great learning experience. I definitely recommend the course to anyone looking for a flexible way to learn more about cannabis production, either for personal or employment purposes. 

Bruce Marentette | Cannabis Production course participant

2019 Continuing Education (CE) Convocation

Last October, we recognized our 2019 continuing education graduates with another convocation celebration at the Arboretum Centre. 

  Effective knowledge mobilization is a science and a process captured by the three courses in the Certificate in Knowledge Mobilization.

In this program, I became part of a learning community of like-minded people, each of them very passionate and dedicated to helping solve a problem in our society. Students from many walks of life came together in this program to share a common goal. The material and the instructors helped us keep our focus on the goals and move from the evidence-based information presented, to practical assignments that would help us in our daily life at work. It offered many opportunities for us to reflect on our own experiences and to pull out important learning points for use in our own fields.

I recommend the Knowledge Mobilization certificate program for anyone out there who is trying to achieve a change in their sector or in our society for a positive impact.  

Gayle Ecker | Director, Equine Guelph; Graduate of the Certificate in Knowledge Mobilization 

  After completing the OASBO Certificate in Pupil Transportation Management,I was hesitant to enrol in the Diploma in School Board Administration program due to the two-year commitment and course time each week. I would say it was a great decision to enrol in the program and the time invested has paid off tenfold. I have always strived to be the best manager I can be. The program has changed my perspective, and I now challenge myself to be the best leader I can be. The program taught me the difference between the two roles [manager and leader] and provided the learning opportunitiess and skills to become a stronger leader. My goal is to continue this growth and provide the leadership and guidance to my staff and co-workers to become the best leaders they can be. My hope is that this will strengthen them personally as well as strengthen our entire organization. I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to improve themselves as a leader in both their personal and professional lives.  

Brian Hughes | Regional Manager, Sharp Bus Lines; Graduate of the Certificate in Pupil Transportation Management, and the Diploma in School Board Administration