Board undergraduate certificate in resilience, ethics and adaptation a degree differentiator

The ability to be resilient and adaptable in an ever-changing world will be a game changer for graduates entering the working world. 

That was the central theme of an event held on November 14 at Sheridan’s Trafalgar Road Campus to celebrate Sheridan’s newly launched Board Undergraduate Certificate (BUC) in Resilience, Ethics and Adaptation. 

Keynote speakers Dr. Nathaniel Barr, professor of Creativity in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Sheridan alum Christopher Townsend (Human Resource Manager ‘15), Director, Social Accountability and Organizational Development & Leadership (OD&L), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, spoke to an audience of students, faculty and staff, using a storytelling format to highlight our need for skills such as resilience, ethics and adaptability. 

Sheridan’s BUC is a specialized credential that can be earned alongside a degree without the need to take any additional courses, or any extra time to complete the degree, meaning there’s no extra cost. Students simply need to select the required breadth electives as part of their program, meet all other requirements and they’ll automatically be granted the certificate. 

The BUC offers the human, future-proof skills that employers regularly cite at the top of their lists of desirable candidates – good interpersonal skills, receptive to different opinions and approaches, and leadership qualities. The specific collection of electives focuses on questions of self, identity and relationality. According to World Economic Forum's “The Future of Jobs Report 2023" creative thinking and resilience, flexibility and agility are among the top ten skills on the rise between 2023 and 2027. 

And the 2024 Creative AI Job Report states that “recruiting teams are seeking new employees who stand out as resilient, life-long learners because they have sought out skilling or re-skilling in their degrees or through alternative education programs. Higher education institutions play an essential role in preparing workers for the new jobs ecosystem by helping bridge the skill development gap.” 

During the presentation, Barr shared about the reality of having challenges and difficult experiences throughout his life, both personally and professionally. He noted that it is the cognitive skills and mindset – our resilience – we have developed that will help us get through unavoidable crises in our lives. He also talked about the importance of building up our resilience through relationships and noted there is a correlation between relationships and well-being. Deep, caring relationships can also facilitate success. “We're going to face challenges and difficulties in life,” he said, “but if we've developed the skills of being adaptable in the face of difficulty, and resilient when things don't go our way, we'll be able to experience growth and a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.” 

Townsend talked about the importance of asking ourselves “How do I equip myself?” when challenges arise. He too experienced disappointments when job opportunities passed him by, and he learned to navigate through setbacks and change. Now, in his work at Sunnybrook, he helps others navigate through change. Since none of us are exempt from adversity, we must learn how to best respond. When resilience becomes a part of who we are, we’ll do more than just cope – we'll learn what not to do in those moments. 

Both speakers highlighted the necessity of developing skills in resilience, ethics and adaptation to help us face challenges in our lives and in our careers, skills they both believe can be taught. 

Alumna Delina Yohannes, a graduate of the Bachelor of Interaction Design program (‘23), earned her BUC in Creativity and Creative Problem Solving alongside her degree. This was the first BUC launched by Sheridan in 2022. She was also recognized with the Dr. Mary Preece SWITCH (Sheridan Women Innovating Through the Creative Heart) Award for demonstrating leadership through creativity and innovation that makes a positive impact on the Sheridan community.

“I vividly remember something she (the professor) said: that obtaining a certificate alongside our degree could benefit us in ways we couldn’t yet imagine...her words opened my eyes to the long-term value of seizing every opportunity. Her advice encouraged me to approach my studies with a broader perspective."

– Delina Yohannes

Learn more about empowering leadership through creativity.

To learn more about how Sheridan’s Board Undergraduate Certificates can help you develop these powerful differentiating skills, visit Board Undergraduate Certificate in Resilience, Ethics and Adaptation and Board Undergraduate Certificate in Creativity and Creative Problem Solving. 

Photo L-R: Christopher Townsend, Director, Social Accountability and Organizational Development & Leadership, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; Dr. Nathaniel Barr, Professor of Creativity in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Kasey Dunn, Professor of Psychology and Creativity; Dr. Genevieve Amaral, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.