CityLAB Hamilton & Mohawk College receive national award for program excellence

HAMILTON, ON – CityLAB Hamilton and Mohawk College have been awarded the gold medal in Program Excellence by Colleges & Institutes Canada (CICan).

The Program Excellence Award recognizes programs across Canada that demonstrate innovation, portability, sustainability and effectiveness. Mohawk College nominated CityLAB Hamilton after seven years of successful collaboration. The award was announced on April 30, 2024, during the CICan national conference in Calgary, Alberta.

“The national recognition of the City LAB program underscores the significant community-building efforts of our student-led initiatives,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “Our long-standing partnership between the City of Hamilton and Mohawk College is a testament to the great work that can be done when we join forces to build a better Hamilton for today and future generations.”

Originating as a pilot project in 2017, CityLAB Hamilton is a collaborative innovation program between the City of Hamilton, Mohawk College, McMaster University and Redeemer University. This program unites students, faculty, and civic leaders to develop innovative solutions to city-identified projects that align with the City’s Strategic Priorities.

CityLAB officially transitioned to a permanent program in 2022 with support from Hamilton City Council. Annually, the CityLAB program engages approximately 450 students in experiential learning projects that meaningfully address civic challenges, yield tangible community benefits, and cultivate a long-term sense of civic responsibility. CityLAB projects tackle complex challenges and pioneer new solutions while mentoring and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

“We are delighted that CityLAB Hamilton has received this national recognition,” said Dr. Cebert Adamson, VP, Academic, Mohawk College. “We are proud that Mohawk College students and staff are involved in the innovative projects being done through CityLAB, and we are proud to share the story of our collective success with other Canadian colleges by way of our nomination. One of the criteria for this award is a program’s ability to be replicated in other regions. This recognition shines the spotlight on another innovative Hamilton collaboration that may be replicated across the country.”

"This award highlights the strength of our CityLAB partnerships and celebrates our commitment to innovation and student engagement," said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager. "It's a proud moment for all involved, showcasing how collaboration can address real-world challenges and strengthen our community."

Experiential learning through CityLAB allows students to explore careers of interest while developing transferable interpersonal skills and work habits that will benefit them in the future.

The City of Hamilton and Mohawk College value the ongoing partnership created through CityLAB Hamilton and look forward to continued collaborative successes.

Quick Facts

• CICan is the national association for publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics.
• CICan’s Gold Medal Program Excellence Award recognizes innovative, effective, student-involved initiatives.
• Since 2017, Mohawk College has contributed more than 32,500 hours of civic engagement through 44 unique experiential learning projects, involving 1,449 students and 30 faculty members.