Take a stay-cation during our Series Summer Workshops! Week-long courses immerse adults of all ages into their chosen art focus. Artists of all skill levels will come together for an inspiring summer and you should join!
🎨rdpolytech.ca/series
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Congratulations to BSCN Instructor Lynne Madsen, who has been awarded the Marguerite Schumacher Spirit of Nursing Award. Since joining Red Deer Polytechnic in 2012 as a full-time faculty member in the Nursing program, Lynne has been dedicated to supporting students while also pursuing her graduate studies.
This nursing faculty award was introduced by Dr. Marguerite Schumacher in recognition of the pursuit of scholarly activity, a value she championed throughout her career. As the first Chairperson of Nursing in 1964, Dr. Schumacher was recruited to Red Deer Polytechnic to create the registered nursing education program. A visionary in nursing education, she believed nurses should be educated in a post-secondary environment that combined the practice and profession of nursing with the liberal arts and sciences to better inform compassionate, holistic care.
Her philosophy continues to influence the nursing programs at RDP today. Dr. Schumacher was also a passionate advocate for nursing faculty, believing that research, lifelong learning, and authentic interpersonal relationships were essential in balancing the art and science of nursing. Through opportunities like this award, her legacy continues to inspire faculty who share their knowledge, learning, and passion with future nurses.
#NursingWeek #MyRDP #FacultyofRDP
"Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is becoming part of everyday life. In nursing programs at RDP, many students report using tools such as ChatGPT to generate ideas, clarify complex course content, and organize their academic work."
Research students Stephanie Jacobi (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and Austyn Womacks-Unger (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) uncover what GAI tools have become a key part of student study routines and why it is important.
"Our research team, which includes nursing faculty and BScN students, has seen how quickly GAI tools have become part of student study routines. The real-world problem is clear: GAI is already being used by nursing students, yet guidance around appropriate use is still developing. Our research examines how nursing students are engaging with GAI. We did not just ask whether students use these tools. We wanted to understand how they use them, why they turn to them, what supports their learning, and what concerns they have.
Findings from our study found that student use of GAI is commonly used among students in the nursing programs at RDP. We identified four major themes: fear, academic integrity, concerns about accuracy and reliability, and GAI as a facilitator of academic success. Students described uncertainty about expectations and concern about being perceived as cheating and that they feel unsure about how to use these tools appropriately."
Read the full blog here: rdpolytech.ca/news
Frontline workers, educators, law enforcement professionals and more are gathering at the annual Transforming Practices conference. A critical two-day event focused on building safety for our most vulnerable. Attendees will experience sessions and speakers with insightful information for professionals dedicated to child advocacy and abuse prevention.
Looking for an impactful, professional development opportunity? Visit link in bio.
RDP apprentices continue to highlight their value within Alberta’s workforce as they earn provincial recognition for their exceptional skill during competition.
RDP apprentices earned seven medals—three gold, three silver and one bronze—at the recent 2026 Skills Canada Alberta Competition held at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, reinforcing the Polytechnic’s reputation for excellence in skilled trades training.
Congrats! @rdptradestechnology
Read the full story here: rdpolytech.ca/news
@skillsalberta
Impactful science research was the centre of conversation during the Student Science Conference! 🧬🥼🔬🧪
And RDP looks forward to if every year! This time there were 27 engaging sessions and dynamic poster presentations.
A wide range of topics are covered, some relating directly to our own backyard in #CentralAB.
One of our Visual Art instructors, Marnie Blair, has been honoured with the 2026 Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association (ACIFA) Distinguished Instructor Award! 🏅
This prestigious award recognizes outstanding post-secondary instructors across Alberta for their commitment to teaching, students and learning.
“At its core, teaching is about creating the conditions for students to take risks, fail, find their voice and build something meaningful,” says Blair, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Lakehead University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. “RDP has a caring community among faculty, staff and students. Teaching doesn’t always feel like work when you have that connection.”
Blair’s role at the Polytechnic has also opened doors for interdisciplinary exploration, particularly through collaborations with RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM‑TAC). These opportunities allow her to merge artistic inquiry with emerging technologies.
“The polytechnic model is a great fit for my practice as an artist,” Blair explains. “My research sits at the intersection of art, women’s health, medical humanities and technology. Working in the CIM-TAC has allowed me to bring interdisciplinary research directly into the studio, giving students insight into how art can connect with health and technology.”
Blair received the Distinguished Instructor Award at the 2026 ACIFA Conference held May 3-5 in Jasper, where she also delivered a presentation titled Collective Care and Creative Risk.
Read the full story here: rdpolytech.ca/news
Artists from around the world travel to attend Series Summer Workshops on Red Deer Polytechnic campus. Series attendees use professional, high-quality studio equipment under the guidance of talented instructors. All skill levels are welcome to try their hand at painting, printmaking, ceramics, bronze casting, and so much more.
Learn about Series: rdpolytech.ca/series
Can't wait to see you there! 🖌️🎨
