CIBC supports Mount Royal’s Transitional Vocational Program with transformational $500,000 donation

On Oct. 4, 2024, representatives from CIBC presented Mount Royal University’s Transitional Vocational Program (TVP) a donation of $500,000, the largest of its kind in program history. The transformative funding will be used over five years to support students in the program through bursaries that will help with tuition and other costs. The donation will also be used to enhance current programming and technology, develop new courses based on student need and interest, incorporate adaptive learning equipment into classrooms and ensure students have access to supports such as ASL interpreters.

Established in 1980, Mount Royal’s TVP offers both full-time and part-time programming on campus for adults with developmental disabilities. It provides a variety of creative, innovative and collaborative post-secondary experiences that foster personal, professional and academic growth and emphasize empowerment, teamwork, professionalism, accountability and respect.

In recognition of this donation, the main computer lab will be renamed The CIBC TVP Computer Lab.

Quotes:

“Education is the true meaning to allow students to learn and achieve their dreams.”

Luke, EPCP certificate graduate, currently enrolled in Employment Assistance program and attending part-time classes through TVP

“The Transitional Vocational Program at Mount Royal University is one of the many ways that we live our institution’s commitment to an accessible and inclusive post-secondary education. We are sincerely grateful to CIBC for their belief in our students and for the enormous possibilities that this gift enables. The new student bursaries that we will create will help reduce the financial barriers to participation in this vital program and the supports for the program will help us ensure that it is serving the needs of all students, today and into the future.”

Evan Cortens, Dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension

“At CIBC, we’re creating a culture of inclusion and accessibility plays a large role in this. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their ambitions, which is why removing barriers that get in the way of progress is so important. We’re proud to support MRU’s Transitional Vocational Program, which will help the next generation of changemakers and leaders achieve their academic dreams and career goals.”

Ronan Ryan, Executive Director of the CIBC Foundation

“We are extremely appreciative of CIBC's commitment to the growth and development of the Transitional Vocational Program that will be enabled by this generous donation. Their commitment will directly impact persons with developmental disabilities accessing post-secondary education. These initiatives and bursaries will have a lasting impact on current and future students' learning and employment opportunities, for the next five years and beyond.”

Lorna Ludwig, TVP Program Administrator

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Haley Jarmain, Communications Officer
403.463.6930
mediarelations@mtroyal.ca