Past Events

Orientation to the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development and each individual program (CDE, LA, RPD) is scheduled in person on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, in the Landscape Architecture building. Please plan to attend these events, as this is an important part of your integration to our School and our programs.  

Daniel Layden, a master of Rural Planning and Development in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will defend their thesis on “Discrimination and Community Integration Experienced by 2SLGBTQ+ in Perth and Huron Counties."

Matthew Lundstrom, a master of landscape architecture candidate in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will defend his thesis on "Plantation Stewardship Guideline for Biodiversity in Southern Ontario." Examination Committee: Sean Kelly, Advisor - SEDRD Karen Landman, Co-Advisor - SEDRD Heather Schibli, Examination Member - SEDRD Nadia Amoroso, Chair of Examination - SEDRD All are welcome to attend the defence presentation.  

Kamshajini Raveenthiran, a master of Capacity Development and Extension candidate in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will defend their thesis on "Improving Livelihood in Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka: A Case Study of Dairy Farmers' Actual Use Towards Accessing Digital Extension Services."

Margarita Fontecha, a Doctor of Philosophy - Rural Studies candidate in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will defend their thesis on " Between Dreams and Reality: Exploring Rural Youth Aspirations and Life-Courses in Contested Contexts: A Case Study from Rural Colombia.”

Postings for the Fall 2025 graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) positions are now available on the Academic Staff Work Assignments website. Select School of Env. Design and Rural Dev. for SEDRD courses. GTA Applications have been extended to July 14, 2025. To apply, be sure to:

Postings for the Fall 2025 SEDRD Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) positions are now available on the Academic Staff Work Assignments website. Select School of Env. Design and Rural Dev. for SEDRD courses. Applications are due by July 8, 2025.  To apply, be sure to:

School of Environmental Design and Rural Development - Landscape Architecture MLA Master's Thesis Examination Carol Pietka, a master of landscape architecture candidate in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will defend her thesis on "Landscape Architecture in Support of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Considerations for Design of Outdoor Spaces."

The spring convocation ceremonies for the Class of 2025 graduates in the Ontario Agricultural College will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 4:30 pm, at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre.   We hope the School's graduates look forward to returning to Guelph for your ceremony.   SEDRD graduates and their guests are welcome to stop by the Landscape Architecture building prior to the ceremony.  This is a good opportunity to pick up school items, take photos, and chat with classmates and available faculty and staff.   

Sultana Yeasmin, a master of Capacity Development and Extension candidate in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will defend their MSc thesis on " The Influence of Misinformation on the Participation of Rural Young People with Disabilities in Agriculture in Bangladesh."