Today@Dal

Today marks the 50th anniversary that Dalhousie University announced the creation of its Transition Year Program (TYP). 

Founded in 1970 by community leaders and visionaries (such as Dr. Burnley "Rocky" Jones, Elder Noel Knockwood, Dona Sealey and James Walker) from the African Nova Scotian community, the Mi'kmaq Nation, administrators and graduate students from Dalhousie University, the TYP prepares Black and Indigenous students for university. It is an academically rigorous program in which students receive four full university credits.

"I can't express enough how this program impacted my life forever. From building Membertou, building wind farms for the Mi'kmaw of Nova Scotia to VR builds for international clients this program has been at the center of all I was ever able to achieve." ~ Eric Christmas, B.A, M.Sc. (TYP Class of 1989)

Students who successfully complete the program have gone on to pursue degrees at Dalhousie – not just undergraduate degrees, but also Masters and Doctoral degrees. These qualifications have led to wonderful and fulfilling careers. TYP alumni have served as federal human rights officers, teachers, psychologists, band counsellors, lawyers, policy analysts, social workers, nurses, architects, and many other noble professions. Many in the Black and Aboriginal communities have been influenced and inspired by those TYP graduates who have become role models and important community leaders. The positive impact of TYP in the lives of the students and in the broader communities is far-reaching and undeniable.

"TYP is a good place to start the rest of your life. The many valued relationships that you build with classmates and staff at TYP will help you pursue your goal of higher education at Dalhousie. TYP has shown me that through hard work and perseverance, our goals and dreams will follow not far behind." ~ Pamela Hurley, B.Sc. (TYP Class of 1999)

If you or someone you know is in need of the guidance provided by Dalhousie's Transition Year Program, please go to dal.ca/typ for more information.​​​