At York, we are committed to training our students to leverage disruptive technologies successfully, apply their learning in real-world settings, and develop the transferable skills needed to withstand workforce disruption. Whether by opening new campuses that address labour market needs, launching groundbreaking new programs, or increasing the number of experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities, we are future-proofing our students to thrive in a competitive and ever-changing economy.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing York's academic leaders consistently raise the bar in pedagogical innovation — not only by reacting to external pressures, but by proactively seeking opportunities to evole. Even as Canada’s youth face a rapidly changing job market shaped by automation and artificial intelligence, I’ve never been more confident in the next generation, or in York’s ability to support the changemakers of tomorrow.”
Rhonda Lenton, President & Vice-Chancellor
By the Numbers
21st Century Learning Highlights
Opening the first university campus in York Region
York University’s Markham Campus officially opened its doors in November 2024, welcoming students to the new state-of-the-art building for the start of the academic year.
Purpose-built for the future, the new campus offers 14 innovative, interdisciplinary programs that focus on technology, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. Its standout programs include the Digital Technologies program, Canada’s first fully work-integrated degree.
The campus is the product of an impactful collaboration between York University and the City of Markham, York Region, the Government of Ontario, industry partners, community leaders, and many donors who share the university’s dedication to preparing the next generation to succeed in a rapidly changing economic and technological environment. At its full operational level, the campus will educate 4,200 students.
Establishing a new School of Medicine
In July 2025, York University officially established the School of Medicine as a new academic unit within the Faculty of Health and unveiled a new School of Medicine sign at its future home in the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct.
Following more than a decade of collaborative planning across faculties, internal and external governance bodies, and community stakeholders, York will welcome the first cohort of students to the School of Medicine in Fall 2028. The School will be the first to focus on community-based primary health care education, exemplifying the university’s commitment to health, well-being, and equity.
With the support of external partners — including the Government of Ontario, the City of Vaughan, Mackenzie Health, and York’s newest partner, the Ontario Centre of Innovation — the School aims to revolutionize health care service, delivery, education, and research in Ontario and beyond.
Glendon launches a new Core Curriculum
In Fall 2024, York University’s Glendon College launched a new Core Curriculum, offering all undergraduates a shared foundation in knowledge and skills to foster intercultural competence, intellectual growth, and a sense of community.
Designed to ease the transition to university, the four-year curriculum includes foundational first-year courses, global issues in later years, a final-year capstone project and a “big ideas” seminar.
By centering issues addressed in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the curriculum aims to prepare students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world and to contribute meaningfully as global citizens.
Introducing a groundbreaking disaster and emergency management program
In August 2024, York University announced that it will be offering Canada’s first PhD program in Disaster and Emergency Management (DEM). The program, which will accept its inaugural cohort in September 2025, builds on York’s existing strengths as the only Canadian university offering undergraduate and master’s degrees in DEM.
With global disasters growing in frequency and severity, this timely program will equip students with advanced research skills, policy knowledge, and practical tools needed to address urgent risks worldwide. Students will benefit from focused mentorship, collaboration with DEM experts, access to cutting-edge research facilities including York's ADERSIM Lab, and support in developing and applying knowledge across research, teaching, and practice.
Catalyzing curricular innovation in legal education
For decades, York University's Osgoode Hall Law School has been leading the way in curricular innovation, particularly in its highly competitive juris doctor (JD) program.
Osgoode was the first Canadian law school to create an Office of Experiential Education and the first in Canada to require experiential education as part of its JD curriculum. Since then, Osgoode has offered the most diverse range of clinical, intensive, and skills-based programs in the country.
In September 2024, Osgoode once again broke ground by launching a unique set of professional skills micro-courses for its JD program, covering areas ranging from artificial intelligence and technology in legal practice to financial literacy. These new credentials will help current practitioners to stay up to date on new and emerging technologies and their application to the law.
Enhancing experiential learning through the REEL Health Studio
York University’s Faculty of Health is redefining hands-on education with the Reflective Experiential Education Lab (REEL) Health Studio. Launched in Summer 2025, the studio has been designed to showcase and enhance experiential education opportunities across each of the faculty’s five academic units.
This cutting-edge digital media facility empowers students to craft powerful visual narratives by documenting their local and international community engagement, experiential education, and work-integrated learning experiences through videos, podcasts, and immersive content. Faculty will also leverage the space to create interactive simulations, case studies, and teaching materials that expand access to high-impact learning opportunities.
Creating the Markham Campus Library
An innovative new library has opened at York University’s Markham Campus, designed to support innovation, creativity and technology-driven learning. One of the standout features of the Markham Campus Library is its Makerspace, equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, computer numerical control (CNC) milling machines and textile craft tools. Students also have access to a Gaming and Visualization Room, adaptive labs, media creation studios, and technology-enhanced group study rooms.
Built through years of collaboration between librarians, faculty and campus teams, the library integrates academic support with emerging technologies to create a space where students can turn ideas into real-world impact. With generous contributions from donors John Solomos, Susan Wong and Markham Centre Realty Inc., the Markham Campus Library stands as a cornerstone of experiential learning and inclusive design, setting the stage for the next generation of creators, researchers and innovators.
Bridging theory and legal practice with SIMPLE
In January 2025, Osgoode Professional Development (OsgoodePD) at York University introduced SIMPLE (SIMulated Professional Learning Environment), an innovative legal simulation platform that is transforming how future lawyers learn.
SIMPLE offers students a realistic case management system and simulation engine that mirrors the pace and complexity of professional legal practice. Through the new platform, students engage with simulated clients, manage evolving legal files, and navigate ethical challenges in a low-risk, supportive environment.
Already being used in programs like the Professional LLM in Canadian Common Law, SIMPLE supports both individual and team-based legal work in ways that build core legal and digital competencies, and prepare students to take on complex, real-world challenges.
Empowering future finance leaders through experiential learning
A $1.5 million investment from the Bank of Montreal has helped launch the BMO Future Leaders Finance Lab at York University’s Schulich School of Business.
Opened in April 2025, the AI-powered Lab provides Schulich’s undergraduate and graduate finance students with world-class experiential learning. By mirroring real-world financial environments, the Lab empowers students to build financial models, analyze statements, manage investment portfolios, and engage in trading simulations and case studies. Equipped with cutting-edge tools, cloud-based resources, and industry-standard data analysis software, students have both in-person and remote access to transformative learning experiences.
This dynamic space positions Schulich graduates to be career-ready, reflecting York’s commitment to providing learning environments that prepare students to lead in rapidly evolving sectors.
