Blossom Group gift establishes new student research and collaboration hub at Georgian College
Nov. 11, 2026
BARRIE, ON – Georgian College has created a new student research hub at its Barrie Campus, thanks to a generous gift from the Blossom Group.
Designed to support student-led research and interdisciplinary collaboration, the recently dedicated Blossom Group Commons features interactive learning zones, independent research workstations and flexible spaces where students can connect, exchange ideas and learn from one another.
The donation comes from Dr. Howard Bloom, Clinical Director of the Blossom Group and a former Georgian faculty member and researcher of nearly 20 years, along with Dr. Robert Cooper, Medical Director of the Blossom Group, and their spouses, Sherri-Ann Bloom and Simone Cooper.
The essence of this donation enables Georgian to offer students and faculty unique research and scholarship opportunities. In my tenure at Georgian, I learned that these research experiences are essential to the cultivation of an evidence-informed learning community.
– Dr. Bloom, Clinical Director of the Blossom Group
In addition to the fantastic and unique space, we are excited about the core deliverables of the gift. These include a paid student position to mentor and support other students at the Blossom Group Commons, regular lunch-and-learn sessions featuring experienced and captivating guest speakers, micro-funding for student research projects and student research dissemination, and the end-of-year research symposium of student work. The culmination of these activities will have a positive impact on teaching and learning at Georgian. This will benefit students, faculty and our communities.
New space will ‘foster connection, collaboration and a sense of community’
Blossom Group Commons primarily serves students and faculty from Georgian’s Schools of Human Services, Community Safety and Liberal Studies.
For Georgian student Alexandra Sullivan, the Blossom Group Commons represents an opportunity to foster connection, collaboration and a sense of community.
After serving 26 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, Sullivan returned to school to pursue an Honours Bachelor of Counselling Psychology degree. Her research focuses on military mental health and the importance of understanding military culture when supporting service members.
I think it’s going to be a great addition to Georgian College, giving students a place to connect, support one another and learn from each other.
– Alexandra Sullivan, Georgian student
The Blossom Group Commons will also serve as a hub for community-engaged learning, bringing students, faculty and community partners together to explore complex challenges and develop practical, evidence-informed solutions in fields such as human services and community safety.
Blossom Group Commons brings together students from different program areas
Dr. Mary Louise Noce, Dean, Schools of Human Services, Community Safety and Liberal Studies at Georgian, said it’s important to bring students from different disciplines together to share perspectives and develop new approaches to research.
“These interdisciplinary interactions will help students foster connections between programs and provide them with a broader perspective on their own research, allowing them to contribute new ideas in other fields,” she said.
The Blossom Group is a regional provider of services for individuals with complex special needs, supporting people to achieve individual outcomes and enjoy an enhanced quality of life. Approximately 40 per cent of its workforce is Georgian College alumni. Through the Blossom Group Commons, Georgian will continue to build opportunities for student-led research, creativity and collaboration, helping prepare graduates to make a positive impact in the communities they serve.