The Millennium Certificates Program and Linkr: Helping Students Build 21st-Century Skills

How can we help students develop the 21^st-century skills they need to thrive beyond their college years? At Champlain College Saint-Lambert, a faculty team has been working on the development of the Millennium Certificate Program (MCP), a set of certificates that foster independent learning and experiential learning and are open to all students. With guidance from a faculty mentor, students earn points toward a certificate through coursework and peer exchange, all facilitated by Linkr, an online experiential learning platform co-designed by the program’s coordinator.

After attending an AQPC workshop on the MCP presented by Gabriel Flacks, a Humanities teacher and one of the program’s coordinators, I had the opportunity to speak further with him. He explained how the MCP works and why he believes similar initiatives could be beneficial at other institutions.

Building the program  

The MCP was first envisioned between 2018 and 2021 and spearheaded by Alison Tett, a faculty member from the Humanities and English Department. For 3 years, Alison conducted research on the mechanics behind implementing college certificate programs. To guide the development of the program, 4 core objectives were identified:

• Empowering students’ learning outside graded contexts
• Supporting involvement in experiential learning activities (on and off campus)
• Expanding in-class curricula
• Making the world a better place

These objectives laid the foundation of the MCP, shaping its framework and ensuring it offered students meaningful opportunities for growth both inside and outside the classroom.

Gabriel has been involved in the project at various levels since its beginning, but he was first brought into it when Alison reached out to him due to his strong interest and background in experiential learning, something he has developed throughout his career.

Alison ultimately developed a hybrid model in which students work toward a certificate by accumulating 100 points. These points can be earned through a mix of coursework, independent learning, and experiential activities. To provide both structure and flexibility to students, the program offers a variety of certificate themes, each addressing a critical issue of our time.

Eventually, the project was presented to the Commission of Studies, where it received approval for pilot testing. At this stage (2021 to 2023), Amanda Perry, English teacher at Champlain College, served as the Millennium Certificate Coordinator, with Gabriel supporting her and acting as a mentor for one of the certificates.

Adopting Linkr 

Managing the certificate program was daunting at first, but this is where the very software Gabriel Flacks had designed to support virtual learning for his students proved a game-changer. Linkr is an experiential learning platform. It provides a digital home for programs like the MCP with features intentionally designed to improve the experience of learners, coordinators, and community members. Students track their progress with profiles and portfolios. Coordinators and mentors can track students’ progress in co-curricular records. Students and mentors are able to join their specific certificate theme in a dedicated class while being a part of the larger MCP community. The platform is free for individual teachers who wish to implement it on a small scale, with only larger institutional use requiring a paid plan. Crucially, it is compliant with Quebec’s Act respecting the protection of personal information, accessible, secure and students own their content forever.

Outcomes and program evolution  

In only 4 years, the MCP has awarded 100 certificates to Champlain College Saint-Lambert students.

As the program has expanded, it has also evolved to meet students’ needs and broaden its scope. Notable developments have included:

• Mentor program implementation (2022-2023)
• Launch of a new certificate theme (2024-2025): Health and Wellness
• Program presentation during student orientation
• A streamlined application process
• Regular meetings and writing sessions to support student progress
• Increased visibility through the website, and Open House and Information Night events

This year, the program is managed by 2 coordinators, Kory Goldberg and Gabriel Flacks himself, each receiving 1 section of release time for the 2025-2026 academic year. It requires a lot of work, and the program could not succeed without the institution’s support.

With a total of 90 students registered in the certificate program this fall (2025), the MCP has gained in popularity. The new Health and Wellness certificate has quickly emerged as one of the most popular options, and the program’s growing visibility has attracted even greater student interest.

Application process  

At the start of each semester, the program coordinators host in-person information sessions and pizza lunches to welcome students who are interested in the program.

Gabriel explained to me the application process that students must follow to join and complete the certificate program. The process clearly guides them step by step, from their initial expression of interest all the way to graduation.

Step 1: Joining the MCP platform

Once students have learned more about the program and determined if it aligns with their interests and goals, they must register on the MCP’s online platform, hosted on Linkr.

Step 2: Choosing a certificate theme

Students select a theme that resonates most with them and enroll in the corresponding online class on the platform. Students can currently choose from a set of 7 Millennium Certificate themes: 

• Critical Race Studies
• Democracy and Social Movements
• Environmental Citizenship
• Gender Studies
• Indigenous and Decolonization Studies
• Technology and Society
• Health and Wellness

Students can complete their certificates at their own pace, over a period of 2 years or up to 4 years, depending on the length of their programs.

Step 3: Building a portfolio

Students create their MCP portfolios by completing their profiles and writing a short biography. This portfolio becomes the hub where they document their progress, reflect on learning, and share their publications.

Step 4: Connecting with a mentor

Depending on their chosen themes, students are introduced to a mentor by the project coordinators. The pairing might sometimes be based on faculty expertise, or sometimes on student suggestions.

Mentors act as guides: recommending readings and offering feedback on student projects and publications; coordinators focus on tracking points, overseeing onboarding, and supporting new mentors.

Step 5: Earning points 

Over the course of their studies at the college, students share their work on the platform to earn points. Mentors and coordinators provide feedback, assign points, and support students in their progress. To receive a certificate, students must accumulate 100 points across 3 categories:

• formal learning (maximum of 40 points)
• informal learning (flexible number of points)
• experiential learning (minimum of 20 points)

Students can mix and match activities within these categories to reach a total of 100 points, according to a point system set by the college.

Formal learning 

Mentors track students’ coursework and assignments related to their certificate themes. Various courses, certificate programs, and workshops can count toward the certificate. Examples include:

• Champlain College courses
• Champlain College AI certificate and workshops 
• online courses, massive open online courses (MOOC) or other certificates

Informal learning  

Students can also earn points through informal learning by exploring ideas beyond the classroom and sharing a reflective publication connected to the chosen theme. Independent learning resources might include:  

• books
• academic journals
• mass media articles
• movies
• podcasts
• TV series

Students may additionally create learning circles, attend academic presentations and conferences, and share a publication offering a personal reflection on these experiences.

For example, a student in the Gender Studies certificate reflected on the novel L’enfant mascara by Simon Boulerice, while another, pursuing the Technology and Society certificate, participated in Dawson College’s AI Accelerator Program and wrote a summary of their experience. In the Health and Wellness certificate, one student even created a vlog to capture her reflections on 1^st-week anxiety at CEGEP.

Experiential learning 

Students also engage in experiential learning, which involves hands-on activities on campus or in the community. Experiential learning can take many forms:

• Champlain club involvement
• off-campus volunteering
• Model UN participation
• community-service trip participation
• creative art projects
• work experience
• etc.

For example, one student founded a CEGEP book club, another organized an intercollegiate Frisbee charity tournament that raised funds for the Habilitas Foundation, and yet another became active in the Champlain Student Association (CSA).

Step 6: Graduating with a certificate

When students have accumulated 100 points across these pathways, they will have successfully completed the program. Certificates are formally awarded during the graduation ceremony, recognizing the skills they have developed beyond the classroom. At completion, students are invited to join an alumni group on the platform, allowing them to stay connected and remain part of the program’s community.

Certificate themes  

Students can choose from the 7 Millennium Certificate themes regardless of their fields of study, and they are welcome to pursue as many certificates as they wish. Each theme is designed to foster exploration, engagement, and the development of 21st-century skills, allowing students to focus on areas that align with their interests and values while participating in both academic and experiential learning opportunities.

Below are some examples of students’ portfolios and publications across the various themes.

During my two years at CEGEP, I completed two certificates: Democracy and Social Movements and Health and Wellness. Participating in the Millennium Certificate program allowed me to grow both academically and personally. I deepened my understanding of theoretical concepts while also gaining hands-on experience. For example, I wrote an article exploring democratic practices within the Champlain Student Association (CSA), which helped raise awareness and engagement among students. Plus, you get to meet other students who share the same interests as you!! 100% Recommended!

-Chi Zhang, 2025 graduate

Throughout my journey at Champlain, the Millennium Certificate helped me build connections, take initiatives, expand my perspectives, and advocate for my opinions. It does not require overwhelming time or effort, yet the gain is immeasurable. It helped me build friendships and feel belonged to a vibrant community. Guided by a mentor, this opportunity offered me the possibility of expressing myself in an area I am truly interested in, beyond the limits of classes. If you’re looking for a space where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your contributions matter, then the Millennium Certificate is for you! I highly recommend this initiative as there are no downsides; only experiences from and reflect upon, and a chance to leave a meaningful mark in the Champlain community.

-Ihsaan Ahmed, 2025 graduate

During my time in CEGEP, I completed three Millennium Certificates: Environmental Citizenship, Democracy and Social Movements, and Health and Wellness. Through volunteering, reading articles, watching documentaries, and having meaningful conversations with friends and family, I developed a deeper understanding of key societal issues. An amazing mentor supported me in choosing experiences that helped me grow and reflect. These certificates pushed me to think critically, act with empathy, and connect what I learned to real life. I truly loved the experience: it was eye-opening, empowering, and deeply rewarding. I highly recommend it to any student looking to broaden their perspective and make a meaningful impact in their community.

-Vassante Mattéo Monany, 2025 graduate

Community and collaboration 

The MCP continues to evolve, and future directions could include the creation of subgroups within each certificate theme to allow students with shared interests, such as mental health, global issues, or international service learning, to work more closely together.

Community partnership is another area Gabriel hopes to expand. These collaborations can be highly impactful, as shown by a student-led initiative in the Winter 2025 semester that built a lasting connection between Champlain College and a local Centre d’hébergement et de soins de longue durée (CHSLD) through volunteer work with seniors.

If you’d like to learn more or explore how to implement a similar initiative in your CEGEP, or even consider an intercollegiate collaboration, don’t hesitate to reach out to Gabriel Flacks.  It would be lovely to hear about other approaches to experiential learning and developing 21st-century skills, so feel free to share your insights in the comments below!