Work to create what would become the Communication, Culture, Information and Technology (CCIT) program took place from 1997 to the year 2000, as a collaborative initiative of the
University of Toronto Mississauga and
Sheridan College. Sheridan president
Sheldon Levy and UTM's Cec Houston were instrumental in its creation. The program accepted its first students in 2001, as a joint offering between the two institutions. The Communication, Culture and Technology Building at UTM, which houses the institute, opened in 2004; funding for its construction was provided by the Ontario Superbuild fund in addition to $3 million from the
City of Mississauga and other donations. The institute created a professional experience Certificate in Digital Media, Communication and Technology under former director Rhonda McEwen. The CCIT program ceased being a joint initiative with Sheridan College in 2024. The program is now hosted fully by the University of Toronto on its Mississauga campus. ==Academics==