Meet Pembroke Campus Valedictorian Sarah Dokuchie

Posted on Thursday, June 11th, 2026

Why did you choose Algonquin College?headshot and information of Pembroke campus valedictorian Sarah Dokuchie

I chose Algonquin College Pembroke Campus because it allowed me to stay close to home. I liked the idea of being part of a smaller campus with smaller class sizes as I felt it would enable me to learn to the best of my ability.

What is your favourite memory from your time at Algonquin College?

To pick one is difficult as I have really enjoyed my time there. I would say the Christmas Bake Sale Fundraiser my class did to support an organization within the Pembroke community. It allowed us to meet other students from different programs and come together to support a great cause.

I would also say the open houses I was able to participate in is a favourite memory. It allowed me to share my experience at Algonquin College with people who were considering attending. It also allowed me to meet other faculty I otherwise hadn’t yet had the opportunity to interact with. It further opened my eyes to how personable the staff and faculty are.

What does being named Valedictorian mean to you?

Being named Valedictorian is an honour I can’t quite put into words. I struggled with the decision to come back to school as a wife, mother of three and mature student. To have my hard work and dedication recognized in such a way is truly amazing. I was fearful of attending college at this point in my life and now I can look back and say it was the best decision I could have made. This tremendous honor has given me a sense of confidence I had been lacking, and more determination than ever to continue the learning path I started at Algonquin College in Pembroke.

What advice do you have for future students?

Use your fear and nervousness as motivation. Take that leap, it could end up being the best journey of your life thus far. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable because that’s where growth will happen. The support you receive from fellow students and faculty at Algonquin College makes the college experience warm and welcoming, don’t fear it, embrace it.

What did you enjoy about your program?

My program allowed me to find myself and my purpose. The professors with their ample experience within the field, provided insight and assistance that you can’t gain from reading a textbook. When doing placement and facing experiences and situations we hadn’t been in before, coming together in seminar class and gaining advice from your classmates is helpful beyond measure and assisted me in navigating my experiences in the field.

The assignments, especially within prep for field, allowed me to go out and meet people from organizations within the community and gain vast knowledge on the services they provide which has now proved to be a huge help now that I’m working in the Social Services field.

Algonquin College’s 2026 Convocation ceremonies will take place June 23–26, 2026, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Graduates will participate in 12 ceremonies over four days.


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