Our Community

Algonquin College culinary learners help fight food insecurity by preparing 2,100 meals for those in need

Posted on Friday, March 6th, 2026

OTTAWA (March 3, 2026) – Algonquin College learners in the culinary arts program volunteered their time during reading week on March 2 to prepare 740 meals for the Shepherds of Good Hope and 1,434 meals for the Ottawa Food Bank in partnership with La Tablée Des Chefs: The Solidarity Kitchen – Next Generation Edition project. The prepared meals will feed vulnerable people in the Ottawa area who are seeking emergency food assistance.

Continue reading

Algonquin College student art transforms space with climate and Indigenous dialogue 

Posted on Wednesday, November 26th, 2025

A multi-panel mural shows art painted on glass windows depicting elements of nature such as animals and trees, with the words 'once we start to act, hope... is everywhere'.

Pictured: One of nine student murals created in Algonquin College’s DARE District (Building C) by Illustration and Concept Art students during the Cause a Scene initiative. For more photos, see the bottom of this release.

OTTAWA (Nov. 26, 2025) – On Nov. 13, Algonquin College hosted an Indigenous-led climate dialogue that inspired 55 Illustration and Concept Art students. Their murals and AR activations remain on display in DARE District until mid-December.

Continue reading

Algonquin College advances sustainability efforts with innovative new Green Supply Chain and Sustainability Lab  

Posted on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024

OTTAWA (Dec. 10, 2024) – On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, Applied Research at Algonquin College officially launched the newly independent Green Supply Chain and Sustainability Research Lab (GSCSRL).

Under the leadership of Ahmad Teymouri, Professor, Supply Chain Management, School of Business and Hospitality, this state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to advancing sustainability and digital technologies.

Continue reading

Innovation on Display: Algonquin Students Tackle Real-World Challenges with Applied Research  

Posted on Thursday, November 28th, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY

Innovation on Display: Algonquin Students Tackle Real-World Challenges with Applied Research

OTTAWA (Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024) – Students across Algonquin College will present over 80 applied research projects, in areas such as computer science, engineering, media, hospitality, and healthcare, with 35 projects focused on community health in nursing at the upcoming Applied Research Student Project Showcase.

Continue reading

The Salo family establishes an endowment for Social Innovation at Algonquin College

Posted on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

OTTAWA – June 5, 2024, Algonquin College is thrilled to announce a generous donation of $50,000 from the Salo family, establishing The Salo Family Endowment for Social Innovation. This endowment is dedicated to supporting student interns in the Social Innovation Lab, empowering students to engage in meaningful social innovation projects.

The Salo Family Endowment for Social Innovation will provide funding for student intern salaries, allowing them to work on projects that support community-based organizations, including service agencies, charities, non-profits, and social enterprises. This initiative aligns with Algonquin College’s demonstrated culture of social responsibility and community engagement.

Continue reading

Algonquin College public relations students launch annual charitable campaign

Posted on Thursday, July 14th, 2022

(OTTAWA – JULY 14, 2022) – Monday, July 18, marks the official launch of the All Hands on Deck (AHOD) campaign — a fundraiser for The Royal Ottawa Foundation for mental health. The launch event will take place in Algonquin College’s Student Commons Building from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The campaign is being organized and executed by 18 students from Algonquin College’s public relations program.

“Young people are struggling with their mental health and should not have to suffer in silence,” says campaign director, Sacha Foster. “We are partnering with The Royal to address what has been called the ‘invisible pandemic’ — the youth mental health crisis brought on by COVID-19.”

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), only one in five children receive appropriate mental health care in Canada. In Ontario, the reality is much the same. Mental health experts have expressed serious concern over the well-being of children and youth during COVID-19 — saying they’ve seen the number of mental health related walk-ins double in Ontario.

“This campaign is organized at no cost to the organization — 62 cents of every dollar raised will go directly to funding youth mental health care and research at The Royal,” says Foster. “For over 25 years the annual ACPR charitable campaigns have raised money and awareness for local organizations within the city of Ottawa and we are so proud to uphold that philanthropic tradition.”

The campaign will give students practical hands-on events and logistic experience while giving back to the community in which they live, learn and grow. To date, ACPR’s charitable campaigns have raised over $500,000 for local organizations.

For more information about the event visit https://acprcampaign.com/

 

The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health

The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health is a not-for-profit that raises funds to support research and care at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center, the Brockville Mental Health Center, and the uOttawa Institute of Mental Health Research.

The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center (The Royal)

The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Center is one of Canada’s leading mental health treatment and research centre. The Royal serves people ages 16 and older with highly specialized treatment and care. The Royal serves its patients through outpatient services, counselling, crisis intervention, and in-patient treatment at their 186-bed state-of-the-art centre. The Royal’s Youth Mental Health Program treats people aged 16 to 18 with a multi-dimensional team of professionals at The Royal ready to help when a young person is in crisis or in need of long-term care. That team includes psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, recreational therapists, and many other specialties.

For more information:

Reo Stubbs, Head of Media Relations, AHOD Campaign

stub0036@algonquinlive.com

RE/ACTION: Virtual Applied Research Showcase on April 8

Posted on Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

OTTAWA (April 6, 2022) – The Office of Applied Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Algonquin College is hosting its RE/ACTION: Virtual Applied Research Showcase on Friday, April 8, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

At the event, Algonquin College students exhibit forward-looking research and technology projects produced in collaboration with industry, institutional and community partners, providing a glimpse into the future of technology and the current state of innovation. Ranging from robotics to web design, building science to social innovation, and anything in between, the projects students work on are incredibly diverse.

At the showcase, the five most promising projects, selected from over 40 submissions, are presented by their teams to a panel of industry professionals during a live Zoom event. The judges ask the teams questions about their projects before deciding on winners. You’re invited to watch the finalists compete, and browse the entire catalogue of projects.

When:Friday, April 8, 2022, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Where: Register here

Continue reading

Message from the President (September 29)

Posted on Wednesday, September 29th, 2021

Dear Colleagues and Learners:

I would like to start off this week’s communiqué with a note of thanks for your ongoing patience this past month as we implemented the College’s new Mandatory Vaccination Policy for the start of the 2021 Fall Term. Support for the use of the Algonquin Mobile Safety App to submit vaccine status information has been incredible, with over 11,500 applications submitted by College community members. Of these submissions, 92% are fully or partially vaccinated against COVID-19.

The month of October lies ahead and features three crucial deadlines related to our policy:

  • October 12: Those choosing to be unvaccinated by personal choice will not be permitted access to the campus after this date – unless they have been approved for an exemption (details on this process can be found here).
  • October 16: For those pursuing vaccination, this is the latest date you can receive your last shot in order to meet the College’s October 30 deadline for full vaccination. (Once you receive your last dose, you must re-submit your proof of vaccination via our AC Mobile Safety App or web portal).
  • October 30: This is the date complete vaccination is required – meaning you have received your last dose and have waited the requisite 14 days to be considered fully vaccinated. If you have not received your last dose – and undergone the 14-day waiting period by this point – you will not be allowed entry to the campus.

Continue reading

Crystal Martin-Lapenskie Named Alumni of Distinction Community Services Recipient

Posted on Friday, September 24th, 2021

Every year, Algonquin College celebrates the incredible achievements of its alumni through the Alumni of Distinction Awards. These awards honour the extraordinary contributions our graduates make to the community while achieving career success. Here is a closer look at the Alumni of Distinction – Community Services Award Recipient Crystal Martin-Lapenskie. To register for the Alumni of Distinction event, click here.

President and CEO, Okpik Consulting

Social Service Worker, Class of 2013

When Crystal Martin-Lapenskie was first pondering her choice of career, social work wasn’t the first option on her mind. Her early goal was police work. Her family knew and were friends with many RCMP officers and when she expressed interest in pursuing similar work, the officers were very encouraging. “They’d say, ‘You want to be a cop, you can be a cop right here in your community,’” she says.

But life intervened in the person of her guidance counsellor at Opeongo High School near Pembroke, who reminded her that in order to graduate from Grade 12 she would have to complete 40 hours of community service. It so happened that she was heading home for a time: “I wanted to explore. I wanted to see family, reconnect and see where it was I belonged.”

Born and raised in Sanirajak in Nunavut, Martin-Lapenskie divided her time between the North and the Ottawa Valley through her teenage years. On this trip to the Arctic, she used the opportunity to do her community hours in a local school. She functioned as a teacher’s assistant, working with students her own age who were – because of differences in education in the North – in much lower grades. She helped with their schoolwork and volunteered at a hockey camp. What she learned in the process was both distressing and inspiring.

Continue reading