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Algonquin College is Building the Action Sports Culture!

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who are into action sports and those who aren’t. Extreme sports such as snowboarding, BMX riding, skateboarding and mountain biking have been around for years, but the idea of action sports really started to gain notoriety in the 1990s with the inception of the X Games.

The Ottawa Valley is rooted in the world of action sports as a result of the dynamic and adventurous landscape that surrounds our community. The City of Pembroke is nestled between the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park. The Ottawa River, recently designated as a Canadian Heritage River, boasts some of the most extreme whitewater rapids in the world and Algonquin Park offers an abundance of rugged terrain for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. As a result, the region is a destination for those seeking extreme adventures.

It’s not surprising the new Algonquin College Action Sports Park Development program was the brainchild of avid action sports adventurer, Jeff Jackson. Jackson, Coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure program at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus, identified a gap in skilled professionals who had the knowledge and hands-on experience to build action sports parks. He recognized an opportunity for the Pembroke Campus to be at the forefront of developing a specialized program that teaches technical construction skills related to where these sports happen, helping to meet the needs of the rapidly growing action sports industry.

Action sports parks, such as ski and snowboard terrain parks, skateparks, BMX parks and mountain bike terrain parks, are everywhere. In 2016, in Canada alone, there were 650 skateparks, 250 ski resort terrain parks, 100 mountain bike parks, and 75 BMX race tracks. All of these specialized parks require teams of skilled professionals who can not only maintain the facilities but also work to improve and create new and more extreme features, keeping safety at the forefront of the design principles they implement.

It wasn’t hard to build some excitement about this new program because there are numerous action sports park trailblazers right in our backyard including Josh Brose and his family at The Brose Farm. This farm and its farmers are unlike any you’ve ever met. Josh is a renowned BMX rider and event manager that works with brands like Red Bull to create and organize action sports events at the property. The Brose Farm is a beautiful plot of multi-generational field and forest that in the last decade has evolved into something quite distinctive. “Over the years we piled the dirt and framed structures that have resulted in a top-notch BMX / Mountain Bike dirt course, which includes dirt jumps, pump tracks, wall rides, quarter pipes, drop-ins, and mini ramp,” says Josh.

Josh and his friend/co-worker Steve Moreau were tapped to teach our first cohort of Action Sports Park Development students the art of dirt jump building. And it is an art! The structural awareness and understanding of materials is paramount to noteworthy facilities such as The Brose Farm and The Construction Yards in Petawawa, ON.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus is no stranger to creating college-level programs that raise eyebrows. Our small waterfront campus is known as a leader in outdoor training, and our new Action Sports Park Development program is pushing our reputation to new heights. This eight-month certificate program acknowledges that action sports is an emerging industry and a career pathway for anyone who is a passionate extreme sports enthusiast.

Mental Health Programs Winter 2018

As we start the new semester, putting in good habits for our health and wellness is really important to continue to be successful. Counselling Services are happy to be able to provide a number of programs this semester to help achieve the best success they can. Some great information to help you succeed can be found in our Mental Health Matters Newsletter >>

Winter Mental Health Programs

  • STRESSED? ANXIOUS? – What about Chill Café? A 6-week program to help with managing stress and anxiety in a more effective way. Thursdays Feb 8-March 22 (excluding Feb 22) from 2-3:30 pm in Room 308 sign up at chillcafe.eventbrite.ca
  • Need to improve your physical well-being and exercise? Join us for snowshoeing, yoga, and walks with Wellness In Nature Days (WIND). We are adding new activities regularly. See our up to date programs at fb.me/WINDACOV
  • Having challenges with Alcohol or Drugs? What about Eating Challenges? Gaming or on the internet too much?
    SMART Recovery works to help with various behaviours that can be addictive and helps by teaching skills to overcome these challenges. This is a student-run and for students only program. Thursdays at 4 -5:30 pm in room 216.
  • Want to be able to help a friend at risk of overdose?
    Opioid Information and Harm Reduction Workshop for students – Wednesday Feb 7th 2:30-3pm room 435.
  • Wanting a safe space to meet with open-minded people and enjoy lunch together. Join us for Positive Space – Tuesdays at 12-1pm in room 308
  • Wanting a place to be creative and learn or practice art skills. Join us for Coffee House Art Space on Mondays from 5-7 in room 122

Important info regarding possible class interruption at Algonquin College

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As you are probably aware, there is the potential for an interruption in classes at Ontario’s 24 public colleges, beginning on Monday, October 16th. While we hope a work stoppage will be averted, the College is making contingency plans in the event there is a labour disruption.

We know you have many questions and therefore I am providing you with a link to a special website that has been created by Algonquin College for students, families, and employees. This Algonquin College Strike Info website will provide you with the most up-to-date information on this matter.

Sincerely,

Jamie Bramburger
Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, Pembroke, ON.
PM-Parents@algonquincollege.com

Pembroke : Soul-soothing and Spectacular

For those considering studying at our Pembroke Waterfront Campus, a recent article by The Wedge: A New Voice for Eastern Ontario introduces those new to Pembroke to the charm that our City has to offer.

“We finally traveled to the far northwest corner of the wedge. This is a milestone in our 1.1 years since launch. This node is a city named Pembroke–the largest in the Ottawa Valley. It sits on the Ottawa River and has a few rivers running through it, the Muskrat River and the Indian River.

Bridge over Muskrat River, flows by City Hall shown, Downtown Pembroke, Ontario, CANADA PHOTO BY the wedge.LIVE

Pembroke is a good 45 minutes West of the Town of Renfrew and one hour from the Town of Arnprior. The three offer travelers a perfect ‘puddle-jumping’ trek across the Ottawa Valley. Pembroke is also 30 minutes or less from Algonquin Park and could bring a trip to a perfect close this Fall and year-round.

“Technicallyyyy, we are the smallest city in Canada.”

“Technicallyyyy, we are the smallest city in Canada,” a few locals said. This is invariably uttered with a grin and a low brow. So it seems, the needle wiggles around 16,000 population–the miracle number that identifies a place as a ‘city’ and no longer a ‘town.’” Read more of the Wedge: A New Voice for Eastern Ontario article >>

Spring Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

Welcome to our Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

With spring fresh in the air and the end of the winter term upon us, we thought it was a perfect time to provide an update on activities that have recently happened on campus and provide some insight into upcoming events.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit our dedicated Parents’ and Families website, featuring links to blogs, interesting articles written by our Student Services staff and a calendar that notes some important upcoming dates, we suggest that you take a moment to explore.

Our goal is to keep you informed. While we respect the privacy of our students, the information we will provide in this newsletter will give you a good sense of what is happening on campus throughout the year and will provide you with enough information to have engaging conversations with your student.

Convocation: An opportunity to celebrate student success!

ConvocationThe month of May has arrived and we are saying goodbye to graduating students and getting ready to welcome a new group of incoming students. For those leaving us, we remind them that their graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, June 16th at 1 p.m. at the Pembroke Memorial Centre with Canada’s 21st Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Paul Martin, delivering the convocation address.

Each graduate will receive a personalized email with an invitation to register for their convocation ceremony.

Program Awareness Camp Day

PAC DAYFor our incoming students, we want them to join us at their Program Awareness Camp (PAC) on Saturday, May 13th, with the exception of the Outdoor Adventure applicants who have several choices to attend their Program Readiness Camp at Wilderness Tours Resort.

The Program Awareness Camp days provide wonderful opportunities for students to experience their program and meet other incoming students and their faculty. There is also a scheduled First Contact one-on-one meeting with a member of the program faculty for each student who attends.

While the students are busy with their faculty, there is a parent’s program that includes the opportunity to hear from other parents, insights on how the college uses technology to enhance the learning environment. Learn more and register for PAC Day >>

Free Tuition Policy Comes Into Effect for Lower Income Families

The Ontario’s government highly publicized free tuition program is now available for lower income families. The program front end loads grants to cover a students’ tuition payment. More information on the program is available on the Ontario Student Assistance Program website >>

Repaying Ontario Student Assistance Program Loans: What’s the Next Step?

Is your son or daughter graduating and would like more information on repaying their student loans?

Sign up for a free webinar being offered by National Student Loans Services. These informative hour long sessions are offered over several times and dates for your convenience.

Upcoming times/dates are as follows:

  • Friday, April 28, 2017 12:00 pm -1:00 pm
  • Wednesday, May 3, 2017 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  • Monday, May 15, 2017 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  • Thursday, May 18, 2017 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  • Wednesday, May 31, 2017 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  • Wednesday, Dec 13, 2017 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Tuition Deposits Due June 15

Algonquin College requires incoming and returning students to pay a $500 tuition deposit fee by June 15th to hold their seat. Watch this short video to learn more about how this deposit can be paid. Watch College Tuition Deposit – Payment Options video below:

Did you know the Waterfront Campus has a Book Club?Book Club

The Waterfront Campus is lucky to have a very engaged Library and as a result we have our own Waterfront Campus Book Club!

Learn more about our Library Services!

Algonquin College Presents…Tricia Logan: Revising and Re-imagining Canada’s History; Reconciliation and Canada’s 150

We recently had the privilege of hosting Tricia Logan, Education and Outreach Coordinator at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, as part of our Speaker Series. Tricia is originally from Kakabeka Falls, ON. Recently, Tricia completed her PhD entitled ‘Indian Residential Schools, Settler Colonialism and Their Narratives in Canadian History’ in History at Royal Holloway, University of London. Tricia’s research interest and writing originate from her work with survivors of residential schools and involvement with language revitalization. Watch the Tricia Logan Speaker Series video below:

New Bursary Established for Forestry and Urban Forestry-Arboriculture Students

Larry Scales BursaryAlgonquin College is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017 and as part of the celebration a new bursary has been announced to help students in financial need. The Larry Scales Memorial Bursary will honour the memory of an originating Forestry Technician faculty member.

Mr. Scales began teaching in the Forestry program when it started in 1969 until his retirement in 1989. He passed away last year and his family decided to establish an endowment in his memory.

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter for parents and families. We would welcome your feedback.

Thank you for being part of your young adult’s post-secondary journey.

Sincerely,

Jamie Bramburger
Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, Pembroke, ON.
PM-Parents@algonquincollege.com

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Attend Your Program Awareness Camp Day

Orientation for new college students is several months away, or is it? At Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke, the college is committed to helping students get off on the right foot as they begin their college journey. To do this, the campus organizes a Program Awareness Camp day each spring to start building a relationship with its incoming class, an initiative that really helps students get comfortable with their new surroundings.

Algonquin College Student Success Specialist

 

Based on student feedback, here are the top five reasons why students should attend.

  1. Career clarity. The Program Awareness Camp day is full of experiential learning opportunities for students to better understand the program they are planning to enroll in. It provides enough of a snapshot for students to determine if it is the right fit for them.
  2. Meet your faculty. Building an early relationship with your teachers can really help students feel connected to their program. The faculty will be leading the activities so it exposes students to their teaching style and takes away some of the apprehension students may have about the learning environment.
  3. First Contact Meetings. These one-on-one sessions with faculty allow both the student and the faculty advisor to get to know one another better. The faculty advisor will ask a series of questions that could identify potential issues that need to be resolved during the summer months to better prepare a student for their academic program.
  4. Connecting with other students. There will be many incoming students who attend the Program Awareness Camp Day. This provides an opportunity to get a head start on meeting new friends and starting relationships prior to the start of classes. This fosters a much easier transition to college.
  5. Get to know your campus. The Waterfront Campus is built on a picturesque property on the shores of the Ottawa River in downtown Pembroke. The campus offers many great features including a fitness centre, gymnasium, specialized labs, a library that overlooks the river and much more. Taking advantage of a campus tour can help students picture themselves in their college program, experiencing everything that college has to offer.
Environmental Technician students working in their science lab

Attending a Program Awareness Camp day is time well spent. Parents are also invited to attend as there is a parent’s program that can also help Moms and Dads feel better about the decision their son or daughter is making in choosing to study at the Waterfront Campus.

This year’s Program Awareness Camp day is scheduled for Saturday, May 13th. There’s still time to register. You won’t regret it!

 

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

 

 

Algonquin College students and grads give the College a strong 2016 report card

Algonquin College is number one for graduate satisfaction among large Ontario colleges! Recently released Key Performance Indicator (KPI) survey data showed exactly 80 percent of Algonquin College graduates are very satisfied/satisfied with their college experience, while just 7.9 percent are dissatisfied.

Holly Mortensen, Personal Support Worker Student, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus“On behalf of the College, I want to thank Algonquin College students and alumni for our strong report card, which once again ranks us above average for a college of our size,” said Cheryl Jensen, President, Algonquin College. “This strong graduate satisfaction result comes as no surprise to us, as our College has performed very well in student satisfaction for the past seven years. I want to congratulate our peers at Fanshawe College, who edged out our title as the top large Ontario college for student satisfaction this year with 77.7 per cent (to Algonquin’s 77.4).”

All Ontario public sector colleges participate annually in the Colleges Ontario KPI survey program, which entails providing a mandatory satisfaction surveys to all enrolled students. The surveys measure outcomes such as students’ satisfaction with their courses, learning outcomes, facilities, and student services. Additionally, recent alumni are surveyed regarding their satisfaction as graduates and their employment status post-graduation. Finally, employers are surveyed to measure their satisfaction with the Ontario college graduates they hired. The results are then analyzed by an independent research company.

This year’s results across the college sector underscored the fact that college education is an effective and swift route to employment. Eighty-three percent of Ontario college graduates found work within six months of graduation, and more than 91 percent of employers were satisfied or very satisfied with the graduates they hired.

“Colleges are experts at helping people find rewarding careers,” said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario. “Our graduates’ professional and technical expertise will be even more important in the years ahead as new technology and automation create a heightened demand for a more highly qualified workforce.”

Full 2016 KPI results may be seen at collegesontario.org.

Ontario’s colleges have come a long way in 50 years

a group of people gathered on a staircase for a photo

Kathleen Wynne, Bill Davis, Deb Matthews, and Hazel McCallion celebrated the 50th anniversary of Ontario’s college system Monday alongside school representatives. (Steve Paikin/TVO)

It’s hard to imagine that one of the most successful post-secondary educational systems in the world started in an abandoned manufacturing plant just half a century ago.

Back then, options for Ontarians after they finished high school were much more limited than they are today. Only about 10 per cent of graduates went on to university. Most everyone else either got a job, or got married and started a family. Other options just weren’t readily available. Read more of the TVO Ontario’s colleges have come a long way in 50 years blog post >>

Entrepreneurship Growing at Waterfront Campus

It has been just over a year since the Waterfront Campus became the first regional college campus in Ontario to hire an entrepreneur-in-residence, and the move has clearly paid off. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and wChris Dore with arms crossed and smiling at cameraell at the campus and has been producing great results.

Since Chris Doré came on board in January of 2016, several initiatives have been launched to create more opportunities for students and faculty to engage in entrepreneurship. For example, a new general education course focused on entrepreneurship was launched a few weeks ago and is getting great reviews from students. The interactive course teaches students the various steps needed to successfully launch their own business, and also introduces them to entrepreneurial terms such as start ups, venture capital, social enterprise and more.

Speaking of start ups, Startup Ottawa Valley was recently launched under the Startup CaStart up Canada Logonada umbrella. Startup Canada is a grassroots efforts to encourage and support more entrepreneurs nation wide. Within the Ottawa Valley, several champions have been identified who will create networking and mentoring opportunities for new entrepreneurs, who can also access all of the tools and resources available through Startup Canada such as grants, pitch events and professional development.

The first TedxPembroke event was held at the Waterfront Campus last fall and brought together 7 speakers who shared innovative ideas that were both inspiring and engaging. There is nothing more entrepreneurial than a Tedx event which purposefully uses the spoken word to start deeper conversations to spark crTedX Pembrokeeative ideas. The College intends to offer more Tedx events in the future given that the first one sold out and was very well received by the community.

The true test of the college’s efforts is the success of its students and graduates to become entrepreneurs. Our confidence was given a great boost recently when first year Outdoor Adventure student, Brennan Lemieux, won first prize at the Wolves’ Den competition at Algonquin’s Ottawa Campus. Lemieux was the only competitor from the Waterfront Campus and took home $1,000 for his impressive presentation to the judges on Outdoor Adventure student, Brennan Lemieux, won first prize at the Wolves' Den competitionhis plans to launch a digital logbook for outdoor adventure leaders.

We know there will be more success stories in the future as we turn the Waterfront Campus into an entrepreneurial hub for our students, employees and the greater community. Exciting times indeed!

 

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Winter Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

Welcome to our Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

The calendar has turned to a new year and there is lots happening at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus. Here is a quick update for parents and family members. Enjoy our 2017 parent newsletter.

Winterfest: March 8th at the Waterfront Campus
Winterfest, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campsu

The winter semester at the Waterfront Campus is nicely underway and we certainly have plenty of snow in Pembroke. The mounds of snow surrounding the campus will help as we plan our Winterfest carnival for students on March 8th.

Winterfest is a fun afternoon and evening for students that will include:

  • outdoor activities in the snow
  • a free lunch for all students
  • free public skating at the Pembroke Memorial Centre followed by a women’s and men’s student-staff hockey game
  • free dinner back at the campus where students can enjoy live entertainment.
  • Plus, we will be making some draws for free Ottawa Senators hockey tickets.

Yes, we like to give our students free stuff to make their college experience more enjoyable!

Algonquin College
Celebrates 50th Anniversary: Speaker Series

In 2017, the College is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so there will be many special events taking place. Among them is our Speaker Series which is dedicated to Canadian history. One of the sessions that all students are being invited to attend is a presentation by Tricia Logan of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

This session will be held in the evening of Tuesday, April 18th at 7 p.m. at Festival Hall in Pembroke, a short walk from the campus. You can learn more about this presentation on our Speaker Series website >>

Truth & Reconciliation

Tricia Logan is the Education and Outreach Coordinator at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Tricia is originally from Kakabeka Falls, Ontario. Recently, Tricia completed her PhD entitled ‘Indian Residential Schools, Settler Colonialism and Their Narratives in Canadian History’ in History at Royal Holloway, University of London. She also has a MA and BA both in Native Studies from the University of Manitoba. In 2000, Tricia started working with the Aboriginal Healing Foundation at the Southwest Region Manitoba Métis Federation and has worked with the AHF, Legacy of Hope Foundation and National Aboriginal Health Organization research on various projects from 2000 to 2014.

New Entrepreneurship Course offered at Waterfront Campus

More of our students are interested in becoming entrepreneurs. To help them achieve their goals, the campus hired its first Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), Chris Doré, last January. Since Chris has come on board, several initiatives have been introduced.For example, the college now has a student entrepreneur club, a group of community entrepreneurs who are available to mentor students, and a new general education course on entrepreneurship has been launched this winter. The course is open to all students and will help them better understand what it takes to be an entrepreneur. You can learn more about our entrepreneurship activities on our EIR website >>

Events, Events and More Events!

We have a number of events on campus, both faculty and staff driven and student organized. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of everything that is happening, which is why we have created the Waterfront Campus Events Calendar >>. Learn more about the fun and academic event opportunities available for our students.

Flu SeasonFlu Season

With so many students and staff at the Waterfront Campus daily, it is easy for the flu to spread at this time of year. The College offers free flu shots to students through its Health Services office which is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. An appointment is not necessary.Throughout the campus there are also hand sanitizer stations and our Health Nurse does a great job of promoting the importance of hand washing, particularly at this time of year when the flu and cold season is at their peak.

New Housing Options for Students for Fall 2017

Our out-of-town student population continues to grow. In fact, more than 50 percent of our first year student population last fall had to relocated to Pembroke to study with us at the Waterfront Campus.We wanted to let parents know that a third privately owned and operated student residence is currently under construction and is scheduled to be ready for August 1, 2017. This residence is located within walking distance of the campus on Lake Street near the Pembroke Memorial Centre. You can learn more about housing opportunities on our Housing website >>

It’s important to remember that the college provides housing information to students and families as a courtesy service, but all decisions on whether to enter into a rental agreement is between the family and the landlord. You may want to review the Landlord-tenant Act for Ontario.

New Support Groups: Chill Café & SMART Recovery

  • Our new Chill Café is a 6-week anxiety management program open to all students. The program runs weekly on Thursdays between 12:30 and 2 p.m. from February 9 to March 23. Students can register at acwaterfrontchillcafe.eventbrite.ca
  • Our SMART Recovery offers students the help needed to recover from any addictive behaviour by working on motivation, urges, negative thinking, and living a balanced life style. Weekly sessions are held on Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting February 10 and running until April 28, 2017. There is no need for students to sign-up, they simply need to show up to Room 216 at the above mentioned times.

International Experiences for Students

While many college students will be on their winter break the week of February 13 to 17, more than 30 Algonquin students will be in Costa Rica where they will be taking the Rainforest & Tropical Science General Elective Course course. This course is open to students at all three Algonquin College campuses in Pembroke, Perth and Ottawa and is considered a general education credit. Learn more about this international education experience >>

In the spring, some third year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students will be travelling to Guatemala on a humanitarian mission to support health care needs in the third world country.

We hope this newsletter has been helpful. Please keep in touch with us and offer us feedback on topics you would like us to cover in future newsletters.Thank you for being part of your young adult’s post-secondary journey.

Sincerely,Jamie Bramburger
Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, Pembroke, ON.
PM-Parents@algonquincollege.com