Algonquin College Pembroke Campus

From Business Student to Community Entrepreneur

Marc Lapierre, Business grad, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus Marc Lapierre graduated from the Business program in 2003. Since then, he has been a busy man, working hard at building three different businesses. Marc shared his story with us about his journey.

Where are you currently working?

I have been working as a Financial Advisor at Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. since 2009 guiding business owners and professionals towards financial security. I also am the owner/founder of GoHuntBirds.com – a boutique media company that focuses on growing the bird hunting community in Canada. GoHuntBirds.com was founded in 2013. I also act as the business development director for Revel Marketing Agency in a mentorship role to its two founders. Revel Marketing Agency is a small start-up SEO/Media/Marketing agency in Burnstown, Ontario which was founded in 2017.

How do you feel that your program helped guide you to your current path?

I have always been interested in business. Taking the business course in my hometown of Pembroke, Ontario set me up with the foundation to what has become a career as a lifelong entrepreneur. It allowed me to stay at home while I was going to school and save up quite a bit of money while I was studying that I used to start several businesses when I graduated.

If you had to choose, what were the top 3 program-related items, activities or experiences that benefited you most during your studies?

Learning techniques in sales, strategy and marketing/advertising are three of the MANY skills I built upon at Algonquin. I still use these skills daily and always evolving them to make my business ventures better.

Why did you want to get into your chosen field?

Financial Planning was always an interest of mine. I started investing at the age of 16 and learned about the markets and insurance at a young age. I was offered a position out of college by Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. when I graduated, but I declined it to try selling Real Estate (which I never did pass the exam to do). I took a job as a courier from 2005-2009 and scratched out a pretty good living delivering parcels and running other small venture businesses on the side. In 2009, I was again offered the same position at Frank Carroll Financial Ltd. and seeing as the economy was in a recession, I thought it would be a great time to get into the financial services industry….and I was right. The thing I love about my chosen career the most besides the ability to make my own hours is helping people.

What are your next steps? What are your future goals and aspirations?

I plan to continue to grow the three businesses I have a hand in as well as add a fourth piece to the puzzle by adding some more recreational real estate to my portfolio. I’d also love to do more mentoring and perhaps some teaching to other small business owners and startups. I love the mentorship role that I have with Revel Marketing because I can actually see value in it for others.

Would you recommend the Business program to a future student thinking about taking the plunge?

YES!! I would honestly suggest EVERYONE should take this program as a foundation to whatever it is that they think they might want to do. The things that you will learn by taking a business course can translate into all aspects of life, regardless of the nature of your future employment. Anyone who is seriously considering taking the Business program at Algonquin College or even just wants to chat business is free to get a hold of me anytime at marc@fcfinancial.ca.

Call for Nominations: Board of Governors Election

The Algonquin College Board of Governors is looking for an Academic Staff representative and a Student representative for the 2018-2019 academic year.

All full-time and part-time Academic Staff and Students are encouraged to participate in this opportunity to serve the College.

NOMINATIONS:

  • Call for nominations begins March 26, 2018 (8:00 a.m.)
  • Close of nominations: April 4, 2018 (4:00 p.m.)

CAMPAIGNING

  • April 5 – 19, 2018

VOTING

  • April 18 at 9 a.m.
  • April 19 at 12 p.m.

To submit your candidacy, support a nominee within your constituency, and to access the Terms and Conditions of the Board of Governors’ Online Elections, please visit the Algonquin College Voting System.

Celebrating Cultural Diversity on Campus

Canada is a melting pot of people. With one of the most diverse populations in the world, the country has embraced immigration, but regrettably, most newcomers choose larger centres to settle in rather than finding a new home in a rural community.

It’s understandable why this happens. New immigrants are often sponsored by family members and they want to be around people who share the same beliefs and customs, while they embrace all that their new country has to offer. With fewer immigrants settling in rural areas, there is less of an attraction to go there, but now more than ever rural communities need immigrants. Declining birth rates, aging populations and youth out migration are among the major labour market challenges facing rural areas, and immigration provides an opportunity to address some of these issues by replenishing the population gap that has emerged.

African Students' Alliance, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusRegional college campuses located in smaller rural communities such as the Pembroke Waterfront Campus can play a major leadership role. As these campuses attract more students of culturally diverse backgrounds they create more welcoming communities for new Canadians. A great example is the recent establishment of an African Students’ Alliance on campus, a group that promotes and celebrates African culture.

Their work has been inspirational and is a great example of students being leaders. They have opened the eyes of so many students and college employees who had limited knowledge of African culture. Their integration into the broader community through volunteerism and student learning experiences is expanding their reach and influence. It’s powerful and timely as Renfrew County faces the reality of having almost 50 percent of its population over 45 years of age according to the 2016 National Census.

At the Pembroke Campus this year there are about a dozen international students, but there are so many more students who are from different cultural backgrounds. With about 50 percent of the campus student population coming from out of town, there is a great opportunity to attract more students who can enrich the cultural mosaic of the campus and greater community.

#3Drums3Campuses, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusThe Campus wants to be leaders in this effort. Case in point is the celebration of Indigenous culture that has been taking place in the month of March. Powerful learning is taking place as the college embraces the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that has challenged educational institutions to do their part by helping to preserve, revitalize and strengthen Aboriginal languages and cultures. Through a partnership with the Circle of Turtle Lodge, there have been several activities on campus that have engaged students and college employees to better understand the past, present and future of Indigenous ways.

The time is now for regional campuses to help rural communities embrace multiculturalism. It’s critical to the long-term prosperity of smaller towns and cities. Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus is well positioned to be Renfrew County’s diversity champion.

 

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Fresh New Night Courses This Winter

The New Year always brings new perspectives and for many people a list of goals. One of those goals might be focused on career development or educational pursuits that can bring more joy to someone’s life.

Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusThis winter, Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus has freshened up its Continuing Education offerings with several new classes that offer either professional development opportunities or practical learning experiences that can be applied in the workplace or at home. A few examples include safe operation of a chainsaw or the working at heights certification course.

Each term the college reviews feedback it receives from students as it plans new offerings. That’s where the idea to offer an advanced seniors computer course came from. This course has been designed for seniors who already have a good working knowledge of computer applications, but would like to enhance their skills in using popular software programs like Word and Powerpoint. There is also a social media component to the course, something that will really help seniors who may have a volunteer position that requires them to promote their organization.

Dementia affects more than 46-million people worldwide. The disease primarily strikes elderly people and when it does it can be very difficult for the patient and their family. The college is offering two dementia courses this winter, one for families to better help them understand the disease and how to cope with it, and the other for healthcare professionals.

Medical Terminology, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Medical terminology is a pre-requisite for office administration professionals to work in many healthcare settings such as hospitals and doctor offices. Having the course can open many doors for anyone who is interested in working in a healthcare environment. This course will be offered over several evenings beginning in mid-February.

On the playing field, athletes and children can move quickly, making it difficult to get action shots with your camera. The new Sports Photography class is intended to help Moms and Dads and photography enthusiasts get better photos during sporting events like hockey and soccer games.

For history buffs, Pembroke’s Early Years in Pictures will be a fascinating look back at our city’s history. Led by Champlain Trail Museum curator, Angela Siebarth, the presentation will feature many never before seen photographs that tell the story of Pembroke’s early settlers.

Ben ShillingtonBen Shillington has spent a lot of times in some of the coldest places on earth, like Lake Winnipeg, where a few years ago he led a winter fat biking expedition across the frozen lake. He’s also written a book on winter travelling. Shillington will bring his expert knowledge to the classroom when he teaches a course on winter camping that will be of interest to anyone who enjoys Canada’s coldest season and wants to experience it outdoors.

Other new courses being offered include an infant and toddler sleep seminar, acrylic painting with Pam McNichol, Moroccan cooking and other food preparation courses. There are also some popular returning courses such as grant proposal writing.

Registration is now underway in person at the college or online. Happy New Year.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

An Incredible Week at Algonquin’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus

There are very few weeks in the 50 year history of Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus that would rival this past week. A former Prime Minister delivering a convocation address, celebrating a high profile alumnus who has raised thousands of dollars for the campus and an inspiring big swim by a faculty member trying to raise awareness about a complicated environmental issue, were all part of the past seven days.

Convocation 2017, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus Let’s start with former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Paul Martin, who challenged the class of 2017 to do their part in helping Canada be the best that it can be. Canada’s 21st Prime Minister was speaking from the heart, after being deeply moved by the college’s acknowledgement of his late father’s political accomplishments through the awarding of a posthumous Honorary Degree.

The Right Honourable Paul Martin Senior spent 33 years as an elected member of the House of Commons and is best known for his work as Canada’s Health and Wellness Minister, and Secretary of State. What is not as well known is that he grew up in Pembroke, and many of his political views were formed from his childhood in Pembroke, where he contracted polio as a young boy and his family struggled to make ends meet.

Martin Sr. would be a father of universal health care, would ultimately make the decision to introduce polio vaccinations that would save thousands of Canadian children, and would be instrumental in having many additional countries enter the United Nations. In his speech, his son would tell the graduates, ” Yes, my Dad made history, but he never could have done it had the people of Pembroke not been there for him.”

Jason Blaine, Business Grad, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusA few days before the graduation ceremony, one of the Pembroke Campus’s most successful graduates was being celebrated. Country Music Artist, Jason Blaine, was honoured with a plaque on a computer lab at the campus for raising $100,000 towards the building costs of the Waterfront Campus, which opened in 2012.

jason BlaineBlaine was in town for his annual concert and golf tournament which raised $90,000, and has now brought in almost $300,000 over its first four years. Moving forward, he has committed to using funds from his charity to establish an endowment for students in financial need, so they can attend the Waterfront Campus.

The week was capped off by the incredible and inspirational “big swim” by Environmental Technician Coordinator, Sarah Hall. After weeks of training, Hall swam more than 16 kilometres through choppy and cold water in the Muskrat Lake, raising more than $4,000 and bringing awareness to the serious environmental issues facing the watershed.

Sarah Hall

Hall and her students have spent countless hours doing research and trying to find solutions to the causes of algae blooms which have plagued the watershed for many years. Exhausted and cold, Hall was greeted to a heroes welcome when she reached the shoreline in the village of Cobden, after more than five hours in the water.

That’s a lot in one week, but it’s also a snapshot of how many great things are happening at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke. Truly amazing!

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Canadian History Highlights 2017 Speaker Series

2017 is a very special year for Canada and Algonquin College. Both have a milestone birthday as the country celebrates being 150 years old and the College marks its 50th anniversary.

To celebrate these two occasions, Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus is dedicating its 2017 speaker series to covering topics of Canadian history.

Speaker SeriesThe Speaker Series kicked off recently with Steve Paikin, long time host of TVO’s popular political program, The Agenda. Paikin has written a book on former Ontario Premier, Bill Davis, the founder of the Ontario college system.

Davis was Ontario’s second longest serving Premier and over his 14 years heading the province he had many accomplishments, but his legacy focuses on education through his work in founding colleges and introducing equal funding for the Catholic school system.

On April 18th, the College will welcome Tricia Logan, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The NTR commission issued 94 calls to action in its landmark report which dealt with several sensitive issues including residential schools.

Residential School

Logan’s presentation will focus on the legacy of the residential schools, the inclusion and exclusion of the schools in Canadian history and what it means to approach a new version of Canada and revised Canadian histories.

Sean Conway is well known at Queen’s Park for his oratory skills. Now retired as an elected member of provincial parliament, Conway is a frequent lecturer at universities across the province.

He has put together a talk entitled, “The Character and Colour of the Ottawa Valley Political Tradition” that he will present at the Waterfront Campus on May 8th. Filled with stories about politicians at all levels who represented Ottawa Valley constituents, the lecture will be a wonderful history lesson on local politics.

Kingston PenitentiaryThe now closed Kingston Penitentiary was Canada’s oldest and most notorious prison. It was also the backdrop for author Merilyn Simonds’ best selling book, “The Convict Lover” which tells the story of a young Renfrew man who is imprisoned, but has a romance with a young woman while serving time for a series of misdeeds in the Ottawa Valley.

Simonds, who has authored 17 books, will participate in the Speaker Series on September 12th sharing many stories about what led to Canada’s first prison riot.

the deciding game of the 72 Summit Series with the Soviet Union.For Canadian hockey fans, September 28, 1972 is a date that will live on as one of the defining moments in Canadian sports history. It was the day that Paul Henderson of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored a late goal for Canada in the deciding game of the Summit Series with the Soviet Union.

2017 marks the 45th anniversary of that historic game, and author Roy MacSkimming will be in Pembroke on September 28th to talk about the series and his book entitled, “Cold War.” MacSkimming wrote the book for the 25th anniversary of Henderson’s goal, and will re-live the series which was about much more than hockey, but rather a battle between two political systems at a time when tensions between the west and the Soviet bloc were at their peak.

The 2017 series wraps up with Charlotte Gray on November 8th, as she speaks about her book entitled, The Promise of Canada. Gray will explore the great achievements in our country’s history, while acknowledging the darker shadows of our past.

More speaker series engagements may be added, but 2017 is shaping up to be a very special time for those interested in Canada’s history.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Celebrating a Great 2016 at the Waterfront Campus

A lot has happened in the past year at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus. That’s why it’s so tough to put together a top ten list of reflections, but here it goes…

Chris DoréComing in at number 10: The introduction of an Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Chris Doré joined the campus in January and has brought forward many initiatives that are creating a more entrepreneurial spirit on campus. This includes the development of a student entrepreneurial club, the first TEDxPembroke event and the college’s sponsorship of StartUp Ottawa Valley, a grassroots network that encourage entrepreneurs throughout our region.

#9: The incredible applied research done by students in the Environmental Technician program who spent hundreds of hours tackling a complex environmental issue along the Muskrat Lake watershed in Whitewater region.

Jason Blaine#8: The community contributions of our students and graduates. Alumnus Jason Blaine raised a record $80,000 at his third annual charity concert and golf tournament and has now been able to invest more than $200,000 in local community causes. Office Administration-Executive student Wendy Hewitt was elected as Chair of the Renfrew County District School Board trustees and students in our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program participated in a humanitarian mission in Guatemala. Just a few examples of how our students and alumni made a difference in 2016.

#7: The economic impact the Waterfront Campus is having on Pembroke’s downtown. Two privately owned and operated student residences are open and a third is under construction and will be ready for the fall 2017 intake. Several new stores have opened and many buildings that had been neglected are being invested in by developers who are helping build Pembroke’s reputation as a college community.

Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Algonquin College#6: The development of three new full-time programs that will launch in September of 2017. The new Action Sports Park Development program is the first college program of its kind in Canada, while the Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program will compliment the highly popular Forestry Technician program that has been offered at the campus for more than 45 years. The Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety Diploma program has already been endorsed by Bruce Power for its future hiring needs.

Melissa Bishop, Olympian and Pan Am Gold medalist#5: An inspirational visit by Canadian Olympian Melissa Bishop who captured the hearts of all Ottawa Valley residents at the summer Olympics when she just missed a medal in the 800 metre race. Bishop spoke to both students and visiting guidance counsellors during an October stop at the campus and broke news when she announced her intentions to be ready for another Olympiad in four years time.

#4: Having our Loggersports team celebrate a Grey Cup championship with the Ottawa REDBLACKS. While our athletes were prevented from attending the championship game in Toronto by the CFL, they were front and centre when 40,000 fans celebrated Ottawa’s first football title in 40 years.

#3: The hundreds of employers who provided placement and co-op experiences to our students and jobs for our graduates. Employers are critical to helping our college provide the skilled workforce that will ensure our region prospers in the future, and in 2016 our businesses were truly our greatest partners.

Waterfront Campus Convocation 2016 banner#2: Words to live by from former Board of Governor representative Fred Blackstein at our 2016 convocation ceremony. His six words, “Be Algonquin Proud, Make Algonquin Proud,” have become a call to action for the entire Waterfront Campus community.

#1 thing to celebrate is: Another record enrollment of students at the Waterfront Campus. With almost 1,000 full-time students studying at the campus, the college is attracting both local and out-of-town students, helping produce college graduates who can help meet the workforce needs of employers across Canada, and in some cases around the world.

2016 was a great year. We look forward to even better things in 2017 as we celebrate our 50th anniversary!

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Co-Curricular Opportunities Help Students Connect to their Campus

Colleges are full of energy and helping students tap into activities that are outside of their daily routine of attending classes can go a long way in enriching a student’s college experience. Unfortunately, not all students take advantage of the many enhanced learning opportunities that are presented on college campuses.

At Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, there is a vibrant co-curricular program that gives students an opportunity to volunteer in a structured way that allows them to capture their extra curricular activities on a transcript.

tedx-talk-by-students-nov2016

A student’s co-curricular record can be very useful when they are pursuing their first job within their field as it demonstrates to potential employers their motivation, transferable skills and dedication to supporting special projects, all things that most employers are interested in when hiring a new employee. Essentially, it gives a new graduate an advantage when trying to get their resume to the top of the pile.

In recent weeks, there have been a number of great examples of co-curricular activities on campus. These have included students participating in Pembroke’s annual Santa Claus parade, students volunteering at a very successful TEDxPembroke event, and two Outdoor Adventure Naturalist students engaging in an applied research project to develop interpretive signage for the Kiwanis Walkway, that runs next door to the Waterfront Campus.

kiwanis-way-heritage-sign-project-nov2016

Students come to college to obtain a credential and ultimately a career in the field that most interests them, but by broadening their experience to include co-curricular activities, they can expand their network of contacts, feel good about contributing to college and community activities and be rewarded for their efforts.

In a competitive labour market, having an impressive co-curricular record can make the difference in getting your career off to a great start.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs.

 

TEDxPembroke at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus

Have you ever been captivated by a speaker who has you hanging on every word that comes out of their mouth? There are few public speakers who have that much charisma, but when it does happen, it’s magical.

Image result for ted talksAs a fan of TED Talks, I’ve had that experience. I’ve been mesmerized by thought provoking presentations by ordinary people who had a good idea to share. In a world where ideas are often discovered through digital platforms, there’s still something special about being in the same room as a speaker who has a good story to tell.

TED Talks has been inspiring millions of people around the world to share ideas, primarily in short but pointed talks intended to stimulate collaboration. These talks are delivered in front of a live audience and then shared with others through the internet.

As a non-profit organization, TED has evolved to include independently organized TEDx events that allow communities to make great ideas accessible and to spark conversation. For the first time, a TEDx event is coming to Pembroke through the efforts of Algonquin College’s entrepreneurship initiative.

TEDxPembroke SpeakersOn Saturday, November 12th the College will present TEDxPembroke with seven dynamic speakers taking the stage. They will include the Chief Paramedic and Director of Emergency Services for Renfrew County, Mike Nolan and the Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Mark Lesinski.

Under the theme of “Dream Big,” Lesinski will explore the potential opportunities that could come from the development of small modular nuclear reactors. Nolan will focus his presentation on innovative leadership in preventative ambulatory care for older adults.

TEDxPembroke, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Mitch Kurylowicz is the founder and driving force behind Project Jenga, a non-profit organization working to promote and fund-raise for gender equality in Kenya. He will talk about how luck influences our lives and how we need to make our own luck.

Craig Gauthier is a self-proclaimed “geek” who has tried many things from film-making to writing books. The Pembroke native will focus his talk on finding your keys to success.

Dr. Duncan Stewart is the Director General of Canada’s National Research Council. His talk will be on the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in rural regions. Two students from Algonquin’s Environmental Technician program will also speak, Aarika Charlebois and Emily Krutzelmann, both sharing personal journeys to success.

Image result for tedxpembrokeDuring the event some popular TED Talks will also be shown. The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. with a few tickets still remaining. The cost is approximately $35 and includes a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and desserts. Get your tickets here >>.

Bringing a TEDx event to the college is an exciting initiative. It complements the college’s successful speaker series and also supports its efforts to inspire its students, faculty and the general public to embrace entrepreneurialism and innovative thinking. Through the sharing of great ideas and dreaming big, we can all help our region be more prosperous.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Open House at the Waterfront Campus

Fall Open House, Algonquin College Waterfront CampusAs the leaves change colour, it’s time for senior high school students to start thinking about their post-secondary plans. Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus will be holding its annual Open House Career Fair on Thursday, October 6th, an opportunity for students to meet with faculty, admissions and financial aid officers to have their college questions answered.

The event is held in partnership with the College Information Program (CIP), meaning high school students can also speak with representatives from all 24 Ontario publicly funded colleges. This one-stop shopping opportunity can really help students make informed decisions on where the programs they are interested in are offered, what admission standards do they need to meet, and how much will their college education cost?

Algonquin College, Action Sports and Park DevelopmentAlgonquin College’s Open House is normally attended by more than 300 high school students from across Renfrew and Pontiac Counties, and some students also travel from other areas of the province to learn more about the unique programs that are offered at the Waterfront Campus. These programs include two brand new ones that are being offered for the first time in the Fall of 2017: Action Sports and Park Development; and Urban Forestry-Arboriculture.

In the past, the Open House has been a one day event, but this year it will also be offered on Wednesday, October 5th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the campus gymnasium. This will allow parents, younger high school students, and mature students to connect with faculty about their burning college questions. The gym will be full of interactive displays for each of the 21 full-time programs that are offered at the Waterfront Campus.

Algonquin College Student Success Specialist

Admission to both Open House events is free. Students who are attending the daytime Open House on October 6th will have access to bus transportation to get to the college. That event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Applications for the Fall 2017 intake will be available soon on the Ontario College Application Service. Now is the time to start exploring your future.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs