Algonquin College Waterfront Campus

Apply to be a JEDI Mentor

Want to add to your resume and enhance your post-secondary experience? We are looking for student mentors for our incoming 2021-2022 first-year students aka JEDI Mentors!

Job Description

A JEDI is a second-year student who takes a leadership role in supporting first-year student’s college success. JEDIs are select individuals with ability and desire to:

  • Share their leadership, knowledge, and academic ability to help others succeed;
  • Mentor a group of first-year students in a wide variety of informal channels – social, outdoor and educational;
  • Assume a leadership role in directing students to supporting resources for their success;
  • Be an ambassador for the program and the Pembroke Campus at special first-year student events as requested;
  • Receive training and development in mentorship and other specialized certifications like Mental Health First Aid, Positive Space, Leadership, Bystander and Sexual Harassment and also add to your Co-Curricular Record;

Required Qualifications

  • Desire to be a positive role model
  • Good listening and communication skills
  • Proven commitment to your program
  • Demonstrated academic success
  • Willing to dedicate 20 hours/semester over two semesters including:
    • Attendance at recruitment and other program social events
    • Orientation (April) and /Training Day

We are looking for JEDI Mentors in the following programs:

  • Applied Nuclear Science & Radiation Safety
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Business
  • Computer Systems Technician
  • Environmental Technician
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Outdoor Adventure Naturalist
  • Personal Support Worker
  • Practical Nursing
  • Social Service Worker

If you have any questions, please contact:
Shelly Sutherland, Student Success Specialist
suthers@algonquincollege.com

OR your Program Coordinator

CLOSING OPPORTUNITY: FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

 

Incredible Winter Adventures Await in Ottawa Valley

Now is the time to embrace winter! Our Winterfest celebration is an opportunity to make a conscious effort to explore the Ottawa Valley. The Ottawa Valley is Ontario’s adventure playground, a year-round adventure destination but winter turns it into a fairy-tale destination that no one wants to miss. As the snow blankets the region, adventurers and nature lovers in the Ottawa valley head outside to indulge in various adventure activities as the magic unfolds. Here are some of the experiences you can do to quench your thirst for adventure this winter season.

  1. Image result for snowmobiling ottawa valleySnowmobiling in the Depths of Winter: Winter in the Ottawa Valley means lots of snow and crisp temperatures – perfect snowmobiling weather for sledding enthusiasts. Over 2,550 km of groomed Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) trails and local trails that wind through picturesque villages, along abandoned rail beds, past old mine sites and ghost towns provide ample memorable places to ride.

  2. Gliding on the Snow Carpet: The serene environment ranging from tree-lined slopes, challenging vertical drops to gentle runs make it an ideal alpine skiing and snowboarding destination. Many true snow bunnies dream all year long with huge anticipation to glide through untouched powder on the slopes.

    SnowboardingThe options include Mount Pakenham, Calabogie Peak Resort, Mount Martin, Mount Molson etc. Mount Pakenham, located in Mississippi Mills, is Eastern Ontario’s premier family ski, snowboard and tubing location which is ideal for every enthusiast. At a height of 730 ft with a 280 ft vertical drop, this mountain offers 10 trails, plus glade trails, and 7 lifts to get you moving.

    Calabogie Peaks, the tallest public ski resort in Ontario, is an all-seasons resort located at the base of Dickson Mountain on the shores of Calabogie Lake. Apart from skiing and snowboarding, one can also stay and enjoy the best of what winter offers with many snowy adventures.

    The Mount Martin Ski Club (MMSC) maintains 12 runs including a glade run and 2 terrain parks (with jumps, rails and boxes), and is served by a T-bar, right in the Town of Deep River. Most trails are groomed, and all runs are patrolled by volunteers from the Canadian Ski Patrol.

    Located in the heart of Petawawa, the Petawawa Ski Club operates on the world’s smallest ski hill, known by the locals as Mount Molson which offers lessons for skiing and snowboarding.

  3. Image result for Cross Country skiing forest leaSkiing Cross Country Trails: The Valley presents an outstanding array of Nordic trails for winter sport enthusiasts. Here there are a variety of excellent and scenic cross-country trails winding through meadows and forests for various skill levels such as Silver Spoon Trails, Madawaska Nordic Trails, Opeongo Hills Nordic and Forest Lea Trails – with 1.5 km of lighted ski trails for night skiing.

  4. Snowshoeing the Beautiful Backcountry: There isn’t any other better way to learn and be a part of our wonderful Canadian winters than simply getting out there and experiencing it first-hand. The Ottawa Valley is home to some terrific and pristine wilderness just waiting to be explored.Image result for snowshoeing renfrew county All you need is a pair of snowshoes and you can explore hundreds of kilometres of amazing trails and wilderness routes. Moreover, there are numerous naturalist and interpretive trails such as Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Center, Kiwanis Walk Way and Petawawa Millennium Trail where you could learn more about the rich history and heritage of the place.

  5. Image result for Ice Fishing renfrew countyIce Fishing – Winter Pastime for Everyone: Cradled between the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park, the Ottawa Valley is home to over 900 lakes and 4 major river systems. There are ample opportunities for anglers to get out on the frozen lake or river to net a trophy fish. The Valley boasts 158,000 acres of water filled with more than 20 species of fish such as bass, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge etc. Premier destinations include the heritage Ottawa River, Lake Dore, Golden Lake etc. Be sure to check out the Laurentian Valley Ice Fishing Derby on February 27 – learn more.

  6. Image result for Ma-Te-Way Park skating

    Source: Inside Ottawa Valley

    Sharpen your Skates and Feel the Rush: What better way to celebrate winter than hitting the ice with friends and family? Explore and enjoy the cool, crisp air by slapping on a pair of skates and gliding the day away on one of our well-maintained municipal rinks and skating trails. The skating season is generally open from December through to March. There are a variety of options for the skaters ranging from indoor rinks to outdoor rinks and skating trails such as Laurentian Valley Skating Trail, Ma-Te-Way Park Trail and Deep River Skate Trail.

  7. Image result for Westmeath Lookout stars

    Enchanting Star Gazing at Westmeath Lookout: One of the best ways to find solace from the hustles of life and being in the moment in the chill of the winter is stargazing. Generally, due to so much light pollution in the cities, the view of the stars and constellations is not clear. However, on a clear night and away from the blinding lights, just 20 minutes drive from the city of Pembroke, one can escape to the countryside in the Whitewater Region of Ottawa Valley and enjoy the spectacular view of the stars at Westmeath Lookout.

  8. Image result for Pembroke Murals winter

    Pembroke Heritage Murals Walk: Take a winter walk and stroll through Pembroke’s downtown to see Canada’s largest outdoor gallery featuring more than 30 large-scale murals depicting the history, settlement and heritage of the Ottawa Valley. These Murals are an illustrated record of Pembroke’s ever-changing history. Come and witness the story of the Pembroke area in Ottawa Valley.

Written by: Sachin Sethi, Recruitment Officer and Outdoor Adventure Naturalist Alumni

Emily Krutzelmann, Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance

Environmental Technician, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Emily Krutzelmann graduated from our Environmental Technician program in 2016 and has been working for Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) since. “Up until earlier this year, I was working as a field/lab technologist in Burlington at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, but just recently changed positions and am now a water quality technologist with ECCC’s Hudson Bay Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Division in Winnipeg!” shares Krutzelmann.

Environmental Technician, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

“I’ve always loved water, so it seems natural that I would end up working with it!” Before joining our AC community, Krutzelmann attended university, “I did a research practicum and undergraduate thesis on how wastewater exposure affects fish behaviour, which kind of kickstarted my interest in the environmental sciences and made me realize I really enjoyed fieldwork. The Environmental Technician program gave me a lot of the fundamental hands-on skills that I was missing from my previous undergraduate education and introduced me to a variety of equipment and procedures that I still use in my work today! This program also allowed me to secure a summer student position with ECCC, which led me to my full-time job after graduation.”

Environmental Technician, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Krutzelmann reflects on her top program-related experiences during her 16 months of studies, “for sure the Applied Research projects that we worked on in our final semester. My group was working on a controlled tile drain monitoring project on agricultural land in Renfrew County and this project exposed me to using a wide variety of different types of environmental monitoring equipment, which was an invaluable experience! Our class also did a case study in the College’s stormwater pond, where we installed water level wells and completed elevation measurements to map out the water table to simulate what would happen with a spill of a deleterious substance. Generally, all of the outdoor field trips and hands-on experience outdoors were invaluable! The skills you’ll gain from the Environmental Technician program are all practical skills that you will use in a career in this field. It’s a great opportunity to try a bit of everything under the ‘environmental technician’ umbrella and decide where you want to focus on.”

 

Counselling Topic: COVID-19 Coping Resources

Well, here we are. Just over a month in. You’ve made it to the end of this semester. I know these past few weeks have been challenging for you all. You’ve been navigating online learning and balancing school/work/home life during this surreal time. I hope exams and final assignments went well. For those who are graduating, congratulations! I imagine it feels odd to finish in this way. I’m sure it’s hard not to say goodbye in person to friends and faculty. For those entering into the spring semester, I’m sure you’re anxious about how it will look. For those of you who were looking forward to/counting on summer jobs and are facing financial uncertainty, I feel for you. I also know there’s so much I don’t know and can’t see. You are welcome to read my open letter about being a mental health professional during this time.

This is just a reminder that I am still available for virtual counselling. I will be working over the summer, so any student (even those in limbo with graduation) can reach out to me. I am available Tuesdays-Thursdays and you can contact me by email (sevigns@algonquincollege.com)

To support you as much as I can right now, below are a few resources. More are available on the Pembroke Counselling Website.

Take care of yourselves!

1) RESOURCE LIST: A LARGE LIST OF RESOURCES FOR COPING WITH DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF COVID-19

2) BLOG POST: “IN A WORLD CALLED CATASTROPHE: COPING WITH COVID-19”

3) PSYCHOEDUCATION VIDEO: “IF YOU CAN HOLD ON, HOLD ON: STRESS MANAGEMENT”

Also available in written format.

 

Winter Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

Welcome to our Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

With spring around the corner, we are midway through the winter semester. We thought it a perfect time to provide an update on activities that have recently happened and provide some insight into upcoming events.

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. Enjoy our 2020 parent newsletter winter edition.

Next Steps in the Admissions Process

February 1st was a big day for College applicants. Colleges across Ontario started to make offers of admission, including Algonquin College. There are several key dates for applicants and their families to be aware of leading up to the start of classes in September 2020. They are:

  • May 1st Confirmation Deadline: This is the deadline for applicants who have been made an offer of admission to confirm their intentions to enroll at the Pembroke Campus.
  • June 15th Tuition Deposit Deadline: This is the deadline to pay the non-refundable $500 tuition deposit for the fall term or to complete a fee deferral through the College’s Financial Aid office.
  • August 7th Documentation Deadline: This is the deadline for applicants to provide the college with any outstanding documentation such as transcripts for completed pre-requisites, health immunization records and police records checks, for applicable programs.
  • Algonquin Advantage Days Orientation: Orientation for all Pembroke Campus students on September 3 and 4. Full schedules will be emailed and mailed to applicants.

Learn more about additional next steps.

Dr. Keltie Jones, New Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus DeanMeet our Campus Dean

Dr. Keltie Jones became the sixth Dean in the 53-year history of the Pembroke Campus when she arrived from the Agricultural College of Dalhousie University in Truro, Nova Scotia last August. Dr. Jones is a graduate of Stanford University in California and has held leadership roles in post-secondary education in both Canada and the United States. She enjoys getting to know our students and her popular “Ask the Dean” sessions are enjoyed by students as it helps keep the lines of communication open with our students.

Dr. Jones enjoys engaging with parents and families and attends many of our student events. She looks forward to meeting you on campus.

Student Housing Options

With approximately 50 percent of students attending the Pembroke Waterfront Campus from out of town, student housing is an important consideration for both the College and families. While the College does not have a student residence, there are four privately owned and operated student residences that have the capacity to house more than 200 Algonquin College students.

Video Room, Future Students, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

These residences all offer different housing experiences and are all within walking distance of the campus. They include Algonquin House, AMNA Student Housing, the Lake Street Residences, one of which is currently under construction but will be ready for the Fall 2020 term and Canoe Lofts, a new student housing complex that is also expected to open in September.

The College has a Housing List page which provides information to students and families on all accommodation options including its new Homestay Program. Homestay allows a student to live with a family in Pembroke and is primarily available to international students and newcomers to Canada who are looking for an enriched Canadian cultural experience while studying at college. The campus housing website will also provide detailed information on other housing options including rental units and room and board.

All decisions made by students and their families to enter into a lease agreement with a landlord are made independent of the college. Therefore, families are encouraged to do their due diligence when making decisions about housing.

 

Paws 4 Stress – Meet Winston!

Winston is our Pembroke Waterfront Campus Therapy Dog and member of our Dog Squad at Algonquin College. Winston is on campus every Wednesday this semester to help support our students and staff.

Getting Around Pembroke and Getting Back Home

As a smaller city, Pembroke is very walkable, however, it no longer has a public transit service. This can be problematic for students who do not have access to a vehicle. Therefore, students and families should take this into consideration when looking for housing options that are within walking distance of the campus.

Many students use bicycles to get to and from school. The College provides bike racks for students to lock up their bikes while they are in class. Other students carpool, but most walk to and from the college.

Out of town students have two bussing options if they are going home for weekends, statutory holidays or break weeks. Both Greyhound and Ontario Northland serve the city of Pembroke and travel to most medium and larger cities across the province. The bus stop is located at the Giant Tiger store in downtown Pembroke, a short walk from the College.

Positive Space Training, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusPositive Space

The Positive Space program is organized by volunteers who work to create awareness of 2SLGBTQ+ communities at Algonquin College. The Positive Space program hosts events, conduct educational initiatives and shares information with all members of the campus community. Learn More →

Pembroke Area Offers Lots of Fun Activities in the Winter Months

Winter can be long and the Pembroke Area has experienced record snowfalls this year. The best way to get through winter is to embrace it. If you are the parent of a student who is currently studying at the Pembroke Campus, here are a few fun activities that you might suggest to your student to help them enjoy the winter season.

  1. Pembroke is home to a beautiful outdoor skating trail that is 1.5 kms long and curls through a forested area. The Laurentian Valley Skating Trail is only a 15-minute drive from the campus. If your student is interested in trying this free activity but doesn’t have transportation to get there, have them drop by student services where we can help arrange for carpooling.
  2. The Pembroke Lumber Kings Junior A hockey team plays most Sunday afternoons or evenings through the middle of March. Free tickets are often available through student services in Room 131. The Pembroke Memorial Centre, where the Lumber Kings play, is located across the street from the Waterfront Campus.
  3. If being outdoors is not for your student during the winter months, Festival Hall Centre for the Arts has plenty to offer with concerts, plays and engaging presentations all winter long.
  4. If your student is interested in history, Garrison Petawawa has an excellent military museum and the Champlain Trail Museum in Pembroke is well respected for providing a view into the Ottawa Valley’s past.
  5. The Waterfront Campus has a vibrant book club. Tell your student to drop by the Huckabone Library to get involved and start reading and discussing some of the best books on the market.

These are just a few ideas to help your student get through the winter months. Soon it will be spring!

City of Pembroke By-Laws

Like every municipality, the City of Pembroke has many by-laws that govern how the city operates. These by-laws provide important information that helps families and students understand how they apply to things like parking on city streets during the winter months, noise restrictions, fire department false alarms, and more. It’s a good website to bookmark on your computer. Learn More →

Employment Opportunities in Pembroke

Many of our students are looking for a part-time job while they study at our campus. Our Campus Employment Support Centre office is located in Student Services on the first floor of our campus and is well connected with local businesses that are looking for help.

Job postings are regularly updated and students can access free help with updating their resume and cover letter by dropping by to see our helpful staff.

Many of our programs offer opportunities for students to participate in paid co-op work placements. Students pay co-op administrative fees and must complete a series of learning activities and maintain a high academic standing to be eligible for co-op, but it’s worth it! Co-op provides an exceptional opportunity for students to gain relevant work experience within their field of study, opening up opportunities to get their foot in the door and launch their career. Learn more about the Co-op Experience.

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.

Spring Business Leadership Conference May 21 at Pembroke Waterfront Campus

Maximizing the potential of your employees should be a priority for every business. That’s the focus of the 2020 Spring Business and Leadership Conference scheduled for May 21 at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

Now into its sixth Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, Algonquin College, Spring Business Conference, Pembrokeyear, the conference supports local organizations by providing high quality and affordable professional development opportunity close to home. This year’s headliner is Doctor Robyne Hanley-Dafoe who will deliver a poignant keynote address on resiliency in the workplace.

As the senior educational developer for the Centre of Teaching and Learning at Trent University in Peterborough, Hanley-Dafoe is a multi-award winning psychology instructor who specializes in navigating stress and change with a focus on personal wellness in the workplace.

Hanley-Dafoe will be joined by five other women in producing the first all-women line-up of presenters in the conference’s history. All will focus on topics that will drive improvement within organizations.

For example, Iman Haasan will provide tips on how to promote health and wellness in the workplace through lessons learned from sports psychology. Hassan is a mental health performance consultant who is also a Sport Performance and Psychology doctoral student at the University of Ottawa.

Colleen Walsh, Algonquin College, Spring Business Conference, PembrokeColleen Walsh has spent more than 20 years helping businesses solve human resources issues. She has entitled her workshop as “The Modern-Day Performance Management Process.” From Walsh’s perspective, there is a lot of discontent with the way employers evaluate employee performance. Her workshop will focus on how to provide constructive criticism that will motivate your employees to build stronger working relationships.

Within a work team, everyone has different responsibilities, but when someone lets the team down it can cause a lot of tension. Victoria Miles is an employee engagement specialist and will deliver a punchy presentation on “Demystifying Accountability,” an interactive workshop that will tackle questions like, what does accountability look like when it’s in action? Most importantly, the session will drill down on why accountability is so important in the workplace and will provide tips on how to introduce it as an employee engagement priority.

Why do so many projects fail? Becky Wright is a certified project manager and will explore the most common reasons why projects don’t succeed. Through group work, Wright will help her audience understand how poor planning is usually to blame and more importantly will delve into what organizations can do to learn from their past failures to plan better.

Erin Blaskie, Algonquin College, Spring Business Conference, PembrokeErin Blaskie is a social media guru, but she’s also a leading entrepreneur. A lover of technology, Blaskie helps entrepreneurs achieve their goals by inspiring them to achieve greatness, while also understanding the pitfalls that often derail entrepreneurs. In her enlightening session, Blaskie will tackle the question of what does it mean to be an entrapreneur within an organization? In answering that question, Blaskie will be promoting the need for more creativity and innovation to drive business growth and build successful teams.

Registration has opened for the conference. Early bird rates of only $210 plus applicable taxes are in place until March 31 and businesses that register three people for the conference will receive the fourth registration free.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

Classroom Inspiration Photography Contest

Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus, Photo ContestCalling all students! Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus is hosting a photography contest! Rules are simple,

  • Submit a picture of what inspires you the most in the classroom, in placement, or in the field.
  • Provide a brief explanation about why you chose this image to be entered into the contest.
  • Only one entry per student – so make it unforgettable!
  • Submit by March 6, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

Submissions will be judged based on both the photo and the written explanation, so remember to include each in your entry! Both 1st and 2nd place winners will be featured in our upcoming Pembroke Campus newsletter. For those wishing to enter please email all submissions to raem@algonquincollege.com by March 6, 2020.

 

 

Top 5 Reasons to Study at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus

At some point, you may ask, “Why should I go to college?” Here are five reasons to study at our campus:

  1. Police Foundations, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusWe prepare you for your future career – learn the skills to get the job: Research reveals 86% of college graduates secure employment within six months. College education continues to be an effective and swift route to employment. The provincial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) show that 85.5% of Algonquin College graduates found employment within six months of graduation. “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.” There’s no question that having a post-secondary credential has become paramount to a person’s ability to progress in the workplace. Increasingly, employers are asking for a minimum of a college certificate or diploma as a starting point to be considered for a job posting. That reality is the primary factor that drives a person’s decision to enroll in a college program.

  2. You’re not just a number – we get to know you: At the Pembroke Waterfront Campus, you’re not just a number – we get to know you, your name, and your goals – your opinion is valued. Our campus feels smaller and homier than others, and we are always here to help. Our Support Services team works together to support you based on interactions with you. The best way that we can support you to achieve success is through planning and collaboration within the College’s support services.

  3. Rafting, Outdoor Adventure, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusWe offer one-of-a-kind programs – you won’t find anywhere else: We offer a number of truly one-of-a-kind programs, with a strong reputation across Canada and internationally. Our beautiful campus is surrounded by scenic countryside, forests, lakes, and rivers–the perfect location for some of the most exhilarating outdoor training programs on earth. Whether you are interested in building the action sports culture, learning how to preserve the present for the future, or looking to become an outdoor guide, we have the programs and certifications that will guide you toward your dream career! Learn more about our programs.

  4. We’re generous – bursaries help pay your tuition: A bursary is a monetary award that is granted on the basis of financial need. Bursaries are different than scholarships. Scholarships are merit-based and are awarded for academic achievement. Bursaries are financial-need based awards that do not have to be repaid. We have over $250,000 available in bursaries money annually for our Pembroke Campus students. These generous gifts of money from our community members and local businesses are truly appreciated by the students and the College. It helps the college to fulfill its overarching goal of supporting students to be successful in their academic studies and to be career-ready when they graduate. Learn more about

  5. Our small campus provides more opportunity to connect to your professors: Your professors are experts in their chosen field, so they can help you to succeed academically. Whether you need help to answer questions or clarify materials that are covered in class, you have the opportunity to get that extra one-on-one time at our campus. Professors also know people and have many connections, so when it comes time for you to secure a co-op, placement or even a job, they can reach out to companies who are looking for qualified individuals and speak with them on your behalf.

Join us and learn first-hand the advantages of studying at a smaller campus where we offer our students exceptional learning opportunities and a friendly, supportive environment.

Class Representative & Wybourn Awards-Application Now Open

The Class Representative and Wybourn Awards application process are now open.

Once again, the Class Representative Award allows for three awards; one for each the Perth, Pembroke and Ottawa campuses. The Wybourn award is awarded to one student from any of the three campuses.

  1. The Wybourn Award is awarded on an annual basis to a Student Leader who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and/or upholding of student rights at Algonquin College during the academic year. It consists of a $500 award and an award certificate. The Wybourn Award was created by Algonquin College’s Board of Governors in honour of Dr. Ed Wybourn, the first Dean of Student Affairs.
  2. The Class Representative Award is awarded on an annual basis and is designed to acknowledge and reward a student who is deemed to be the most deserving Class Representative. An award is selected for each of the three Algonquin College campuses (Ottawa, Perth, and Pembroke). It consists of a $500 award and an award certificate.

The submission deadline for both of these awards is Tuesday, March 10th, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

All nominations are submitted online and the link to the page to obtain information, criteria and the online application form can be found here.

All award winners and a guest are invited to the Volunteer Appreciation Gala at the Woodroffe Campus. This is a lovely event acknowledging and thanking student volunteers. This year the Gala will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2020.