Algonquin College

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

Spring Conference Delivers Great Professional Development Opportunity

Jim Kyte played a tough brand of hockey, but it’s not surprising he lasted 17 years in professional hockey, considering the obstacles he had to overcome. The NHL’s first deaf player will share his incredible story as the keynote speaker at Algonquin College’s annual Spring Business Leadership Conference on May 25, 2017 at the Waterfront Campus in Pembroke.

Jim Kyte, Keynote Speaker at Spring Business and Leadership Conference, Algonquin College, PembrokeNow into its third year, the conference provides great value to small town businesses in Eastern Ontario by providing high quality professional development opportunities at a very reasonable cost. In its first year, the conference attracted more than 60 people. That number jumped to more than 90 registrants last year, and this spring the College expects the conference to exceed more than 100 attendees, based on the positive feedback it has received on the conference.

Built on a theme of bringing a “big city” conference to the Ottawa Valley, the line-up includes several workshop presenters who have participated in larger conferences in places like Toronto, Ottawa and Kingston. The line-up is supplemented with the continuing education faculty from the Waterfront Campus, providing an opportunity to showcase the high quality trainers the College has available locally.

Amongst the presenters this year is Doug Wotherspoon, Algonquin College’s Vice-President of Innovation and Strategy, who will provide tips on how businesses can build a sustainable competitive strategy. Wotherspoon will introduce his audience to the “playing to win” model, a simple framework that looks to ask five integrated questions to help businesses think ahead and align their company for sustainable success.

Sylvie Rimbach is a human behaviour strategist who will focus her workshop on being a courageous leader in today’s competitive landscape. Rimbach’s session will explore the power and influence leaders have, turning leadership into a verb, not a noun.

Katie Tollis-Flabbi, Spring Business and Leadership Conference, Algonquin College, Pembroke

Katie Tollis-Flabbi is a young entrepreneur with a passion for marketing. As a business owner and part-time faculty member at the Waterfront Campus, Tollis-Flabbi will share six practical and easy marketing steps for a small business. The goal is to share ideas that won’t break the bank, but will generate revenue and much needed exposure for a small business with a limited marketing budget.

Two of the sessions will focus on the pending labour market shortage being driven by an aging population. Angela Hoyt is the President of Evolution Group and for the past 19 years she has helped organizations manage performance. Her session promises to provide the audience with tools they can use to attract the right employees at a time when they will be hard to find.

Chela Breckon is the Coordinator of the Local Immigration Partnership program in Renfrew and Lanark County. A passionate advocate for immigration in rural regions, Breckon will help business leaders build a welcoming strategy that will support their efforts to attract newcomers to their workplace.

There are also workshops on social media and public and media relations, areas that are evolving but becoming increasingly important for businesses and organizations of all sizes. The keynote address by Jim Kyte, lunch and a refreshment/networking break, an after conference social and the awarding of a business innovation award are all part of the conference.

Early bird registration rates for the conference are in place until March 31st and businesses that send three employees will receive a fourth registration free. At $199, plus HST, (early bird rate) the conference is very affordable and for most attendees will not require any additional expenses for overnight accommodation, travel or meal expenses.

The Spring Business Leadership conference has been designed to support small and medium sized businesses in both the private and public sectors. Given its growth since being launched in 2015, it appears it has hit the mark.

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

 

Admissions Offer Day!

Ground HogWhile Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie prepare to celebrate the end of winter (we hope), the eve of Ground Hog Day is a time for celebration in the Ontario College system. It’s the day that colleges start sending out offers of admission to the thousands of prospective students who apply to college each year.

February 1st is known as the equal opportunity deadline, but it’s also the day colleges start letting applicants know if they have met the admission requirements for the programs they have applied to. Yes, there will be some disappointed applicants, but colleges are very good at making alternative offers that help applicants stay on their pathway to their chosen career.

At Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, applicants can expect a very personalized experience as they learn their admissions status. They will be able to check their application on the Ontario College Application Service website to see if the college has made them an offer of admission.

Open House - March 11, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusLater in the day, they can expect a congratulatory email from the Waterfront Campus that will provide additional information on their next steps in the admissions process. The email will also include a congratulatory video message from their program coordinator and a personalized invitation to attend the campus March Break Open House on Saturday, March 11th.

By late afternoon or evening, college faculty and student services staff will be calling accepted applicants to congratulate them and answer any questions they might have about their program or the Waterfront Campus.

All of these touchpoints are part of the college’s effort to help applicants feel comfortable with the decision they are making to enroll in a post-secondary program. It’s also the first step in building a relationship with incoming students.

Over the course of the admissions cycle, there will be plenty of opportunities for new students to get to know the campus and the faculty who will be teaching them. There will be invitations to open houses, program preparation camps, jump-start academic programs and of course orientation activities. By the time, September rolls around, students will be very familiar with their new surroundings. Students and families can also get to know our campus by joining our online community through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

It all starts on February 1st, when the Waterfront Campus says congratulations, you’ve been accepted into college!

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

Ask Jasmine: Seven Ways to make group work less painful

I hate working in groups – there are too many personalities and there’s always someone who doesn’t pull their weight! But my courses involve a lot of group work. How do I deal with this?”

Group work is challenging, no doubt about it. Students often come away from group projects feeling like other members have not contributed enough. Difficulties with planning and managing time, and allocating responsibility often leave students feeling frustrated and resentful.

You might not like it, but professors assign group work for a number of important reasons. Gaining exposure to group work while you are still in college provides a great opportunity to learn how to effectively collaborate, give and receive feedback, and manage potential conflicts. These are skills that will undoubtedly benefit you in your future career.

Group work also allows you to share different perspectives and learn from your diverse peers. Effective groups engage in open discussions that respectfully challenge each other’s beliefs and assumptions. This is what college is for! These experiences will help you to develop stronger communication and critical thinking skills.

The next time you find yourself working in a group, try to use the following tips:

1. Create a supportive atmosphere

You are all in this together so make sure that people feel included and valued. Positive feedback is great! This will help to strengthen the group rather than weaken it if challenges arise.

2. Listen and acknowledge

You can do this by paraphrasing and summarizing what they’ve told you. If everyone feels heard they will be more invested in the project, increasing your chances of success.

3. Set clear objectives

Make sure each group member has an understanding of their role and specific responsibilities. Write it all down and review this each time you meet in order to assess progress.

4. Be prepared to meet halfway

You can’t be part of an effective group without compromising.

5. Have open conversations

If a group member is not pulling their weight, be prepared to express your concerns. Start by being empathetic and supportive. Try this: “I know you’re really stressed about school right now, but I’m feeling a bit anxious because I don’t have your slides yet for the presentation. Could you send them to me today?”

6. It’s about the journey

Remember that the professor is not only interested in the final product. The process itself is a learning experience that is going to help prepare you for your future career. Treasure this time as an opportunity to practise for the real world!

7. Make an appointment

If you are interested in speaking with a counsellor about improving your interpersonal skills, make an appointment with one of the counsellors at your campus.

Celebrating 50th Anniversary with New Programs at Waterfront Campus

As Algonquin College prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2017, it will also launch several new programs at its Waterfront Campus.

Building on the success of its unique programs that attract students from across Canada, the campus is adding three programs to its line-up that are expected to draw students from both within Renfrew County and beyond the region’s geographical boundaries.

The most unique of these programs is the Action Sports and Park Development one year certificate program. As skateboard parks, BMX biking trails and snowboarding facilities become common place, this growing industry requires skilled workers who can build, design and maintain these extreme sport parks.

Algonquin College, Action Sports and Park Development

 

This is the first college program of its kind in Canada, and compliments the already very popular Outdoor Adventure program which was introduced at the campus more than 15 years ago, leading to a significant surge in the campus’s out-of-town population.

Urban Forestry-Arboriculture is also on the docket for the fall 2017 intake. This is also a one year certificate program, and while some other colleges also deliver this program, it will help the Waterfront Campus open up more opportunities for students who are looking for a career in the forestry sector. Over the past several years, the Forestry Technician program has had pent up demand, resulting in some students being placed on a wait list because all of the seats in the program were filled.

Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Algonquin College

The third program being introduced is actually an expansion of the Radiation Safety program. The program will be renamed to Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety and move from a one year certificate to a two-year diploma program, primarily to ensure the curriculum is meeting the expectations of the nuclear industry.

Bruce Power, Ontario’s largest private electricity generating company, has already endorsed the program by publicly choosing it as among a hand full of programs that it will endorse for its future workforce needs.

Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety student experience

In addition to these new programs, others are changing. The Police Foundations program that has been traditionally offered as a two year diploma, will move to a compressed format allowing students to earn their college diploma in one calendar year.

The General Arts and Science Pre-Nursing and Pre-Health Sciences programs will also be getting a new name. There have also been some curriculum updates to these programs to allow them to offer enhanced pathways to college certificate and diploma programs and college and university degree programs. These changes are province wide and should be announced soon.

2017 will be a very special year of celebration for the college, and there is no way to better celebrate than by offering more programming.

 

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