Algonquin College

Nothing Better Than Algonquin College Students Showcasing Their Skills

The end of a school year is always special as there are more opportunities for students to showcase what they have learned in their program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. In the past few days there has been a lot of talent on display and while we can’t highlight all of the great student activities that have been happening, here are a few examples of how students benefit from the practical learning experiences that the campus delivers.

Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Tree Climbing Competition, Algonquin College, PembrokeThe Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program is relatively new to the Pembroke Campus, but it is generating a lot of interest among employers in the arborist sector. To the program’s credit, it has reached out to these employers and invited them to observe the skills the students have at their annual tree climbing competition. Watching the students navigate high above the ground in large trees, performing tasks safely and with great confidence, is so much more of an indication of their abilities compared to handing in a resume and participating in an interview. The experience is powerful for both the student and the prospective employer, and very quickly you can see the connections that are made at this competition result in job opportunities for the soon-to-be graduates.

Carpentry and RenovationsStudents in the Carpentry and Renovations Techniques program have also been catching the attention of the community for their work in renovating an older building to accommodate a transition house for homeless people in Pembroke. The century-old home needs a lot of work and the students are essentially gutting it and re-building the inside of the home, by installing new interior walls, insulation, drywall and more. It is a wonderful culminating experience that has allowed the students to pull together all of the skills they have learned over the past several months in their shop classes.

Office Administration - Executive, Changemaker Award, Algonquin College, Pembroke

One more example we will share is our Office Administration-Executive students who recently won a Changemaker Award from the College’s Board of Governors for their work in bringing awareness to social issues in Renfrew County. Each year the students work on a community project that allows them to emphasize the organizational skills they have acquired through their studies. This year they have entitled their project, Raise A Flag, an initiative that shines a spotlight on mental health. It is both a community awareness effort as well as a fundraiser for the Robbie Dean Centre in Pembroke.

As our students look forward to becoming graduates and starting their careers, these demonstrations of what they have learned in their programs remind us of why having a college in our community is so important. It changes lives and helps us build stronger communities.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Acting Dean of the Pembroke Waterfront Campus

Business Education That Extends Beyond the Classroom

Hailey O'Connor, Business, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusHailey O’Connor is a current Business student and even though she is in a compressed diploma program that is demanding, she recognized that join the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce (UOVCC) offered an exceptional learning opportunity. “In the fall, Lorraine MacKenzie, Executive Director of the UOVCC, gave a presentation to my Introduction to Business class. During this presentation, an overview of the Chamber was given and it was announced that they would be bringing on one student from Algonquin to participate on the Board of Directors. After learning how the Chamber supports and interacts with local businesses in the Ottawa Valley, I was very interested in applying to the student position. I was extremely excited by the opportunity to network with professionals in the business community and participate in the community events that the Chamber hosts” shares O’Connor.

When asked about the importance of this community partnership, MacKenzie shares, “having a Business student representative on the UOVCC is a win-win for us. The student gets to experience what it is to sit on a Board of Directors and gives them access to local business owners/managers/entrepreneurs who can give them advice what it is like to run a business. The Chamber wins by having access to the next generation of business owners/managers/entrepreneurs. We get a perspective from someone just starting their business career. They bring new ideas and ways of thinking. Even though there is only one representative, the other students are encouraged to participate in our events as well and that exposes them to businesses as well.”

UOVCC, AGM 2019

In photo are the new Board of Directors left to right: Tara Neville, Rebecca Bittner, Hailey O’Connor (Algonquin Business Student rep), Dez Bair Patel (Vice President), Bev McCormack, Cyndi Mills, Meghan Sutherland (President) and Lorraine MacKenzie (Executive Director) Missing from photo Maria Morena Church (Past President), Kaitlin Antler (Treasurer), Heather Salovaara and Beth Matasich.

O’Connor who is new to the Pembroke Area saw that this position would be a wonderful chance to get involved and jumped at the chance to further integrate into her new community. “In January 2019, I was informed that I was the successful applicant and I would hold a seat on the Board for the upcoming 12 months. I am still new to the Chamber, however, my experience so far has been very positive. In addition to attending the Chamber meetings, I have volunteered to be a part of the Events Committee and I am excited to be involved in planning some of the Chamber’s main events, including their Annual Gala. In the upcoming weeks, we will be planning the grand opening of the of the Chamber’s new office space located at 177 Alexander St. in Pembroke. The Chamber truly advocates the interests of local businesses and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved and hope to contribute ideas that will help promote and encourage local businesses.”

When reflecting on what skills she is learning in her day-to-day school work that will benefit her in her new role O’Connor thoughtfully shares, “In the business program, I have taken classes in project management, business communication and marketing that I think will be valuable in this position. Project management has given me a skill set that I think will benefit me in my role on the Events Committee as it has taught me vital processes involved in planning. Being a part of the Board provides a great opportunity to learn from professionals and gain practical experience to compliment my course content. I think it is wonderful that the Chamber is open to engaging with the student population in Pembroke.”

Having community partners like the UOVCC allows our students to extend their learning in a supportive environment.

 

Algonquin College Spring Business Leadership Conference on May 23

Branding like a rock star and becoming an employer of choice of millennials. Two topics that sound like they would be attached to a big city conference, but instead they will be engaging keynote addresses at this year’s Algonquin College Spring Business and Leadership Conference on Thursday, May 23 at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

The conference is now into its fifth year and has proven to be a must-attend for local businesses who can access high-quality professional development at an affordable cost. That’s the primary goal of the conference. The College has responded to the concern that many small businesses have had about the high cost of sending staff to larger cities where they pay expensive conference registration fees, as well as the costs associated with travel and accommodations.

David Coletto, Spring Business and Leadership Conference, Algonquin College, Pembroke

This year’s conference covers many topics including marketing, branding, lean management principles, managing in change, and social media best practices. The keynote addresses will be particularly interesting. David Coletto is the Chief Operating Officer of Abacus Data, a company that has done extensive research on what makes millennials high performers in the workplace.

Himself a millennial, Coletto speaks to audiences across North America, stressing that millennials are now the largest grouping in the workforce and companies need to adapt if they want to retain these employees and help them develop into leadership roles. Coletto will back up his talk with a myriad of statistics that paint a picture of how millennials are now in the driver seat in the workforce and companies need to respond to their needs.

Steve Jones, Spring Business & Leadership Conference, Algonquin College, Pembroke

Steve Jones has spent his career in broadcasting. A 30-year music industry veteran, Jones is an expert marketer who delivers a punchy presentation that drives home the importance of businesses living their brand. Using music and video to connect with his audience, Jones has spoken at countless conferences around the world and has worked with some of music’s biggest stars. He’ll explain how they got to the top by creating a brand that resonates with their fans.

Registration for the Spring Business and Leadership Conference is now open with early bird rates available until March 31. A pre-conference activity has been added to this year’s event, a pontoon boat ride on the Ottawa River the evening before the conference begins. This will provide an excellent networking opportunity for conference attendees, some of whom travel from out of town to be part of the conference.

Last year the conference sold out with more than 100 attendees. You can learn more about the conference and the line-up of workshop presenters on the conference website.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger is the Acting Dean of the Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

 

Hepatitis B Vaccine Now Available on Campus

The Hepatitis B vaccine that was previously on backorder is now available in Health Services on campus, Room 127, for those students who are still in need of this vaccine to either initiate or complete the series that is required for their program of study. Please contact Health Services to arrange an appointment, 613-735-4700 x2748.
A reminder that the cost of the vaccine is $50.

The Sky’s the Limit for Forestry Students

There can be a bit of a misconception when it comes to career paths for students who study forestry. Students enrolled in the Forestry Technician and Urban Forestry – Arboriculture programs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, soon realize that the sky’s the limit when it comes to possible career opportunities after they graduate from the program.

Griffin Kozij, Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Algonquin College, Pembroke

Take for example Griffin Kozij’s story. Before registering in the program, Kozij had operated a successful landscaping business. Now, as a recent Urban Forestry – Arboriculture graduate, Kozij is taking the skills that he learned during the 8-month program and expanding his business.

He admittedly came into the program with a love for working in the outdoors but didn’t know much about being an arborist. He now says, “It’s all about trees. You can go into the program knowing absolutely nothing and graduate as an experienced climber.”

Kozij also has some advice for others who are unsure if they will be making the right decision if they are considering a career in forestry. “Don’t let your uncertainty hold you back. If you appreciate nature and trees it is definitely a good fit. You learn about climbing, but also about how trees and a forest in our urban environment can have such a big impact and be so important,” says Kozij.

Becoming an urban forester has allowed Kozij to expand his business and customer base. He can now offer more services and he has needed to add more team members to meet client expectations. He is much more knowledgeable and appreciative of how enrolling in a forestry program can open up doors to unexpected opportunities. “There are so many avenues that you can go into – you are not just going to be a climber – there are a hundred different paths from office work, to consultation, to forest management. You can even continue your studies.”

Julian Alvarez-Barkham, Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Algonquin College, PembrokeLeveraging previous post-secondary education and continuing his studies is exactly what Julian Alvarez-Barkham decided to do. Also an Urban Forestry – Arboriculture graduate, Alvarez-Barkham thought he would enter the forestry workforce immediately after graduating, but had a change of heart when he discovered the Masters of Forest Conservation program offered at the University of Toronto.

Although he is not getting to climb as many trees as he did during his time at Algonquin College, Alvarez-Barkham appreciates how that practical experience helped prepare him for his university studies. “The Urban Forestry – Arboriculture program helped me develop a solid foundation in dendrology, tree assessment, soils, and urban forestry that I can build upon as I further my education. The Algonquin College faculty’s passion and enthusiasm for tree care was an incredibly important aspect of my education. Their dedication has motivated me to learn more and to keep improving. Their value to the program cannot be overstated.”

Nikki Domingo, Forestry Technician, Algonquin College, Pembroke

Photo Credit: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

When it comes to passion for the forest and education, few programs can challenge the 50-year history of Algonquin College’s Forestry Technician program and Nikki Domingo is proof of that. Domingo graduated from the program a few years ago and says, “I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been for the amazing schooling and networking support I received from Algonquin staff.”

This past summer, Domingo was fighting forest fires in the Pickle Lake, Ontario area. Her passion for forest firefighting was sparked during her placement in the final semester of the Forestry Technician program in 2015. She is now into her second year as a Fire Ranger Crew Boss. “My role is to apply adequate fire suppression in a safe manner while supervising the crew members.

Nikki Domingo, Forestry Technician, Algonquin College, Pembroke

Photo Credit: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Some of the fires can be very intense. As a crew boss, Domingo’s role includes being a “cutter.” “When the helicopter can’t land I get out in a hover exit with a swamper and fell trees to cut a helipad. Once the helipad is cut we set up a pump and start laying hose to the fire. When we reach the fires’ edge, I jump on the nozzle and we begin to suppress and wrap the fire until it’s out.”

When all three graduates were asked if they thought they would be where they are now when they started their forestry studies, all answered no. But isn’t that the point of higher education? It opens up opportunities to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success.

If a career in the outdoors is what you are looking for, now is the perfect time to apply to our forestry programs and start on your new path this September with us.

Loggersports Alumni Perform at Grey Cup Game

Algonquin CollegLoggersports Alumni Perform at Grey Cup Gamee’s Loggersports team was back on the national stage this past weekend as its team of lumberjacks traveled to the Grey Cup game in Edmonton to cheer on the Ottawa REDBLACKS in the Canadian Football League championship game. While their chainsaws were quieter than they would have liked as the REDBLACKS fell to the Calgary Stampeders 27-16, it was still a thrill for the team members to have the opportunity to participate in a great Canadian tradition. The Grey Cup game brings both passionate and casual football fans together each year to celebrate Canada’s unique brand of football and is the most watched sporting event of the year Loggersports Alumni Perform at Grey Cup Gamein Canada.

The team of coach, Chris Ryan, and Forestry Technician alumni, William Lance (2009), Taylor Popkie (2010) and Matthew Manion (2018) drew plenty of attention from the crowd of more than 55,000 people who packed Commonwealth Stadium, when they revved up their chainsaws at the start of the game and then cut a celebratory wooden cookie when the REDBLACKS scored their only touchdown of the contest. The media also took notice when they met, Quick-6, the Calgary Stampeders horse who runs down the sideline when the Stampeders score a touchdown.

The partnership between the College’s Loggersports team and the REDBLACKS started when the team began play in the 2014 season. The REDBLACKS were looking for a unique touchdown celebration that would tie in the Ottawa Valley’s rich forestry history. It has been a relationship that has benefited both organizations, especially given the success of the football team.

Loggersports Alumni Perform at Grey Cup Game

Ottawa has appeared in three Grey Cup games in its first five years, winning one of them in 2016 when they knocked off the Stampeders in overtime. The Loggersports team travelled with the team to Winnipeg three years ago when the club lost the championship game to Edmonton but was prevented from performing because the Eskimos protested that it would create an “unfair advantage” in what was supposed to be a neutral site game.

This year, the CFL allowed both the Stampeders to bring their horse and the REDBLACKS to bring their lumberjacks, creating a better fan experience and a public relations win for the league that had been criticized in the past for not allowing teams to incorporate their touchdown celebrations at the Grey Cup.

Now back at home, the Loggersports team is already looking forward to another football season and hopefully a return to another national championship game. Next year the Grey Cup will be played in Calgary, so you know that Quick-6 will be there. Hopefully, there will be a reunion with the plaid-wearing lumberjacks who have become a symbol of excellence for the football team that has captured the attention of the nation’s capital for its continued winning ways.

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

Matt Monych: A Happy Outcome

Matt Monych, Business, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusAfter retiring from the Canadian Forces, Matt Monych was aware that he needed to supplement his education to obtain the most up-to-date knowledge that would lead to a level of employment that he would find fulfilling. He turned to the Pembroke Campus and, “I could not be happier with the outcome” says Monych.

Monych continues to share, “without knowing precisely what I was getting myself into, I enrolled in the Business Program. I did know that the entrepreneurial aspects of the program would allow me to become capable of executing in each core aspect of business versus focusing on a specialty. What caught me off guard was the level of investment by the faculty and staff, both professionally and personally, in my success. I believe that Kim Drake was a significant influence on this type of culture. Despite having a tremendous amount of responsibility in her role with the College, Kim went above and beyond to ensure the success of her students including me. The program gave me a great base to work from and played an instrumental role in securing a professional position with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club following my studies.

Since the completion of my program, I have had nothing but forward trajectory. I have been able to succeed in leadership roles across multiple industries and have climbed the proverbial ladder to the point where I am now involved in senior management with a multi-billion dollar, publicly traded company. What might be most impressive is that with the combination of my experience and the Business Program from the Pembroke Campus, I have been accepted and am currently completing my Executive Master of Business Administration degree. Non-degree applicants are often only accepted into such prestigious programs in rare and exceptional circumstances and this feat would certainly not be possible without the help of Kim Drake. When I turned to Kim as an academic reference she didn’t hesitate for a second and once again proved that at Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, the people make the difference by investing in the success of their students, current or alumni.

If you are considering Algonquin College Waterfront Campus, more specifically the Business program under the supervision of Kim Drake, stop thinking and apply. You would be doing yourself a disservice otherwise.”

-Matthew Monych, EMBA Candidate and Business Program Alumni 2010

Alumni Experience the World and Make Us Proud

It’s amazing how far Algonquin College alumni will travel to leave their mark around the world. Whether it’s their career or personal interests that spur them to do great worldly things, the College is proud of how they have taken the Algonquin brand and are sharing it with a global audience.

Naomi Fong, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusIn recent weeks there have been several great examples of Pembroke Campus alumni showcasing their talent on the world stage. Social Service Worker graduate, Naomi Fong, captured national headlines when she won Canada’s first medal at the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia. The military veteran competed in several sports and made it to the podium twice, earning bronze medals in the Women’s Road Cycling competitions.

Fong, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, was an Honours student at the college and completed her studies last spring. She served nine years in the armed forces. Preparing for and competing in the Invictus Games has given Fong a means of dealing with her illness and has also provided her with a life experience like none other. While at the Games, Fong was honoured to be the flag bearer for Team Canada, and she also had the opportunity to meet Prince Harry, founder of the games and British soccer star, David Beckham.

Alma KeuhlWhile Fong was competing in the Invictus Games, Alma Keuhl was in Turkey at the 40th World Arm Wrestling Championship. The Personal Support Worker (PSW) graduate was introduced to the sport as a young girl by her father and has competed across Canada. Keuhl had a 6th and 10th place finish, results she considers to be “Fantastic, for my first worlds,” as she took on arm wrestlers from around the globe. Now back in Canada, she is continuing her work as a PSW, sharing her arm wrestling experience with her clients, who are among her biggest fans.

Susan and Richard Schmaltz, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

In 2003, Practical Nursing and Early Childhood Education graduate, Susan Schmaltz, became the only Pembroke Campus alumnus to win a prestigious Premier’s Award at the annual showcase of successful Ontario college graduates. Only a handful of these awards are handed out each year. Schmaltz was recognized for her incredible humanitarian work in Guatemala where she established a charitable organization to support young children and families living in poverty.

With her husband, Richard, at her side, Schmaltz created early learning centres and schools and operated them for more than 15 years in the third world country, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the most vulnerable people in Guatemala. They operated these schools within a large dump in the inner city, a place of extreme poverty. Now, she has written a book entitled, “Beyond Belief.” The book is very personal, describing the author’s spiritual journey that led her to pour her heart and soul into a life-changing experience.

The world really is a small place, but how our alumni are experiencing it, is a great story to share and it’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more worldly stories to be told! #BeAlgonquinProud #MakeAlgonquinProud

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community & Student Affairs

Giving Back!

For five decades Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus has been an integral part of the Ottawa Valley’s economy. Our graduates have provided a constant source of employees for local businesses and have started up many new companies while our students have been active in community organizations that need volunteers. What is sometimes overlooked is the contribution the College’s students, staff and graduates make through fundraising efforts and the reciprocal benefits that come from this work.

Jason Blaine is the best known Pembroke Campus alumnus to embrace giving back. Over the past five years, his annual charity concert and golf tournament in Pembroke has raised more than $400,000 for various organizations, including the College. The Canadian Recording Artist and Business graduate had provided $100,000 through his charitable fund to the college’s capital campaign when the new Waterfront Campus was being built and then followed up by committing an additional $100,000 to establish an endowment for bursaries to support students in financial need.

Students in the Office Administration-Executive program have also embraced community service through their philanthropic efforts. To help raise awareness about homelessness in Renfrew County, the students built cardboard houses and then had to endear a driving rainstorm while they stayed overnight in their make-shift shelters. Their efforts attracted so much community interest, they raised more than $11,000 for the Grind, the centre that is supporting homeless people in Pembroke’s downtown.

 

The College has certainly been the benefactor of many donations. $2.5 million was raised to support the overall construction costs of the new campus, and many new bursaries have been established through generous community donations. There have also been donations made to renew equipment and to build training facilities on campus. Recently an anonymous donor helped fund a Personal Support Worker lab that replicates a home care setting. The Brick in Pembroke donated the furniture for the lab which will greatly contribute to better preparing graduates of the program to support the elderly in their homes.

Giving back builds stronger communities. We’re proud that Algonquin College is doing its part to get involved in fundraising projects and that the community has recognized the College’s importance to the region by continuing to support its students through financial donations for bursaries and equipment. It feels great to receive, but even better to give back.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Welcoming the World at the Waterfront Campus

Never in the more than 50-year history of Algonquin College has the Pembroke Campus had such an international flavour in its midst. In the fall of 2018, the campus has welcomed close to 30 international students from countries around the world. Almost three percent of the campus population of approximately 1,000 students now have international student status.

These students have arrived in Pembroke from India, China, Africa, Vietnam, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Morocco, Chile, the United States, and many other countries. One can imagine how difficult this transition can be for international students as they adjust to a new country, a small town Canadian city and a post-secondary academic setting in a foreign country. To help these students settle in, the College is providing opportunities for the students to get to know people and to experience all that Canada has to offer.Students on Ottawa River

Recently, the campus organized a social event for the students that included a pontoon boat ride on the Ottawa River. Some of the students had never been on a boat before but it didn’t take them long to appreciate the picturesque beauty of the area as they took pictures of the river, the islands and the pristine forests along the shoreline of the river. More importantly, they enjoyed each others company and bonded quickly.

Orientation is important for all new college students but essential for international students. Things that domestic students take for granted such as accessing health care or buying a proper pair of boots for winter weather are important pieces of information that need to be shared with international students. The boat ride provided an opportunity to help connect them not only with other students but also key faculty and staff who can provide support to them, whether it’s on campus or in the broader community.

Moving forward, the College will continue to teach the students about Canadian customs and culture, but the students will reciprocate International Student Orientation, Algonquin College, Pembrokethis learning experience by sharing their own culture with the college community. It’s already happening through the newly created African Students’ Alliance, a group of African students who have introduced Canadian students to African foods, music, and celebrations.

It’s been fun to watch the Waterfront Campus become a melting pot of diversity. As more international students choose to study at the campus it will enrich the learning experience of everyone who studies and works there. It’s a great example of how lifelong learning can occur both inside and outside the classroom and how education has no borders.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs