Pembroke

New Algonquin College Forestry Graduate Already Leaving Her Mark on Industry

The Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre near Lake Doré has become a special place for people of all ages, including students who study in the Forestry Technician program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus. The old growth forest that is part of the property is majestic, almost eerie, and sparks the imagination of visitors as they walk the paths that surround trees that are hundreds of years old.

During her time studying in the Forestry program, it was a special place for Sionaid Eggett, who had left a career in early childhood education to pursue her passion for the outdoors. It happened by accident. Eggett had worked in the field for more than a decade, primarily supporting children with special needs, but she was becoming restless and was planning to teach internationally. Then, the COVID—19 worldwide pandemic derailed her plans.

“I had done some backpacking trips in Algonquin Park and thought that if I had the opportunity I would become a park ranger as my favourite places to visit during my travels were the natural sites. The people who worked in the parks seemed to have the best time and it aligned with many of my personal interests and pursuits,” says Eggett.

One of the people she met in the Park was a woman who had graduated from the Forestry program at the Pembroke campus. She spoke glowingly about her experience and that was all Eggett needed to start doing some research about the program. She liked that the program could be completed in one calendar year and was inspired when she read about a female graduate who was doing well in her career as a forestry technician. “I was greatly attracted to the amount of hands on in the field learning Algonquin had to offer,” says Eggett.

Forestry alumna Sionaid Eggett poses for a picture with award.

Forestry alumna Sionaid Eggett receives the James M Kitz award for her dedication to her profession as a recent forestry graduate.

She enrolled in the program while the pandemic was at its peak in the Fall of 2021. It was challenging with her theory courses taught by faculty online, but the college managed to allow students to take field trips so they could hone their practical skills in the rich forests of the Ottawa Valley. At a time when it was difficult to make human connections, the field trips filled a void, allowing her to be with her classmates and teachers in the tranquil spaces of some of the most diverse forests in Canada.

By the late summer of 2022, Eggett had graduated from the Forestry program and quickly found employment with the Ontario Woodlot Association, hired as a field operations coordinator. She quickly left an impression with her employer and took on a leadership role, promoting careers in forestry while also helping to build on the tradition of the industry.

One of those traditions is a year end ring ceremony, where students who complete the program receive a special ring from the Canadian Institute of Forestry. It’s a tradition that started in 1953, but up until 2002 it was only forestry graduates from universities who could receive the rings. When college graduates were brought into the fold, it became a source of pride for all colleges who offered forestry programs.

At its core, the ring symbolizes the commitment forestry graduates are making to their field of study, acknowledging their responsibility to act professionally in their day to day work. Eggett believes strongly in the power of the ring and has fully embraced her new career, earning her recognition as one of Canada’s leading new forestry professionals.

Forestry alumna Sionaid Eggett receives award.

Forestry Technician alumna Sionaid Eggett is off to an excellent start in her career, having been recognized by her peers for her work.

She quickly took on a leadership role within the Canadian Institute of Forestry, chairing the Algonquin chapter of the CIF and has become a champion for the ring, sharing the importance of the values that is represents for all who are part of the fores try fraternity. That commitment has caught the attention of the industry and earned Eggett the prestigious James M Kitz award that recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals who are just getting their forestry careers started. Eggett received the award at a special ceremony in Newfoundland, having been nominated by one of our professors in the program, John Pineau, who is now her colleague at the Ontario Woodlot Association, having hired Eggett shortly after she graduated from the program.

Eggett’s forestry career is off to a great start and as an alumnua she remains attached to the college. “I continue to work with the Algonquin Forestry students each year to help to give back to the institution that has greatly influenced and changed my life. I have never been so happy in a career or workplace and feel extremely supported by the whole forestry community. My line is “if we as people are doing well then the forest is doing well” which really resonates with me,” says Eggett.

When the graduating class of 2024 at Algonquin received their silver rings, it was Eggett who presented them, but at the ceremony she learned something was amiss and wanted to address what she thought was an unfortunate situation. The program coordinator, Peter Arbour, who was presiding over the ceremony had mentioned he didn’t have a silver ring. Arbour was Eggett’s primary teacher while she was in the program and she wanted to pay it forward, acknowledging the impact Arbour has had on her life and new career.

Group picture at Algonquin College special silver ring ceremony.

Algonquin College Forestry Technician coordinator Peter Arbour receives his silver ring from alumna Sionaid Eggett and Brittany McKenzie and CIF lead John Pineau.

She worked with others including John Pineau, her employer at the Ontario Woodlot Association and a long time champion of the CIF and arranged for a special impromptu ring ceremony for Arbour at a meet and greet for industry partners to meet the new Forestry students. The setting was perfect. Arbour received his ring at the Shaw Woods Education Centre, in front of his current students. It was a full circle moment for Eggett, back in a place where her love of forestry was confirmed and while speaking about the significance of the silver ring she shared an important message with the new students who had gathered.

“Never have I worked in an environment that is so uplifting, where everyone cares about your journey,” said Eggett. It was an inspiring message from the heart that only someone who loved their job could share. It’s that enthusiasm that has made Eggett a leader in the field and while she is early in her career, Eggett has already proved she has a bright future ahead in one of our country’s most historic industries.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Interim Dean of the Pembroke Waterfront campus)

 

 

Alumnus Jason Blaine Receives Key to the city of Pembroke

Jason Blaine could never have imagined how much success his charity would have when he established it a decade ago to support causes that were important to him in his hometown. On the same day that his annual charity golf tournament and concert raised $200,000, allowing it to top the $1 million mark since it began, Blaine also received a key to the city of Pembroke.

The key to the city is rarely awarded and the last person to receive it in Pembroke was New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe after he led the Pembroke Lumber Kings to a national junior A championship in 2011. Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus was awarded a key to the city in 2017 when the college celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Jason Blaine raises his arms as he holds key to the city of Pembroke.

Alumnus Jason Blaine celebrates after receiving key to the city of Pembroke from Mayor Ron Gervais.

Blaine graduated from the Business program at the Pembroke Campus and has gone on to record several hit songs as a country music recording artist. He and his wife, Amy, live in Nashville and are raising four children, but every year they return to Pembroke for what has become a signature community event that draws many Canadian celebrities and has raised thousands of dollars for organizations like the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club, the Pembroke Regional Hospital and Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

The campus has received $200,000 from Blaine’s charity, including $100,000 that was placed in an endowment to support bursaries for students in financial need. Blaine plans to continue to give back for many years to come, always finding time to come back home to the Ottawa Valley where he turned his love for music into a career that has placed him on stages around the world as one of Canada’s top musicians.

Among his many hits are “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore,” and “The Road That Raised You Up.” Each year, Blaine attracts many celebrities to his event. Among the group this year was former Ottawa Senator Chris Neil and musicians Dallas Smith and Aaron Pritchett, two Canadian artists who have become good friends with Blaine as his music career has evolved.

The event sells out every year and in the weeks in between Blaine will hand out thousands of dollars in cheques to causes that support youth, people struggling with their mental health and community building.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Interim Dean of Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus)

Algonquin College Pembroke Campus International Alumnus Pursues Nursing Career

Aneeta Jacob was only 17 years old when she travelled abroad to enroll in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She had grown up in the southern section of India, a tropical region where the temperatures routinely hit 30 degrees Celcius, but she had become captivated by the pictures she had seen of the snowy conditions of Canada. She knew in her heart, some day she would live in this country that seemed so far away.

“I thought the snow would feel like cotton, but coming to Canada, I never knew the snow would be so cold,” says Jacob who has now settled into her adopted country as a permanent resident and is pursuing her dream to work in health care.

Student studying in campus library.

Aneeta Jacob was only 17 years old when she left India to study in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

In India, she had written an entrance test to study medicine, but the draw to Canada and her young age prompted her to change her plans. She had no idea where Pembroke was, but she was excited when she received an offer of admission from the International Education Centre at Algonquin College.

With only one family member living in Canada, an aunt based in Calgary, Jacob was setting out on her own, eyes wide open with the hopes of starting a new life that would include the fluffy white stuff that had first drawn her to considering studying abroad. She came to the Pembroke Campus at a time when there were only a handful of international students, enrolling in the fall of 2018. Her friendly disposition allowed her to connect easily with classmates and staff, helping her make the transition to her new home.

“I am so happy I got into Algonquin College. The staff and faculty made me feel at home. I now see how much they cared,” says Jacob who now lives in Alberta and is studying to become a registered nurse at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

It was the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult isolation that came with it that prompted Jacob to re-locate to the West. She was only a few weeks away from completing her Social Service Worker program when the pandemic kept her in a tiny apartment in Pembroke, not able to make the connections with people who had helped her navigate her time in school and in the broader community.

International nursing student

Aneeta Jacob graduated from the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She is now studying nursing at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Her parents in India were worried about her safety, prompting her Aunt in Calgary to reach out, encouraging her to come live with her until things improved, but at the height of the pandemic it meant Jacob would need to stay in isolation for 14 days. Not being able to connect with her Aunt in person, despite living in the same house was really difficult, but in the pre-vaccination world of COVID, she did what she needed to do, following public health guidelines to protect others.

“It was very tough on me living alone in the basement of the home. I watched a lot of youtube videos,” says Jacob who stayed with her aunt for six months.

During COVID, many government services were not available. Jacob desperately wanted to get her post graduate employment permit so she could start working in the social work field, but she would have to wait. It took months to get it, but when it did come through, Jacob was on the move, seeking employment in her field.

She moved to Edmonton, but because of the pandemic shutdowns, she had trouble finding work, until an opportunity to work with people with disabilities opened a door for her to start her career in the social work field in the small town of Saint Paul, near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Jacob stayed in the border town for a year-and-a-half, then moved to Airdrie, Alberta, about a 20 minute drive from Calgary. There she became a team lead when she found another job that used her social service worker skills and she gained permanent residency status. She took a driver’s test and got her licence, bought herself a car, giving her more independence and she again started thinking about expanding her career into health care.

International Nursing student.“Nursing called me. I always knew I would do well in a crisis and that I wanted to work in medicine,” says Jacob who has just completed the first year of her baccalaureate program. Her previous studies at Algonquin College have helped her in her university courses, particularly the Developmental Psychology and Communications courses that she completed in the Social Service Worker program.

While she has been away from Pembroke for a few years, Jacob has a longing to return, maybe for a visit or potentially to work as a nurse after she graduates. “Pembroke treated me so warmly and my goal is to do something for Canada and to be a nurse that patients can depend on. I like small towns and once I am done, I want to move back to Pembroke.”

The shortage of nurses in smaller communities has put tremendous stress on the local labour market within the health care field. Jacob is an example of an international student who has fallen in love with Canada and is eager to make a difference in our country, but what separates her from many other immigrants, is her desire to work in a smaller community. While many newcomers settle in larger urban centres, Jacob says she is most at home in places like Saint Paul and Pembroke.

For now, she will work hard to complete her Nursing degree. If all goes as planned, she will graduate in the spring of 2027. A lot can change in three years, but right now Jacob has her eye on Pembroke. She misses the city and thinks often about how her first experience in Canada has shaped her desire to someday be a Canadian citizen, contributing to rural health care.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger. Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

The Year in Review at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus

As the calendar turns to a new year, there are many things to celebrate at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Our year in review starts with several new partnerships that are creating more opportunities for the college to have an impact in the communities that it serves.

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall sign a Memorandum of Collaboration on April 15, 2023 at Algonquin College Pembroke.

Photo: Corporal (Cpl) Lanny Jellicoe

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall sign a Memorandum of Collaboration on April 15, 2023 at Algonquin College Pembroke.

Photo: Corporal (Cpl) Lanny Jellicoe

In the spring of 2023, the campus signed a memorandum of collaboration with Garrison Petawawa. The Pembroke Campus and the local military base have had a long-standing working relationship, but this formalized agreement has engaged both organizations in meaningful strategies that align with their respective goals. An example is the development of two free courses to support military spouses and military members who are transitioning to the civilian workforce. Both courses were offered for the first time in the fall and will continue into the New Year.

The Petawawa Research Forest has been a familiar place for students who have studied in the Forestry Technician program. For many years, students have visited the site to learn about forest management and different species. A memorandum of understanding signed with the Canadian Wood Fibre Association, which manages the forest, has opened the door to more applied research and learning opportunities for students in the program.

Country recording artist Jason Blaine performs at a hometown concert in Pembroke in December of 2023.

Country recording artist Jason Blaine performs at a hometown concert in Pembroke in December of 2023.

Alumnus Jason Blaine has continued to make the campus proud. He returned to Pembroke for a sold out hometown concert in December where he handed out more than $100,000 in grants to area organizations that support vulnerable people in our community, including the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club and the Robbie Dean Counselling Centre. Blaine’s annual concert and golf tournament in Pembroke will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2024. It is closing in on raising a million dollars, all money that has been put back into great causes such as supporting students in financial need at the college.

Students at the campus continued to make great contributions to the community. A few examples included the Carpentry and Renovations Technique students building a new pavilion for Champlain Discovery school and a garden shed for Pembroke’s waterfront volunteers. Other students participated in co-op placements, filling workforce gaps while learning more about their chosen careers. Some Urban Forestry Arboriculture program students were recognized for their volunteerism when they were presented with an award for having the most original float in the Pembroke Santa Claus parade.

For the first time, the Pembroke Campus was able to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day at its new medicine wheel garden. The special ceremony was led by Campus Elder Aimee Bailey and was well attended by students and employees of the campus. This spiritual place has become a special area for reflection and learning about Indigenous teachings. The garden is located on a hill top on the western tip of the college’s property and will eventually be surrounded by trees as part of an arboretum project being led by the college’s Forestry department.

College employees, students and Elder holding wampum belt.

The campus medicine wheel garden was dedicated at a special ceremony in June.

The campus continued to attract students from around the world in 2023 with more than 100 international students enrolled in the Fall term. They came from many countries including India, the Philippines, Ukraine, Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia. More international students will arrive in early 2024 as the college continues to diversify its enrolments.

The campus speaker series continued to attract many well-known Canadians, including former Governor General David Johnston who drew a sold-out crowd to his talk on his book, entitled ‘Empathy’. Other presenters at the speaker series included investigative journalist Julian Sher who spoke about the Steven Truscott Case, war historians Margaret MacMillan and Tim Cook and TVO’s The Agenda host Steve Paikin who shared stories from his book on former Prime Minister John Turner.

Elizabeth Manley, former figure skater

Elizabeth Manley delivered a great keynote address in October at the Fall Business Leadership conference.

Former Olympian skater Elizabeth Manley and Environment Canada’s Chief Climatologist David Phillips were on campus for the Fall Business Leadership conference. The conference was very well attended and also included key note presentations by retired General and CTV military analyst David Fraser and author and mental health expert, Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe. The College has already confirmed that retired General Rick Hillier will be one of its keynote speakers next year at the conference.

It’s been a busy year, but as we close out 2023, everyone at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus wishes our students, alumni, employees and community partners a Happy New Year! We look forward to 2024 including celebrating our graduating class at our June convocation ceremony. That’s the ultimate goal for our campus, to help our students turn their hopes and dreams into life-long success.

(Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. The campus will be closed for the holiday season from Friday, December 22 until Tuesday, January 2.)

 

 

 

Go To College Week A Huge Success for the Waterfront Campus

To say the Pembroke Waterfront Campus was a busy place during what should have been a quiet break week would be an understatement. With most college students taking a week off (October 23 to 27) for studying or a mental health break, the campus hosted more than 600 high school students at a series of events that allowed the campus to show off its facilities and programming.

The week started with an Open House that attracted more than 400 senior high school students from across Renfrew and Pontiac Counties. In addition to taking a campus tour, the visiting students were able to participate in several interactive activities that including trying out heavy equipment simulators that are used in the Forestry Technician program, learning more about defence tactics in a demonstration led by faculty in the Police Foundations program and connecting with students in the Outdoor Adventure program who were highlighting their rock climbing skills.

Students also spent time with faculty learning more about the programs that they were interested in and they heard from current Algonquin College students about what they can expect when they move from high school to post-secondary education. The students were made aware that applications are now open for the Fall 2024 intake and that they should apply before February 1st to improve their chances of getting a seat in the program that meets their career goals.

By mid-week, the campus was teaming up with Junior Achievement for its World of Choices event. More than 125 high school students, most of them in grade ten, rotated around the gymnasium where they met with people from many sectors and learned about different career pathways such as radiation protection roles in the nuclear sector to nursing careers.

The campus closed the week by hosting its first Jill of All Trades experiential learning day for grade nine to twelve girls. This hands-on event gave the students a chance to try out careers in carpentry, electrical, computer systems technicians, arborist, forestry and radiation protection. About 100 students participated and they were supported by about 40 mentors, people who were already working in the field that they were exploring.

In between these high school student events, the campus also hosted some of Canada’s best known personalities at its annual Fall Business Leadership conference. Two Order of Canada recipients, Olympian skater Elizabeth Manley and Environment Canada’s Chief Climatologist David Phillips spoke at the conference which was well attended by local business people who came together for a day of professional development and networking.

So while college students took some time to re-charge their batteries and get ready for the final stretch of the Fall term, the campus was very busy connecting with prospective students and the business community. It was a great demonstration of how important the campus is to so many audiences who rely on the college to access education and training opportunities and in the case of the younger audience, to help them choose a career.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

 

 

Former Military Police Officer Begins a New Adventure at Algonquin College

Daniel Larente is looking for adventure, literally. The 43-year old Algonquin College student has already packed a lot into his life, but now he is about to explore a new career pathway, one that is driven by his passion for the outdoors.

Two years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Larente enrolled in the Outdoor Adventure program at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus. It was a big step forward and an escape from a troubling time in the former soldier’s life.

He was trying to move forward after suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, a condition that led to severe depression and anxiety. The mental health challenges he faced came after a more than seventeen year career in the Canadian Armed Forces as a military police officer, a career that took a toll on his well-being.

Military Police Officer in Afghanistan.

Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a military police officer prior to enrolling in the adventure program.

“It all stemmed from bottling up the issues that I held due to severe events I attended, never seeking the help I truly needed,” says Larente. Some of those difficult experiences included serving in Afghanistan in 2008 as a member of the Police Operational Mentor Liaison Team, a group that trained with the Afghan Police force. It was dangerous work, the team often coming under enemy fire. The Taliban targeted the Afghan police and so the liaison group needed the support of an infantry division to try to keep it safe.

The path to become a soldier came from Larente’s upbringing. He grew up in a military family and when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred at the World Trade Centre in New York City and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. it was the catalyst for Larente to pursue a career in military policing. “I wanted to serve and protect the country and its people,” and understanding the military way of life, Larente was attracted to joining the Canadian Forces.

He completed the Police Foundations program at Algonquin’s Ottawa Campus and then joined the military, soon after becoming a member of the military police. Posted to Garrison Petawawa he enjoyed the natural resources paradise that is the Ottawa Valley, known for its pristine lakes and rivers and its rugged terrain which is ideal for outdoor adventure activities.

When he released from the military in 2021, Larente met with a career counsellor and identified his interest in the Outdoor Adventure program with a plan to start his own business. “I hope to open an outdoor guide business within the Petawawa/Pembroke area to truly show the beauty we have here in the Valley and help others see it to by way of canoeing or backpacking,” says Larente.

An Outdoor Adventure student canoeing.

Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente enjoys one of his favourite outdoor activities, canoeing.

It’s not surprising that Larente has a love of the outdoors. He thinks Canada is the best place in the world to live, and throughout his military career he has had the opportunity to explore many parts of it, in addition to his time spent in other countries as a soldier. He has lived in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, but for the time-being Petawawa is his home.

“As for the next chapter, the Valley is home and I hope to continue to explore and grow within the community,” says Larente who will graduate from the college with his second Algonquin diploma in a few weeks. He will do so as the President of the Algonquin College Students’ Association

As a mature student in the Outdoor Adventure program and with a long career behind him in the armed forces, Larente easily transitioned to being a leader in the program for its younger students. After completing the first year in the program and realizing he could help other students succeed by sharing his life experiences and helping them access the supports that are available to them, Larente chose to put his name forward for student government. He became the Student Director for the Pembroke Campus and was then elevated to Vice-President of the Students’ Association.

Midway through his term as Vice-President, Larente was again promoted, this time he became President of the Students’ Association, giving him more influence in his quest to support student success. With thousands of students enrolled at Algonquin’s Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth and online campuses, Larente now had a bigger voice and given his own personal experiences, student mental health become one of his key priorities.

Through the leadership of Larente and the other Students’ Association Directors, an enhanced health plan was put in place for students this year that offered additional access to counselling and other services that support mental health and well-being. Larente has also advocated for more affordable housing for students and in the case of Pembroke Campus students, he has been a voice for the need for public transit.

Student sitting on a chair at Algonquin College.

Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente is the President of the Algonquin College Students’ Association.

Wherever he travels, he bends the ear of anyone who can help students. Recently he participated in a community consultation for the city of Pembroke, where he spoke about how public transit would help students get to and from their classes, part-time jobs and to pick up groceries. As a member of the Pembroke Campus student success committee he has reminded faculty and administration of the stresses that some students are facing as they manage life and school. When it comes to helping promote the campus to prospective students, Larente is one of the greatest spokespersons the campus could have. He often steps up to be part of student recruitment activities.

As Larente approaches the completion of his program, he can reflect on a life that has been filled with rewarding , sometimes tough and challenging experiences while he embraces a fresh start with a new career. Moving forward his challenges will come in the tranquillity of the outdoors, a space where he has a connection with nature and an appreciation for all that the Ottawa Valley has to offer.

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

Note: Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus will be holding a Canadian Armed Forces educational day on Saturday, April 15th from 9 a.m. to 12-noon to share information with current and exiting military members, veterans and military spouses on the programs and services available to the military community. Register here.

March Break Open House Was Amazing!

They travelled to Pembroke from across Ontario and beyond. Their goal was to see whether the Pembroke Waterfront Campus was the right place for them to pursue their post-secondary hopes and dreams. If the energy that was present on campus during our March Break Open House is any indication, it appears many of the prospective students who attended will be joining us in the Fall when their program starts.

A family poses with a teacher at March Break Open House at Algonquin College

A family poses with Social Service Worker coordinator Rhonda Mullin while attending March Break Open House at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

It was a special day to be on campus, in part because it has been three long years since the campus has been able to hold its annual March Break Open House, a signature student recruitment activity that always draws a large crowd. In the spring of 2020, the event had to be cancelled because of the surging COVID-19 pandemic and until this year, there hasn’t been an opportunity to reinstate the Open House.

Over a four hour period, students and their families were able to check out every corner of the campus which this year celebrated its tenth anniversary. It still looks brand new and the visitors were impressed by the facilities, including the Students’ Association gymnasium, fitness centre and rock climbing wall, but, they also liked meeting faculty from the programs they are interested in,

The teachers not only provided an overview of what the students can expect to learn in their program, many of them also did some show-and-tell in labs, allowing students to picture themselves gaining the hands on practical training that colleges are so respected for delivering.

A student panel shares their experience on attending Algonquin College.

Current students at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus answer questions from prospective students about their experience studying at the campus.

The highlight of the day was a student panel where five current students shared what their experience has been like at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus. The students provided authentic and transparent answers to questions asked by the audience, sharing how much they appreciated the picturesque setting that the campus sits on along the shores of the Ottawa River and the commitment of the staff and faculty to support them.

The questions came from both prospective students and parents and ranged from asking about living in the privately owned and operated student residences that house Algonquin students to finding the balance between working part time and staying on top of school work. Most of the students on the panel had re-located to Pembroke, partly because they had enrolled in a program that was unique to the campus or because they liked the small class sizes and the campus environment.

To finish off the day, the campus Food Services team had made homemade pizza, a nice touch that sent everyone home happy after a day of learning about all that the Pembroke Waterfront Campus has to offer. After three years of holding virtual Open Houses, it was really great to have so many people back on campus to truly experience how special of a place the Waterfront campus is.

Food Services staff serve homemade pizza to students and families.

The Food Services team at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus serve homemade pizza to prospective students and families who attended the March Break Open House on campus.

First impressions are important and the faculty and staff made their best effort to emphasize how all college employees play a role in the success of our students. It showed. Our visitors told us how much they enjoyed the day and how pleased they were that they had attended.

For students who weren’t able to make it to the Open House, they are invited to contact our recruitment team to book a campus tour. It remains the best way to make an informed decision on where to study and what program to choose. It often doesn’t take long for a student to know they have found the right campus. That was evident at our March Break Open House.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus)

 

Students Return to Campus for Orientation

Reunited-and it feels so good! Hundreds of students who are registered for classes this fall at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus attended orientation activities leading into the start of classes on September 6th and were met by smiling faces as life looked a bit more like it did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students round meeting tableAfter two years of only holding virtual orientation for students, this year there was a buzz on campus as students met with faculty and made connections with new classmates and student services staff as orientation returned to the campus. From move in day barbeques and welcome breakfasts, to learning from their teachers what they can expect in the new academic year, it was an exciting time for everyone who is part of the campus community.

Recreational and fitness facilitiesThere was even opportunities for students to try out the recreational and fitness facilities on campus, including the rock climbing wall which was a huge hit for both new and returning students. The campus attracts many students into its popular Outdoor Adventure program who are heavy users of the wall, but students from many programs enjoy the experience and this year they will have much more access to the facility.

Orientation is such an important part of the college experience. While it is voluntary, most students participated this year, a strong indication of how excited students are to be back on campus. For everyone, it feels like we have turned a corner after more than two years of being apart more than we were together.

Seeing students gathered with their faculty or learning about student services was a breath of fresh air after so many opportunities were lost during the pandemic to bring students together on campus. It was obvious that the students were excited to be back and were highly engaged with everything that was happening around them, even if orientation can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming for some students.

Students on cafeteriaIn the days and weeks ahead, students will settle into their academic studies, but there will still be lots of opportunities to engage in social activities that help students make connections and feel more at home in their new surroundings. From concerts to intramural sports, there will be something for everyone and students are encouraged to get involved in things like book clubs, volunteer opportunities and the upcoming 5 kilometre walk or run so they can meet new people.

Coffee shopWe are so happy to have students back on campus. We have missed them and look forward to getting to know them better. It’s the most exciting time of the year for a college and having the students on campus has revitalized the campus and everyone who works hard to support student success. Welcome back!

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

Why Every College Student Should Attend Orientation

Getting off to a good start is paramount to a student’s success when they enrol in a post-secondary program, but not all students attend their orientation. By not attending, students often start their program a bit behind their classmates, sometimes scrambling to get on the college network, accessing their text books or having trouble navigating their way around the campus. So, here are some good reasons for all students to attend orientation.

Orientation is intended to be an opportunity for students to make connections. At an academic orientation, students meet their faculty and new classmates, they review their timetable, learn about the expectations of the program and their program coordinator will go over a list of things they need to do be successful in the program. This may include submitting documents that clear them for a clinical or work place experience, purchasing equipment or supplies that they will need such as a laptop computer or safety equipment, or participating in a library orientation. It’s important to have all of this information up front so that when classes start, students are ready to go.

Orientation cardsBeyond the academic preparation is the need to be familiar with student services. There are many supports that are in place to help students navigate their way through college such as counselling, the centre for accessible learning that helps students with disabilities, tutoring, academic coaching, financial aid, co-op and health services. All of these services work together to provide comprehensive support to students who may need help with understanding curriculum, managing their time or addressing personal issues that are impacted their ability to perform to the best of their ability.

When students attend orientation, they get to know about these services and meet the staff who will help them. Making these early connections can go a long way to helping a student feel comfortable in their new surroundings. But, there are also some business items that students can check off of their to do list. Completing a financial aid profile during orientation will help students who are eligible for financial assistance to access bursaries. Students can also pick up their student I-D photo cards which give them access to printing credits on campus as well as discounts at local businesses and students can learn about the Students’ Association dental and health plan coverage.

Pembroke Campus, Games Day

Of course, there are lots of fun social and recreational activities as well, including a move in day barbeque, a 5 kilometre walk/run, a concert, comedy night and so much more. All of these activities help build a campus community of support that quickly takes away any apprehension students have about their new learning environment.

Parents can also attend some orientation activities such as the move in day BBQ and a special brunch held on Labour Day weekend for out of town families. There’s also an information session for parents which helps them better understand how the college operates and where they can be an ally to help their student success. By sharing information with parents about what services are available to students, they often can help the college ensure students are accessing the supports they need to overcome any difficulty they are having in their program of study.

Orientation ScheduleAlgonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus is kicking off its orientation activities on Thursday, September 1st and Friday, September 2nd. Classes begin on Tuesday, September 6th so attending orientation sessions in advance will have students much better prepared for day one of classes. So, make the time and attend your orientation. It will be time well spent.

(Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus)