Posted on Wednesday, January 16th, 2019
Welcome back to a new semester. With the new semester, we have new programming for students to improve their wellness while here at campus.
Weekly Wellness Activities
- Chill Café – Mondays 2-3pm in Room 308 – Group for students struggling with stress and looking for a way to manage stress better.
- Movement Meditations – Mondays 5:30-6:30 in Room 328 – Mindfulness group with a dynamic approach to stress reduction.
- Positive Space – Tuesdays 12-1 in Room 216 – Open drop in space for LGBTQ+ and allies to get together and have lunch together. Planning of social events happens during this time as well.
Mental Health Walk-In Clinic – Tuesday and Thursday 1-3:30 Room 138 – Students can be seen without an appointment by the mental health counsellor. Sessions are on a first come first served basis.- Dare to Self-Care – Tuesday 2-3 Room 308 – Drop-in group where students work on reducing stress and solving challenges
- Colour and Chatter– Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 in Room 124 – Drop-in groups for students
to participate in artistic activities and stress management.
- WIND Walk/Yoga/Activity – Wednesday 11-12 meet in Commons – Wellness In Nature Days activities involve various activities to improve our physical and mental well-being.
- Paws for Stress – Wednesday 1-2 Room 200 (starting Feb 6th) – Drop in to say hi to Luna to help reduce stress and have a moment with a dog.
- SMART Recovery – Wednesdays 4:30-6 Room 308 – Drop-in group for students struggling with addictive behaviours including: drugs/alcohol, gaming, eating, etc…
- Trauma Informed Mindfulness – Thursdays 12-1 in Room TBA – Mindfulness practice to help with managing stress and past trauma.
Posted on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019
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.
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.”
Leveraging 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.”
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.
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.
Posted on Tuesday, December 18th, 2018
Jordan Radford is a young man born and raised in the Petawawa area, who not only recently graduated from our Business program, but he also became an author this year. At 19 years of age, Radford managed to find the time to write his digital book, What You Need to Become Successful, all while completing a challenging compressed diploma program.
This book was written with young people, like Radford, in mind. It offers advice and guidance on what he sees as the key characteristics necessary to become successful:
- Work ethic
- Drive
- Patience
- Passion
- Communication
- Planning
Entrepreneurship and leadership are at Radford’s core, using his background as a hockey coach, plus, his most recent experience as a personal trainer, to lay out a framework that anyone can use to help focus their ability to be successful.
Once Radford decided to write his book, he quickly discovered that self-publishing a digital book was the best way to get his book out there in the world. This simple discovery is a result of a characteristic that Radford touches on in his book – drive. Drive can be a powerful attribute to have that enables you to set a goal and work towards that goal step-by-step.
While many of Radford’s supporter have acknowledged that he is very young to have already accomplished such a goal, they also recognize that his advice is very relatable and practical.
Our Business program certainly helped Radford to work towards his writing goal with courses like Brand Creation for a Digital World to help develop the skills necessary to assess, create and deliver digital media content for online marketing and branding purposes and Communication Skills for Business to help develop his writing style. Radford offers, “You can take work ethic, drive, and passion – those attributes – and put those into your everyday life.”
It seems like nothing can hold this young man back and we wouldn’t be surprised to if Radford published another book in the near future building on what he continues to learn each day. Radford’s message for his readers, “Anything is possible.” Powerful words for everyone to remember each day.
Posted on Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
Algonquin Colleg
e’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 
in 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.
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
Posted on Wednesday, November 21st, 2018
After 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
Posted on Thursday, November 8th, 2018
Overall wellbeing requires us to take care of our mental, physical, and social health. When one of these areas is not strong, the others are affected too. It can be hard to find balance and prioritize your self-care when you’re busy. But what if I told you that you can give all three aspects of your wellbeing a boost with just one activity? And getting started is as simple as unrolling a yoga mat.
When practicing yoga with others, we attend to all three areas of wellbeing at once (talk about efficient!). Yoga can help you…
- Build self-esteem, as you learn to cultivate a more non-judgmental relationship with yourself and tame your inner critic.
- Improve your relationships. As we become less judgmental, we start to view things more compassionately and respond with kindness.
- Reduce stress and anxiety. When we are exposed to a sudden stress, we have a “fight or flight” response, which heightens our blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing and emotions. Yogic breathing and meditation can help to slow this stress response, so we can think more clearly
You might be thinking, “But I’m not flexible enough!” Don’t worry – yoga can be adapted for any physical ability. In fact, the physical poses (asanas) are just one aspect of yoga. They connect the movement of the body and the fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of our breath (that’s a mouthful!). Connecting the mind, body, and breath helps us to be in the present moment, directs our attention inward, and has many benefits, especially for mental wellness.
Speaking of mind, meditation is a way to train the mind (much like fitness trains the body). In meditation, we practice making our minds 
“quiet” or “still.” There are different ways to meditate. Two ways that can be implemented into daily activities are:
- Concentration meditation, which involves focusing on a single point.
- Mindfulness meditation, or learning to observe and be aware of our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judging or clinging to them.
Tip: If you have anxious thoughts, try to mindfully observe your breath throughout your day, if even for a moment. Doing so can help to slow
your system, thoughts, and emotions. Think of your breath like snacks – if you eat regularly throughout the day, you won’t be starving by suppertime. Just as our appetite builds, our anxious thoughts can build and often hit in the evening. Regular moments of mindful
breathing throughout your day can help reduce the intensity of anxious thoughts at the end of the day.
In this post, counsellor Patti presents a concept from the world of counselling that you might find useful in your daily life.
Posted on Thursday, November 1st, 2018
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.
In 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.
While 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.
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
Posted on Tuesday, September 18th, 2018
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
Posted on Monday, September 10th, 2018
Welcome to Algonquin College Pembroke Campus and the start of the school year.
As the counsellor on campus, I run a number of activities that I would like to invite you to. Activities and programs will be added regularly, so please watch in your Brightspace and email for new options. As we settle into our new schedules, many students are starting to see the need to maintain their mental wellness. We are offering a number of programs to help with that and we encourage you to take part.
- Positive Space – Tuesdays at 12:00-1:00 pm in room 216 (Ongoing) – a drop in space for LGBTQ+ and allies to get together
for lunch. Planning of social events occurs during this time as well.
- Colour and Chatter – Wednesdays at 2 – 4 pm in room 124 – a drop in space (come for all or part of the time) to do some colouring, or bring your own and work at your own pace. This is a great opportunity to reduce some stress and meet people.
- Chill Café – Tuesdays at 2:00-4:30 pm in room 308 – a 6-week stress and anxiety reduction program for anyone who has any level of stress.
- WIND Walks – Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11:00-11:45 am (meet in the commons by the doors to the patio, ongoing) – Wellness In Nature Days (WIND) walks take you with a group to explore the local area along the waterfront and beyond. A great opportunity to distress.
- WIND Yoga – Mondays at 12:00-1:00 pm and Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 am in the gym (Ongoing) – Free yoga, need we say more?
- Dare to Self Care – Fridays at 12:00-1:00 pm in Room 308 (Starting September 28th, 2018) – an opportunity to learn and practice ways to help take care of yourself in your busy life.
- SMART Recovery – Thursdays 4:30-6:00 pm in Room 216 (Starting September 20th, 2018) – a peer-led recovery program focused on positive behaviour changes versus the specific addiction. Very effective for eating disorders, internet addiction, drug and alcohol addictions, gambling or gaming addictions etc.
- Mental Health Walk-In Clinic – Tuesday and Thursday 1:00-3:30 pm in Room 138 – planning life stressors is not always easy, know that you can always get support last minute during walk-in clinic times. Or make an appointment by emailing Nicole at lewisn@algonquincollege.com but you might have to wait a couple weeks.
- Movement Meditation – Mondays from 5-6 pm in Room 328 – with exams and the stress increasing due to busy studies, we are offering another option for people to have free sessions to reduce our stress. Movement Meditation goes over a weekly meditation with movement which is known to help us focus our thoughts and decrease stress response. No need to sign up. Bring a friend.
Looking for volunteer hours/co-curricular credits consider volunteering for Wellness in Nature Days Facilitators (lead an activity weekly for your fellow students), Purple Couch (promoting mental wellness and connecting with students), please email Nicole Lewis lewisn@algonquincollege.com for further details.
Posted on Sunday, September 9th, 2018
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.
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 
this 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
