Student Changemaker Award

The Student Changemaker Award is a way for the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student success or project. The term Changemaker was coined by the social entrepreneurship organization Ashoka, and means one who desires change in the world, and by gathering knowledge and resources makes that change happen. At Algonquin College, our Changemakers – our students – are our most important facilitators of change. In beautiful synergy, through applied learning and research, students can change hearts, minds, communities, countries and the world, as they themselves are changing. In the spirit of change, the Algonquin College Board of Governors’ Changemaker Award recognizes student success in the bold pursuit of a better future.

Board of Governors – October 28, 2024

Environmental Technician learner latest recipient of Student Changemaker Award

A learner in the Environmental Technician program is the latest recipient of the Student Changemaker Award for his involvement in the Miyawaki Forest Initiative. Presented at the Board of Governors meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, McKenzie Mitchell accepted the award for establishing the Miyawaki Forest at the Pembroke Campus after receiving a grant from the Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia. The Miyawaki method, originating from Japan, focuses on afforestation in urban spaces using native trees and plant species in dense plantings to maximize growth and carbon sequestration.

Public interest meetings introduced the project to the local community, where a diverse group of individuals, aged 19 to 70, showed interest and participated in the planting and site preparation. Local horticulturists and nurseries provided the plants and soil, while Environmental Technician and Environmental Management and Assessment students worked alongside faculty and community members to plant the Miyawaki garden. This initiative embodied the Miyawaki principle of “Think Global, Act Local.”

The Algonquin College Miyawaki Garden is the first afforestation project of its kind in Renfrew County. Its success has sparked discussions with the City of Pembroke for additional Miyawaki spaces. This potential collaboration would offer Environmental Technician students the opportunity to work on high-profile, environmentally sustainable projects alongside the local community. The Pembroke Horticultural Society, local landowners, Renfrew County and Pembroke city staff, Algonquin College faculty, employees and students from various programs will all have the chance to contribute to this and future Miyawaki projects.

Through his applied knowledge, dedication, and commitment, Mitchell truly embodies the spirit of a changemaker. The College is honoured to name him as a Student Changemaker Award recipient in recognition of his remarkable efforts.

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Board of Governors – June 3, 2024

Financial Services learners receive Student Changemaker Award

Nine learners from the Financial Services – Canadian Context program are the latest recipients of the Board of Governors’ Student Changemaker Award. In partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency, the learners led the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, assisting 149 fellow Algonquin College students with tax return filings and providing newcomers vital financial and tax literacy support. Through this project, the students successfully filed 129 tax returns predominantly for first-time filers, generated $63,984 in HST rebate checks – averaging approximately $496 per student – and achieved $29,025 in collective savings through the Climate Action Incentive.

This initiative not only enhanced their customer service skills, but their efforts garnered significant recognition on LinkedIn, casting a favourable light on the College and demonstrating the real-world impact of our educational programs. Through their applied knowledge, dedication and commitment to the financial health of their peers, these students embodied the spirit of a Changemaker.

The following students were recognized for their efforts: Shruti Savni, Daniela Estupinan, Mitra Farokhpourlangroudi, Sanu Varghese Philip, Tejas Ranpara, Arya Sudarsanan, Saara Sayed Maknoja, Namandeep Singh and Dane Ly.

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Board of Governors – April 22, 2024

Culinary students receive Student Changemaker Award

For their efforts in serving up kindness, 18 students from the Culinary Skills, Culinary Management and Bachelor of Culinary Arts Food Science programs were recognized with a Student Changemaker Award from the Algonquin College Board of Governors at their April meeting.

The Student Changemaker Award is a way for the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student successes or projects. In the spirit of change, the Algonquin College Board of Governors’ Changemaker Award recognizes student success in the bold pursuit of a better future.

In February, learners from these three culinary programs dedicated their time to help prepare 2000 meals for the Ottawa Food Bank in partnership with La Tablée des Chefs’ Solidarity Kitchens. In one day, they prepared, cooked, chilled, portioned and packaged the food.

“Tablée des Chefs is a social movement that started in 2003 [that] mobilizes chefs and cooks to assist in the fight against hunger and food insecurity,” said learner Patrick Barrios. “According to the Ottawa Food Bank’s latest report, [food insecurity] is an increasingly important [issue] in our community, as well as nationwide.”

The meals prepared by the students not only helped to feed those in need but also equipped the learners with the skills and knowledge regarding the importance of food autonomy that they will take into the working world.

“Nationwide, since its inception, around 1.5 million portions of food were donated to charity through Solidarity Kitchens, but this was mostly in Quebec,” said Barrios. “In 2023, Algonquin College was one of only four establishments outside of Quebec to participate in the project, and we are proud to be on the forefront of the project’s nationwide expansion.”

The following students were recognized for their efforts: Oluwakemi Ajaji, Ethan Angnatok, Patrick Barrios, Niranjana Bindhudileep, Jack Bradley, Amritpal Doad, Qing Gao, Anamaria Gonzalez-Gallardo, Maryann Lumbria, William MacNeil, Joshua Morisson, Keiann Saunders, Hyungjee Seo, Daksh Singh, Rithika Subramanian and Emily Taylor.

Dental Hygiene learners receive Student Changemaker Award

On Monday, Feb. 26, learners from the Dental Hygiene advanced diploma program became the latest recipient of the AC Board of Governors’ Student Changemaker Award.

The award — designed as a way for the board to formally acknowledge exceptional student efforts and projects — was given to learners Tuli Chakma, Lisa McLeod, Sule Hamamcioglu, Zeel Patel and Priya Renta Kumari for their efforts in the sixth annual Heart of the Matter event. Designed to provide oral healthcare to underserved groups, the event was held in partnership with Ottawa Public Health on Nov. 25, 2023.

“Our target population included adults with low income who cannot afford private dental insurance or participate in many of the city’s standard programs,” said Kumari. “Throughout this project we welcomed individuals who lacked these services and provided them with complimentary care.”

Heart of the Matter saw collaborative efforts from Dental Hygiene students, Dental Assisting students, registered dental hygienists and dentists.

“Right from the beginning, we knew it was our duty to focus on what our community needed,” said Hamamcioglu. “We worked hard for 13 weeks to plan everything carefully and [do] what we needed to do to make this project happen.”

The event saw a team of dozens of volunteers provide care to 20 clients, delivering roughly $12,000 in dental services. Necessary supplies were secured by the students solely through donations.

“We could not have done this without the contribution that every one of our volunteers made with time, effort and supplies,” said McLeod. “Immense gratitude goes out to our professors, our volunteers and our suppliers.”

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Board of Governors – December 11, 2023

Cheryl Hardwick receives first-ever Employee Changemaker Award

The Smart Tenant team, is the latest group of students to be awarded the Board of Governors’ Student Changemaker Award. 

Smart Tenant is the cumulative work of five Algonquin College students — Evan Liko, Kseniia Chornokondratenko, Son Tran, Tibet Akyurekli and Minh Hoang Tran — that connects tenants with other tenants in their area to help them stay up to date on current events and foster a sense of community. The mobile application was developed for use by local property management group, Smart Living Properties.

The team was recognized at the June 5 Board of Governors meeting for their exemplary efforts in developing a viable mobile application that offers a seamless and intuitive experience for renters. Through their exceptional work, the project grew from an in-class research project to a potential long-term partnership with a leading Canadian rental company.

The team’s impeccable communication skills helped them win back-to-back recognition at the College’s RE/ACTION Showcase, making them the first project in the College’s history to do so. The team’s lead, Evan Liko, also received an honourable mention from Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) for the 2022 Canada Co-op Student of the Year Award. 

The Smart Tenant app provides an opportunity for Smart Living Properties to support community engagement and relationship building for their tenants. The app aims to differentiate the business and provide economic benefits by connecting tenants with each other and the community around them. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, the app will enhance the overall renting experience and help renters feel more at home.

The team’s excellent work resulted in a polished and professional app that exceeded expectations and delivered new innovations, showcasing their dedication to their craft and their likelihood of future success.

Congratulations, Smart Tenant team!

Micah McBurney, Mariana Bianchini and Bailey McLuckie received the Changemaker Awards at Monday’s Algonquin College Board of Governors meeting.

The students’ project, part of their studies in the Business-Marketing program, aimed to work with a local business, uncover opportunities for marketing challenges and create a turnkey design.

Marianna Bianchini was on hand to present to the board today. Bianchini and her teammates are currently working in their respective chosen fields.

The Student Changemaker award is a way for the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student successes or projects. In the spirit of change, the Changemaker Award recognizes student success in the bold pursuit of a better future.  

The Business-Marketing program hosts a dynamic and fully integrated client project for graduating students. In Fall 2022, a cohort of students in their final semester were tasked with the responsibility to research, design, write and present a turn-key marketing plan for an actual industry client, Art by J Positive.

Art by J Positive is a small, local business that promotes and sells the art of Joel Jamensky, a young man living with Down syndrome, whose art has greatly touched many. With his father helping him manage the business, the client wanted AC students’ expertise on how to grow the business both on- and off-line in the next two years.

Teams met with the client in the first week of classes, were provided written corporate information and then conducted heavy online research. Each group determined a unique “market opportunity” for the business and with the client’s confirmation, proceeded to conduct extensive research of their selected target audience and marketing concept. Teams gathered primary research by surveying hundreds of local residents to understand the behaviours and attitudes revolving around local art, ideal places to sell art and how best to promote art-related products (i.e. water bottles and T-shirts with Joel’s art published on it).

Every team wrote a comprehensive marketing plan that provided the client with direction and recommendations for their product line, pricing approach, digital communications, advertising and sales promotion and distribution methods. Over the term, the client met with the student teams to answer questions, approve concepts and learn about research results and recommendations. The top two teams, based on grades, were chosen at the end of the term to present their fully designed marketing plans with implementation schedules and budgets.

Board of Governors – February 27, 2023
Manufacturing Engineering Technician graduate receives Student Changemaker Award

On Monday, Feb. 27, the Algonquin College Board of Governors presented recent Manufacturing Engineering Technician graduate Michael Marshall with the Student Changemaker Award.

Marshall earned the award through his efforts with the Ottawa Campus’ student manufacturing club, which seeks to give learners an avenue to further their skills and understanding through personal passion projects. Though the club is primarily based around computerized numerical control (CNC) machining, design and drafting, it is not exclusive to those in manufacturing-related programs.

In addition to the club, Marshall has also made efforts to promote the College’s programs at local high schools in the Ottawa Valley, demonstrating the capabilities of technologies like 3D scanning and CNC machining. Peers and educators alike have described Marshall as being a role model both as a learner and a student leader.

Marshall noted that, after giving his high school presentations, he would often have intrigued students come and speak with him about the program and the careers it can lead to.

“Being somewhat local myself, I wasn’t necessarily aware of all of the opportunities that are possible with this program,” said Marshall. “As I was speaking and [sharing] some of my interests and opportunities…a lot of students were staying back after the presentation asking me questions.”

The Student Changemaker Award was created to serve as a way for the board to acknowledge exceptional learners and their projects. Now a certified changemaker, Marshall is one of the College’s many wonderful learners and graduates who are making an active difference in the world, spreading the Algonquin College values of caring, integrity, learning and respect everywhere they go.

Board of Governors – December 5, 2022

Pembroke Campus Forestry Technician learners receive Student Changemaker Award

On Monday, Dec. 5, the Pembroke Campus Forestry Technician program became the latest recipient of the AC Board of Governors’ Student Changemaker Award.

The award — designed as a way for the board to formally acknowledge exceptional student efforts and projects — was received by learners Breanna Atkinson, Emma Keller, Ashley MaCrae and Skyler Stewart-Weber on behalf of their program. It was given in recognition of Forestry Technician learners’ efforts on Oct. 22, 2022, where they helped plant Canada’s first Forest of Hope near Beachburg, Ont.

Planted in partnership with the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP), the Ontario Woodlot Association and the Kiwanis Club of Pembroke, the new forest will serve as both a memorial to people who have died by suicide and to raise awareness around suicide prevention. CASP states that new trees can be planted in memory of a specific loved one or “simply in the name of hope.”

The tree planting event saw more than 50 Algonquin College students aid in the planting of 1,500 red pine, white pine and white spruce trees. In addition to its importance in suicide prevention and awareness, the forest will also be used as a teaching space for Forestry Technician learners, who will work to ensure its ecological health and sustainability.

“We are all incredibly honoured to have had this opportunity to work with members from these organizations in taking a step towards connecting the awareness and prevention of suicide with the healing nature of forests and the community outreach the space a living lab provides,” said Atkinson.

“It’s in this coming together of various helping hands, working alongside in something for the benefit of many, that we find ourselves here in gratitude to say that we were part of the first Forest of Hope in Canada,” continued Atkinson. “For everyone touched by suicide, we stood with you as we planted those trees, not only in memory, but in symbolism of resiliency, strength and tenacity.”

Board of Governors – October 24, 2022
Nursing student mental health advocate honoured with Student Changemaker Award

A graduate from the Pembroke Campus Registered Practical Nursing (RPN) program is the latest recipient of the Board of Governors’ Student Changemaker Award.

Reilly Carey was recognized at the Oct. 24 Board meeting for her exemplary efforts in promoting mental health resources among practical nursing students. Carey is a practicing RPN at The Ottawa Hospital – Civic Campus and is in process of completing an Addiction and Mental Health Certificate at the College, as well as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) collaborative program between the College and the University of Ottawa.

“Reilly has a passion for mental health and the well-being of her colleagues and classmates. Her commitment to learning all she can, and giving back to the nursing community through service as a nurse, or actively on professional boards, is truly noteworthy,” said Kristine Dawson, Associate Vice President Experiential Learning and Innovation. “Thank you, Reilly, for all that you do for all of us.”

To assist in addressing student mental health issues and to promote well-being, Carey started a support group called Beating Burnout for all BScN students at all three campuses where the collaborative program is offered, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Campus and Pembroke Campus in March 2022. This online community flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic as many students felt isolated and were struggling with mental health concerns. The group has reached out to mental health services and experts to provide information and guidance to ensure that students have access to current resources as well as the opportunity to share common experiences.

Carey is also an active member of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN) and was recently voted president of the WeRPN Mental Health Special Interest Group, where she actively networks and promotes practical nursing mental well-being and practical nursing student mental well-being. She also sits on the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, Mental Health Nurse Interest group (RNAO- MHNIG) board as the student representative.

“I would like to thank the Board of Governors, my Beating Burnout team and [Nursing Chair] Carmen Hust for her ongoing support in everything I do, whether that’s the RNAO Mental health Interest Group or my mighty mental health event. She has been an absolute support and encouraging throughout this process,” said Carey.

About the Student Changemaker Award
The Student Changemaker Award is a way for the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student success or project. The term Changemaker was coined by the social entrepreneurship organization Ashoka, and means one who desires change in the world, and by gathering knowledge and resources makes that change happen. At Algonquin College, our Changemakers – our students – are our most important facilitators of change. In beautiful synergy, through applied learning and research, students can change hearts, minds, communities, countries and the world, as they themselves are changing. In the spirit of change, the Algonquin College Board of Governors’ Changemaker Award recognizes student success in the bold pursuit of a better future.

Board of Governors – June 6, 2022
Child and Youth Care Community Service Learning

During the first portion of Monday’s meeting, Community Service Learning (CLS) students in the College’s Child and Youth Care program were awarded the Student Changemaker Award for their outstanding fundraising and advocacy work.  

Cady Harrold, Krista Bascur, Eureka Desrochers and Kiah Fernandes led fundraising initiatives for the Emily Murphy Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Somerset West Community Health Centre’s Laroche Park Afterschool Program, and the Guatemala Stove Project.

Every year first-year students from the Child and Youth Care program in the CLS course work with community partners to host fundraising events to raise awareness and funds for projects they are passionate about. To date students in the CLS course have raised $120,000 dollars — $17,000 of which was raised this year alone.

This year’s fundraising events included three trivia nights: one in support of the Emily Murphy Non-Profit Housing Corporation — an organization that provides affordable housing and housing support for young single parents; another to support Somerset West Community Health Centre’s Laroche Park Afterschool Program — which provides physical activity, homework help, and health and wellness for kids in grade school; and lastly, one to support the Guatemala Stove Project — an initiative developed to provide donations to Guatemalan families through micro-loans, educational bursaries, emergency assistance, and masonry cookstoves.

In their CLS class, Harrold, Bascur, Desrochers, Fernandes and their peers learn how to assess and address community need, how to overcome barriers to health and wellness such as COVID-19, and how to be resilient and refine their problem-solving skills.

The four students celebrated at Monday’s Board of Governors Meeting showed exceptional leadership in their work — going above and beyond to raise funds and advocate for organizations close to their hearts.

Algonquin College’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Claude Brulé, provided his sincere thanks to the award recipients and remarked on the admirable work of the CLS course.

“The CLS course is a perfect example of what Algonquin College does best — providing our learners with memorable and enriching experiential learning opportunities,” says Brulé. “Thank you, students, for the support you’ve provided to our community through these creative initiatives.”

About the Student Changemaker Award
The Student Changemaker Award is a way for the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student successes or projects. The term changemaker was coined by the social entrepreneurship organization Ashoka and means one who desires change in the world, and by gathering knowledge and resources makes that change happen. At Algonquin College, our changemakers – our students – are our most important facilitators of change. In beautiful synergy, through applied learning and research, students can change hearts, minds, communities, countries and the world, as they themselves are changing. In the spirit of change, the Algonquin College Board of Governors’ Changemaker Award recognizes student success in the bold pursuit of a better future. 

Board of Governors – April 25, 2022
Recreation and Leisure Services – Community Development

Cathy Dowsett

Tia Taft

Dakota Ostrowski

Julianna Alibrando

At Monday evening’s Algonquin College Board of Governors Meeting, four Recreation and Leisure Services (RLS) program students were awarded the Student Changemaker Award for their outstanding fundraising and advocacy work.

Tia Taft, Cathy Dowsett, Dakota Ostrowski and Julianna Alibrando raised approximately $4,200 for Ottawa-based charity Do it for Daron (DIFD). DIFD is a youth driven charity that promotes open dialogue about youth mental health through education, awareness and research initiatives in partnership with The Royal, Ottawa’s mental health care teaching and research hospital.

Every year, second-year students from the RLS program in the Community Development course work with community partners to host fundraising events and raise awareness for projects they are passionate about. The Fall 2021 Term saw RLS students raise approximately $7,700 for local charities — $4,173 of which was raised by the DIFD team. Since 2011, the program has raised over $18,000 for various causes.

RLS professor, Kevin Lee, was astounded by the group’s ability to go above and beyond, “As a result of their hard work and dedication to serving the community, they really exceeded all expectations. The students being awarded are incredibly deserving; they’ve truly moved the needle for improving youth mental health in our region.”

The team’s work comes at a pivotal time as pandemic-related mental health challenges are on the rise, especially among youth, and resources are spread thin. Project lead, Tia Taft, says that she is especially grateful for the outpouring of support her team has received given the circumstances.

“The need for mental health support has become increasingly prevalent as we’ve encountered the side effects of a global pandemic and its restrictions,” says Taft. “But what I saw through this experience was that people are willing to listen and support when they see how passionate you are about a cause. The fact that we exceeded our fundraising goal by $3,500 is extraordinarily inspiring. I feel moved by the difference we’ve been able to make.”

Jay MacLaren, Chair of the Board of Governors, extended his sincere congratulations to the team for their work. Algonquin College President and CEO, Claude Brulé, went on to thank the team for their extraordinary efforts, “You truly are great ambassadors for the College. Thank you so much for engaging our community and raising awareness for youth mental health.”

Taft hopes that recognition such as this only increases awareness of youth mental health and the resources available to youth, like DIFD.

“Over the years, I’ve invested a lot of time and work on my own mental health. I know now that it’s okay to not be okay, and I want all youth to know that as well,” she adds. “Most people who suffer, suffer in silence — but DIFD breaks down barriers for youth so that they know how and where to reach out for the mental health support they need.”

About the Student Changemaker Award
The Student Changemaker Award is a way for the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student successes or projects. The term changemaker was coined by the social entrepreneurship organization Ashoka and means one who desires change in the world, and by gathering knowledge and resources makes that change happen. At Algonquin College, our changemakers – our students – are our most important facilitators of change. In beautiful synergy, through applied learning and research, students can change hearts, minds, communities, countries and the world, as they themselves are changing. In the spirit of change, the Algonquin College Board of Governors’ Changemaker Award recognizes student success in the bold pursuit of a better future.

Board of Governors – February 28, 2022
Women in Computing Science Club

At Tuesday evening’s Algonquin College Board of Governors meeting, former Computer Programming student Katarzyna (Kasia) Gocal was awarded the Student Changemaker award for her establishment of the Women In Computer Science Club at Algonquin. According to the club’s LinkedIn page, “We strive to be one of the reasons why when you hear “programmer” you won’t associate it with any particular gender.”

“One of the best things we do is recognize and celebrate student success,” said Jay MacLaren, Chair of the Board of Governors. “Your presentation is a classic example of transforming hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Congratulations for a job well done.”

Claude Brulé, President and CEO, Algonquin College, echoed those sentiments. “Thank you Kasia for your leadership and for being a role model to other women who want to work in computer programming, software development and information technology.”

During her time at Algonquin College, Gocal realized that women made up a much smaller portion of students in the Computer Programming program and wanted to create a club that would provide extra support for this group. Under the auspices of the Students’ Association she created the Women in Computer Science (WICS) group.

She was determined to make a difference for women in computer-related programs by facilitating career-related events and workshops, group entries into local hackathons, guest speakers and academic supports such as group tutoring during exam periods. Although the club is focused on providing supports for women students, anyone is welcome to join and indeed many students of other genders are active members.

About the Student Changemaker Award
The Student Changemaker Award is a way for the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student successes or projects. The term changemaker was coined by the social entrepreneurship organization Ashoka and means one who desires change in the world, and by gathering knowledge and resources makes that change happen. At Algonquin College, our changemakers – our students – are our most important facilitators of change. In beautiful synergy, through applied learning and research, students can change hearts, minds, communities, countries and the world, as they themselves are changing. In the spirit of change, the Algonquin College Board of Governors’ Changemaker Award recognizes student success in the bold pursuit of a better future.

Board of Governors – December 6, 2021
Weston Family Scholarship

During the December 6 Algonquin College Board of Governor’s meeting, a Changemaker Award was presented to the Weston Family Scholarship in the Skilled Trades, with four Algonquin College students and alumni speaking to their experience.

Kerri-Lynn Gleeson, Project Lead Weston Family Scholarship in the Skilled Trades, introduced the Changemaker recipient. The Weston Family Foundation in partnership with Algonquin College supports 165 students – 95 post-secondary students and 70 apprentices- who benefit from more than 365 awards.

“This is not just a monetary award – rather a mentorship program to give the student the resources and guidance necessary for optimal success in building a lifelong career in the skilled trades,” said Gleeson of the Weston Family Scholarship.

Speaking as Weston Family Scholars in the Skilled Trades were Stephanie Foss , Electrical Engineering Technician; John Zahab, Welding and Fabrication Techniques; Melissa Pfeil, Carpentry and Renovation Techniques and Mickey Bartkowski, Weston Family Alumni 2021 and Red Seal Plumber. Each of the recipients spoke of their experience at Algonquin, and how it has impacted their lives. Board Chair, Jay McLaren, presented each of them with a virtual plaque and provided congratulations on their accomplishments.

“You are developing your confidence and becoming champions in your own skilled trades environment, and it was such a pleasure to hear your stories this afternoon. You are so well deserving of this recognition. Congratulations,” said Algonquin College President and CEO, Claude Brulé.

Board of Governors – October 25, 2021
Aim for Change: New Ways to Address Youth and Gun Violence

During October 25’s Board of Governor’s Meeting, a group of Algonquin College students and recent graduates were presented with a Changemaker Award for their work on the Aim For Change: New Ways to Address Youth and Gun Violence campaign.

For the campaign, Amarjeet Sing (Computer Programming), Anna Ranger (Victimology), Cathy Matovu (Graphic Design) and Shelby Richardson (Public Relations) worked together to design after school programming that tasks youth with creating a zine that speaks to the gun violence they experience in their communities. The programming was developed for the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), which seeks to address gun violence and masculinity among youth. The team’s workshop was piloted in Cape Town, South Africa, with regional partners Gun Free South Africa, after which the team presented the project’s outcomes to the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

“We received very positive feedback from the youth who participated in these workshops,” said Anna Ranger, a recent Victimology grad, who was the first of the four students to outline their role in the project during the meeting.

Chris Janzen, Senior Vice President, Academic, introduced the students, who were joined by Jed Looker, Research Chair of the Human- Centred Design Institute at the College, where the students were researchers.

“This team worked collaboratively and drew on their individual strengths to complete this project,” Looker said.

“It’s been really incredible to see the impact of our work…we think it demonstrates the value of applied research,” added Looker.

Looker also noted that IANSA is now working to translate the workshop into Spanish and French so it can be used around the globe.

Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College, also congratulated the students on their work.

“I’m so pleased to see that in fact their work is going around the globe and will change lives,” he said. “Congratulations to the team, and so well-deserving.”

To learn more about the Aim for Change campaign, click here.

Board of Governors – June 7, 2021
Footwear 4 Kids Charity

AC Grad Recognized with Changemaker Award for Establishing Local Charity
During June 7’s Board of Governors’ Meeting, recent graduate of Algonquin’s Police Foundations program William Bourgault was recognized with a Changemaker Award.

Bourgault was recognized for his work as the Founder and Operations Manager of Footwear 4 Kids, an Ottawa charity that provides footwear and clothing to children, youth and families in need in Ottawa. The organization is entirely run by volunteers and works in collaboration with the Caldwell Family Centre, who also helps them provide clothing, bedding, and small household items to those in need.

The focus of the charity, however, is providing children and youth with footwear, especially running shoes and boots.

Jill Reeves, coordinator of the Police Foundations program, introduced Bourgault on Monday, describing him as “a fabulous student.” Bourgault then made a presentation about his work to the Board.

“We believe every child deserves a good pair of shoes,” Bourgault began. Launched in October 2020, he said the charity initially started when he was simply trying to give away a few pairs of his old shoes.

“It all started when I was emptying my closet and I had a few pairs of running shoes that I wanted to donate to families that were in need,” he explained. After doing some research, the only option he found was a website where you could post items you wanted to give away for free. Soon after posting, he explained, “I was overwhelmed by private messages from newcomers to Canada and those who had lost their jobs due to COVID-19.”

He chose one family to give the shoes to, but said he wanted to find a way to support the others as well, so he reached out to family and friends, and on Instagram, and the effort grew from there.

Footwear 4 Kids now has 30 volunteers, including six family support workers, 22 volunteer drivers (to pick up and drop off goods), and four fellow Algonquin Police Foundations classmates.

The charity’s impact is impressive: they have now made 200 deliveries of 1500 pairs of shoes for children and youth, and have been featured by the Ottawa Citizen, CBC Radio and CityNews Ottawa, among others.

Bourgault’s goals for Footwear 4 Kids for the future are to become a registered charity, to continue to grow their sponsors and supporters, and to pursue funding to offset mileage and gas costs.

Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College, said the Board was “absolutely delighted” to present Bourgault with a Changemaker Award. “You’re so inspiring and such an ambassador for Algonquin College,” he told Bourgault.

If you are interested in donating to Footwear 4 Kids, you can either donate shoes, which they will pick up, or donate financially. For more information on how to do so, visit footwear4k.com.

Photo credits: Jean Levac, Postmedia from Ottawa Citizen

Board of Governors – April 19, 2021
Indigenous Youth Health and Wellness Club Receives Changemaker Award

Acts of kindness are always important, but in today’s climate, they may be more difficult to accomplish. On Monday, the Algonquin Board of Governors recognized a group of students who came together to raise funds to purchase health and wellness supplies for Inuit youth in Kugaaruk and Resolute Nunavut, and received the Changemaker Award for their efforts.

The five Bachelor of Science in Nursing students and one Bachelor of Commerce (e-Supply Chain Management) (Honours) student created the Indigenous Youth Health and Wellness club in the Fall of 2020 at Algonquin’s Pembroke Campus.

Since then they have collaborated with nursing stations in remote northern communities and worked with Canadian North Airline to deliver the supplies to remote isolated communities.

“You are true leaders and we are so proud of your accomplishments,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “We are honoured to bestow upon you the Changemaker Award; it is so deserving.”

Pembroke Dean Dr. Keltie Jones agreed with President Brulé’s sentiment. “They are making us very proud. I’m proud of them and pleased the work they are doing is making a difference.”

The first shipment of donated items included four boxes filled with approximately $1,000 of supplies including sanitary pads, diapers, socks/underwear, and craft supplies.

Fundraising efforts included a silent auction that was held over Instagram selling calendars, stickers, buttons, and beaded art provided by an Indigenous arts and crafts business. A second fundraiser is being planned in collaboration with the Algonquin Students’ Association. Award recipients:
Erin Moore, 4th year, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Co-Lead
Peggy Li, 4th year, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Co-Lead
Mitchell Usher, 4th Year, Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management
Hannah Usher, 2nd year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Vera Wilson, 4th Year, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Desaray Rabb, 4th Year, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Ayanna Fisher, 3rd Year, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Board of Governors – February 22, 2021
AC Student Receives Changemaker Award for Influential Instagram Profile

Police Foundations student Lucia Guder regularly shares the challenges and joys of her life in Canada as an Algonquin College student with her Instagram followers — all 17,700 of them.

The social media account, which Guder started in 2019, was inspired by her own journey to Canada from Brazil. Guder, who was a Military Police Officer in Brazil, came to Canada in 2018 looking for a safer life. Once she arrived, she decided she would study Police Foundations at Algonquin College. She then started an Instagram account where she shared her experiences navigating the education system and daily life in Canada, hoping to help others who were doing – or hoped to do – the same.

And she has done just that. The account is followed by users from numerous countries and academic programs, and by speakers of several different languages. It has helped newcomers make professional and academic connections, fostered social inclusion, and raised the profile of the Police Foundations program at Algonquin significantly.

On Monday, Guder’s work through the social network saw her recognized with a Board of Governor’s Changemaker Award, which was presented to Guder during a virtual Board of Governors’ meeting. Guder also made a presentation during the meeting about the goals and successes of the account.

Posts on the account address everything from lifestyle and culture to employment networking to college administration to city transportation, making both large and small aspects of daily life in Canada easier for students. One of her videos about the Police Foundations program on the account was viewed 6,000 times.

“Our greatest aspiration with the profile is to make life easier for those who are coming to Canada to study, to make a new life here, as we are doing right now,” she said during Monday’s presentation. “We hope Canada can be more than a dream to them as it has been to us as well.”

The award recognizes how remarkably effective she has been in making the transition to life in Canada easier and more joyful for other newcomer students.

“This is opening a gateway for many people to have a bright future in Canada,” said Algonquin President and CEO Claude Brulé after the presentation, “and we thank you for all the work and leadership you’ve displayed through this initiative.”

Board of Governors – December 7, 2020
Project Management Program – TEAM COMPLEET

Photo from left to right: Mridul Khurana, Suprojit Das, Yashaswini Reddy, Rohan Prajapati, Nicole Priatel

Project Management Team Wins Board of Governors Changemaker Award!
The Board of Governors has honoured the Algonquin College Project Management team involved in the development of a new artificial intelligence software tool with a Changemaker Award.

“This is a very exciting project,” said Jay McLaren, chair of the Algonquin College Board of Governors at the beginning of its December meeting, where Team COMPLEET was honoured during their virtual board meeting. “We’re always proud to learn of these exciting projects and they (the team members) are indeed changemakers. Algonquin College is always happy and proud to recognize this.”

Algonquin President and CEO Claude Brulé echoed the praise. “We’re very proud of Team COMPLEET. I see so much prospect in this application. This is really awesome.”

In March, the team – comprising Mridul Khurana, Suprojit Das, Yashaswini Reddy and Rohan Prajapati – captured first place in the Ontario Project Management Competition sponsored by the Wideman Education Foundation for their work.

The project was conceived by Marketing and Management Studies Professor Nicole Priatel, who came up with a plan to develop a fully functional software tool she called COMPLEET. The tool would use artificial intelligence and machine learning to estimate a project’s completion rate using image recognition.

The COMPLEET system prototype was trained to accept progress photos of Lego sets being built, and calculated the percentage of completion against the Lego set requirements. Priatel worked with a team of Computer Engineering Technology students to create the software.

The four Project Management students dedicated themselves to building the Lego sets and photographing their progress to train the COMPLEET image recognition tool.

“I could not be more proud of this team,” Priatel said in March. “They demonstrated all the skill of top-notch project managers. Work pretty much came to a standstill due to COVID-19 and the halt to face-to-face learning opportunities. They rallied, they made sure quality machine-learning data was still being created. And they adapted from the initial plan to deliver a face-to-face demo to the judging committee in Toronto to creating a compelling online presentation.”

If the prototype is developed further by an industry partner, COMPLEET could act as an enhanced support function for project management. It could be used to estimate a project’s completion rate or to detect irregularities or flaws in a structure using image recognition and photogrammetry. It could also be used to estimate the number of potholes that needed filling and subsequently to ensure they are filled to a quality standard, as well as other functions.

“Project COMPLEET is one of the several artificial intelligence tools that we are exploring and developing within the Project Management Graduate Certificate program that are intended to disrupt and ultimately change the way we manage projects moving forward,” says Program Coordinator Angela Clermont. “These are exciting projects for exciting times.”

Photo from left to right: Mridul Khurana, Suprojit Das, Yashaswini Reddy, Rohan Prajapati, Nicole Priatel.

Board of Governors – October 26, 2020
Paramedic Program – COVID-19 Front Line

Adrienne Miller	Amanda Gagnon	Anna Valin	Antosh Sinclair
Brianna Charbonneau	Emily De Smedt	Eric Heaton	Hali Johnson
Heba Barrettehafez	Justin Jordens	Katrina Cantera	Martin Schrappe
Matthew Deline	Mehran Masoom	Michael Stuyt	Stephanie Gagnon
Taylor Anderson	Tyler Hayes	Zachary Nevin	Danielle Sunstrum
Ashley Murfin – Coordinator Paramedic Program

Learners in the Paramedic Program have been honoured by the Algonquin College Board of Governors with the Changemaker Award. The award pays tribute to more than 27 learners efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic who volunteered with drive-through testing sites in Renfrew County and Ottawa.

These Paramedic Program students jumped onto the frontlines, donned their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and volunteered over 655 hours to help Professional Paramedics and gain valuable experiential training during a worldwide pandemic working in the “new normal” of healthcare. The opportunity to work on the frontlines also creates stronger relationships with the Renfrew Paramedic Service and Ottawa Paramedic Service, who are the hosts to Algonquin Paramedic program placements.

Justin Jordens, one of many students who accepted the honour at the virtual Board meeting, said AC students’ delivered over 655 volunteer hours. “These opportunities gave me a sense of purpose and the drive to get up and do something,” he said. “It made me feel like I was doing something in Canada’s fight against COVID-19.”

“It is an honour to thank you all,” said Board Chair Jay McLaren. “This unprecedented pandemic has given you a real, hands-on opportunity to learn. We are very proud of our learners in the Paramedic program.”

Below are some of the more than 27 Paramedic students who volunteered on the frontlines at the Renfrew County and Ottawa drive-through COVID-19 test sites.

Board of Governors – February 24, 2020
Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition Team
Members of the 2019 Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition Team were honoured with the Board of Governors’ Changemaker Award on Monday.

Team Algonquin took home an historic first place win during the provincial competition on November 22, 2019.

The students praised the experience as “life-changing” and “rewarding” and said they owed their success to their coaches.

“Before (the competition) I was a shy and anxious student,” said Business-Marketing student, Laura Pardy. “OMC allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone to become the person I want to be.”

The 2019 competition took place from Nov. 21-22, and was hosted by Niagara College in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Algonquin College’s team of 19 students travelled to the event, as did some of the volunteer faculty and alumni coaches.

“We are very proud that the Algonquin team finished in first place! This was our best finish in the 40-year history of the competition, and the second podium finish in a row,” said ​​​​​​Jim Neubauer, Professor, School of Business, and the team’s Head Coach.

Members of the student team were on hand for Changemaker Award announcement at the Board of Governors’ meeting. Student competitors came primarily from the College’s Business Marketing and Business Administration Marketing programs, as well as the Business Management & Entrepreneurship and Advertising & Communications Management programs.

Watch the video the students made during their final day of competition here.

Here are some of the Algonquin team’s performance highlights:

• • Quiz Bowl – 4th place – Kaleb Yadeta
  • Sales Presentation – 1st place – Kaleb Yadeta
  • Prospect Pitching – 1st place – Danielle Hammond and Jonathan Hindo
  • Marketing – 2nd place – Kortney Force and Brian Mikula
  • Direct Marketing – 2nd place – Anastasia Naleykina and Shane Hiley
  • Marketing Research – 2nd place – Katie McAleer and Kyle Giroux
  • Entrepreneurship – – 2nd place – Ethan Kirkpatrick and Pushpvir Singh
  • Retail Marketing – 4th place – Vince Ramos and Derek Helmer
  • International Marketing – 5^th place – Laura Pardy and Brenden McBride
  • Integrated Marketing Communications – 5^th place – Emilie Brochu and Matt Traynor

The Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition is an annual case-based competition for the best and brightest business students from across the province. Students train for months in order to compete in one of eight industry specific case-based business challenges, in one of two individual events, and/or in the Quiz Bowl trivia tournament. Students are asked to analyze real-life business challenges and make recommendations to a panel of judges, comprised of academics and industry professionals.

The following students and faculty coaches were on hand to accept the Changemaker Award on Monday:

• • Kaleb Yadeta, Business – Marketing
  • Brian Mikula, Business – Marketing
  • Kortney Force, Business – Marketing
  • Brenden McBride, Business – Marketing
  • Laura Pardy, Business – Marketing
  • Pushpvir Singh, Business Administration – Marketing
  • Jonathan Hindo, Business – Marketing
  • Katherine Root, Chair, Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Office Admin
  • Jim Neubauer, Professor, Marketing / OCMC Head Coach (2019)
  • Bill Garbarino, Program Coordinator, Business – Marketing / OCMC Coach (2019)

The Student Changemaker Award was established by the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student achievements. The term Changemaker was coined by the social entrepreneur organization Ashoka, and refers to those who seek knowledge and find ways to change the world for the better.

Brian Mikula, Pushpvir Singh, Brenden McBride, and Kaleb Yadeta also represented Algonquin College in the Scotiabank Vanier National Case Competition on Feb 8-9 in Montreal.

Board of Governors – December 16, 2019
Hospitality and Tourism Management Students
The Board of Governors has honoured three Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management students with Changemaker Awards. The tribute recognizes the group’s second-place finish in an international hospitality competition.

The accomplished trio — Brielle Pelletier, Yuxiang Jiang, and Tsvetan Stanchulov — took home second place in Take Off!, a global hospitality competition held in Paris in June. Their ground-breaking concept for the hotel room of the future, E-Atmosphere, is a highly customizable, multi-sensory, AI environment. Not only did their vision impress the judges, but they discussed their project on CBC Radio.

The student team bested over 500 worldwide competitors with their pitch on how Artificial Intelligence can enhance the experiences of hotel guests. As one of 16 semifinalists, they produced this video which vaulted them into the final five of the competition – and earned them a trip to Paris to present their concept to Accor’s top hotel management. They were the only finalist from the Western Hemisphere.

The students graduated in June. Stanchulov, now working in his field as the Sales Manager at the Holiday Inn Ottawa East, accepted the Changemaker Award on behalf of his peers. While accepting the award, he
explained the process of the competition and thanked his professors and Dean Jim Kyte for their support. He noted that the Algonquin team was buoyed throughout the competition by their tremendous team spirit. Stanchulov said the competition was an “incredible experience and we got to represent Algonquin College on the world stage.”

In June, after the finals in Paris, Stanchulov shared his thoughts on the experience. “We were very motivated to be in such a great environment. Accor was great to us and introduced us to their top executives including the CEO, who even gave us his cell number! The Accor team acknowledged that our idea was one of the most original they have seen.”

Brielle Pelletier explained the inspiration for their creation. “The idea of this year’s competition was to improve the guest experience through AI and technology. What we noticed in research was that [AI] took away guest experience by removing human interaction. Our inspiration was to stay away from that type of artificial intelligence, and create something that would enhance the experience in the room.”

Take Off! Is a global competition that enables students to be evaluated by top-level Accor professionals, and by recognized teachers with various cultural backgrounds.

Excerpt from the team’s initial pitch:
“Imagine paying $400 a night for a hotel room looking directly across into an ugly office building. What if it were possible to get your dream view while you were anywhere in the world through an AI in-room atmosphere control. While sitting in a stressful meeting, transform your hotel room into a tropical paradise through lighting, floor to ceiling imagery, temperature, sound, humidity and scent. Atmosphere control will allow the guests to experience a more personalized and relaxing stay.”

Board of Governors – October 28, 2019
People’s Choice Award in June’s Hacking Health Ottawa competition

Two Algonquin learners, along with a student from Carleton University, took home the People’s Choice Award in June’s Hacking Health Ottawa competition. The trio’s accomplishment was recognized Monday night by the Board of Governors.

SLiDE‘s Mohamad Akel (MADD program) and Wilfred Turcotte (IMD program), along with Carleton’s Erin Wiles (Psychology), pitched an idea at the Hacking competition for a Gamified Mental Health Resource Library App. Their pitch resonated and they attracted five additional team members. The People’s Choice Award is voted on by all the participants at the Hackathon.

The three students involved in the project spoke in detail about their work. They said they hoped the app, which was available free of charge and was also anonymous, would help many people by directing them to mental-health resources.

Wilfred Turcotte, a student in Interactive Media Design, provided an overview of the work to date. Mohamad Akel, a student in Algonquin’s Mobile Application Design and Development program, said he and his colleagues would likely agree that one of the best experiences for the team was being able to work with recognized experts in their fields.

“We hope that … we’ll be able to provide earlier intervention and prevention of more serious issues,” said Erin Wiles, a Psychology student at Carleton University, noting that the group hopes to be able to collect and share data from the app with health-care institutions to help them better serve those in need of care.

Hacking Health Ottawa aims to transform healthcare by connecting healthcare professionals with designers, developers, innovators and entrepreneurs to build realistic solutions to frontline healthcare problems.

Board of Governors – June 10, 2019
Algonquin College Skills Ontario Winners 2019
Algonquin College’s nine Skills Ontario medalists received a new honour on Monday: Student Changemaker Awards.

In last month’s provincial competition, nine exceptional students brought home medals in eight different trades. They were:

– Blaise Mombourquette and Thomas Hawley – Horticulture and landscaping (Gold)
– Christina Khenmanisoth – Restaurant management (Silver)
– Krystal Wiles-Horscroft – baking (Silver)
– Jasmine Ebery – Hairstyling (Bronze)
– Tom Kearney – Auto body repairer (Bronze)
– Jordan Ball – Automotive service technician (Bronze)
– Ahmed Jaffer – Restaurant management (Bronze)
– Chris Naranowicz – Carpentry – individual (Bronze)

Wiles, Kearney, Naranowicz, and Ebery were on-hand to accept their Changemaker Awards at the Board meeting.

The students were introduced by Shaun Barr, Academic Chair, Head of Apprenticeship Training, Construction Trades and Building Systems, who noted that in addition to the talents of the students, the College benefited from “a great team — faculty and coaches.”

Wiles-Horscroft said that the Baking competition was hectic, but that she was proud to represent her College and win a medal.

“It was definitely a stressful site, I was running around crazy,” she laughed, recalling the chaos and pressure of competition day. “I was honored that I got to participate and bring home silver.”

Ebery, who competed in Hairstyling, also said that she was “really happy” to represent the College. “I couldn’t have done it without my coaches support and training,” she said of her bronze-medal win. “It was an excellent experience.”

Her co-competitors agreed. “It was a completely unreal experience,” said Kearney, who competed in Auto Body repair and also took home a bronze. “I would definitely recommend it to future students and future tradesmen.”

Naranowicz, a competitor in the Carpentry division, said that he had not fully realized the significance of the competition — until he was declared a bronze winner. “The awards ceremony puts into perspective how big of a deal it is,” he said. “ So it was something special to bring a medal home for Algonquin.”

Board of Governors – April 15, 2019
Community Champions for Social Issues (Office Administration Executive Program (Pembroke Campus) – Changemaker Awards from AC Board of Governors

Students from the Pembroke’s Office Administration – Executive program have been honoured with a Changemaker Award from the College’s Board of Governors.

The honour was a tribute to the students’ fundraising efforts for social issues in Renfrew Country, including the Raise a Red Flag initiative (in partnership with the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre) and Project Hope for the Homeless in Renfrew County.

Five students/alumni from the Office Administration-Executive (OAE) Program were present at Monday’s Board meeting to accept the honour: Josiah Hartwig, Maureen MacMillan, Fiona Liedtke, Holly Gleason and Shania Keuhl. The awards were presented by Jamie Bramburger, Acting Dean, Pembroke Campus and Connie Poupore, Professor, Business, Technology and Outdoor Training.

“I was able to be part of a positive change that our program was able to spark,” said student alumnus Hartwig during the presentation to the Board. “The continued support of our community inspires me still.”

The students’ work includes:

Coldest Night of the Year: Feb. 23 marked the third consecutive year that the OAE program was invited to support this community fundraising initiative in Pembroke. Each year, between 10 to 15 students volunteer for duties that include managing the welcome table, running registration, and processing donations. This year the event raised approximately $40,000 for the community homelessness initiative.

Project Hope for the Homeless in Renfrew County: Launched in 2018, this student-led initiative supports putting an end to homelessness in Renfrew County in partnership with The Grind Pembroke, a homeless shelter that operates in the city’s downtown. The students build cardboard shelters and spend a night outside, experiencing homelessness first hand, along with other fundraising efforts. Students brought in more than $12,000 that was donated to the Grind Transition House.

Raise a Red Flag: This student-led initiative is driven by a passion for the mental health. OAE students have partnered with the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre for an awareness campaign and fundraising initiatives. To date over $1,400 has been raised through a Trivia Night, a Bake Sale, and donations from the Raise A Red Flag bracelets. Next up, students will help educate and de-stigmatize mental health with the Raise a Red Flag Community Day on Saturday, April 27 between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Pembroke Campus. Learn more at this Event post or check out Raise a Red Flag on Facebook.

Board of Governors – February 25, 2019
Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition Team – Changemaker Awards from AC Board of Governors

Members of the 2018 Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition Team were honoured with the Board of Governors’ Changemaker Award on Monday.

Team Algonquin brought the Thunder and finished in second place provincially during the November competition – the College’s best finish in the 40-year history of the event!

The students praised the experience as a “life-changing experience” that pushed them to achieve new goals.

“The most important value that I took from this event that will last a lifetime is that I became a part of a family,” said one of the students, adding that the team emphasized the College’s values of Caring, Learning, Integrity and Respect in all its work at the contest.

The 2018 competition took place from Nov. 15 to 17, and was hosted by Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. Algonquin College’s team of 17 students travelled to the event, as did the volunteer faculty and alumni coaches.

“This event brings students together to learn and compete but it also creates a long-term bond of friendship,” said Jim Neubauer, Professor, School of Business, and the team’s Head Coach.

Members of the student team were on hand for Changemaker Award announcement at the Board of Governors’ meeting. Student competitors came primarily from the College’s Business Marketing and Business Administration Marketing programs, as well as the Business Management & Entrepreneurship and Advertising & Communications Management programs.

Here are some of the Algonquin team’s performance highlights:

• • • Quiz Bowl – 2nd place – Trisha Leger
    • Prospect Pitch – 1st place – Shawnae Mutch and Josh Deiter
    • Retail Marketing – 2nd place – Sara Barnoski and Katie Barrett
    • Direct Marketing – 2nd place – Trisha Leger and Ammaarah Hafeez
    • Marketing Research – 2nd place – Morgan Prout and Alex Frangione
    • Entrepreneurship – – 4th place – Matt Kirk and Claudia Brown
    • Marketing – 4th place – Jane Fysh and Mark Sernoskie
    • Job Interview – 4th place – Rabyin Panicker
    • Sales Presentation – 5th place – Mark Sernoskie

The Ontario Colleges’ Marketing Competition is an annual case-based competition for the best and brightest business students from across the province. Students train for months in order to compete in one of eight industry specific case-based business challenges, in one of two individual events, and/or in the Quiz Bowl trivia tournament. Students are asked to analyze real-life business challenges and make recommendations to a panel of judges, comprised of academics and industry professionals.

The Student Changemaker Award was established by the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student achievements. The term Changemaker was coined by the social entrepreneur organization Ashoka, and refers to those who seek knowledge and find ways to change the world for the better.

Board of Governors – December 10, 2018
Skilled trade students win Changemaker Awards from AC Board of Governors

A team of students who built a cabin for a non-profit residential camp were honoured with Changemaker Awards on Monday night from the College’s Board of Governors.

The Algonquin students represented a wide range of programs, including Building Construction Technician, Mechanical Techniques – Plumbing, General Carpenter Apprentice, and Electrician Apprentice. Combining their varied skill sets, they worked together to build the cook at Camp Smitty — a non-profit residential camp — a much-needed new cabin.

The structure consists of a bathroom, kitchen and sitting area and allows the cook some quiet respite from the busy campers at the camp run by the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. The former cook’s cabin was torn down due to safety issues.

The award-winning students have completed their programs at Algonquin and have moved on in their careers and studies across Canada. However, one of the students attended the Board meeting to be recognized in person: Maroan Ahmed, a Building Construction Technician graduate from 2018.

Camp Smitty believes‍‍‍ in enhancing the self-development and quality of life for their campers from the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa. Their focus is on the campers’ positive self-image and ability to achieve their goals.

Steve Barkhouse (former Board member, alumni and president of Amsted Design Build) approached Shaun Barr (Chair, Construction Trades and Building Systems) to have AC’s trades’ students take on a project to build a new cook’s cabin.

Plans were designed by carpentry professor Craig Barlow and over 12 faculty were involved in the project. This build mirrored how a house is built on the job site. All of the trades had to work in unison and the lines of communication had to be maintained. Framing, siding, and roofing were completed first, following by electrical and plumbing rough in. Insulation, wood panelling, doors and windows were next to be finished, followed by electrical and plumbing work, flooring, cabinets, and hardware installation. Students worked alongside faculty to ensure safety and code compliance.

After the award presentation, Ahmed spoke about his work on the project when he was a student. Not only was he proud of putting his skills to work in an experiential way, but he thanked the College for helping him “build a better future” for himself.

“I would like to thank all my professors, not only for providing an education, but for giving us a path to our future,” he said, making special mention of Barr. “I have finally and truly found my calling. Here at Algonquin College, my dream came true.”

Ahmed accepted the award on behalf of the group that worked on the cabin.

“This was a great project,” said Board Chair Peter Nadeau. “Congratulations!”

Board of Governors – October 22, 2018
AC Veterinary Technician students – Partnered with the Grey Bruce Aboriginal Quimmiq Team

Four AC Veterinary Technician students were honoured with Changemaker Awards on Monday night from the College’s Board of Governors — a tribute to their work on animal welfare in northern Indigenous communities.

During its first fall meeting, the BOG saluted Jen Bozowskyj, Heather Jackson, Valerie Fenske and Michelle Anne Olsen. Over the last two years, the students partnered with the Grey Bruce Aboriginal Quimmiq Team to travel to northern Ontario Indigenous communities.

In June 2018, Bozowskyj and Jackson travelled to two small communities just north of Thunder Bay alongside the Grey Bruce Aboriginal Quimmiq Team and their partner organisation, the Northern Spay and Neuter Program.

“We spent three days in Lake Helen, near Nipigon, followed by two days in Rocky Bay,” Jackson recalls. ” Both of these communities are part of the Ojibwe First Nation.

“Across the two communities, the team performed 136 spay or neuter surgeries in just five days with a few additional wellness checks” and also created animal databases, she says. Each animal also received a microchip, vaccinations, parasite control and basic grooming.

“In 2017, Michelle and I visited White Dog First Nation, Onigaming and Whitefish Bay,” Fenske says. “There we completed 67 spay and neuter surgeries (plus one laceration repair) along with nearly 100 wellness and vaccine visits.”

For two years, the AC Veterinary Technician Program has partnered with GBAQT, a charity that is dedicated to providing humane population control and veterinary care to dogs in remote northern communities. This partnership — with the support of the Algonquin College Students’ Association — has provided select Algonquin students with an unforgettable learning experience in veterinary medicine all while being immersed in the indigenous culture of the communities that they have visited.

GBAQT works with the First Nations in Northern Ontario to improve community and animal welfare by assisting with sustainable humane dog population control, offering spays and neuters, vaccines against communicable diseases and parasite control. Together, the students and GBAQT have been able to provide veterinary medical care to those in need, making a positive impact in the health of these communities and their pets. This work is extremely important because many First Nation communities lack access to veterinary care due to geographical isolation as well as there being a lack of education on these issues.

The teams set up temporary clinics in local community centres or sports halls. Services provided include spay and neuter surgeries, vaccinations, parasite control and animal identification, such as microchipping and record keeping.

“There are a myriad of benefits to both the communities and their animals,” Jackson says. “This is a humane method of controlling dog packs, where previously culling was often used. The community are left with a database of all the animals that attended the clinic, including a photograph and owner details so they can better control issues in the future.”

Working alongside veterinary professionals, the students work produced many benefits for the Indigenous communities: Sterilizing can help reduce animal aggression, improving community safety; vaccinating the animals has a ‘One Health’ benefit, reducing the incidence of communicable diseases between animals and people; and parasite control vastly improves the welfare of animals.

Board of Governors – June 11, 2018
Skills Ontario Gold Medalists receives Changemaker Award

Algonquin’s gold medalists from the 2018 Skills Ontario competition were each honoured with a Changemaker Award on Monday night.

The honour, bestowed by the College’s Board of Governors, went to Christina Khenmanisoth (Restaurant Service), Nick Denny (Auto Collision Repair), and Thomas Hawley and Blaise Mombourquette (Horticulture). Denny was the only medalist not able to attend.

Skills Ontario, held this year from May 7 to May 9, is Canada’s largest skilled trade and technology competition. It provides Ontario’s post-secondary and apprentice students the opportunity to show they are the best in their field. Algonquin won eight medals overall.

Mombourquette said the Horticulture duo faced stiff competition from Humber College at Skills Ontario — but when they saw Humber accept the silver, they knew the top prize was theirs. “I said to my teacher, ‘Pack your bags, we’re going to [the Nationals in] Edmonton,’“he recalled.

Mombourquette said they faced even greater challenges at the national competition, where the team garnered a silver medal last week. At one point, the team had to quickly change their plans when they realized Team Quebec had started to build a similar pergola. Undaunted, the team came up with a completely new design on the spot.

“In the end, we ended up beating Team Quebec,” he said to great laughter at the BOG meeting. “And that felt really good.”

He thanked the Board of Governors for the “huge honour,” which he said would push the pair through the tough times as they prepare to start their own businesses. Landscaping, he said, was a trade he had dreamed of since he was a child.

“To receive this award and to have the support of all of you and my teachers means so much,” he added.

Students work extra hours with faculty mentors to train for Skills Ontario and the chance at nationals. Programs run in-house competitions to determine who will represent the College.

All three of Algonquin’s Skills Canada National competitors left victorious last week. Nick Denny won bronze in Auto Collision Repair to add the silver won by the Horticulture and Landscape team.

While Khenmanisoth also won gold in Restaurant Service in the provincial competition, she didn’t compete nationally for a unique – and complimentary – reason. Simply put, there are not enough qualified competitors across Canada to field her event at a national level. She trained for months with her coach to improve her craft and perfect her technique in areas such as napkin folds, wine identification, and the French style ‘Banana Flambe’ desert. At Skills Ontario, as well as Monday’s BOG meeting, all her hard work paid off.

Board of Governors – April 16, 2018
Tireless volunteer receives Changemaker Award

A tireless student volunteer was honoured Monday evening with the Student Changemaker Award from the College’s Board of Governors.

The student, Cassandra Louise Atchison, had previously been the recipient of the Community Impact Award at the Student Volunteer Gala and has volunteered hundreds of hours in the community and here at the College. In addition to giving more than 600 hours of volunteer time to the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa, she also runs an education-based community group and is a Senior Student Leader with the AC Hub Student Leadership Program.

“Cassandra exhibits trust and honesty in her relationships, and values the uniqueness of others on our campus, and in the greater Ottawa community,” said Michelle Tait Eburne, Senior Manager, Student Engagement and Initiatives, as she introduced Atchison to the Board of Governors. “She is a natural leader in her class and always goes above and beyond to ensure her classmates achieve success.”

The other award Atchison received? A big hug from her daughter, Rachel, when the award was announced.

Board of Governors – February 26, 2018
Pembroke learners receive Changemaker Award

A group of students in Pembroke’s Outdoor Adventure program were honoured Monday with Student Changemaker Awards from the College’s Board of Governors.

The five students – Matthew Asselin, Connor Hamilton, Connor Furneaux, Alexander Gueeds Guardado, and Jacob Groulx – were recognized for an applied research project they conducted in Iceland last fall.

Using the skills they’d acquired in their program, including leadership techniques, risk management assessment, and organizing large-scale travel, the team travelled to Iceland to carry out research on how fat-bike technology can be used to foster Iceland’s geo-tourism potential, while, at the same time, protecting its fragile ecosystem.

Over the course of the project – entitled, appropriately enough, the Fat Bike Sustainable Geo-tourism Initiative – the students maintained a blog, recounting their adventures and their work in Iceland’s “beautiful landscape.”

At Monday’s award ceremony, they gave a brief presentation on their project, noting they saw firsthand evidence of climate change while traveling through an area that showed signs of receding glaciers.

The Student Changemaker Award was established by the Board of Governors to formally recognize remarkable student achievements. The term Changemaker was coined by the social entrepreneur organization Ashoka, and refers to those who seek knowledge and find ways to change the world for the better.

Board of Governors – October 16, 2017
Developmental Services Worker Cooperative

This group of Developmental Services Workers has joined forces to build a worker-owned cooperative that will provide person-directed supports to community members who have developmental disabilities. The cooperative is being designed to address an urgent community need for developmental support services, while also improving employment conditions for the workers who provide those services.

Elisabeth van Kooy, 2009 Developmental Service Worker program graduate, joined by Claire Maxwell, 2017 graduate, Dawn Tait 2016 graduate, and Lisa Murray 2010 graduate, are the founding members of the Developmental Services Worker Cooperative. They have been selected as one of the ten finalists in the William G. Davis Innovation Fund competition which will award a first place prize of $15,000.00.

Click on the link to vote: Developmental Services Worker Cooperative

Board of Governors – June 12, 2017
The Event Management program, Celebrating One million dollars and granting one hundred wishes:

Beginning in 2008, the Event Management faculty decided to offer an experiential style of learning by matching the program with a charity partner. Students study marketing, critical paths, sponsorship, media relations and of course all the ins-and-outs of creating events. Over the course of the term, students plan and execute a number of events, with all proceeds supporting Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, National Capital Chapter. This hands-on approach with a charity partner has proven to successfully create a win-win situation for all involved.

In the Fall 2012, the School announced its plans to raise $1 million for the “Creating Magic” program in support of The Children’s Wish Foundation. This announcement was publicized in “The Wall Street Journal” on October 23, 2012.

On May 13, 2017, a grand celebration for the Event Management program’s 25^th anniversary was held. The gala marked the program’s achievement – raising $1 million for the Children’s Wish Foundation. The program was also pleased to collaborate on the granting of their 100^th wish – a package of Ottawa Senators’ gear for one of the team’s biggest fans.

Board of Governors – April 10, 2017
The Immunity Warriors team :

After doing battle with the villainous flu virus, our heroes have returned home victorious to earn their justly deserved prize – a Board of Governors Changemaker award.

The Immunity Warriors team – students Kari Ball, Stephanie Paiement, Dom Richichi, and Jason Eduardo Mata working alongside Dr. Kumanan Wilson from The Ottawa Hospital – were recognized at last night’s Board meeting for their digital comic book designed to educate elementary school students about the immune system and the role of immunization in defending against illness. The project was undertaken as an applied research project through the Health and Wellness Research Centre, and was officially launched this past January with elementary students at Broadview Public School in Ottawa.

The launch received extensive media coverage through the CBC, Global National News, Ottawa Citizen and many more. The comic book has also been integrated into the CANImmunize app, a mobile app for immunization tracking for families, which has been downloaded by over 170,000 Canadians. The team just recently returned from Queen’s Park where they represented Algonquin as part of Colleges Day.
Congratulations Kari, Stephanie, Dom, and Jason!

Board of Governors – February 13, 2017
Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapy Assistant Students :

Robyn Dusseldorp, 2^nd year OTA/PTA student
Rebecca Arbuckle, 2^nd year OTA/PTA student
Suzanne Mondoux, 2^nd year OTA/PTA student
Sage Barclay, 2^nd year OTA/PTA student
Peter Nadeau, Vice Chair

Students enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant Ontario College Diploma program, in partnership with Ausome Ottawa, delivered a Fine Motor Skills Clinic to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Ausome Ottawa supports children with autism through various aspects of sport.

The seven week clinic was developed in collaboration with a team of pediatric occupational therapists who supervised the students in delivering free services, one on one, to children whose families could not afford to pay for these services independently. The clinic, which was delivered during the Fall term at the Early Learning Centre of Algonquin College, focused on the development of skills in the areas of sensory-motor, self-regulation, social interaction, and play.

The program was highlighted on CTV Morning Live and CBC during the month of December.