Algonquin College’s Path to a Life of Leisure

Posted on Monday, May 8th, 2017

Recreation Leadership grad finishes career where it began

Rick Baker took the long road back home to Algonquin College.

The 1972 grad gives whole new meaning to recreational pursuit. After a wide-ranging career, Baker returned to campus in 2014 as a professor and co-op officer. For the life-long learner, that also meant revisiting the site of his first of many post-secondary degrees.

“I have a great combination of professional and volunteer experience, but it all harkens back to the great work that happened here at Algonquin College where I took Recreation Leadership,” says Baker, who now works for the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program [a forerunner to the current HTM program]. “That basically gave me the groundwork and framework for working with people, and its been part of my mantra and my business for some 40 plus years.”

Most importantly, Algonquin developed Baker’s interpersonal skills. Courses were “very relevant,” he adds, combining “work experience” with theory, and practical knowledge.

After graduating, Baker landed a job as recreation director at the Royal Ottawa Rehab and Psychiatric Hospital, where he reintegrated, “patients back into the community through recreation and sport.” Baker went on to spend over 30 years working for municipal and provincial governments, including 10 years as a consultant with Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism and Recreation; 15 years as Kanata’s director of Parks and Recreation; and similar roles in Newmarket and Hamilton.

In 2009, Baker became CEO and general manager of Ottawa’s RA Centre, which re-connected him with Algonquin. His role saw him heavily involved in club management, and engaged with the College on multiple projects. Returning to Algonquin as co-op officer seemed only natural: “I always had great professors, and I remember they always said to give back to your alma matter.”

Coach Rick Baker (pictured left) coaching the 1972 OCAA Volleyball Champions

A man of action, Baker doesn’t seem to enjoy idle time. His volunteer track record is almost as robust as his work resume; highlights include his current position as Ottawa chair of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, and a stint as president of the Canadian Society of Club Managers. He also currently sits on the Canadian Paralympic Committee Board of Directors.

Baker says he’s driven to learn, teach, mentor and coach. His goal is personal and professional growth – in himself, and in others. On Algonquin’s 50th anniversary, he lauds the College for its own growth: “It’s amazing the progress its made.” But he feels the core tenet of the College remains the same as when he first attended – the “focus is on the students,” and “the practical applications students get” through co-ops, internships, and field placements.

In fact, his current role is devoted to helping students find the right co-op workplace. “We have a wide range of different opportunities,” he says of his program. “There are about 10 different sectors in hospitality, and I try to get a pulse in terms of (students’) areas of interest. From there I then liaison with the industry. We have placements all over the world. We have really good relations with hoteliers and tourism resorts… (and) cruise (lines).”

Graduating Class of Recreation Leadership April 1972

It’s a win-win. Students gain valuable experience, and employers gain quality work. Baker also praises Algonquin’s return rate, with many co-op students later landing full-time jobs. Baker’s own Algonquin student placement was at the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, where he worked with mainly underprivileged children. “It was an eye opener… in terms of preparing me for working in this industry,” he adds.

Post-secondary campuses are nothing new to Baker. After retiring from the political realm, he worked as a hospitality and tourism professor at George Brown College. While teaching, he also played student again – earning a Master of Education from Central Michigan University. Baker even served as an interim professor at Algonquin early in his career, but left to pursue his academic passion: in this case, a graduate degree at the University of Ottawa.

“I have always utilized the mantra that you don’t stop learning until the day you leave this Earth.” At Algonquin, Baker’s students certainly know that this alumnus speaks – and mentors – from experience.

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