Posted on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023
On Monday, Dec. 11, Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training (PSFF) professor Cheryl Hardwick received the first-ever Employee Changemaker Award.
The new award is designed as a way for the board to formally acknowledge exceptional employee efforts. It is based on the long-standing Student Changemaker Award; both awards will continue to be featured in future board meetings.
Hardwick was recognized for going above and beyond in her efforts to further student success. Since joining the College in 2014, she has helped to develop several PSFF initiatives, including the Community Risk Reduction Showcase, where PSFF learners instruct the broader community on fire prevention and public safety best practices; the Discovery Day for Young Women Firefighters, which encouraged women to explore the firefighting field; the Metabolic Heat Build Up Exercise, which saw PSFF learners conduct exercises with Paramedic learners; the Life Skills Class and Summer Camp Day for AAADD Learners, which saw PSFF volunteers support the Academic Assistance for Adults with Developmental Disabilities program; and the Firefighter Boot Drive, which raised $2,810.97 for the Algonquin Students’ Association Food Cupboard in 2022.
“Cheryl’s strong commitment to student success goes beyond the classroom,” reads Hardwick’s award application. “She models the importance of giving back to the community and works with the students to encourage action.”
Congratulations, Cheryl!
Posted on Monday, December 11th, 2023
On Monday, Dec. 11, Algonquin College showcased its Dental Clinic and welcomed Ministers Mark Holland, Seamus O’Regan, Terry Beech, and Jean-Yves Duclos to its Ottawa Campus today as part of the Government of Canada’s announcement of the new Canadian Dental Care Plan.
“Algonquin College is the largest community college in Eastern Ontario, providing flexible and personalized industry expert-led polytechnic-level education and training at our campuses in Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth and AC Online, that gives our market-ready graduates with global, competitive knowledge and skills, allowing them to hit the ground running and be effective, contributing members of any organization they join,” said President and CEO Claude Brulé. “We take immense pride in being an integral part of the economic engine and the cultural fabric of the National Capital Region, the province of Ontario and Canada, and helping employers in every sector to find the skilled talent they need for their success and prosperity.”
The ministers’ visit included a photo op in the College’s Dental Clinic with learners, and a brief question period with media outlets such as CTV, CBC and Global News.
The announcement brings with it strong career prospects for those in the College’s Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs. The Dental Assisting program currently has open availability for those wishing to begin in January 2024.
Federal Ministers Mark Holland, Seamus O’Regan, Terry Beech, and Jean-Yves Duclos pose for photo op in Algonquin College’s Dental Clinic as part of the Government of Canada’s announcement of the new Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Posted on Friday, December 8th, 2023
On Nov. 21, the Ottawa Home Economics Association (OHEA) donated $3,579 to the Algonquin Students’ Association (SA) Food Cupboard.
The donation came from the Fall Pant-a-Thon, an OHEA event that sees volunteers work to hem the uniform pants for learners in the College’s various culinary and baking programs. The event took place from Sept. 5-8 in the lobby of H Building. More than 500 pairs of pants were hemmed, allowing learners a safer and cleaner experience during their kitchen studies. The cost for the hemming of two pairs of uniform pants is included in each learner’s incidental fees, and all proceeds after expenses have been donated to the SA Food Cupboard, a resource that supports learners dealing with food insecurity.
The 2023 Pant-a-Thon — the first such event since 2020 — is the continuation of an initiative that began in 2016. It started after OHEA volunteers working in kitchens noticed that AC culinary students were resorting to improvised methods — like duct tape — to secure their hems and prevent dragging. The volunteers then proposed the Pant-a-Thon idea to College administrators, leading to a multi-year partnership that has benefitted the College’s learners and provided an opportunity for OHEA members to help their local community.
“The partnership with the OHEA gives our students a positive start to their education,” said Cory Haskins, Chair of Culinary Arts. “Students arrive fully prepared for their first class. The donation to the Food Cupboard is a wonderful gift to support AC students.”