When we turn our calendars over to the month of December and daylight hours grow shorter, snow shovels make their first appearance and our neighbourhoods begin to be lit up at night for the holiday season, we know the winter season is upon us.
In these last few weeks before we take a well-deserved break, there will be a flurry of holiday-related activities and final preparations for the fast-approaching Winter Term 2022. On this last point, the Integrated College Development Planning Committee released its Transitional Return to Campus Plan last week.
The Transitional Return to Campus Plan aims to provide a general planning framework to administrative and academic leaders to achieve a coordinated, coherent and safe campus continued reintegration and gradual resumption of in‐person, on‐campus activities for the 2022 Winter Term and beyond. You can read the full plan at this link here. The coming Winter Term will mark another step toward a return to a more vibrant and engaging on-campus experience, as we invite even more activity back to our campuses, as well as a corresponding increase in the level of on-campus student supports. You can find more information on Winter Term plans at this link.
December 8, 2021, Ottawa, Ontario —Provincial Key Performance Indicator (KPI) results released today across the province show that Algonquin College continues to provide its learners with a highly effective path to employment upon graduation and that employers remain very satisfied with their performance.
The results, which were released by Colleges Ontario earlier today, indicate that nearly 80 per cent of Algonquin’s graduates found work within six months of graduation. Graduate and employer feedback placed Algonquin above the provincial average among large Ontario colleges in key indicator categories.
OTTAWA (Dec. 3, 2021) — Thanks to generous grants from the Fletcher, MATT, and Leacross foundations, Algonquin College will be producing a series of marketing videos and establishing a new mentorship program to help recruit more women into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.
The College is actively seeking role models in STEM fields to come forward and lend their voices to the video series, which will feature them working in their area of expertise and encouraging students to follow their career dreams. Algonquin will consult with The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) and the broader technical community to attract the role models and produce the video series.
December 2, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario —Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk today released the 2021 Annual Report which included a value-for-money audit on Ontario’s Public Colleges.
The Office of the Auditor General is an independent Office of the Legislative Assembly that conducts financial audits of the provincial government, its ministries and agencies including the oversight of Ontario’s 24 public colleges.
“We welcome the findings and recommendations contained in the Office of the Auditor General’s report,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé. “They continue to shine a light on the financial pressures facing public colleges in Ontario and ensuring we are able to provide quality cutting edge and relevant programs to our learners. We look forward to continued conversations with the provincial government around issues like attracting international students, public/private partnerships, skills shortages and bridging the funding gaps in post-secondary education at Colleges.”
All College community members require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination – unless exempted – in order to attend in-person activities at our campuses in Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth at present and for the start of the Winter ’22 Term.
Looking ahead to the Winter ’22 Term, all those planning/or required to attend campus in January should submit their proof of full vaccination or exemption attestation by December 10, 2021 to ensure that your application can be reviewed or assessed without delay. During the holiday closure from December 24, 2021 – January 3, 2022 delays in processing time should be anticipated due to the College holiday closure.
HAILEYBURY, ON (Nov 26, 2021): Northern College is pleased to announce a new Memorandum of Understanding with Algonquin College which will see an Algonquin-developed two-year Agriculture Business program offered at Northern’s campuses.
The program, developed in 2018, comes as a response to Ontario’s Agricultural industry becoming an increasingly industrialized business venture, with farmers often being called upon to field, manage and coordinate millions of dollars in assets as they go about the business of feeding Canadians.
Working in consultation with local farmers from the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College developed a two-year Agricultural Business program designed specifically to address the growing need for skilled labour. The two-year program combines in-class lectures on farming management fundamentals and co-op placements designed to connect students with the realities of farming.
Renfrew County Paramedic Chief Michael Nolan recognized during virtual ceremony honouring seven outstanding Algonquin Alumni nominees
OTTAWA (Nov 18, 2021) – Algonquin College is delighted to announce that alumnus Michael Nolan has won a prestigious Premier’s Award. The announcement was made this evening (Nov. 18) during a virtual ceremony to celebrate Ontario’s outstanding college graduates. Michael was one of several exceptional Algonquin Alumni honoured with a nomination.
As Chief of the Paramedic Service and Director of Emergency Services for the County of Renfrew since 2004, Michael has had a big impact, most recently directing the introduction of a drone service delivery fleet, managing the impact of a 2018 tornado, and overseeing the response to the biggest flood in memory in his region in 2019. From early 2020 to today, he’s been playing a crucial role in helping the county deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Premier’s Awards recognize college graduates making important social and economic contributions to Ontario, and are administered by Colleges Ontario. Michael graduated from Algonquin’s Ambulance and Emergency Care Paramedic program in 1991.
“The entire College community is thrilled that Michael’s contributions have been recognized with this award. Michael is an innovator, who leads by example, following his passion for paramedicine since graduation and always placing service to his community above self,” said Algonquin College CEO and President Claude Brulé. “I would also like to congratulate all our exceptional nominees. Together they have made enormous contributions across Ontario, making their communities better places to live, work and play.”
Reflecting on receiving the award Michael said, “This award is incredibly important.”
“As a young student studying at Algonquin College, I quickly gained the confidence and skills to serve the public and save lives. Thirty years later, it is clear that those formative years at Algonquin ignited my passion for innovation and have sparked many advancements in the profession of paramedicine in Canada and internationally.”
Algonquin’s Vice President, Advancement, Mark Savenkoff, congratulated Michael on his award and praised all the nominees, each a graduate of the College. “This well-deserved award is further recognition of the contribution of Michael, who was the Algonquin College 2020 Alumni of Distinction Winner,” said Savenkoff. “Michael exemplifies what it means to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success.”
Algonquin congratulates all its 2021 Premier’s Award Nominees:
Apprenticeship Award Nominee: Adam Vettorel – Co-owner and Chef, North & Navy and Cantina Gia
Business Award Nominee: Michael Wood – Small Business and Community Advocate.
Community Services Award Nominee: Crystal Martin-Lapenskie – President and CEO, Okpik Consulting; President, National Inuit Youth Council
Creative Arts & Design Award Nominee: Ricardo Larrivée – Chef, Host and Author, RICARDO Media
Health Science Award Nominee: Michael Nolan – Director, Emergency Services and Chief, Paramedic Service, County of Renfrew
Recent Graduate Award Nominee: Carl Clergé – Senior Analyst, Multi Unit Underwriting, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Technology Award Nominee: Luc Levesque – Vice-President of Growth, Shopify
OTTAWA (Nov 16, 2021) – Algonquin College is pleased to announce its nominees for the 2021 Premier’s Awards, to be held virtually this year on November 18.
The Premier’s Awards recognize college graduates making important social and economic contributions to Ontario. The awards are administered by Colleges Ontario and recognize alumni from schools across the province in the following seven categories: Apprenticeship, Business, Community Services, Creative Arts and Design, Health Sciences, Recent Graduate and Technology.
This year’s nominees have all made remarkable contributions to the social and cultural fabric of our province, and demonstrate how Ontario colleges foster the growth of incredibly talented and dedicated individuals. From a celebrated restaurant chef who has continuously innovated his industry throughout the pandemic to a chief of paramedic service who has expanded what paramedicine offers, these nominees are creating profound change in their communities.
“Our 2021 Premier’s Award Nominees are making Ontario a brighter, healthier, more innovative and culturally rich place to live,” said Claude Brulé, Algonquin College President and CEO.
The winners of this year’s awards will be announced in an online ceremony on November 18.
The 2021 Algonquin College Premier’s Award Nominees are:
Apprenticeship Award Nominee: Adam Vettorel – Co-owner and Chef, North & Navy and Cantina Gia
Business Award Nominee: Michael Wood – Small Business and Community Advocate.
Community Services Award Nominee: Crystal Martin-Lapenskie– President and CEO, Okpik Consulting; President, National Inuit Youth Council
Creative Arts & Design Award Nominee: Ricardo Larrivée – Chef, Host and Author, RICARDO Media
Health Sciences Award Nominee:Michael Nolan – Director, Emergency Services and Chief, Paramedic Service, County of Renfrew
Recent Graduate Award Nominee: Carl Clergé – Senior Analyst, Multi Unit Underwriting, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Technology Award Nominee: Luc Levesque – Vice-President of Growth, Shopify
Over the last few months, I have been spending most of my days working from the Ottawa campus. I often take the opportunity to walk the hallways and greet colleagues and learners – hearing how they are doing and listening to their feedback and ideas, always being energized by their enthusiasm and optimism.
Seeing this progress first-hand reminds me of how – from the beginning of the pandemic – our primary purpose has been to keep all learners and employees safe, while exploring every opportunity to gradually increase on-campus activity levels. This sure-footed approach has required patience and sacrifice from the entire College community. It has allowed us to pursue increased academic and other College activities, and allow many to safely work on our campuses, according to the most recent regulatory requirements.
Our Winter Term 2022 planning is now well advanced, and we fully anticipate that our on-campus activity levels – in both instructional and non-instructional settings – will increase even further. We will achieve this while following the direction of our public health officials and the province.
With our Fall Term fully underway and mid-term break upon us, I am excited to take this opportunity to provide an update on Algonquin’s Winter Term 2022 plans.
Algonquin College has gradually increased campus activity each term since participating in a provincial summer pilot program in 2020 and has a stellar health and safety track record – with no confirmed cases of on-campus transmission to this date. In light of this success and in keeping with directives from the Ontario Government and Ottawa Public Health, we are lifting the capacity limits and physical distancing requirements in all indoor instructional spaces. In this next step toward a return and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be inviting even more activity back to our campuses for the 2022 Winter term, as well as a corresponding increase in the level of on-campus student supports – from food services and campus services to student services and events. We are planning for a more vibrant and engaging on-campus experience.
Information regarding the delivery modality of programs in the Winter 2022 term can be found here. In addition, a wealth of information regarding services and supports available to students can be found in this link. The Algonquin College Students’ Association (SA) works hard to support students, both in their academic studies and in college life outside of class. I encourage you to check out their web page for information about the supports and activities the SA provides. In particular, I know the SA is thrilled with the opening of the brand new Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre. It is an amazing facility!
for-money audit on Ontario’s Public Colleges.
our campuses in Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth at present and for the start of the Winter ’22 Term.
