Algonquin College Pembroke Campus

Algonquin College Pembroke Campus International Alumnus Pursues Nursing Career

Aneeta Jacob was only 17 years old when she travelled abroad to enroll in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She had grown up in the southern section of India, a tropical region where the temperatures routinely hit 30 degrees Celcius, but she had become captivated by the pictures she had seen of the snowy conditions of Canada. She knew in her heart, some day she would live in this country that seemed so far away.

“I thought the snow would feel like cotton, but coming to Canada, I never knew the snow would be so cold,” says Jacob who has now settled into her adopted country as a permanent resident and is pursuing her dream to work in health care.

Student studying in campus library.

Aneeta Jacob was only 17 years old when she left India to study in the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus.

In India, she had written an entrance test to study medicine, but the draw to Canada and her young age prompted her to change her plans. She had no idea where Pembroke was, but she was excited when she received an offer of admission from the International Education Centre at Algonquin College.

With only one family member living in Canada, an aunt based in Calgary, Jacob was setting out on her own, eyes wide open with the hopes of starting a new life that would include the fluffy white stuff that had first drawn her to considering studying abroad. She came to the Pembroke Campus at a time when there were only a handful of international students, enrolling in the fall of 2018. Her friendly disposition allowed her to connect easily with classmates and staff, helping her make the transition to her new home.

“I am so happy I got into Algonquin College. The staff and faculty made me feel at home. I now see how much they cared,” says Jacob who now lives in Alberta and is studying to become a registered nurse at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

It was the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult isolation that came with it that prompted Jacob to re-locate to the West. She was only a few weeks away from completing her Social Service Worker program when the pandemic kept her in a tiny apartment in Pembroke, not able to make the connections with people who had helped her navigate her time in school and in the broader community.

International nursing student

Aneeta Jacob graduated from the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. She is now studying nursing at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

Her parents in India were worried about her safety, prompting her Aunt in Calgary to reach out, encouraging her to come live with her until things improved, but at the height of the pandemic it meant Jacob would need to stay in isolation for 14 days. Not being able to connect with her Aunt in person, despite living in the same house was really difficult, but in the pre-vaccination world of COVID, she did what she needed to do, following public health guidelines to protect others.

“It was very tough on me living alone in the basement of the home. I watched a lot of youtube videos,” says Jacob who stayed with her aunt for six months.

During COVID, many government services were not available. Jacob desperately wanted to get her post graduate employment permit so she could start working in the social work field, but she would have to wait. It took months to get it, but when it did come through, Jacob was on the move, seeking employment in her field.

She moved to Edmonton, but because of the pandemic shutdowns, she had trouble finding work, until an opportunity to work with people with disabilities opened a door for her to start her career in the social work field in the small town of Saint Paul, near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Jacob stayed in the border town for a year-and-a-half, then moved to Airdrie, Alberta, about a 20 minute drive from Calgary. There she became a team lead when she found another job that used her social service worker skills and she gained permanent residency status. She took a driver’s test and got her licence, bought herself a car, giving her more independence and she again started thinking about expanding her career into health care.

International Nursing student.“Nursing called me. I always knew I would do well in a crisis and that I wanted to work in medicine,” says Jacob who has just completed the first year of her baccalaureate program. Her previous studies at Algonquin College have helped her in her university courses, particularly the Developmental Psychology and Communications courses that she completed in the Social Service Worker program.

While she has been away from Pembroke for a few years, Jacob has a longing to return, maybe for a visit or potentially to work as a nurse after she graduates. “Pembroke treated me so warmly and my goal is to do something for Canada and to be a nurse that patients can depend on. I like small towns and once I am done, I want to move back to Pembroke.”

The shortage of nurses in smaller communities has put tremendous stress on the local labour market within the health care field. Jacob is an example of an international student who has fallen in love with Canada and is eager to make a difference in our country, but what separates her from many other immigrants, is her desire to work in a smaller community. While many newcomers settle in larger urban centres, Jacob says she is most at home in places like Saint Paul and Pembroke.

For now, she will work hard to complete her Nursing degree. If all goes as planned, she will graduate in the spring of 2027. A lot can change in three years, but right now Jacob has her eye on Pembroke. She misses the city and thinks often about how her first experience in Canada has shaped her desire to someday be a Canadian citizen, contributing to rural health care.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger. Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

Protecting Our Water Supply

There are few things more precious in the world than clean water. Canada has been blessed with an abundance of fresh water, including the Great Lakes, but to ensure the water that Canadians drink and use on a daily basis is safe, technicians are needed to effectively manage water and wastewater.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus will be offering a Water and Wastewater Technician diploma program for the first time in the fall of 2024. Many of the graduates will find work within municipalities, wherever there are water treatment plants.

Two Algonquin College students take water samples as part of a research project.

Algonquin College students take water samples as part of an applied research project.

The field of water and wastewater management emerged after the Walkerton water tragedy of early 2000. An e-coli outbreak at the Walkerton water plant resulted in the deaths of seven people and many more people became critically ill. The Ontario government ordered an inquiry, leading to much more rigid safety standards. Today, the small community that become the focal point of the inquiry is home to the Walkerton Clean Water Centre which offers research, training and testing services.

Since the centre opened in 2004, it has trained more than 80,000 people in clean water management, serving both urban and rural areas of the province. The tragedy and the creation of the centre has shone a spotlight on career opportunities within this important public safety field. Students in the Water and Wastewater program will learn about preventing waterborne illnesses, how to manage industrial waste and the operation of off-site wastewater treatment units.

In addition to their theory courses, students will have plenty of labs and field work, where they will be exposed to industry standard equipment and subject matter experts who will help understand the operation of mechanical systems. These applied learning experiences will prepare graduates to work as water and wastewater treatment operators, compliance officers, water analysts within municipalities or government operations and lab assistants in private and public research and monitoring laboratories.

Two Algonquin College students working in a pond as part of an applied research project.

Students in the Water and Wastewater program will find employment working in both public and private sector industries where water sampling is need to protect the public.

The role is detail oriented and involves plenty of team work. It requires individuals who are conscientious and committed to public safety and because the program is a compressed diploma, offered over 12 months instead of a traditional two year delivery format, the student timetable will be full. The program will have a lot of instructional time each week.

The primary admission requirement for the program is a high school diploma with successful completion of grade 12 English. However, having a strong foundation in math and sciences will help students succeed. The college offers free academic upgrading classes in Math, Chemistry and Biology to eligible Ontario residents, for anyone interested in the program but who feels they could use some additional preparatory courses to be better prepared.

Applications for the Water and Wastewater Technician program are available now at www.ontariocolleges.ca. More information can be found on the Pembroke Campus website at www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke.

(Post by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus)

 

 

 

The Year in Review at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus

As the calendar turns to a new year, there are many things to celebrate at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Our year in review starts with several new partnerships that are creating more opportunities for the college to have an impact in the communities that it serves.

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall sign a Memorandum of Collaboration on April 15, 2023 at Algonquin College Pembroke.

Photo: Corporal (Cpl) Lanny Jellicoe

Garrison Petawawa Commander Colonel Jason Guiney and Dean of Algonquin College Pembroke Campus Sarah Hall sign a Memorandum of Collaboration on April 15, 2023 at Algonquin College Pembroke.

Photo: Corporal (Cpl) Lanny Jellicoe

In the spring of 2023, the campus signed a memorandum of collaboration with Garrison Petawawa. The Pembroke Campus and the local military base have had a long-standing working relationship, but this formalized agreement has engaged both organizations in meaningful strategies that align with their respective goals. An example is the development of two free courses to support military spouses and military members who are transitioning to the civilian workforce. Both courses were offered for the first time in the fall and will continue into the New Year.

The Petawawa Research Forest has been a familiar place for students who have studied in the Forestry Technician program. For many years, students have visited the site to learn about forest management and different species. A memorandum of understanding signed with the Canadian Wood Fibre Association, which manages the forest, has opened the door to more applied research and learning opportunities for students in the program.

Country recording artist Jason Blaine performs at a hometown concert in Pembroke in December of 2023.

Country recording artist Jason Blaine performs at a hometown concert in Pembroke in December of 2023.

Alumnus Jason Blaine has continued to make the campus proud. He returned to Pembroke for a sold out hometown concert in December where he handed out more than $100,000 in grants to area organizations that support vulnerable people in our community, including the Pembroke Boys and Girls Club and the Robbie Dean Counselling Centre. Blaine’s annual concert and golf tournament in Pembroke will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2024. It is closing in on raising a million dollars, all money that has been put back into great causes such as supporting students in financial need at the college.

Students at the campus continued to make great contributions to the community. A few examples included the Carpentry and Renovations Technique students building a new pavilion for Champlain Discovery school and a garden shed for Pembroke’s waterfront volunteers. Other students participated in co-op placements, filling workforce gaps while learning more about their chosen careers. Some Urban Forestry Arboriculture program students were recognized for their volunteerism when they were presented with an award for having the most original float in the Pembroke Santa Claus parade.

For the first time, the Pembroke Campus was able to mark National Truth and Reconciliation Day at its new medicine wheel garden. The special ceremony was led by Campus Elder Aimee Bailey and was well attended by students and employees of the campus. This spiritual place has become a special area for reflection and learning about Indigenous teachings. The garden is located on a hill top on the western tip of the college’s property and will eventually be surrounded by trees as part of an arboretum project being led by the college’s Forestry department.

College employees, students and Elder holding wampum belt.

The campus medicine wheel garden was dedicated at a special ceremony in June.

The campus continued to attract students from around the world in 2023 with more than 100 international students enrolled in the Fall term. They came from many countries including India, the Philippines, Ukraine, Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia. More international students will arrive in early 2024 as the college continues to diversify its enrolments.

The campus speaker series continued to attract many well-known Canadians, including former Governor General David Johnston who drew a sold-out crowd to his talk on his book, entitled ‘Empathy’. Other presenters at the speaker series included investigative journalist Julian Sher who spoke about the Steven Truscott Case, war historians Margaret MacMillan and Tim Cook and TVO’s The Agenda host Steve Paikin who shared stories from his book on former Prime Minister John Turner.

Elizabeth Manley, former figure skater

Elizabeth Manley delivered a great keynote address in October at the Fall Business Leadership conference.

Former Olympian skater Elizabeth Manley and Environment Canada’s Chief Climatologist David Phillips were on campus for the Fall Business Leadership conference. The conference was very well attended and also included key note presentations by retired General and CTV military analyst David Fraser and author and mental health expert, Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe. The College has already confirmed that retired General Rick Hillier will be one of its keynote speakers next year at the conference.

It’s been a busy year, but as we close out 2023, everyone at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus wishes our students, alumni, employees and community partners a Happy New Year! We look forward to 2024 including celebrating our graduating class at our June convocation ceremony. That’s the ultimate goal for our campus, to help our students turn their hopes and dreams into life-long success.

(Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. The campus will be closed for the holiday season from Friday, December 22 until Tuesday, January 2.)

 

 

 

From the Gridiron to Climbing Trees at Algonquin College

Football is a tough sport and some would argue the ultimate team sport. The X’s and O’s that make up the play sheet for a game is heavily reliant on everyone doing their job, but there’s one position that is critical to the success of the team-the quarterback role.

Ryan Pyear has held that position and 18 years after he steered Wilfrid Laurier university to a Vanier Cup title, he has called an audible and is trying to re-set his career at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. The former football star who was named the most valuable player when his Golden Hawks defeated the Saskatchewan Huskies in the 2005 national championship game is far removed from the grid iron, having turned in his football jersey for climbing boots, ropes and a hard hat. These days he spends most of his time climbing trees and learning from his professors as a student in the Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program.

Now in his early 40’s, Pyear has made a bold move to switch careers. Like football, he has found a new passion, one that is far removed from his more traditional roles that have involved office work and ironically recruiting students to post secondary education. After graduating with a Kinesiology degree from Laurier, he returned to the sidelines as a coach for the school’s football program for the next seven years. He then joined the student recruitment office, eventually moving across town to the University of Waterloo where he continued to work as a recruiter, but the years of office work and travel started to wear on him and he looked elsewhere for new career pathways. That’s what brought him to the Pembroke campus.

“I was at a point where I was unhappy working inside most of the time. I’ve always loved trees and nature and wanted to spend more time outside so I decided to make a change before it was too late. I looked around and the Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program had everything I was looking for so I decided to choose happiness over money and take a leap,” says Pyear.

It literally was a leap. In his football days, Pyear would look down a field and try to identify what the defence was going to do once the ball was snapped. These days, he finds himself high above the ground with a unique perspective of nature’s beauty as he learns the art of climbing trees. It’s technical work where safety is paramount, but Pyear has found there is a correlation to his five years of playing university football.

“As a QB I learned to simplify things and just focus on the task at hand. That’s helped me when I’m in the tree, especially when doing climbing exams 50 or more feet above the ground. I also learned to identify what I need to improve at, which has transferred nicely into the program. There’s also the competitive nature of it and wanting to be better than I was yesterday. There’s no shortage of skills to learn and improve on,” says Pyear.

When you speak to Pyear about his football legacy, his face lightens up. It was a special time in his life, and now years later with more life experience to draw on, he has set himself up for a new challenge. Like football, climbing trees is physically demanding, but he is enjoying the experience.

“The program is both challenging and extremely interesting. We have ideal instructors and although I’m a fair bit older than my classmates, I find them more relatable than what I experienced in my old profession. I love the city too. I’m always down by the waterfront or exploring somewhere, and I’ve met some amazing people just out and about that I end up speaking with for sometimes close to an hour,” says Pyear.

Pyear is a long way from the former Ivor Wynne stadium in Hamilton where he became a hero at Wildrid Laurier university on an early December night almost two decades ago by engineering a game winning drive that gave him and his teammates a chance to lift the Vanier Cup above their heads. With the clock winding down, Pyear got his team into field goal range, leading to a climactic 24-23 win over the Huskies.

The performance not only resulted in Pyear being named the most valuable player of the national championship game, it also made him an All Canadian quarterback for the second time in his playing career and earned him a first ballot introduction to the Legends of Laurier Football Ring of Honour.

But that was then. Pyear will still pick up a football occasionally and throw it around with friends, but the grid iron is far removed from his thoughts. He has a new game plan now, one that is focused on being an arborist, a career that has replaced cheering fans with the stillness of nature. It’s a contrast that Pyear has embraced. He’s turned the page and is writing a new chapter in his life story.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

 

Former Military Police Officer Begins a New Adventure at Algonquin College

Daniel Larente is looking for adventure, literally. The 43-year old Algonquin College student has already packed a lot into his life, but now he is about to explore a new career pathway, one that is driven by his passion for the outdoors.

Two years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Larente enrolled in the Outdoor Adventure program at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus. It was a big step forward and an escape from a troubling time in the former soldier’s life.

He was trying to move forward after suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, a condition that led to severe depression and anxiety. The mental health challenges he faced came after a more than seventeen year career in the Canadian Armed Forces as a military police officer, a career that took a toll on his well-being.

Military Police Officer in Afghanistan.

Algonquin College Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a military police officer prior to enrolling in the adventure program.

“It all stemmed from bottling up the issues that I held due to severe events I attended, never seeking the help I truly needed,” says Larente. Some of those difficult experiences included serving in Afghanistan in 2008 as a member of the Police Operational Mentor Liaison Team, a group that trained with the Afghan Police force. It was dangerous work, the team often coming under enemy fire. The Taliban targeted the Afghan police and so the liaison group needed the support of an infantry division to try to keep it safe.

The path to become a soldier came from Larente’s upbringing. He grew up in a military family and when the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred at the World Trade Centre in New York City and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. it was the catalyst for Larente to pursue a career in military policing. “I wanted to serve and protect the country and its people,” and understanding the military way of life, Larente was attracted to joining the Canadian Forces.

He completed the Police Foundations program at Algonquin’s Ottawa Campus and then joined the military, soon after becoming a member of the military police. Posted to Garrison Petawawa he enjoyed the natural resources paradise that is the Ottawa Valley, known for its pristine lakes and rivers and its rugged terrain which is ideal for outdoor adventure activities.

When he released from the military in 2021, Larente met with a career counsellor and identified his interest in the Outdoor Adventure program with a plan to start his own business. “I hope to open an outdoor guide business within the Petawawa/Pembroke area to truly show the beauty we have here in the Valley and help others see it to by way of canoeing or backpacking,” says Larente.

An Outdoor Adventure student canoeing.

Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente enjoys one of his favourite outdoor activities, canoeing.

It’s not surprising that Larente has a love of the outdoors. He thinks Canada is the best place in the world to live, and throughout his military career he has had the opportunity to explore many parts of it, in addition to his time spent in other countries as a soldier. He has lived in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, but for the time-being Petawawa is his home.

“As for the next chapter, the Valley is home and I hope to continue to explore and grow within the community,” says Larente who will graduate from the college with his second Algonquin diploma in a few weeks. He will do so as the President of the Algonquin College Students’ Association

As a mature student in the Outdoor Adventure program and with a long career behind him in the armed forces, Larente easily transitioned to being a leader in the program for its younger students. After completing the first year in the program and realizing he could help other students succeed by sharing his life experiences and helping them access the supports that are available to them, Larente chose to put his name forward for student government. He became the Student Director for the Pembroke Campus and was then elevated to Vice-President of the Students’ Association.

Midway through his term as Vice-President, Larente was again promoted, this time he became President of the Students’ Association, giving him more influence in his quest to support student success. With thousands of students enrolled at Algonquin’s Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth and online campuses, Larente now had a bigger voice and given his own personal experiences, student mental health become one of his key priorities.

Through the leadership of Larente and the other Students’ Association Directors, an enhanced health plan was put in place for students this year that offered additional access to counselling and other services that support mental health and well-being. Larente has also advocated for more affordable housing for students and in the case of Pembroke Campus students, he has been a voice for the need for public transit.

Student sitting on a chair at Algonquin College.

Outdoor Adventure student Daniel Larente is the President of the Algonquin College Students’ Association.

Wherever he travels, he bends the ear of anyone who can help students. Recently he participated in a community consultation for the city of Pembroke, where he spoke about how public transit would help students get to and from their classes, part-time jobs and to pick up groceries. As a member of the Pembroke Campus student success committee he has reminded faculty and administration of the stresses that some students are facing as they manage life and school. When it comes to helping promote the campus to prospective students, Larente is one of the greatest spokespersons the campus could have. He often steps up to be part of student recruitment activities.

As Larente approaches the completion of his program, he can reflect on a life that has been filled with rewarding , sometimes tough and challenging experiences while he embraces a fresh start with a new career. Moving forward his challenges will come in the tranquillity of the outdoors, a space where he has a connection with nature and an appreciation for all that the Ottawa Valley has to offer.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs.)

Note: Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus will be holding a Canadian Armed Forces educational day on Saturday, April 15th from 9 a.m. to 12-noon to share information with current and exiting military members, veterans and military spouses on the programs and services available to the military community. Register here.

March Break Open House for Prospective Pembroke Campus Students

It is now the time for college bound students to start finalizing their plans for post-secondary education. Many have already applied or are in the process of doing so, but making a firm commitment to a program or a college campus requires a bit more research.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus is hosting its annual March Break Open House on Saturday, March 11th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be the first time since the spring of 2019 that this event has been held. In March of 2020, the Open House was the first major event the College had to cancel because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Student

The March Break Open House is primarily intended to help prospective students learn more about all that the campus has to offer. Campus tours are a big part of the day as they provide an opportunity for students to see great facilities like specialized training labs, trades shops, classrooms, the library, the gymnasium, rock climbing wall and the fitness centre.

Guided tours by the campus student recruitment team are more in depth, sharing information on everything from what student services are available to help students succeed to the campus operating hours. There’s always time to answer questions while groups of prospective students and their families make their way through areas like student services and the Student Commons.

Throughout the morning there will be scheduled presentations on financial aid, supporting students with disabilities, the Students’ Association and a special parent session. Parents are often involved in the decision making when young people are choosing the right college that suits their career interests and their personalities. They remain the most influential person in a young person’s life as they begin their post-secondary journey and the college encourages them to attend the Open House Spouses are also welcome as they provide a great deal of support for mature applicants who are returning to school. Parent Info Session, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

Students who are currently studying at the Pembroke Campus will be on hand for a student panel, an opportunity for campus visitors to hear first hand about what their experience has been like at the campus. Ove the years, a consistent theme has been shared about how welcoming the campus is and how genuinely interested the faculty and staff are in helping students achieve their hopes and dreams for life-long success.

take the quiz

The Pembroke Campus offers more than 20 full time programs. Given the significant labour market shortages in many sectors, these programs offer a direct link to filling job vacancies in our local region as well as across the province and country. Some programs are eligible for government funding to help pay for post-secondary education and new incentives such as the Learn and Stay grant offers free tuition to nursing applicants who enroll in the Fall 2023 intake at the Pembroke Campus.

Applicants who have already applied to the campus will have received an emailed invitation to attend the March Break Open House. Anyone who is interested in attending, but has not yet applied to college, can visit the campus website to pre-register at algonquincollege.com/pembroke.

Algonquin College Waterfront Campus Marks Tenth Anniversary

It’s been a decade since classes were first offered at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. It was October 29, 2012 when students walked into the building for the first time. They had been anticipating the move since classes started after Labour Day, but when the building opening was delayed by a few weeks, it built up their anticipation even more to attend the brand new campus that had been in the works for several years.

When students arrived for classes, they were awestruck. Not all of the building was operational, it would take a few more weeks for the gymnasium to be ready, but it was clear that this was a world class post-secondary building, a significant improvement from where they had come.

The original Algonquin College Pembroke Campus had been a dairy that was added onto when the college was founded in the late 1960’s. Located on Pembroke Street East, beside the historic courthouse, the building was landlocked and lacked many of the modern facilities students expected from a college.

In 2006, the College released an economic impact study that confirmed the campus was generating millions of dollars in economic stimulus for Renfrew County through its students, its employees and its operations. That was the start of the advocacy campaign that would result in the opening of the Waterfront Campus on the shores of the Ottawa River six years later.Alumni representing each of the ten years the Pembroke Waterfront Campus has operated line a stairwell at the tenth anniversary celebration.

Recently, the campus celebrated its tenth anniversary by taking a walk down memory lane. Many of the major donors who participated in the community fundraising campaign were there and so were elected officials, alumni, employees and retirees of the college. They were treated to a special musical pop up concert by Business alumnus and Canadian Country Recording artist, Jason Blaine, who also gave a cheque for $15,000 to Algonquin College President, Claude Brulé, the final installment in his $100,000 commitment to establish an endowment for students in financial need.

The most poignant message of the celebration came from long-time community volunteer, Fred Blackstein, who was on the College Board of Governors when the project was approved. It was Blackstein who moved the motion in 2008 that cleared the way for the college to capitalize on a donation of 17 acres of waterfront land made available by the city of Pembroke, to build what has become a centre-point for the downtown and a source of pride for all of Renfrew County.

Business alumnus and Canadian Country recording artist Jason Blaine performs at the tenth anniversary celebration of Algonquin College's Pembroke Waterfront Campus.In his speech, Blackstein captured several moments in the past decade when the college has made significant contributions to the community, noting the clean-up done by students and employees during two floods along the waterfront, the campus hosting Governor General David Johnston for National Volunteer Week in 2013 and the volunteer work done by Office Administration-Executive students in helping establish the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre.

Algonquin College President Claude Brulé speaks at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus tenth anniversary celebration.A month after the campus opened in October of 2012, a grand opening was held. As Blackstein smashed a champagne bottle against the exterior of the new building, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, called the opening of the campus a “game changer” for the region. Yakabuski was right. In the past decade, the campus has delivered on the promise that was made to the community.

Fred Blackstein slams a champagne bottle against the Waterfront Campus as he helps christen the building in 2012.There is more access for local and out-of-town students to post-secondary education as more programs have been added. Increased enrolments have resulted in five privately owned and operated student residences being built to house almost 200 students. The city’s downtown has been revitalized through investments made by developers and the campus has become a hub in the city’s inner core.

Ten years have gone quickly, but celebrating this milestone is a reminder of how proud the community is to have the Waterfront Campus in its midst. It was Blackstein who coined the phrase, “Be Algonquin Proud, Make Algonquin Proud,” when he delivered those words at a convocation ceremony shortly after the campus opened. They continue to ring true for every student, employee and graduate who either studied or worked at the campus. It’s a special place.

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

 

Students Return to Campus for Orientation

Reunited-and it feels so good! Hundreds of students who are registered for classes this fall at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus attended orientation activities leading into the start of classes on September 6th and were met by smiling faces as life looked a bit more like it did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After two years of only holding virtual orientation for students, this year there was a buzz on campus as students met with faculty and made connections with new classmates and student services staff as orientation returned to the campus. From move in day barbeques and welcome breakfasts, to learning from their teachers what they can expect in the new academic year, it was an exciting time for everyone who is part of the campus community.

There was even opportunities for students to try out the recreational and fitness facilities on campus, including the rock climbing wall which was a huge hit for both new and returning students. The campus attracts many students into its popular Outdoor Adventure program who are heavy users of the wall, but students from many programs enjoy the experience and this year they will have much more access to the facility.

Orientation is such an important part of the college experience. While it is voluntary, most students participated this year, a strong indication of how excited students are to be back on campus. For everyone, it feels like we have turned a corner after more than two years of being apart more than we were together.

Seeing students gathered with their faculty or learning about student services was a breath of fresh air after so many opportunities were lost during the pandemic to bring students together on campus. It was obvious that the students were excited to be back and were highly engaged with everything that was happening around them, even if orientation can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming for some students.

In the days and weeks ahead, students will settle into their academic studies, but there will still be lots of opportunities to engage in social activities that help students make connections and feel more at home in their new surroundings. From concerts to intramural sports, there will be something for everyone and students are encouraged to get involved in things like book clubs, volunteer opportunities and the upcoming 5 kilometre walk or run so they can meet new people.

We are so happy to have students back on campus. We have missed them and look forward to getting to know them better. It’s the most exciting time of the year for a college and having the students on campus has revitalized the campus and everyone who works hard to support student success. Welcome back!

(Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs)

It’s Not Too Late to Apply to Algonquin College for the Fall Intake of New Students

It’s the middle of the summer and some recently graduated high school students are still making plans for their future. It’s a big decision and the COVID-19 pandemic may have changed their outlook on where they see themselves career wise. It may also have them questioning whether they are ready for the rigor of post-secondary studies.

With rumblings of a recession, high inflation, rising interest rates and a red-hot labour market, we are in the midst of some turbulence. But, over time post-secondary education has proven to be one of the wisest decisions a person can make, leading to longer term stability in the labour force, opportunities for career advancement and a better resume that opens doors to employment for new college graduates.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus has a lot to offer. With more than 20 full-time programs available and a very committed group of student services staff and faculty, a smaller campus environment can help students make the transition to higher education. For example, the college has staff who support students with disabilities, provide guidance on applying for financial aid and help students secure co-op positions or work placements that provide them with real life work experience before they complete their program.

Early Childhood Education, Algonquin College, Pembroke CampusAs more programming returns to campus this fall, students can expect a robust college experience that includes many events and activities offered through the Algonquin College Students’ Association and Student Services including an orientation concert, a 5 kilometre walk or run, comedy shows, intramural sports and access to great facilities like a gymnasium, fitness centre and rock climbing wall. All of these social and recreational experiences with other students help to make connections that can lead to new interests that broaden a student’s perspective, making them a more well-rounded individual when they complete their academic studies.

Becoming part of a college learning community is a special time for students. Meeting new people, some of whom will become life-long friends, and being taught new skills in a field that inspires you to make a difference is what a new high school graduate can expect. Of course, enrolling in a college program comes with responsibility and ultimately a student will need to take charge of their post-secondary experience.

Asking for help is always a good decision. Free services like coaching and tutoring can help keep a student on track, and learning about how to apply for a bursary can remove some of the burden that may be placed on students who are struggling financially. To be successful, students should take advantage of all of the supports that are available to them to succeed.

Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus, Student for a DayThere is still time to apply to a college program that begins in September. Many programs have seats available and it’s not unusual for both recent high school graduates and mature applicants to make the decision during the summer months to attend school in the fall.

The first step is contacting the admissions team at the Pembroke Campus to learn more about the programs that are available, or doing your own research by visiting the campus website at: www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke. Step two is to apply through the Ontario College Application Services at: www.ontariocolleges.ca. Then, the admissions team will guide you through the rest of the process to become a student in the fall.

Colleges are well positioned to support employers and job seekers when the economy gets bumpy. Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus is well integrated within the community and is the primary feeder of trained individuals in several sectors including health care, social services, business, skilled trades, tourism, forestry and adventure tourism. If that’s where your career plans are focussed, take the time to connect with the college. It may be the best decision you make this summer.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. You can reach Jamie by email at brambuj@algonquincollege.com.