Posted on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021
Want to add to your resume and enhance your post-secondary experience? We are looking for student mentors for our incoming 2021-2022 first-year students aka JEDI Mentors!
Job Description
A JEDI is a second-year student who takes a leadership role in supporting first-year student’s college success. JEDIs are select individuals with ability and desire to:
- Share their leadership, knowledge, and academic ability to help others succeed;
- Mentor a group of first-year students in a wide variety of informal channels – social, outdoor and educational;
- Assume a leadership role in directing students to supporting resources for their success;
- Be an ambassador for the program and the Pembroke Campus at special first-year student events as requested;
- Receive training and development in mentorship and other specialized certifications like Mental Health First Aid, Positive Space, Leadership, Bystander and Sexual Harassment and also add to your Co-Curricular Record;
Required Qualifications
- Desire to be a positive role model
- Good listening and communication skills
- Proven commitment to your program
- Demonstrated academic success
- Willing to dedicate 20 hours/semester over two semesters including:
- Attendance at recruitment and other program social events
- Orientation (April) and /Training Day
We are looking for JEDI Mentors in the following programs:
- Applied Nuclear Science & Radiation Safety
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Business
- Computer Systems Technician
- Environmental Technician
- Outdoor Adventure
- Outdoor Adventure Naturalist
- Personal Support Worker
- Practical Nursing
- Social Service Worker
If you have any questions, please contact:
Shelly Sutherland, Student Success Specialist
suthers@algonquincollege.com
OR your Program Coordinator
CLOSING OPPORTUNITY: FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021
Posted on Saturday, February 27th, 2021
Five years ago, Algonquin College made history when it appointed an Executive Director of Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization. The position that Ron McLester accepted was the first such role in Canada’s post-secondary system. Since then it has evolved into a Vice-President’s role as the College embraces the calls to action that were made in Justice Murray Sinclair’s ground-breaking Truth and Reconciliation report in 2015.
The report was a watershed moment for Canadians. It shone a light on the injustices done to the Indigenous peoples of Canada, including the use of residential schools, which many have termed cultural genocide. Since the report was released, many businesses and organizations have responded positively and are making an effort to integrate Indigenous teachings into their day-to-day operations, including post-secondary schools.
At Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, a short drive from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, several initiatives are underway. These include the introduction of a Kampus Kokum and Elder-in-Residence to support Indigenous students studying at the campus.
A Kokum is an Algonquin Anishinabe word for Grandmother and Annie Parker of The Circle of Turtle Lodge fits the role well. Her gentle and welcoming personality has been well received by students and staff as she provides cultural and traditional insight, support and guidance to Indigenous students.
The addition of a Kampus Kokum and Elder-in-Residence, Aimee Bailey, also of The Circle of Turtle Lodge, was made possible through a special project known as Mamiwi Maadaadizi, or “Start of an Algonquin Journey.” Mamiwi Maadaadizi is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund grant. The project has several tentacles that reach into many areas of the campus.
For example, several employees and students have participated in Talking Circles and presentations to better understand Indigenous history and philosophy that predate the formation of Canada. These activities have included the Kairos Blanket Exercise, which visually explains how Indigenous peoples lost their land rights because of settler encroachment.
The trauma caused by the forced separation of children during what became known as the Sixties Scoop, when thousands of Indigenous children were placed in foster care or adoption services, and the impact of residential schools, has also been explored. More recently, employees have had the opportunity to learn about Medicine Wheels, the moon’s cycle from an Indigenous perspective and a private screening of the documentary “Colonization Road”, a provocative film that explores the impact of colonization on Canada.
Colonization Road, directed by Michelle St. John and narrated by comedian and activist Ryan McMahon, is a discovery of how the building of roads by European and American settlers negatively affected Indigenous communities, often leaving them isolated. The title for the film is a metaphor for what followed, the dismantling of their land and culture, the effect of which is still being felt decades later.
Sharing these stories are powerful teaching moments. The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan have an informative mobile display that is loaned to schools throughout the Ottawa Valley, including the Pembroke Campus, where it has been showcased for several years. The wooden display panels catalogue local and national Indigenous history, including the oppressive Indian Act of 1876, residential schools, voting rights and the founding of Indian Reserve Number 39, what is now the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.
There is still much work to do but the Indigenization journey has begun at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, a post-secondary school that stands on the shores of the Kitchissippi River (Ottawa River) on unceded traditional Algonquin territory. The river holds so much history and a few years ago it was recognized for its cultural value as it was designated as one of our country’s heritage rivers. A special plaque, written in the Algonquin language, acknowledges what the Algonquins call, “The Great River.”
The river is the perfect backdrop for Indigenous teachings, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, very few students are on campus. Most are studying remotely. The Indigenous Drums that are frequently used for special ceremonies in the Campus Commons are quiet, but when the day comes that students can return to the campus, the drums will be awakened as Algonquin College’s Indigenization journey continues.
Jamie Bramburger is the Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus
Posted on Tuesday, February 16th, 2021
Now is the time to embrace winter! Our Winterfest celebration is an opportunity to make a conscious effort to explore the Ottawa Valley. The Ottawa Valley is Ontario’s adventure playground, a year-round adventure destination but winter turns it into a fairy-tale destination that no one wants to miss. As the snow blankets the region, adventurers and nature lovers in the Ottawa valley head outside to indulge in various adventure activities as the magic unfolds. Here are some of the experiences you can do to quench your thirst for adventure this winter season.
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Snowmobiling in the Depths of Winter: Winter in the Ottawa Valley means lots of snow and crisp temperatures – perfect snowmobiling weather for sledding enthusiasts. Over 2,550 km of groomed Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) trails and local trails that wind through picturesque villages, along abandoned rail beds, past old mine sites and ghost towns provide ample memorable places to ride.
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Gliding on the Snow Carpet: The serene environment ranging from tree-lined slopes, challenging vertical drops to gentle runs make it an ideal alpine skiing and snowboarding destination. Many true snow bunnies dream all year long with huge anticipation to glide through untouched powder on the slopes.
The options include Mount Pakenham, Calabogie Peak Resort, Mount Martin, Mount Molson etc. Mount Pakenham, located in Mississippi Mills, is Eastern Ontario’s premier family ski, snowboard and tubing location which is ideal for every enthusiast. At a height of 730 ft with a 280 ft vertical drop, this mountain offers 10 trails, plus glade trails, and 7 lifts to get you moving.
Calabogie Peaks, the tallest public ski resort in Ontario, is an all-seasons resort located at the base of Dickson Mountain on the shores of Calabogie Lake. Apart from skiing and snowboarding, one can also stay and enjoy the best of what winter offers with many snowy adventures.
The Mount Martin Ski Club (MMSC) maintains 12 runs including a glade run and 2 terrain parks (with jumps, rails and boxes), and is served by a T-bar, right in the Town of Deep River. Most trails are groomed, and all runs are patrolled by volunteers from the Canadian Ski Patrol.
Located in the heart of Petawawa, the Petawawa Ski Club operates on the world’s smallest ski hill, known by the locals as Mount Molson which offers lessons for skiing and snowboarding.
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Skiing Cross Country Trails: The Valley presents an outstanding array of Nordic trails for winter sport enthusiasts. Here there are a variety of excellent and scenic cross-country trails winding through meadows and forests for various skill levels such as Silver Spoon Trails, Madawaska Nordic Trails, Opeongo Hills Nordic and Forest Lea Trails – with 1.5 km of lighted ski trails for night skiing.
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Snowshoeing the Beautiful Backcountry: There isn’t any other better way to learn and be a part of our wonderful Canadian winters than simply getting out there and experiencing it first-hand. The Ottawa Valley is home to some terrific and pristine wilderness just waiting to be explored.
All you need is a pair of snowshoes and you can explore hundreds of kilometres of amazing trails and wilderness routes. Moreover, there are numerous naturalist and interpretive trails such as Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Center, Kiwanis Walk Way and Petawawa Millennium Trail where you could learn more about the rich history and heritage of the place.
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Ice Fishing – Winter Pastime for Everyone: Cradled between the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park, the Ottawa Valley is home to over 900 lakes and 4 major river systems. There are ample opportunities for anglers to get out on the frozen lake or river to net a trophy fish. The Valley boasts 158,000 acres of water filled with more than 20 species of fish such as bass, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge etc. Premier destinations include the heritage Ottawa River, Lake Dore, Golden Lake etc. Be sure to check out the Laurentian Valley Ice Fishing Derby on February 27 – learn more.
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Source: Inside Ottawa Valley
Sharpen your Skates and Feel the Rush: What better way to celebrate winter than hitting the ice with friends and family? Explore and enjoy the cool, crisp air by slapping on a pair of skates and gliding the day away on one of our well-maintained municipal rinks and skating trails. The skating season is generally open from December through to March. There are a variety of options for the skaters ranging from indoor rinks to outdoor rinks and skating trails such as Laurentian Valley Skating Trail, Ma-Te-Way Park Trail and Deep River Skate Trail.
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Enchanting Star Gazing at Westmeath Lookout: One of the best ways to find solace from the hustles of life and being in the moment in the chill of the winter is stargazing. Generally, due to so much light pollution in the cities, the view of the stars and constellations is not clear. However, on a clear night and away from the blinding lights, just 20 minutes drive from the city of Pembroke, one can escape to the countryside in the Whitewater Region of Ottawa Valley and enjoy the spectacular view of the stars at Westmeath Lookout.
Pembroke Heritage Murals Walk: Take a winter walk and stroll through Pembroke’s downtown to see Canada’s largest outdoor gallery featuring more than 30 large-scale murals depicting the history, settlement and heritage of the Ottawa Valley. These Murals are an illustrated record of Pembroke’s ever-changing history. Come and witness the story of the Pembroke area in Ottawa Valley.
Written by: Sachin Sethi, Recruitment Officer and Outdoor Adventure Naturalist Alumni
Posted on Tuesday, February 9th, 2021
IWD 2021 campaign theme: #ChooseToChallenge on Monday, March 8, 2021
“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.
We can choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements.
Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.” (Source: www.internationalwomensday.com)
You are invited to share how you #ChooseToChallenge and to strike your #ChooseToChallenge pose in the lead up to International Women’s Day 2021.
Posted on Sunday, January 31st, 2021
February 1st is one of the greatest days of the year for Ontario college applicants. As the clock ticked past midnight, all of the province’s public colleges started making offers of admission, including Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.
What a way to start the week. It’s one of the best feelings an applicant can have. It’s like a breath of fresh air while standing on a mountain, realizing that your career goals are now within reach. That is what today is like for hundreds of applicants who first received the good news from the Pembroke Campus by email. Their hard-copy admissions offer will arrive by traditional mail this week.
The email was packed with great information about the next steps applicants must take to secure their seat in their program, but mostly it was about making applicants feel welcome. Video congratulatory messages from the Campus Dean, Dr. Keltie Jones and the program coordinator were included, plus some programs included an invitation to meet with the coordinator and other admitted students in a virtual meet and greet later in the day. In other programs, faculty were busy calling incoming students to congratulate them.
These initial contacts are a great way for applicants to start making connections with the campus and the people they will be spending a lot of time with once classes start in September. It makes applicants feel much more comfortable with the important decision they now have to make, confirming they have found the right program and the right campus for their post-secondary studies.
Applicants have until May 1st to confirm their offer of admission, but from past experience, the College knows that many applicants will confirm their seat within hours or days of receiving the good news. They’re excited to get their plans in order, but the message the College wants them to receive is that our team will be there for them all the way through their educational journey. First impressions matter and the Pembroke Campus has a well-earned reputation for fulfilling the College mission to help students transform their hopes and dreams into life-long success.
There are many key dates in the admissions cycle. Beyond the confirmation deadline of May 1st, tuition deposits are due June 15th and conditionally accepted applicants who have outstanding academic requirements have until August 1st to get this work done. Orientation activities will be available in the summer months to prepare students for classes and formal academic orientation sessions will be offered a few days before classes begin the day after Labour Day.
So to keep applicants on track with the tasks that need to be completed, the Pembroke Campus will communicate with applicants through email, phone calls, social media posts and website updates. Staying connected is critical to ensure a successful start to college and today was the first step in building a relationship with the incoming class to ensure they know who they can reach out to if they need help with things like applying for financial aid, submitting documents, or securing housing in Pembroke.
Staying in touch with the campus is important because September is many months away. Given the many questions newly admitted applicants will have about how the College is delivering courses and services during the COVID-19 pandemic and how things might change in the weeks and months ahead is a good reason for prospective students to participate in activities the College plans for them. Applicants can also visit the College’s COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information.
Applicants who do not receive an offer on February 1st should not be discouraged. There is still plenty of time to apply to College or complete academic upgrading to be considered for admission. Most programs will remain open leading into the start of classes in September until there are no longer any seats available. Applications will now be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and offers of admission will be made once the College admissions officers have all of the information they need to assess the application. This primarily requires the submission of educational transcripts.
Some programs attract many applications and these are the programs that require applicants to apply as early as possible. Programs that attract a lot of applications at the Pembroke Campus include Nursing, Forestry Technician and Carpentry and Renovations Techniques, so applying soon is advised to avoid the risk of being placed on a waitlist.
Today is a day to celebrate for the applicants who applied early and received an offer of admission. Congratulations to every one of you and we look forward to having you study with us at the Waterfront Campus.
Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Posted on Saturday, January 23rd, 2021
Posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2021
Emily Krutzelmann graduated from our Environmental Technician program in 2016 and has been working for Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) since. “Up until earlier this year, I was working as a field/lab technologist in Burlington at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, but just recently changed positions and am now a water quality technologist with ECCC’s Hudson Bay Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Division in Winnipeg!” shares Krutzelmann.
“I’ve always loved water, so it seems natural that I would end up working with it!” Before joining our AC community, Krutzelmann attended university, “I did a research practicum and undergraduate thesis on how wastewater exposure affects fish behaviour, which kind of kickstarted my interest in the environmental sciences and made me realize I really enjoyed fieldwork. The Environmental Technician program gave me a lot of the fundamental hands-on skills that I was missing from my previous undergraduate education and introduced me to a variety of equipment and procedures that I still use in my work today! This program also allowed me to secure a summer student position with ECCC, which led me to my full-time job after graduation.”
Krutzelmann reflects on her top program-related experiences during her 16 months of studies, “for sure the Applied Research projects that we worked on in our final semester. My group was working on a controlled tile drain monitoring project on agricultural land in Renfrew County and this project exposed me to using a wide variety of different types of environmental monitoring equipment, which was an invaluable experience! Our class also did a case study in the College’s stormwater pond, where we installed water level wells and completed elevation measurements to map out the water table to simulate what would happen with a spill of a deleterious substance. Generally, all of the outdoor field trips and hands-on experience outdoors were invaluable! The skills you’ll gain from the Environmental Technician program are all practical skills that you will use in a career in this field. It’s a great opportunity to try a bit of everything under the ‘environmental technician’ umbrella and decide where you want to focus on.”
Posted on Wednesday, December 16th, 2020
2020 will be remembered as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a worldwide health crisis that disrupted our lives, but as we look back on 2020 we can also celebrate some of the great things that happened at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Our year in a review captures a few of the highlights.
January 2020: The New Year began with lots of energy and enthusiasm as students returned from the holiday break. We also said goodbye to dozens of graduates who completed their programs in December, including Abhi Gupta of the Outdoor Adventure Naturalist program. A few months later Abhi would deliver our valedictory address at our convocation ceremony from his home country of India.
February 2020: In February we held what has become one of the social highlights of the winter, our annual carnival featuring student-staff hockey games for women and men, some fun outdoor and indoor winter activities and a shared lunch and dinner with students and employees. During this month, more than 30 campus employees also visited the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan reserve to learn more about Indigenous culture, a powerful learning experience as the College continues its Indigenization journey. We also celebrated the opening of a new rock climbing wall in the campus gymnasium.
March 2020: This was the month that everything changed. We had been planning for our March Break Open House with more than 350 people registered to attend when on March 13 the College suspended classes and told its employees and students to work and study from home. In a remarkable accomplishment, our faculty were able to pivot to deliver all course content in a remote delivery format using Zoom technology. The student services team also began offering all of its supports virtually, allowing students to complete their winter term.
April 2020: In April we held our first virtual Speaker Series with Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe answering questions on leadership, coaching and all things hockey. The event was sponsored by the Algonquin College Students’ Association who worked diligently to add many virtual social events to keep students engaged as they studied remotely.
May 2020: In May we kicked off our Spring/Summer Term by continuing to offer programming and services virtually. By this point, a lot of great work had happened to support students including the introduction of a new virtual student learning kit. We also thanked the many healthcare students at our campus who volunteered and found employment on the frontlines of the pandemic. They were true heroes who were risking their own health to support vulnerable patients in health care settings, particularly long term care centres that were hard hit by the virus.
June 2020: The College announced its intentions to deliver the majority of its programs remotely in the Fall 2020 Term as a public safety measure to protect students and employees from the COVID-19 virus. The decision allowed students to better plan their academic journey. It also meant that many out-of-town students were not required to re-locate to Pembroke as they were studying from home, while others who were in programs that had weekly in-person activities did come to Pembroke.
July 2020: Some of our students returned to campus in July to complete the practical skills they required to graduate from their program. With special permission from the province, these pilot programs had built in many safety mitigation policies to protect students and faculty from contracting the coronavirus. Our Forestry students were equipped with a large tent where they could be taught outdoors before making their way into the woods to put their newly learned skills to the test through practical applications. The lessons learned from our forestry faculty allowed other teachers to get creative in how they delivered in-person classes in the Fall Term.
August 2020: The College introduced a new COVID-19 safety course for students and employees who were required to be on campus. A COVID-19 tracking app was also introduced and the College imposed a mandatory face mask policy for anyone who was on campus. The Algonquin College Students’ Association also began celebrating its 50th anniversary.
September 2020: We started a new school year with more than 900 full-time students registered, plus dozens of apprenticeship and Academic Upgrading students. While the majority of our courses were delivered remotely, some face-to-face instruction was provided particularly in our outdoor training programs such as Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Technician. The College also celebrated having its first Kampus Kokum, Annie Parker, who provides insight, support and personal consultation for our Indigenous learners. We were also pleased to acknowledge our Campus Board of Governors representative, Jay McLaren, who with his wife Linda, an alumnus, was awarded the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement award. September also marked the 20th anniversary of the launch of our popular Outdoor Adventure program, and so we looked back on the program’s history with a series of stories about our faculty and alumni.
October 2020: For the first time in the more than 50-year history of Algonquin College, the Pembroke Campus held a virtual convocation ceremony. The ceremony featured video addresses from the College President, the Campus Dean and the campus valedictorian. In October we also held our first Fall Business Leadership Virtual Conference which was attended by almost 90 business leaders from across the region.
November 2020: Student leaders at the Pembroke Campus initiated a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion forum to advance the college’s social justice work by tackling the issue of racism. Former Ontario Attorney General, Yasir Naqvi, was the keynote speaker at the virtual forum and empowered students by telling them, it was a time to be bold.” Students in our Outdoor Adventure Naturalist also helped complete the three-year Natural Edge Program project in partnership with Watershed Canada and Muskrat Watershed Council by helping to plant the last 15,000 native trees and shrubs on five agricultural sites naturalizing 4,400-metres of shoreline. We also marked Remembrance Day with a virtual ceremony of Remembrance that included some of our employees and students who had military connections.
December 2020: The final month of the year brought unfortunate news that three campus employees and one student had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This occurred as COVID cases spiked across the province and the country, but there was also some good news during this month as a new approved vaccine started being distributed in Canada.
There is no question that 2020 was a year like none other in the history of Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, but through it all, we learned of beautiful acts of kindness by our students, alumni and employees. Many of our graduates were working on the frontline of the pandemic, putting their lives at risk to help the most vulnerable people in our society.
When the calendar turns to January we will celebrate the launch of our new Environmental Management and Assessment post-graduate certificate program and another offering of the Personal Support Worker program in collaboration with Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew. We will also launch the first level of the Electrician Apprentice program, following up a very successful Electrician – Construction and Maintenance – Pre-Apprentice offering.
We look forward to 2021 with hopes and dreams that our students, alumni and employees will achieve all of their personal and career goals.
Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs
Posted on Thursday, December 10th, 2020
Posted on Monday, December 7th, 2020
The holidays can be a challenging time for many. This year, this is especially true. We encourage you to take a couple of minutes and be part of our Holiday Letter Writing Campaign. Choose one or both of the options below:
United Way Letters to Seniors in Renfrew County
Write to the Troops
The men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have demonstrated time and again that they will rise to any challenge. Let your Canadian Armed Forces members know you appreciate their service by sending a holiday message using this monitored message board.
