Niagara College graduate and dental hygienist Carrie Vondrau has been elected President Elect of of the Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association (ODHA), a not-for-profit organization with close to 8,000 members.

Vondrau, of Cambridge, who graduated from the College’s Dental Hygiene program in 11998, began her  one- year term on May 24, 2019.

A registered dental hygienist, she brings a wide range of clinical experience and knowledge to the position. As a member of the Board of Directors, she joins a team of professionals whose main objective is to advance the profession of dental hygiene, educate the public about the importance of good oral health for overall health, and to advocate for access to oral health-care for all Ontarians.

As essential members of the health-care team, dental hygienists have a distinct role to play in the prevention of oral disease and in the promotion of oral health. This positions dental hygiene as an integral part of Ontario’s primary health-care system.

Dental hygienists work in a variety of public and private health-care settings. With more than 250 independent dental hygiene clinics and mobile practices located across the province, the public has increased access to affordable dental hygiene services.

Those who benefit most are low-income families, the uninsured and those who are physically unable to get to a dental office such as the sick or the homebound, residents in long-term care homes and those living in remote areas.

Established in 1963, the ODHA advocates for the profession. Dental hygiene is one of the largest regulated health-care professions in the province. In Ontario, all dental hygienists are registered with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario, which regulates the profession to ensure the public receives safe and comprehensive oral health care.

Source: ODHA news release

New facility at Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus to be named Segal Family International Centre

At its Seafood Gala on the evening of April 5, Niagara College announced that the family of Keith and Sharon Segal have given more than $1 million to support international education at the College.

The generous $1,050,000 donation – half of which will support the development of, and equipment and furnishings for, NC’s new International Centre located at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus – was announced by College president Dan Patterson to an audience of almost 700 business, education and community leaders at the Gala, which is NC’s signature fundraising event.

“On behalf of all of us at Niagara College, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Segal family for this generous gift,” said NC president Dan Patterson. “Keith and Sharon Segal are long-standing supporters and friends of Niagara College whose passion for international education and philanthropic giving have helped thousands of students, not just at Niagara College, but across Canada. The Segals truly understand the transformative impact international students have on our campuses and in our communities, and the value of students studying abroad.”

This new Centre will significantly enhance the College’s ability to support its growing international student body, and the donation will enable students to benefit from study and work abroad activities. Fifty per cent of this gift will provide scholarships to international students attending NC, and Be World Ready bursaries for International Field Studies, semester exchanges and internship and co-op abroad, preparing students to become ‘world-ready’ graduates.

In recognition of the Segal family’s generous gift, NC will name the new facility at its NOTL Campus the Segal Family International Centre. The space is designed as a welcoming, one-stop service for international students to support their success. The Segal International Centre at NC’s Welland Campus is named in recognition of a previous $500,000 donation from Keith and Sharon Segal, along with their years of support for NC’s scholarships and instructional equipment and learning resources.

“As a family, we are very proud to support Niagara College’s growing international division and its diverse student population,” said Keith Segal, president and founder of guard.me International Insurance. “We feel that international education is the best tool for changing the world as it allows students to experience, investigate, understand and respect other cultures and ways of living. We could solve a lot of the problems in this world through understanding and respect for other people, and that’s what international education does.”

Keith and Sharon Segal are owners of guard.me International Insurance, and Keith Segal, CLU is president and CEO. Founded in 1998, guard.me International Insurance is one of the world’s largest insurance providers in international education, receiving numerous national and international awards for its client-focused approach and customized services. As part of its long-term investment in the field of international education, guard.me also regularly gives back to the community it serves in the form of resources, scholarships and funding.

Since 2002, Niagara College and guard.me have enjoyed a close and mutually-beneficial partnership, supporting students – over the past 17 years, tens of thousands of NC students have been served by guard.me. Keith and Sharon have been long-time supporters and great friends to Niagara College over the years, and many NC students have realized their educational and career goals thanks to scholarships supported by the Segal family.

The Seafood Gala is Niagara College’s signature annual fundraising event raising more than $2.8 million over the past 29 years to fund equipment, learning resources, scholarships and bursaries for students. This premier event, supported by many Niagara College student volunteers, features a sumptuous buffet with a variety of decadent seafood dishes and more to please every palate, accompanied by Niagara College wines. Guests enjoy an elegant evening filled with live entertainment, music, dancing, and silent and live auctions. For more information, visit ncseafoodgala.wordpress.com.

Link to video: youtu.be/tkNWFOA92x8

 

It’s not always easy to pursue career dreams – especially for female students entering industries traditionally dominated by men, such as construction.

In advance of International Women’s Day, a Niagara College construction student received a helping hand, as the recipient of the College’s first Women in Construction Faculty Award. Established through the generosity of Welland resident Jan Erion, the award is a $500 donation toward a student’s tuition, designated specifically for a female student in one of the College’s construction programs.

“As a female in the construction field, I feel very fortunate to have had a successful career in the construction industry,” said Erion. “This award has been established to encourage other women to persevere in overcoming any obstacles in order to succeed in this rewarding field.”

The award recipient is third-year Construction Engineering Technology student Jessica Garrett of Niagara Falls. “I was very surprised and honoured to receive this award,” said Garrett. “I have had to overcome many obstacles to get where I am today.”

Garrett noted that she has always been passionate about the industry. She pursued her interest in Grade 12 through a Specialist High Skills Major in construction where she helped construct a home for Habitat for Humanity. Following high school, she enrolled in NC’s Construction Techniques program to explore opportunities in the field, and worked for a year before enrolling in her current program. Last summer, she began working for Associated Engineering, and has continued to work part-time as she completes her final year of college.

“I have always loved construction, learning how things were built and how they work,” she said, “I enjoy being able to use a large variety of skills such as math and writing and the different challenges the field presents.”

Garrett has encountered many challenges however, as she pursued her career dreams. In the past, she encountered sexism due to her size and gender, while pursuing her interest in construction. She faced financial challenges, living on her own since the age of 18 and working two jobs while completing the Construction Techniques program to pay her tuition.

Her greatest challenge was during her first year as a college student, when an abusive relationship left her with trauma and physical disabilities which required her to use a cane and, for months, a wheelchair. While, at times, she felt like giving up, she went through therapy, continued her education as well as working her part-time job. Now, that she has fully recovered, Garrett hopes her story will inspire or help other women.

“Even with all of these obstacles, I managed to overcome them and succeed,” she said. “If just one woman going through something similar sees this, and it helps them, then it’s worth it.”

Faculty member Frank Roberts, in consultation with a group of faculty members, selected Garrett for the award, noting that she had faced some very difficult times as a student, including her physical disabilities.

“She never complained about the extra effort that was required to get to class. She was always prepared,” he said. “Despite all of the obstacles she faced, Jessica continued to improve in her course by maintaining positive study habits and dedication to succeed.”

Roberts noted that the Construction Engineering Technology program currently has 10-15% female enrolment – which he is hoping will increase in the years ahead. Similarly, female students comprise about 10% of the College’s School of Technology construction-based programs (Construction Engineering Technology, and Civil Engineering Technician). In the Carpentry Renovation Techniques program within NC’s School of Trades, that number lies at about 7%.

“I believe the construction sector has many fantastic opportunities for female students to excel in and great opportunities to advance in their chosen field,” said Roberts. “Our graduates are well prepared to face any challenge in the ever-changing industry.”

Dean of Media, Trades and Technology Vincent Shaikh noted that the College has a number of initiatives and activities designed to attract more female students to the construction industry and skilled trades, including working with elementary and high schools to encourage female students to enter these career pathways.

“We strive to create a diverse environment which provides equal opportunity that prohibits any form of discrimination, and we ensure that our female students have access to mentoring groups for support,” he said. “Female students do excel in this traditionally male-dominated industry. More work is needed to break down gender stereotypes.”

The Women in Construction Faculty Award is one of many awards available to help students financially at Niagara College, through the generosity of individuals, businesses and organizations.

“Financial aid helps our students pursue their dreams and has a lasting impact on their success,” said Helen Armstrong, development officer, scholarships and bursaries. “We are grateful to Jan Erion and to all of our generous donors who are making a difference in the lives of our students by contributing to student awards, bursaries or scholarships at Niagara College.”

Visit donate.niagaracollege.ca

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Office: 905 641-2252 ext. 7368

Cell: 905.328.2532

jgreco@niagaracollege.ca

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Communications

Office: 905 735-2211 ext. 7773

Cell: 905 328-4101

mwales@niagaracollege.ca

A message from Development and Alumni Relations:

We are thrilled to announce that the Niagara College 30^th Annual Seafood Gala is sold out!

The Seafood Gala is Niagara College’s most successful annual fundraising event raising more than $2.9 million in its 29-year history to support student success by funding equipment, learning resources, and scholarships and bursaries. This premier event features a sumptuous seafood buffet prepared by the award-winning chefs of the Fallsview Casino Resort, accompanied by Niagara College wines. Guests enjoy an elegant evening filled with live entertainment, music, dancing, and silent and live auctions valued at nearly $100,000.  We are proud that this event is supported by nearly 75 Niagara College students.

If you would like to be added to the wait list for tickets please contact Joanne Cousineau, development and event coordinator at 905.641.2252, ext. 7775 or email jcousineau@niagaracollege.ca

For event details visit: www.niagaracollege.ca/seafoodgala