Award-winning alumna Erica Williams (Social Service Worker, Class of 2018) was live on CKTB 610 The Drive with host Walter Sendzik on February 2. Erica’s interview was held on the same day thet she was at NC’s cculinary pop-ups to support her non-profit, Erica’s Embrace.

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Culinary pop-ups to support alumna’s non-profit, Erica’s Embrace Feb. 2

Throughout February, Niagara College will mark Black History Month with events and activities for our community to celebrate the achievements, contributions and lived experiences of Black Canadians and African diasporic peoples.

Headlining the month is NC alumna and recent Premier’s Award winner, Erica Williams (Social Service Worker, 2018), who will speak to students, staff and faculty at a virtual event –  In Conversation with Erica Williams – on February 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

“Black History Month is an opportunity to recognize and honour the many Black champions in our community, past and present, who make a difference in Niagara and across Canada,” said President Sean Kennedy. “Erica Williams is creating meaningful change and we are pleased to have her back on campus to speak with students and employees, and to celebrate her achievements.”

Social service worker-turned-entrepreneur, Williams founded Erica’s Embrace during her final year at NC, an organization which supports Caribbean, Black and African communities across the province through advocacy and the donation of Black hair care and beauty products to women’s shelters.

Williams has spoken at her alma mater several times over the years since graduating. This event – a collaboration between ncLibraries, CPOD, and Development and Alumni Relations – will highlight Williams’ transformational work and community advocacy, and will be a chance to discuss the importance of that work in relation to Black history, presents and futures.

Registration for the Zoom event is open to the NC community.

Culinary pop-up on Feb. 2 in support of Erica’s Embrace

Culinary Services and the School of Culinary Arts is pleased to host their February 2 Culinary Pop-Up in support of Erica’s Embrace, a chance to sample student-crafted cuisine with all proceeds donated to support the cause.

The pop ups, featuring a curated menu by second-year Culinary Management students, will begin at 11:30 a.m. (and continue until 1:30 p.m. or while supplies last, first come, first served) and at 4:30 p.m. in the Benchmark Dining Room (Daniel J. Patterson Campus, Niagara-on-the-Lake).

“Our divisions and the College are proud to support Erica’s Embrace as an organization that advocates for inclusion. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to see, first-hand, how their skills and hard work can do so much more than produce food, but can help those organizations that make our world a better place,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies.

Sarah Scott, Manager of Food Services Operations, emphasized the importance of collaborations with community organizations in the food service industry – an important lesson for culinary students at NC to learn, first-hand.

Afro-Caribbean Celebration on Feb. 24

International is pleased to announce that they have partnered with the Afro-Caribbean Cub to bring back our Afro-Caribbean celebrations. Plans are in the works for February 24 and event details will be available soon.

Community events

Niagara Parks is hosting a monthly Black History Speaker series on the last Sunday of the month from January to March:

• January 29 – Lezlie Harper, Celebrating Black History in Niagara
• February 26 – Saladin Allah, Present-Day Freedom Seekers and The Power of our Stories
• March 26 – Kevin Cottrell, Interpreting the Underground Railroad in the age of Heritage Tourism and the built environment in the Niagara Region

Niagara College President Sean Kennedy announced today that Gord Arbeau, an experienced senior leader in the postsecondary sector, will join Niagara College as Vice President, Advancement, leading a new portfolio that integrates communications, development and alumni relations, and community relations and events.

Arbeau comes to the College from Brock University, where he is Associate Vice President, University Advancement and External Relations.

“As we look ahead with bold and ambitious plans, buoyed by significant growth in our students, staff, faculty and facilities, we are thrilled to welcome an experienced advancement leader who will enhance our strong reputation and build the support and engagement that will sustain our momentum as a postsecondary leader in Niagara and beyond,” said Kennedy. “Gord personifies our strong student focus, and the unique trailblazing, welcoming and passionate characteristics that set our college apart, and he will be an outstanding addition to our senior leadership team.”

As Vice President, Advancement, Arbeau will be responsible for growing the College’s endowments and raising funds in support of our students and learning environments, along with enhanced alumni and partner engagement.

“It is a distinct privilege to be invited to join the Niagara College community,” said Arbeau. “Our students, faculty and staff are impactful contributors to the vibrancy of our region, province and the world. I am looking forward to working with the College’s executive team and our colleagues to continue to advance the College and its strategic plan and to build on the considerable and impressive achievements and momentum that Niagara College has earned.”

Arbeau’s current role at Brock University includes responsibility for development, donor relations, alumni engagement, and marketing and communications.

Prior to Brock, Arbeau held leadership positions at McMaster University, including Director of Communications and Community Relations and Director of Marketing and Communications at the DeGroote School of Business. A graduate of the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) Journalism BA program, he began his career in broadcast journalism before moving into leadership positions in marketing, communications and operations in the private sector.

A recognized leader in postsecondary advancement, Gord has also served as a chair and trustee for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and national conference co-chair for the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education.

Giving Tuesday 2022 lived up to its name at Niagara College.

The one-day give-a-thon, held on November 29, raised $13,175 in support of students and families in need, surpassing the College’s original fundraising goal of $10,000.

Donations were made via NC’s Giving Tuesday page via Charity Village at give.charityvillage.com/NiagaraCollege_GivingTuesday.

As a result, $9,250 was raised for the Nourishing Minds Fund along with $3,925 for Adopt-a-Family.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our 2022 Giving Tuesday campaign,” said Vice President, Research and External Relations, Marc Nantel, PhD. “Together, our College community puts the ‘NC’ in ‘making a differeNCe’ when it comes to supporting those in need on our campuses and beyond.”

Established by NC Student Administrative Council, the Nourishing Minds Fund addresses food insecurity by supplying electronic grocery cards to help students in need, to buy food, toiletries, and other life necessities.

Donating to the fund helps alleviate the food insecurity faced by many NC students. About 100 students have been receiving a free breakfast each morning at the Welland and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. To date, during Fall 20222 term, NCSAC has handed out 35 emergency grocery gift cards to students and has recently increased the value of the cards to be $50 for an individual student, and $100 for a student with dependents at home.

NCSAC Marketing Communications Manager Andy Hall noted that the donation will go towards funding the Rise and Shine breakfast program that happens three mornings a week, as well as providing students in emergency situations with a gift card to a local store to buy their groceries.

“Time and time again, we are shown how incredible the NC community, staff, faculty, and students are. This is a prime example of that,” said Hall. “The funds raised through this campaign will go directly to helping students each and every week.”

Each year, during the holiday season, NC’s Give Back Committee organizes the Adopt a Family program in support of student families in need. Some families will receive gifts for each child, food, Christmas dinner, gifts for mom and/or dad, as well as some gift cards for groceries, gifts, and other necessities.

About Giving Tuesday

Created in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a global movement that started with a simple idea: ‘what if there was a day that encourages people to do good.’ This message has since reached over 73 countries, with $36 million collectively raised in Canada last year alone.