On May 11, Niagara College and the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, a non-profit private career college for heritage conservation located in Queenston, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities to work together.
NC President Sean Kennedy and Vice-President Academic Fiona Allan met with college management and members of the Willowbank Board including Chair Patrick Little and Vice-Chair John F.T. Scott outside the Willowbank Estate House to sign the agreement.
“Niagara College is very pleased to partner with Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, a local and highly specialized college, to share expertise and create new opportunities that will benefit students from both our institutions,” said NC President Sean Kennedy.
Willowbank is globally recognized for its expertise in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Their expert faculty from across the world are preparing graduates for careers in heritage restoration and conservation.
“We are excited to start working with Niagara College to explore areas that will lead to enhanced learning experiences and we appreciate the openness that both institutions have demonstrated in developing this historic MOU” stated Willowbank Chair Patrick Little.
The MOU will form the basis of a collaborative relationship between the two institutions, as they explore mutually beneficial opportunities that could range from joint research projects to the creation of academic pathways between the organizations.
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visitniagaracollege.ca.
The Willowbank School of Restoration Arts is an internationally acclaimed, not for profit, private career college in Queenston, Canada (PCC #103175). The future of heritage is being shaped by our graduates. With an employment rate of 95%, their impact ripples outwards across a range of careers, from design to skilled trades to community development. Willowbank has been on the vanguard of heritage conservation and the adaptive reuse of existing buildings since 2006. We are the Canadian headquarters of INTBAU, a global network promoting traditional building, architecture, and urbanism. The patron of Willowbank is HRH Prince Charles. Learn more, visit willowbank.ca.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Michael Wales
Director, Communications, Niagara College
905-328-4101 [email protected]
Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant, Niagara College
519-809-7634 [email protected]
Caitlin Wooll
Director of the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts
905-262-1239 ext 200 [email protected]
John F. T. Scott
Vice Chair of the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts 647-403-9099 [email protected]
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Jessica Torokhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJessica Torok2022-05-12 11:23:112022-05-12 11:23:11Niagara College and Willowbank School of Restoration Arts sign Memorandum of Understanding
They say it’s an honour just to be nominated, but Niagara College student Emma Cuthbert didn’t even know she was in the running.
So it was a pleasant surprise when Cuthbert opened her email recently to see a message from Niagara College Head Distiller David Dickson. He informed her that the Twisted Berry Gin that she and her Artisan Distilling program classmates created last year for their capstone project was a winner at the 2022 U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championship.
“I didn’t actually know that it was entered,” Cuthbert said. “I got the email from Dave at the distillery saying that we won gold. It was just kind of a shock.”
The U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championship ranks the best distilleries, whiskeys and spirits among entries it receives from across the United States and Canada. Winners were announced in mid-April.
Twisted Berry Gin earned one of two gold medals that NC’s Teaching Distillery was awarded at the championship. While Twisted Berry Gin won gold in the Gin Flavored /Infused category, NC’s Chocolate Porter Liqueur won gold in the Flavored Whiskey category.
The Teaching Distillery also took home a bronze in the Dark Rum/Gold/Barrel-aged Rum category for its Dark Rum.
Cuthbert said she and the others in her group wanted to make a gin for their capstone project so they could experiment with different applications of botanicals. One of their initial thoughts was to include berries.
“When it came to the recipe development of the gin itself, we wanted it to be good on its own, but also have characteristics that would highlight the different flavours of the berries,” said Cuthbert, who graduated from the Artisan Distilling program last year and is now finishing up NC’s Beverage Business Management program. “It was really cool to see how little tweaks in just the amount of botanicals made a difference in the final product.
“When we were deciding on what berries to use, we did a lot of extractions at home, just to kind of test out what flavours we thought we were going to like the best and [to try] different flavour combinations.”
Twisted Berry Gin is an unsweetened gin infused with raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, giving it a natural sweetness that can be used in different cocktails and paired well.
Cuthbert said the recipe was supposed to use blackberries—not blueberries—but when the group tasted the extraction, it wasn’t anything like what they were expecting. So they replaced the blackberries and found that the substitution enhanced the flavours of the other two berries.
Finding the perfect balance is what made the project the most fun.
“The creative aspect was the most enjoyable—trying to figure out how much of each of the extractions we were going to use,” Cuthbert said. “The recipe development for the gin itself…was what we thought was going to be a challenge, but it actually ended up working out very well. The berries aspect was the most challenging.”
This is the third year NC has entered at least one spirit for judging and has won at least one medal each time, Dickson said. Last year, the Teaching Distillery won a bronze for its Spirits 101 Ambrosia. In 2020, it won a bronze for its School Spirits Small Batch Rum.
Chocolate Porter Liqueur—the second of this year’s gold-winning spirits—got its inspiration from the Teaching Distillery’s Southern Hospitality bourbon-style spirit. The recipe was modified to include specialty grains, including Pale Chocolate Malt and cocoa nibs.
“Half of the chocolatey flavour comes from those grains and half comes from cocoa nibs,” Dickson said. “It’s short-aged in a barrel, and it’s probably been our most successful or our most sought-after product so far.”
The third winning entry—the Dark Rum—is a high percentage molasses-based rum that was aged for an entire year in an oak barrel. Molasses gives a different character than a more neutral sugar does, Dickson said, so it has a “bigger, bolder set of flavours.”
Judging for the competition is blind; the judges know only the categories, but they don’t know what they’re tasting. Canadian entries are judged by distillers and industry professionals in Niagara, and then shipped off to Oxford, Ohio, where they go through a second round of judging—along with the American entries.
Steve Gill, General Manager of NC’s Learning Enterprise Corporation, said it’s important for the College to enter these types of world-class events because it gives students a chance to see how their skills measure up to their counterparts at distilleries elsewhere. It also provides a unique opportunity for them to apply what they’re learning and potentially be rewarded with international recognition.
“It allows the students to gauge how well they’re doing in class,” he said. “The students get to be really hands-on and they get a better understanding of the distilling process. They’re creating world-class products and we’re so very proud of them.”
Cuthbert said she’s proud of herself and her team for coming together to make something that was recognized by her peers as being exceptional, and now at an international level. The real joy, however, was working on the capstone project.
“It’s a very unique and beneficial experience to anyone that’s taking the distilling program, because it really gives you that freedom to test out a product that you think would be a good idea,” she said. “It’s a very good experience to have that under your belt, especially when you’re moving forward in this industry.”
Twisted Berry Gin and Dark Rum are small batch products that can be picked up at the College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre Centre (135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake)while supplies last. Chocolate Porter Liqueur has sold out and is no longer available. Spirits from NC’s Teaching Distillery, Teaching Brewery and Teaching Winery are also available at ncteachingwinery.ca.
TOP PHOTO: Emma Cuthbert holds a bottle of Twisted Berry Gin, which recently won a gold medal at the U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championship. Last year, as an Artisan Distilling student, she and her classmates created the spirit for their capstone project.
Niagara College’s Teaching Distillery is a 2,500-square-foot facility equipped with six stills, four mash tuns and 10 fermenters. Home to the College’s Artisan Distilling program, students produce a variety of distilled products including vodka, gin, brandy, rum, whisky and other spirits. It opened in September 2018, completing the trifecta of beverage fermentation sciences at NC’s learning enterprises, following the footsteps of its Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery, which were also the first of their kind in Canada.
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Niagara Collegehttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngNiagara College2022-05-11 08:29:212022-05-11 08:29:21Teaching Distillery captures two golds, one bronze at U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championship
A new initiative funded by the Niagara Community Foundation and spearheaded by Club Wellness Niagara is giving students in the Recreation Therapy and Social Service Worker programs hands-on experience and a chance to help people across Niagara connect with the supports and services they need.
The Wellness Connection Tour is a project that reduces wellness barriers through travelling tradeshow-like events. At least once a week, the tour stops in one community in Niagara to give people access to free wellness programming and resources, such as housing support, employment services, medical care and substance use programs.
At least 1,000 people have already benefitted from the more than 12 wellness events that have taken place since February, said Club Wellness Niagara founder and tour coordinator Christina Milloy. The tour travels to St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls, Thorold, Crystal Beach, Fort Erie and Port Colborne.
Niagara College students are participating by having conversations with event participants, engaging them in recreational activities and connecting them to the community resources they need.
Milloy, a NC Recreation Therapy alumna, said the tour was created in response to the systemic barriers she sees people continually face for their health and wellness.
“Poverty can be a vicious cycle for people, and the tour [helps] reduce some of those barriers for people living in our community,” she said. “Everything at the event is free. We travel to various locations across Niagara so folks can attend at a place that is close and safe for them, and we connect people to free community resources so they know what services and supports are available to them.”
Milloy said she’s seen the value of recreation in the community first-hand. That’s why the events were initially intended to be a way for organizations to come together “to show people that they are loved and cared about.”
Then she saw the opportunity for the tour to double as a meaningful, real-life learning experience for Niagara College students.
“Students are so full of life, creativity and passion. They are driven to make positive impacts with people,” she said. “They are learning real skills that can be applied in practical settings. The tour gives students the opportunity to use those skills in the community where they are meeting all different types of people at all different stages in life.”
School of Community Services Associate Dean Carol Phillips said the initiative is the first of its kind for students in the Recreation Therapy and Social Service Worker programs, and it exposes them to a unique learning opportunity.
“They come to understand that a desire to respond to a community need is really the catalyst in making a difference in the healthiness and well-being of individuals and communities,” Phillips said. “Students take part in all elements of this project—especially in building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
“The ability to respond to people with empathy is an essential employability skill for students in all community service programs.”
For Josh Montgomery, a recent graduate of the Social Service Worker program, the tour has done more than just prepare him for working with different populations within the community; it’s been personally gratifying, too.
“What I’ve enjoyed [about] being a part of the Wellness Connection tour is being able to connect with so many different people from around the Niagara region, and to be able to brighten everyone’s day,” he said. “It’s given me a better understanding of what population of people I would like to work with.”
Niagara Community Foundation, through its David S. Howes Fund, is providing funding for the tour for one year. The Fund distributes grants to support postsecondary, facilities, research, health care services, education and humanitarian issues throughout Niagara.
“Niagara College gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Niagara Community Foundation,” said Philips. “The Foundation builds permanently endowed charitable funds and provides grants to eligible charitable organizations in culture, health, education, environment, recreation and social service sectors.”
Students have been working with 21 organizations, including grant partners Niagara Regional Housing (NRH) and Niagara’s Mobile Closet (NMC), all of which support the tour in various ways.
NRH communities are the target locations. The non-profit organization uses its physical spaces and resources for events, while also promoting events in its buildings. Meanwhile, NMC is meeting community needs by providing access to no-cost essential items for living, including clothing and daily necessities.
Recreation Therapy students in the Research and Evaluation course were also charged with the responsibility of creating feedback surveys, analyzing the data and writing reports.
Funding for the tour will expire in December 2022, but Milloy would love to see the tour become a permanent community service.
“It’s been a valuable learning experience for students and a great way for organizations to outreach in the community and connect with people,” she said. “There is definitely potential to collaborate with community partners to apply for more funding and continue to grow.”
Phillips agreed, saying the project is something she’d like to keep the College involved with.
“It is a win-win for our students and the individuals that the Wellness Tour supports,” she said.
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
Top photo: Students enrolled in Niagara College’s Recreation Therapy and Social Service Worker programs have been travelling throughout the Niagara region with Wellness Niagara to give people access the community resources and supports they need. More than 20 organizations, including Niagara Regional Housing and Niagara’s Mobile Closet, are involved with the program, which operates like a traveling trade show. Thanks to funding from the Niagara Community Foundation through its David S. Howe Fund, the tour will continue through the end of 2022. (Photo courtesy of Christina Milloy)
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Niagara Collegehttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngNiagara College2022-05-09 09:59:412022-05-09 09:59:41Wellness Tour rolls through Niagara: NC students help build healthier communities
Accessibility experts at Niagara College have launched a new digital Accessibility Hub for any community organization with an interest in equity, human rights, and eliminating barriers for people with disabilities.
“This is a hugely impactful resource for Niagara College, but also for the broader community seeking to create more accessible and inclusive communications and events,” said Natasha Patrito Hannon, Director, Teaching and Learning Innovation in the Centre for Academic Excellence. “The Hub was designed for educators and non-educators alike to build accessibility-first habits into all facets of their work.”
The new, open-source resource was made possible thanks to a $230,000 grant from the Virtual Learning Strategy, an eCampusOntario-led initiative funded by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. The NC team developed over 55 articles, checklists, videos, and resources with straight-forward recommendations for those seeking to simplify the creation of accessible web content, learning materials, and experiences for students or anyone with a disability.
“We are thrilled the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) has enabled projects like the Accessibility Hub,” said Jason Northway-Frank, manager, Governance and Strategic Communications at e-Campus Ontario. “Wraparound supports for learners and staff are essential to creating an inclusive teaching and learning environment. The resources and training found on the Accessibility Hub help reduce barriers to broaden access to education and ensure learners’ needs are met throughout their educational journeys.”
The Accessibility Hub was designed as a template with flexibility in mind. Since all materials are openly licensed, they can be adopted, adapted, and repurposed by individuals or organizations around the world to improve the accessibility of their professional communications, events, and courses.
“The Accessibility Hub is one way that Niagara College is focused on being a local and global community builder and is part of our continued efforts to be more inclusive and foster a supportive student experience,” said Patrito Hannon.
The developers behind the Accessibility Hub are a group of provincially and nationally recognized experts including staff from NC’s Centre for Academic Excellence, Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services, and Marketing and Student Recruitment departments. The stories of NC students and recent alumni with lived experiences of disability are shared throughout the site.
“The Hub is the culmination of a truly collaborative, cross-institutional effort, with more than 30 staff, faculty, alumni, and students contributing to its creation – from writing articles and checklists, to coordinating video shoots, editing written and video content, and creating the site architecture,” said Patrito Hannon.
Acknowledging that the Hub is a work in progress, the creators have integrated multiple feedback mechanisms – including the “Your Feedback” page – to gather input from users and identify opportunities for improvement and expansion.
In early May, NC’s Patrito Hannon, educational developer Whit Ross, and adaptive technology specialist Jim McEwen, will deliver a session about the Accessibility Hub to educators across Ontario at eCampusOntario’s VLS Collection Open House.
“We will be working with college partners to develop a plan for maintaining and expanding this important resource,” said Patrito Hannon.
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visitniagaracollege.ca.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
519-809-7634 [email protected]
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Jessica Torokhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJessica Torok2022-05-02 09:35:462022-05-02 09:35:46Niagara College launches Accessibility Hub resource for community organizations
Accessibility experts at Niagara College have launched a new digital Accessibility Hub for any community organization with an interest in equity, human rights, and eliminating barriers for people with disabilities.
“This is a hugely impactful resource for Niagara College, but also for the broader community seeking to create more accessible and inclusive communications and events,” said Natasha Patrito Hannon, Director, Teaching and Learning Innovation in the Centre for Academic Excellence. “The Hub was designed for educators and non-educators alike to build accessibility-first habits into all facets of their work.”
The new, open-source resource was made possible thanks to a $230,000 grant from the Virtual Learning Strategy, an eCampusOntario-led initiative funded by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. The NC team developed over 55 articles, checklists, videos, and resources with straight-forward recommendations for those seeking to simplify the creation of accessible web content, learning materials, and experiences for students or anyone with a disability.
“We are thrilled the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) has enabled projects like the Accessibility Hub,” said Jason Northway-Frank, manager, Governance and Strategic Communications at e-Campus Ontario. “Wraparound supports for learners and staff are essential to creating an inclusive teaching and learning environment. The resources and training found on the Accessibility Hub help reduce barriers to broaden access to education and ensure learners’ needs are met throughout their educational journeys.”
The Accessibility Hub was designed as a template with flexibility in mind. Since all materials are openly licensed, they can be adopted, adapted, and repurposed by individuals or organizations around the world to improve the accessibility of their professional communications, events, and courses.
“The Accessibility Hub is one way that Niagara College is focused on being a local and global community builder and is part of our continued efforts to be more inclusive and foster a supportive student experience,” said Patrito Hannon.
The developers behind the Accessibility Hub are a group of provincially and nationally recognized experts including staff from NC’s Centre for Academic Excellence, Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services, and Marketing and Student Recruitment departments. The stories of NC students and recent alumni with lived experiences of disability are shared throughout the site.
“The Hub is the culmination of a truly collaborative, cross-institutional effort, with more than 30 staff, faculty, alumni, and students contributing to its creation – from writing articles and checklists, to coordinating video shoots, editing written and video content, and creating the site architecture,” said Patrito Hannon.
Acknowledging that the Hub is a work in progress, the creators have integrated multiple feedback mechanisms – including the “Your Feedback” page – to gather input from users and identify opportunities for improvement and expansion.
In early May, NC’s Patrito Hannon, educational developer Whit Ross, and adaptive technology specialist Jim McEwen, will deliver a session about the Accessibility Hub to educators across Ontario at eCampusOntario’s VLS Collection Open House.
“We will be working with college partners to develop a plan for maintaining and expanding this important resource,” said Patrito Hannon.
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visitniagaracollege.ca.
-30-
Media inquiries, please contact:
Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
519-809-7634 [email protected]
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Jessica Torokhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJessica Torok2022-05-02 09:35:462022-05-02 09:35:46Niagara College launches Accessibility Hub resource for community organizations
The national spotlight is shining on global engagement at Niagara College, with a new Award of Excellence from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).
CICan’s 2022 Awards of Excellence were presented at its annual conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 26. The annual awards celebrate excellence and leadership, and acknowledge individual or collective achievements that contribute to making colleges and institutes dynamic learning institutions.
NC received a silver Excellence in Global Engagement Award, which recognizes institutions whose initiatives exhibit innovation, creativity and leadership in their internationalization.
“This award is so important because it highlights the value that colleges and institutes bring to Canada by building relationships with partners abroad, by offering new opportunities to Canadian and international students, and by contributing to positive change through international development,” said CICan President Denise Amyot. “Congratulations to Niagara College on winning the silver award for Excellence in Global Engagement.”
NC’s Vice President, International Sean Coote noted that he is proud of the College’s accomplishments in Canada and around the world, as it seeks to provide global engagement and experiences for its students and staff members.
“This award is a testament to the commitment Niagara College staff and faculty have to enriching lives and fulling dreams around the world,” said Coote, who attended CICan’s conference and accepted the award on behalf of NC. “To be recognized on a national stage for our global reach further distinguishes Niagara College as Canada’s leading global college. This is made possible through NC’s dedication to student success and to providing culturally diverse and inclusive learning environments and experiences, infusing global competency development into its work, and fostering collaborative partnerships in Canada and around the world.”
Nominees for CICan’s Excellence in Global Engagement Award were evaluated based on inbound and outbound student mobility for diversification on campus, international cooperation, joint international research and teaching, innovation in global engagement, and for meeting targets outlined in the institution’s internationalization strategy.
For NC’s International Division, receiving CICan’s Excellence in Global Engagement Award recognizes its many years of commitment to global work. It also demonstrates the innovation, creativity and leadership that its staff and faculty members have shown in bringing the world to NC, and NC to the world, while preparing world-ready graduates and staff.
“We are very proud of the passion and dedication of our entire team, the collaboration across the College as well as our exceptional partners across the globe, who we are very honoured to work with, and learn from on a daily basis,” said Director of Global Engagement, Holly Catalfamo, PhD. Catalfamo, who attended this year’s conference to accept the award, is also a past recipient of a CICan Award of Excellence.
NC’s 2022 Award of Excellence follows a series of awards from CICan over the past decade, including:
(2020) a Distinguished Service Award to former NC President (current President Emeritus) Dan Patterson;
(2018) a gold Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty to Holly Catalfamo, PhD (then Program Coordinator of Human Resources);
(2018) a silver Applied Research and Innovation Excellence Award ;
(2017) a bronze Leadership Excellence Award for Students to Alice Mary Nakiwala (then President of the NC Student Administrative Council);
(2016) a silver Internationalization Excellence Award;
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
TOP PHOTO: Representatives from Niagara College accept CICan’s Excellence in Global Engagement Award at CICan’s 2022 Awards of Excellence ceremony on April 26 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. From left: Paula Burns (President of Lethbridge College and Chair of CICan’s Board of Directors), Denise Amyot (President and CEO of CICan), Holly Catalfamo (Director, Global Engagement, Niagara College), Sean Coote (Vice President, International, Niagara College), and Catherine Décarie (Associate Vice President, Affinity Market Group, Relationship Management at TD Insurance, exclusive sponsor of CICan’s Awards of Excellence).
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Julie Grecohttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJulie Greco2022-04-26 14:39:592022-04-26 14:39:59Niagara College earns national accolade for global engagement
Niagara College’s Board of Governors has approved an exciting and ambitious new five-year strategic plan that envisions a college that is diverse, inclusive and highly engaged; socially and environmentally aware; with trailblazing academic programs that are immersive, flexible and accessible, and meet the changing needs and expectations of students and employers alike.
Developed through more than a year of intense consultation engagement within the college and the broader Niagara community, the plan responds to a unique time in postsecondary education, marked by increased competition in postsecondary education, rapid technological change, students who are more diverse and globally aware, and a community in economic recovery and in urgent need of a highly skilled and stable workforce.
“Our ability to navigate the challenges of the past two years has highlighted the fact that our greatest strength as an organization is our highly engaged and dedicated faculty and staff,” said Niagara College President Sean Kennedy. “Our new strategic plan leverages our people and our strong organizational culture, our focus on students, and the welcoming, trailblazing and passionate characteristics that set Niagara College apart in the postsecondary world. It will serve as our guide as we write the next chapter in our College’s remarkable history.”
The 2022-2027 Strategic Plan provides six inter-connected areas of focus supported by clear action items, including:
Wholistic Student Experience: With a focus on the wellbeing of the whole student, the College will nurture and leverage our unique relationship with student leadership, create new co-curricular activities and new opportunities for community engagement; new mental health and wellness strategies that recognize and respond to a more diverse college community; and new and vibrant learning and living spaces.
Academic excellence: In an atmosphere of constant innovation in teaching and learning, the College will focus on immersive and experiential learning, whether on campus, online, local or global; leverage new technologies to make programs more flexible, accessible and responsive to the needs and expectations of students and employers; leverage connections with industry, employers and alumni to enhance pathways and opportunities for students, and ensure programs meet and exceed provincial quality benchmarks;
Global reach: As Canada’s leading global college, engaging and celebrating diverse cultures to create world-ready graduates, the College will expand global operations and program delivery outside of Niagara, expand Be World Ready global learning opportunities, and create an inclusive and integrated campus community where students support, engage with and learn from one another;
Alumni and partner engagement: The College will seek, build and support partnerships with alumni, local and global communities and partners in education and government toward shared goals. This means breaking down barriers, engaging and celebrate our alumni through a culture of “once a Knight, always a Knight; support industry and economic development through applied research and innovative, responsive academic programs, and foster positive relationships with our students and the community;
Social inclusion and environmental responsibility: The College will take action to support the betterment of our communities, environment and society as a whole. This will include the response to and support for Truth and Reconciliation calls to action; developing and maintaining a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion; supporting sustainability through the continuous improvement of our processes and standards and modelling social responsibility for our students and the community;
Operational excellence: The College will maintain its commitment to excellence in our operations, the development of our people, and our continued financial security. Key actions will include multi-year enrolment strategies; the development of new experiential learning opportunities; investment in the professional development of our people; supporting a culture of innovation, growing access to student financial supports and the continued diversification of revenue sources.
“We are at a pivotal point in our college’s history, and the plan we’ve unveiled today will enhance our ability to support industry, to provide pathways to career success for students, and to meet the evolving needs of the communities we support locally and beyond,” said Wendy Wing, Chair of the Niagara College Board of Governors.
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Michael Wales
Director, Communications
Niagara College
Cell: 905-328-4101 [email protected]
Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
Cell: 519-809-7634 [email protected]
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Michael Waleshttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngMichael Wales2022-04-21 16:19:472022-04-21 16:19:47New Strategic Plan connects Niagara College to a bold future
On April 19, the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, visited Niagara College’s Welland Campus and announced a $1.2-million Skills Development Fund (SDF) grant for a partnership between the Niagara Home Builders’ Association (NHBA) and Niagara College to help meet the demand for skilled trades workers in the residential construction industry.
Second-year students from NC’s School of Trades (with hardhats), stand with NC president Sean Kennedy, NHBA CEO Chuck McShane, Minister Monte McNaughton, Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff and Welland Mayor Frank Campion following an announcement at the College’s Welland Campus Walker Advanced Manufacturing Centre on April 19.
“All across our province, we continue to see a shortage of workers in the skilled trades, for many life-long careers that pay six figures with defined benefits and pensions,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “These unfilled jobs cost our economy billions in lost productivity and mean families are waiting longer for the goods and services they need. That is why our government is making strategic investments to offer hands-on training and paid work placements for eager job seekers in Niagara, connecting them with local employers in their community who are ready to hire.”
With Ontario projected to build 1.5 million homes in the next 10 years, the NHBA and Niagara College are working together to help close the skills gap in the construction industry and the trades. The provincial SDF funding will support the delivery of a customized Construction Skills training program – hands-on instruction through NC’s School of Trades followed by an eight-week paid work placement – to individuals who have been unable to pursue a career in the trades due to financial or other barriers.
“Studies show that as many as one-in-five jobs within the province of Ontario will be in the skilled trades by the year 2025,” said Richard Lawrence, President of the NHBA. “This program will allow the NHBA and Niagara College to develop and train students with the skills they need in order to be job site ready to work their way into building a stable career, while filling the void of the 100,000 workers our industry needs over the next decade.”
“Niagara College is grateful for this funding, which will help us address an urgent need for skilled workers in the residential construction industry,” said Niagara College President Sean Kennedy. “Today’s investment by the province supports our important role working closely with industry partners to meet the current and future needs of employers.”
NC recently launched a Construction and Maintenance Electrician program and a General Carpenter program.
“Trade-based jobs are in demand. We are in a crisis and need to ensure our industry continues to move forward,” said Chuck McShane, CEO of the NHBA. “This program will open doors for our local workforce, economy and the industry sector overall.”
The Construction Skills Certificate of Completion program will welcome 80 participants over four intakes between June 2022 and March 2023. No prior construction background is required, and participants will gain a broad range of skills and knowledge – including occupational health and safety, power and non-power tool usage, safe handling of materials in the construction sector – as well as the specific skills needed to fulfil the demand for drywall installation and roofing professionals. The program will offer flexible delivery to allow participants to remain employed while they earn new skills.
Together, the NHBA and NC will work together to begin recruiting candidates into the new program, and the NHBA will take a significant lead in engaging its members to connect participants with employment.
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
Established in 1955, the Niagara Home Builders’ Association is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 140 member companies including: Builders, Developers, Renovators, Suppliers, Supplier/Trade Contractors, Manufacturers, and Allied Professionals. They continue to advocate on behalf of the residential building community, with a focus on promoting the skilled trades. For more information, visit: niagarahomebuildersassociation.ca.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Michael Wales
Director, Communications
Niagara College
Cell: 905-328-4101 [email protected]
Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
Cell: 519-809-7634 [email protected]
Alicia Dimitrov-Lawrence
Executive Officer
Niagara Home Builders Association
Cell: 905-646-6281 [email protected]
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Julie Grecohttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJulie Greco2022-04-19 14:02:582022-04-19 14:02:58$1.2 million provincial grant supports NC, NHBA efforts to meet demand for skilled trades
Niagara College wishes you a happy Easter weekend.
While there is controlled access to campuses at this time due to measures related to COVID-19, Niagara College is offering many services in-person, or via hybrid delivery, and NC’s learning enterprises are either open or offering curbside pickup.
Below is a list of what will be open or closed for the Good Friday holiday on April 15.
What’s open?
NC Teaching Greenhouse: The Teaching Greenhouse is open for in-person shopping Thursday through Saturday (Apr. 14-16) from 12 to 4 p.m. selling hydrangeas for $20 each. Online sales with curbside pickup is also available. Visit the Teaching Greenhouse’s online store to place an online order.
Wine Visitor + Education Centre: Retail store, patio and indoor service open daily (including Apr. 15). Tasting, shopping, drinks by the glass and snack service is available Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. within provincial guidelines. Products include NC wine, beer, cider and spirits. For curbside pickup, local delivery and shipping across Ontario, please call 905-641-2252 ext. 4070 or visit ncteachingwinery.ca.
What’s closed?
Designated access points: All building access points at the College are closed on Apr. 15. Entry to college campuses will resume via the designated access points on Apr. 18. For up-to-date information about campus access protocols visit: niagaracollege.ca/covid19/ncsafe
Athletics & Recreation: Fitness Centres and gymnasiums are closed Apr. 15 and will reopen on Apr. 18 by appointment for NC students and employees. Visit the Knights website for facility rules and reservations.
Bookstores: Both campus bookstores will be closed on Apr. 15 and will reopen for in-person shopping on Apr. 18 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Online ordering is also available. Visit the Campus Bookstore website for information.
Community Employment Services: (43 Church St. in St. Catharines): Closed Apr. 15. Virtual services (and in-person appointments by request) resume on Apr. 18 and are available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit the CES website for more information.
Enrolment Services: On-campus and virtual services closed April 15. Students may continue to submit requests via email and student portal. Requests will be reviewed in priority sequence when Enrolment Services reopens on April 18. Visit the Enrolment Services website for information.
Food Services: Campus food services (and all other ancillary services) are closed on Apr. 15 and will reopen Apr. 18.
Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services: HWAS is closed on Apr. 15. Students can contact HWAS via phone or email to book an appointment when HWAS reopens on Apr. 18 at 8:30 a.m. Services are currently available by appointment only via phone or video (limited in-person appointments are also available). Students looking for support can also access the following resources:
Good2Talk
Good2Talk is a free, province-wide service for students in college/university and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It provides professional counselling, mental health information and connections to local resources. Students who are concerned about student life, health or mental well-being can contact Good2Talk via:
COAST Niagara / Mental Health and Addiction Help Line
COAST provides services to people in the Niagara Region who are in crisis and have a mental health concern. Ongoing telephone support and/or referral to appropriate follow-up services may be recommended to prevent further crisis. Call 1-866-550-5205 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) and press 1 for COAST or press 2 for Mental Health and Addiction Help Line. Visit the COAST website for more information.
Indigenous Education: The Indigenous Student Centres are closed Apr. 15. Visit niagaracollege.ca/indigenouseducation for information about IE services.
ncLibraries and Learning Commons: Student support, test centre, academic drop-ins and peer tutoring services will be closed on Apr. 15. Virtual and in-person services will resume on Apr. 18 and are available weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online resources are available 24-7 at niagaracollege.ca/library.
NCSAC offices and Student Centres: NCSAC front office, virtual chat services and cafes, including The Shack (Welland Campus) and The Undergrounds (Daniel J. Patterson Campus), will be closed on Apr. 15. Front offices, virtual chat and cafes will reopen on Apr. 18.
Visit yourncsac.ca/yourtransit for information and Frequently Asked Questions related to student transit.
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Elyse Howarthhttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngElyse Howarth2022-04-14 13:44:552022-04-14 13:44:55What’s open and closed at Niagara College for Easter weekend
Join NC’s Sustainability team for tree planting, Virtual Bioblitz and community cleanups
Plans to celebrate Earth Week are beginning to sprout across the College and beyond.
From an on-campus tree planting on Earth Day to a Virtual Bioblitz and clean-up events during Earth Week, NC’s Office of Sustainability has a variety of initiatives planned and welcomes College students and employees to participate, whether in-person or remotely.
“Earth Day allows us to come together as a community and recognize that everyone has a role to play in protecting and conserving our natural environment,” said Sustainability Advisor Taryn Wilkinson. “Collective action is critical to address large scale complex systems challenges like climate change and ecological collapse, and activities like the ones we have planned for Earth Day help to engage and educate our community about the critical role we all have in working together to solve these challenges.”
Wilkinson applauded the efforts of NC’s student sustainability ambassadors, who have had a key role in planning this year’s Earth Week initiatives. Currently, there are 25 student ambassadors involved in Sustainability’s student ambassador program, which launched in September.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work the Sustainability Ambassadors have done planning these activities over the past few months, working with our community partners to intentionally create space for everyone within our community to connect with nature and collectively and positively impact our environment to celebrate Earth Day 2022,” said Wilkinson.
Pawpaw tree planting
Earth Day, April 22, group start times at 9:40 a.m. and 10:40 a.m.
Outdoor Classroom, Daniel J. Patterson Campus
On-site contacts: Student Ambassadors Akira Ourique and Lindsay Taylor
Dig into Earth Day by planting roots on campus – literally. Join NC’s Pawpaw tree-planting event at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The event was organized by NC’s Sustainability Student Ambassadors, supported by the Sustainability Action Fund Micro-grant program.
Forty-three Pawpaw trees will be planted on campus, in the wetlands area. The rare small trees native to Southern Ontario are a significant species, noted Wilkinson, and the new plantings will add to the small number that are currently on campus.
In addition to tree planting, windbreaks will be constructed – which will require some lifting from volunteers. Environmental and Horticulture students will be involved with this initiative.
The planting event will begin at 9:30 a.m. when the first volunteer group begins prepping the first site and installing windbreaks. A second volunteer group will begin at 10:40 a.m. to assist and begin planting.
Everyone is welcome and advance registration is not required. Meet the volunteers at the Outdoor Classroom, which is located near the lagoons along the Wetland Ridge trail.
Virtual Bioblitz
April 23 (all day)
On-site contact: Student Ambassador Ruth McComb
It’s time to unearth the ‘citizen scientist’ within and become a proud contributor to local biodiversity projects. Everyone is welcome to get involved in the College’s Virtual Bioblitz, hosted by the Office of Sustainability on April 23.
Immerse yourself in the great outdoors and participate anywhere you like. While you’re out and about, be sure to use the iNaturalist app to identify and catalogue any plant or animal species that you encounter, then submit them to ‘‘Niagara College Virtual BioBlitz.’
Bioblitz participants aim to record as many species as possible at a set location and over a specific amount of time. Through independent verification, an iNaturalist BioBlitz helps provide scientists with information about the number of local species in their location.
Participants will also have a chance to win prizes. Winners will be announced on April 29.
This year’s Virtual Bioblitz will be led by Student Ambassador Ruth McComb, who is enrolled in the Environmental Management and Assessment program. McComb planned and created content to guide participants on how to participate, and she plans to get involved in the Virtual Bioblitz on April 23 by searching for ecological diversity in downtown Toronto.
“I look forward to seeing how many people participate in Earth Week /Day on social media,” she said. “It’s important to participate in Earth Week/Day initiatives to show a dedication to being a good environmental steward that spread awareness and connects with all species that share this land with us.”
How to participate in the Virtual Bioblitz
Download the iNaturalist app to your mobile device;
Once in, open the menu and select Projects;
Search and join: Niagara College Campus Virtual BioBlitz; and
Start identifying and cataloguing the species you see when you are out and about on April 23!
Social media
Get involved and don’t forget to follow and tag on social media at:
Niagara College is hosting a cleanup event on April 23 at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake from 10 a.m. to noon. The NC community is welcome to participate. Meet at the NC Greenhouse entrance. Check-in on site at the event start time.
Those involved in the on-campus cleanup may also wish to participate in the Virtual Bioblitz on campus at the same time by using the iNaturalist app to log species during the cleanup. (See Virtual Bioblitz for details.)
All materials will be provided. Participants are asked to dress for the weather, including appropriate footwear.
Community cleanups
April 23
Various locations
The NC community is encouraged to join volunteers from the College and the community at various Community clean-up events on April 23.
Join the Clean City Advisory Committee Spring Community Cleanup at one of two locations in St. Catharines from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Ontario Street and QEW (Henley Square parking lot) or at Lake Street and the QEW (Best Western parking lot). Groups may register through the event page for these or at other locations throughout the city. This event is open to the public. All materials will be provided and volunteers are asked to dress appropriately for the weather, including proper footwear.
On-site contact: Chair, St. Catharines Clean Cities Committee, Jonathan Belgrave
Niagara-on-the-Green will host a community cleanup on April 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Niagara-on-the-Green Park on Young Crescent. The event is open to the public. Advance registration is not required.
All materials will be provided and volunteers are asked to dress appropriately for the weather, including proper footwear.
In the event of rain, the event will be postponed to a later date.
On-site contacts: Lianne Gagnon and community resident Steve Hardaker
The St. Catharines Downtown Association will host a cleanup from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.This event is open to the public and participants can register online or on site. To volunteer, meet at the SCDA office (80 King St., St. Catharines) at start time. All materials will be provided and participants are asked to dress appropriately for the weather, including proper footwear.
On-site contacts: Student Ambassador Sean Parkinson and SCDA Executive Director Rachel Braithwaite
Contact
If you have questions about Sustainability’s Earth Week initiatives, please email [email protected].
http://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.png00Julie Grecohttp://donate.niagaracollege.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ncc-campign-logo-300x138.pngJulie Greco2022-04-13 11:21:262022-04-13 11:21:26Take action for Earth Week on campus or in the community
