A respected professor from Niagara College’s School of Media has achieved national and global recognition for his dedication to student success both in and outside of the classroom.

Peter VandenBerg – affectionately known to students, colleagues and friends as “Dutch” – received two prestigious 2023 Awards of Excellence this week – a gold Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and an Outstanding Educator Award at the silver level from the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP). Both awards were presented at World Congress, a global postsecondary leadership event co-hosted by CICan and WFCP from April 23 to 25 in Montreal.

VandenBerg, who is Program Coordinator of NC’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program, noted he was humbled and honoured to be recognized for his work.

“I feel guilty to be recognized for doing what I love but do genuinely appreciate the endorsement,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to do what I do if it wasn’t for the unwavering support of my wife and two kids, the College and of course my grads. To quote one of my great grads Amy Audibert (BRTF, 2012), ‘this is a win for us all.’ My sincerest thank you to all those that made this happen.”

Fueled by his devotion to student success and his pride of community, VandenBerg is known for actively seeking unique learning opportunities for students to apply their skills to real-world projects with industry partners, often teaching social responsibility through the experiences.

“As a proud NC grad myself, I bleed blue and believe in giving back,” said VandenBerg, who graduated from the BRTF program in the 1993 and has been teaching full-time at the College since 2009. “I’m honoured to represent NC in everything I do and to work alongside a strong team of passionate people, who share a commitment to providing enriching experiences for students.”

Over the better part of the last decade, VandenBerg, his students, alumni and fellow faculty, have delivered many phenomenal production programs, including for major sporting events in the Niagara region such as the 2016 IIHF U18 Women’s World Hockey Championship, the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Championship Basketball Tournament, watched by millions worldwide, and the 2019 Canadian Wrestling Trials. The crew has produced a live election-day broadcast in partnership with the Niagara Dailies newspaper group, professionally recorded concerts for Music Niagara’s first-ever virtual series and has partnered with many local organizations to livestream numerous community events. The crew also helped NC break new ground with its innovative model for virtual Convocation in 2020 and 2021. The virtual ceremonies provided hands-on learning opportunities for students who worked behind-the-scenes and offered graduates and their families an engaging and impactful graduation experience during the pandemic.

Most recently, VandenBerg developed the comprehensive broadcast program for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games as Chair of Broadcast Operations & Production Services. Through the opportunity, he solidified NC’s role as the Games’ official Digital Production Partner and created once-in-a-lifetime applied learning and leadership opportunities for over 100 BRTF students and alumni, who were part of the broadcast team. The team covered over 90% of the Games’ competitions and events, and delivered over 1,000 hours of live Games coverage to Canadians nationwide, and people all over the world. Current and future students will benefit for years to come through equipment acquired by the BRTF program from the Games. The program will leverage the legacy equipment to broadcast future events, including the upcoming 2024 World Rowing Championships in St. Catharines.

NC President Sean Kennedy, who attended World Congress, congratulated VandenBerg on his milestone achievements.

“The Niagara College community is tremendously proud of Dutch and so happy to see his exceptional dedication to students and industry acknowledged with these prestigious awards from Colleges and Institutes Canada and the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics,” said Kennedy.

“Dutch brings such heart and expertise in mentoring and teaching our students. He is a phenomenal ambassador for NC and consistently demonstrates our College values of being student-focused, welcoming, passionate and trailblazing. I am thrilled that Dutch’s hard work at NC, in the community, and with the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games has earned this well-deserved national and global recognition.”

CICan’s Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty

The CICan Awards of Excellence recognize and promote excellence within Canadian colleges and institutes, while showcasing the extraordinary contributions of individuals to their college/institute communities.

CICan’s Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty recognizes an individual or a team who has exhibited consistent excellence in teaching and has had a significant impact on the personal and academic growth of students. VandenBerg was presented with award at the gold level – the highest level of achievement – on April 24 at CICan’s Awards of Excellence Luncheon.

“We are delighted to award Peter with CICan’s Leadership Excellence Award for Faculty for his exceptional ability to lead, inspire and mentor students to push themselves beyond what they thought possible and find success in a meaningful career,” said Denise Amyot, President and CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada. “Peter’s passion for experiential learning and coaching for change, as well as his devotion to student success and community development, exemplifies the values and priorities of the college and institute sector. We applaud his commitment and congratulate him on this achievement.”

NC’s past CICan Awards of Excellence include:

• (2022) a silver Excellence in Global Engagement Award;
• (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;
• (2013) a gold Program Excellence Award for NC’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program; and
• (2012), a silver Program Excellence Award for its Bachelor of Applied Business International Commerce and Global Development program.

WFCP’s Outstanding Educator Award

The WFCP’s Awards of Excellence recognize member institutions and celebrate their accomplishments in the global colleges and polytechnics sector.

The Outstanding Educator Award is given to an individual who has made an impact on learners’ progress, attainment, and growth, has brought about positive change beyond their own learners, and provided a leadership role model for teaching colleagues and students. The award, at the silver level, was presented to VandenBerg on April 25 at WFCP’s Awards of Excellence Luncheon.

“Dutch embodies what it means to be an outstanding educator – someone whose passion, knowledge and skills have inspired student’s success and who has made a major contribution to educational life within an institution,” said the WFCP Secretariat on behalf of WFCP. “The nomination submitted on his behalf left a very strong and positive impression on our judges, particularly his commitment to continuously create and deliver applied learning opportunities for students.”

WFCP works with more than 30 judges to assess nominations received – for a fair and impartial process, judges do not review nominations from their own region of the world.

NC’s past WFCP Awards of Excellence include:

• (2022) Bronze Award of Excellence in Global Citizenship; and
• (2018) Gold Award of Excellence in Applied Research and Innovation.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
905-932-1520
[email protected]

 

A Niagara College program that enhances employability for students with disabilities has won a Star Award from Habitat for Humanity Niagara.

The award was announced on the evening of April 19 at Habitat Niagara’s Volunteer Dinner and Awards Ceremony in St. Catharines, in recognition of the work CICE students do at Habitat ReStore locations for their program field placements.

“Habitat Niagara works with many educational partners across the region in different ways. The CICE program is special; it’s designed to provide individuals with disabilities and other learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life and enhance their employability, academic and social skills,” said Manager, Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement, Amanda Laprise, who said she also values Habitat’s partnership with NC as a NC alumna. “This partnership is mutually beneficial, with students providing valuable assistance to the ReStores while providing an enriching educational experience for the students.”

“CICE faculty, staff and students are extremely proud of this award. The field placement partnership that has been fostered with Habitat for Humanity over the past five years has provided our CICE students with invaluable workplace experiences,” said Dean of Academic and Liberal Studies David Atherton, who attended the award ceremony. “The staff and volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the Niagara region truly understand and support the diverse needs of our students.

“Both staff and volunteers alike are always willing to go above and beyond to ensure our CICE students are provided with supported field placement experiences that better equip them to move on to a variety of entry-level positions after graduation from the program.”

Twenty students from NC’s Community Integration through Co operative Education (CICE) program have completed field placements at Habitat for Humanity locations across the Niagara region for the last five years. NC’s two-year Ontario College Certificate CICE program provides individuals with disabilities and significant learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life and enhance their employability as well as their academic and social skills. It includes opportunities for students to gain work experience through field placements. Typically, students complete three field placements during their time in the program.

“Habitat has been an amazing, supportive community partner for the CICE program, and we are thrilled that they feel the same way about us,” said Jessica Berecz, Academic Portfolio Manager, CICE. “Field placements are vital to the CICE program itself and Habitat has been amazing for our CICE students, many of them come to us with little to no experience in the work world.”

When it comes to finding placements for CICE students, Field Placement Officer Aaron Russell noted the importance of finding the right match to their skills and abilities, and “not just busy work.”

Being involved with Habitat equips CICE students with real world work experience as well as an opportunity to get involved with the community. Some students have opted to continue their involvement with Habitat after completing the program.

“When they find out that Habitat builds safe, affordable homes for Niagara families in need, it gives our students a real sense of being involved with the community and giving back, and it really motivates them,” said Berecz.

CICE students who complete field placements at Habitat ReStore locations take on customer-related front-facing work such as cash and inquires, or hands-on work in the back that may include stocking shelves or helping with donated items – or a mixture of both. Field placements are generally for a few hours one day per week for CICE students.

This Winter term, Habitat welcomed four CICE students into field placements at three ReStore locations.

Second-year CICE Quinton Hoshowsky-Linhares (Welland), who attended the award ceremony, has been working at Habitat’s Fonthill ReStore during Winter term. He takes on various responsibilities such as moving furniture, ensuring that shelves are stocked and organized and that items are priced and presentable, and that all areas of the store are clean and ready for customers.

“Quin felt the work he did was very meaningful because they truly help people in the community with the work they do building homes,” said Russell. “Quin just wanted to say thank you for an amazing experience. He expressed how much he enjoyed it.”

First-year student Andrew Mcghie (St. Catharines), who has been working at a St. Catharines ReStore during Winter term helps customers, brings in stock from the back, and makes the store floor presentable. He also moves furniture and cleans as needed.

“Andrew finds helping people especially the elderly very rewarding,” said Russell. “It is in his nature to help people, so Andrew feels a great connection to Habitat because that is their mission. He believes in the work they do full-heartedly.”

Top photo: A group from NC accept the Star Award from Habitat Niagara on April 19. Top (from left): Habitat Niagara’s CEO Mark Carl,  NC Field Placement Officer Aaron Russell, and NC Dean of Academic and Liberal Studies David Atherton. Bottom (from left): NC Academic Portfolio Manager (CICE) Jessica Berecz, CICE student Quinton Hoshowsky-Linhares, and Habitat Niagara’s Manager Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement Amanda Laprise (Habitat Niagara photo).

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

905-328-2532

[email protected]

On Saturday, April 15, nature lovers – scientists, community members and amateur enthusiasts – will converge on Niagara College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake to spend the day with expert scientists as they identify plants and animal species native to Niagara.

Bioblitz is a free, family-friendly event where citizen scientists explore the campus grounds – a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve at the base of the Niagara escarpment – to identify and catalogue bugs, birds, amphibians, mammals and plants. Volunteers will come together with the common goal of identifying as many species as possible to create a baseline for researchers and the local community to monitor biodiversity over time.

“We look forward to welcoming the local community into Niagara College’s living lab – the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake – for the eight annual Spring Bioblitz,” said Taryn Wilkinson, Manager of Sustainability the College.

“Our campus is a place to explore, learn and innovate in all aspects of sustainability and the environment, and citizen scientists are needed now more than ever as climate change and pollution affects species and their habitats across Niagara.”

The day runs from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes various bird and insect hikes – including a family-friendly option – a fly-making and fly-casting session with Trout Unlimited, a community clean-up with Home Depot – St. Catharines, and a campfire with NC’s Indigenous Education. H&M St. Catharines will be collecting garments as part of their textile recycling initiative.

Participants are welcome to drop-in to whichever sessions are of interest, and lunch will be provided for those who registered.

Agenda

6 a.m. Early bird ID hike with NC’s Sustainability’s Katie Bristow
7 a.m. Bird hike with Bert Miller Nature Club & Community Voices of Fort Erie’s Marcie Jacklin
9 a.m. Family friendly hike with Owen Bjorgan from Hiking with Owen
9 to 11 a.m. Macroinvertebrates with Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s Kerry Royer
9 to 3 p.m. Fly making, fly casting with Trout Unlimited’s Brian Green, Gary Kosinsky, and Paul Furminger
9:30 a.m. Bird ID hike with Peninsula Field Naturalists’ Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free lunch for registrants
1 p.m. Community clean-up with Home Depot St. Catharines
2 p.m. Campfire with Aria D’alimonte from Indigenous Education and Karl Dockstader
3 p.m. Insect hike with Margaret Pickles
Other hikes may occur throughout the day on an as-needed basis.

For the full agenda, to learn more about Bioblitz, and register, please visit www.niagaracollege.ca/sustainability/students/bioblitz/.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
905-932-1520
[email protected]

The new EDI Blueprint and action plan is guiding many positive changes already underway at the College.

Niagara College and its students are proud to launch an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Blueprint, reflecting a shared commitment and a clear plan to support and enhance EDI initiatives where all members of our community are engaged, valued, and supported.

A reflection of the voices of the College community, the EDI Blueprint was born from tremendous collaboration between NC and the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC). The plan – a living document that will evolve with the changing needs of students and employees – was informed by more than two years of work by the joint Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce and extensive consultations with students, employees, and community members.

“As we write the next chapter in our College’s history, NC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Blueprint is a tremendously important guide for our continuous efforts in support of a learning environment and workplace that is respectful, inclusive, and welcoming for all,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “The lived experiences and collective wisdom of our NC community will guide us as we move forward with this work.”

“The EDI Blueprint is more than a simple document,” said outgoing NCSAC President Sam Jemison. “It is a testament to continuous improvement and a commitment to ensure that all students are welcomed, included, and accepted – during every step of their NC journey.”

The EDI Blueprint aligns with the College’s five-year Strategic Plan and includes steps that will take place over the short and long term to ensure all NC programs, services, physical spaces and policies are accessible and equitable.

Based on feedback collected through the consultation process, four interconnected areas of focus emerged to shape the EDI Blueprint, including:

1. Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing
2. Student Experience
3. Employee Experience
4. Organizational Culture and Structure

Within these areas of focus is a list of actions. Some examples include hiring an Indigenous curriculum consultant, increasing EDI learning opportunities for students during orientation and co-curricular activities, regular and ongoing recognition of days of significance, increased representation across physical and digital spaces including artwork by Indigenous and racialized artists, updating pride crosswalks on campus, and the use of gender-neutral and accessible language on signs and forms.

In 2021, the College hired Samah Sabra as Workplace EDI Manager. Sabra consults and advises on this important work, supporting ongoing leadership for inclusive workplace programs, practices and initiatives. In 2022, an EDI Coordinating Council formed at NC to support cross-College collaboration on EDI events and initiatives.

“As we celebrate the launch of our EDI Blueprint, we are propelled by the momentum of work that is already underway at our College,” said Sabra. “Collaboration, engagement, and continuous learning are key to the success of this work and will support the strong culture of inclusion and belonging at NC.”

“The creation of the EDI Blueprint will ensure that everyone is included throughout our NC Community,” said Dipal Patel, new President of NCSAC for the 2023-2024 school year. “Its existence will inspire and encourage us to have open minds and hearts, making NC a safe space for our students, staff, and faculty. The student body has and will continue to play a crucial role in bringing about this positive change.”

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
905-932-1520
[email protected]

Michael Wales
Director, Communications
Niagara College
905-328-4101
[email protected]

Niagara College Brewmaster students have a final project brewing to cap off their studies: a cottage-themed on-campus beer festival to showcase their beer-making and event-planning skills.

NC’s student-led Project Brew beer festival has become an end-of-term rite of passage for students in their final term Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program, since its official launch in 2015. This term, a class of 11 Brewmaster students are poised to make their mark before they graduate with their own ‘Hops by the Docks’ theme for the highly-anticipated Project Brew event, offering the public a taste of what’s on tap from the next generation of brewers.

“We so enjoy the chance to celebrate the accomplishments of our students,” said Associate Dean for the School of Wine, Beer and Spirits at NC. “Having a celebration open to the public makes it even better.”

The beer festival is expected to draw more than 400 guests to the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on the Lake on Friday, April 14 (4:30-8:30 p.m.). The event will feature 11 individual Project Brew beers, designed and brewed by final-term Brewmaster students, as well as three collaborative class brews, on tap for guests to sip and savour.

For Brewmaster students, in addition to brewing their Project Brew beers – which is part of several of their classes – planning the Project Brew event is a key component of their Beer Sales and Promotions class, which covers everything from marketing and social media, to licensing, layout and design for the event, which are vital skills to those entering the beer industry.

“Hops By the Docks is a great opportunity for the public to get a taste of unique small-batch beers crafted by our Brewmaster students,” said Sarah Scott, Manager, Foodservices Operations for NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies Division, who co-teaches the class. “Our students aren’t only behind the variety of brews on tap at the event, they are responsible for planning everything from ticket sales and marketing promotions to recruiting sponsorship and volunteers for the event.”

Student Richard Lawson (Acton, Ontario), who chairs the planning committee for this term’s Project Brew, has created a Dragon’s Breath Ale for his Project Brew beer, which will be among student-crafted brews on offer during the event – a lightly smoked strong ale which he calls a “fantasy world beer,” inspired by a board game.

“I’m learning a lot from Project Brew about organizing a group of people and planning an event. I think it is good to take opportunities to try to improve my leadership skills as they will be helpful moving forward in my career,” said Lawson.

“I’m most looking forward to seeing my classmates get to share their beer with so many people,” he said. “As students, we put so much thought into these beers and I think my classmates will find it really rewarding to see people so excited about their beer.”

Nathaniel Perreault, who is originally from Walter’s Falls, Ontario, has created his take on a Flanders red ale – traditionally, a Belgian mixed ferment beer aged in barrels. The final product is a blending of different aged beers to achieve the desired flavour profile.

“I am attempting to replicate its profile by relying on a yeast strain that produces lactic acid. The rest of the malic and citric acid profiles will be achieved by the addition of black currants and choke cherries,” he said. “Both of these fruits were grown on my family farm and juiced at home before being added towards the end of fermentation.”

Perreault also took on the role of finding sponsors for the event. He looks forward to celebrating with his class at Project Brew and to sampling the brews they have created.

“The planning of Project Brew is a great opportunity for us to begin employing what we have learned before entering the workforce,” he said. “It is rewarding to check off milestones as we complete tasks knowing that at the end of the process there will hundreds of attendees enjoying all of our beer at an event that we organized as a group.”

Ellie Riches (Beamsville, Ontario) worked on website and poster design, a ‘passport’ for the event and  social media, in addition to brewing a Project Brew beer.

“I am excited to see how the day of will play out! This project has shown me how to manage my time really well. I ensured to meet my deadlines in a timely manner. I also learned how to work on a project with many other people, and the triumphs and difficulties that come along with that,” she said. “I love interacting with people and seeing the public learn and enjoy a fermented product. I’m excited to talk about my beer and maybe learn something new too!”

In memory of Brewmaster graduate Matt Soos

All proceeds from Project Brew benefit the Matt Soos Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Matt Soos, who graduated from the Brewmaster program in 2015. The scholarship was established by Railway City Brewing, and Muskoka Brewing, where Soos worked at the time of his passing, shortly after graduating from NC.

The $4,500 scholarship is awarded during the Winter term’s Project Brew event to a Brewmaster student who brews the best beer (which is judged by event sponsors each year). All Project Brew beers are entered for judging.

The scholarship is supported by Natterjack Brewing Company Ltd., founded by the family of Matt Soos in 2016 as a legacy to honour Matt’s passion for the craft beer industry. The Soos family is devoted to honouring Matt’s passion for creating uniquely flavoured quality beer.

The Soos family plans to attend and have organized a 40-passenger bus from Natterjack (based in West Lorne, Ontario) to attend the event.  This term, judging will be done by the Soos family from Natterjack Brewing, who will also announce the winner at Project Brew.

“On the bus will be a few judges who will help narrow down all the amazing brews, to find the one that will receive the $4500 prize,” said Daniel Soos, brewer and owner of Natterjack Brewing Company Ltd., brother of the late Matt Soos. “We always say that every one of the beers is a winner, and it’s a challenging competition to judge.”

This year, Natterjack collaborated with Storm Stayed Brewing from London, Ontario – whose head brewer is NC Brewmaster alumna, Diana Salazar – to create a Coffee Vanilla Vodka White Stout for the event.

“Diana graduated the same year as Matt and were great friends,” said Daniel Soos. “Not only did we work with Storm Stayed but also various other businesses in the local communities to pick specific flavour profiles to best suit this brew.”

The winner of this year’s Matt Soos Memorial Scholarship will be announced by Daniel Soos on April 14 at Project Brew.

Project Brew details

Project Brew will take place on April 14 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

In addition to a variety of unique craft beers, guests can also enjoy a selection of food prepared by NC Culinary Services (School of Culinary Arts), which will be available for purchase.

The event will be held outdoors in the campus courtyard (weather permitting). In case of inclement weather, it will be held indoors in the Student Commons.

While tickets for Project Brew are currently sold out, more tickets may become available closer to the event date (pending expanded outdoor capacity).

For the latest event details visit https://projectbrew.squarespace.com/

NC’s Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program was launched in 2010 as the first of its kind in Canada. The award-winning, two-year diploma program offers extensive hands-on training at an on-site, state-of-the-art Teaching Brewery to prepare students for employment in the expanding brewery, microbrewery and brewpub industries. Located at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson in Niagara-on-the-Lake, students learn from award-winning faculty and have access to on-site hop yard and local farm products to brew a full range of beer styles. Visit ncteachingbrewery.ca.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

905-328-2532

[email protected]