Like Niagara College’s Fall Class of 2021, who had to overcome unprecedented challenges to graduate during a global pandemic, Randell Adjei has faced adversity.

But when Ontario’s first Poet Laureate shared his words of wisdom as part of the College’s Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation ceremonies, he inspired graduates to view it in a positive light.

“See adversity as a seed of opportunity,” he said.

Adjei, who was appointed Poet Laureate in April – a provincial position established in memory of Canadian singer-songwriter Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip – addressed more than 1,000 new NC graduates, along with their families and friends from around the world who gathered virtually to celebrate in two unique ceremonies livestreamed from the Welland Campus on October 29.

The special guest speaker, who was recognized with an Honorary Diploma in Community Studies during the ceremonies, told graduates that those facing adversity are like seeds buried and rooted into the darkness, which eventually find their light, and bloom.

“Sometimes we are buried into the darkness. Sometimes we are going to question, ‘why is this happening to me.’ Sometimes we are going to feel like victims but, I can reassure you, that you are being given an opportunity to grow,” he said. “You are transforming. You are evolving and blooming to become your best self.”

Adjei explained how adversity has played a key role in his own life, leading him not only to write as a form of self-expression but to form RISE Edutainment (Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere) to help GTA youth express themselves creatively through performance arts.

“If it wasn’t for the adversities that I went through, I would not be who I am today,” he said. “Adversity is what allowed me to look deeper within myself to question what I had to offer into this world.”

Adjei encouraged graduates to think about the legacy they hope to leave behind and what they can do to make the world better.

“Your legacy starts today,” he said.

Graduates were also treated to his gift of the spoken word, when he recited his poem, “The Dash,” which references the mark between dates on a tombstone and, figuratively, the course of a lifetime.

“It’s not about the day we’re born, nor is it about the day we leave, it’s really about everything we do with the dash in between,” he said.

President Sean Kennedy, who addressed the graduates live from the Welland Campus during the ceremonies, also shared advice with the Class of 2021. He spoke about the power of education and encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning as a key to realizing their dreams.

“As we learn, our worlds get bigger. Open your minds – and your hearts – to new ideas, new cultures, new ways of being and knowing,” said Kennedy. “And when you are moved, impacted and affected by what you learn, embrace that opportunity to grow and change. This is lifelong learning at its core.”

While the morning ceremony celebrated 511 new graduates from the Canadian Food and Wine Institute; and schools of Business and Management; Environment and Horticulture; Hospitality and Tourism; and Trades; the afternoon ceremony honoured 513 new graduates from the schools of Allied Health; Community Services; Justice and Fitness; Nursing and Personal Support Worker; and Academic, Liberal and Access Studies.

More than 270 new NC graduates were from the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker alone – at a time of escalating need for health-care workers in Ontario.

Allison Cronkwright

Among them is St. Catharines resident Allison Cronkwright, who graduated from Practical Nursing, 11 years after graduating from the Personal Support Worker program. After developing a rare immune disorder and unable to continue her work as a PSW, she became determined to pursue her dream career. She went from wheelchair to walker, to Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) during the past six years. On her convocation day, she considered herself the “luckiest woman on Earth” living out her dream as she begins her new full-time job as an RPN on a surgical unit at Niagara Health, where she completed her consolidation placement.

“Nursing was something I was born to do. From my very first memories as a child, I wanted to give back. I wanted to work in service of others,” she said. “COVID has put so much negative into the world. My nursing career is not one of them. I will adapt to whatever comes in front of me. I would move mountains to get where I am today.”

The Fall graduates join 3,872 from NC’s Class of 2021 who graduated during its Spring Virtual Convocation ceremonies between June 21-25 when the College celebrated the milestone of surpassing 100,000 individual graduates.

NC’s standout interactive virtual convocation ceremonies, which debuted in June 2020, feature many treasured traditions of its on-campus ceremonies, while leveraging modern technology and NC’s broadcasting expertise to create a live, interactive experience for graduates.

The formal ceremonies took place at the Welland Campus, and were livestreamed to a virtual audience, powered by a team of staff, faculty and students working behind the scenes from NC’s Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film program. Between the two ceremonies, the livestreams garnered 3,259 live views from 34 countries.

Through program Zoom parties held alongside the ceremonies, graduates could be seen smiling and waving on screen with their classmates, as select clips were featured during the livestreams.

Those who missed their live ceremony broadcast, may view it at their convenience via the College’s website. For information about convocation or to access the ceremonies, visit niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation/.

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.

 

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Corporate Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales
Manager,

Corporate Communications


Cell: 905-328-4101

[email protected]

 

 

 

Niagara College’s Applied Health Institute has been a hub of activity this fall term as it responds to help meet the provincial need for more health-care workers.

To support the demand for more nurses in Ontario, the College has expanded enrolment for its Practical Nursing program this Fall term. Its Fall intake includes 90 students, an increase from its usual intake of 60 in its regular delivery stream, in addition to a class of 30 in the alternate delivery stream who attend classes on evenings and weekends.

Dean of Community and Health Studies Carolyn Triemstra noted that NC’s Applied Health Institute has ramped up operations to seven days a week this Fall term to accommodate an increase in students in its School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies.

“We saw the opportunity to support the community and we did what we felt was right,” she said. “Not only were we able to increase our Practical Nursing cohort by 30 this Fall and another 30 this Winter term, we have taken in over 140 Personal Support Worker students in two accelerated streams this Spring, in addition to those enrolled in our regular PSW program.”

For Angela Butt, Associate Dean of the College’s School of Nursing and PSW, it has been exciting to welcome an increased number of PN and PSW students, and she is thrilled about the lab expansions which have taken place to accommodate more students. She expects the increases to have both short- and long-term benefits in the field.

“The nurses and PSWs who have been providing patient care on the front lines have been incredibly resilient but they are stretched thin and have been for a while. Training more PNs and PSWs means that we can hopefully provide a bit of reprieve to the health-care team in the short-term; students can help with some of the workload during their placements,” she said. “Long-term, the School of Nursing and PSW team is helping to bridge the gap between human health resource supply and demand so that all of us, as consumers of health-care, can have confidence in the system and the care we receive.”

Niagara College Practical Nursing students attend class in a new lab, recently renovated space within its Applied Health Institute, which opened this Fall to accommodate an increase in students within the program.

Current students are already making a difference in the community. Niagara Health alone takes hundreds of Practical Nursing students and currently has about 30 PSW students working clinical placements. In addition to hospitals, students are also being placed in long-term care facilities and community agencies.

“We recognize how difficult it is for many hospitals, community agencies and long-term care residents to take on students right now, with the additional pressures placed on health-care workers during the pandemic,” said Triemstra. “We sincerely thank Niagara Health and all of our partners who have really stepped up to the plate.”

The news about NC’s expanded enrolment was well received at Niagara Health.

“Nurses and Personal Support Workers are critical members of our interdisciplinary teams – the impact of their contributions in delivering extraordinary patient care is felt across Niagara Health,” said Heather Paterson, Interim Executive Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive at Niagara Health. “We’ve been extremely impressed with the nursing and PSW graduates that we’ve recruited from Niagara College, and we appreciate that the College is expanding enrolment as we recover from the pandemic and move forward with our strategic initiatives and priorities.”

Triemstra noted that there is a high number of applications and applicants on waiting lists for the Practical Nursing program. “We’re hearing from students that are responding to the issues happening in the world,” she said. “They wanted to be a nurse and the pandemic may have solidified the decision.”

Rachel Grist, who began the first term of the Practical Nursing program this Fall, is one of them. “Nursing is a beautiful combination of art and science, and I want to be a part of that symphony of skills,” said Grist. “I wanted to work in health-care before the pandemic, but working through the whole pandemic as a PSW has shown me the incredible resiliency of the health-care profession, and I want to continue and grow in my ability to contribute, and I want to be able to do more for my patients.”

Grist aims to go into paediatric nursing following graduation, with the goal of helping Indigenous communities and increasing awareness of their needs. She feels a heightened sense of urgency and importance to being a Practical Nursing student during the pandemic.

“Now, more than ever, there is a need for nurses. Pre-pandemic there was a shortage in the nursing world, and it’s just suspected to grow,” she said. “It puts a lot of pressure on me to graduate but I’m sure my fellow students and I will be able to get through it.”

The expansion of NC’s Practical Nursing program follows its previous introduction of a 20-week Personal Support Worker – Accelerated program during the Spring term, which enables students to graduate with the same credentials as the College’s one-year Personal Support Worker graduate certificate program. Sponsored by the Province of Ontario to help fill the demand for more PSWs in response to the pandemic, government funding covered all the costs and paid placements for the program.

Triemstra noted that there has been a great response to the fully funded PSW program, with the number of applicants far exceeding the number of seats in the program. More than 140 students enrolled in the accelerated rapid-training PSW program, including both May and June intakes, while almost 60 are enrolled in the regular PSW stream this Fall.

Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker students were among the first to return to campus following the March 2020 campus closure during the onset of the pandemic. They were the first to don gowns and masks and undergo inspections from public health officials during the summer of 2020, prior to more students returning last fall. Now PPE is part of campus life, as are mandatory vaccinations for all students.

Triemstra noted that Practical Nursing students not only learn about infectious disease control and prevention as part of the program, but also are required to practice what they are studying in the real world, in real time. Before they begin working their placements, all students also need to complete COVID-19 related modules as well as orientations required by their placement facilities which also includes information about COVID-19, screening, PPE and more.

“Our Practical Nursing students are so in tune with what they have to do from an infectious disease perspective,” said Triemstra. “With the measures in place to keep them safe on campus, they are well seasoned. When they go out into their placements, they know exactly what to do.”

This Fall term, the College also welcomed the College’s inaugural class of Massage Therapy students. The College introduced the three-year advanced diploma program to meet a growing demand for Massage Therapy professionals. Almost 30 students enrolled in Massage Therapy this fall and a new Massage Therapy lab opened at the Welland Campus to accommodate the new program in September.

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.

 

Related News Releases:

 

Feb. 25, 2021: Niagara College fast-tracks PSW training with new accelerated program

Nov. 20, 2020: Niagara College ready to flex its muscles in massage therapy

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
Cell: 905-328-2532
[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905-328-4101

[email protected]

Niagara College is once again at the forefront of cannabis innovation with the launch of its applied research for the safe and reliable development of edibles products to assist the food and beverage sector.

Through the Niagara College Cannabis Edibles Applied Research initiative – administered by the Canadian Food & Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre, part of the Research & Innovation division – experts are conducting R&D in the development of cannabis-infused products such as non-alcoholic beverages, gummies, confectionery and baked goods for industry partners.

“One of the goals is to contribute to the cannabis industry with scientific knowledge to support and facilitate commercialization of cannabis-infused edibles,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice-President, Research and External Relations. “Niagara College has the team to produce and teach cannabis production practices, and perform applied research projects with the cannabis and related industries in the areas of food and beverage product development and food safety.”

With previous legal constraints – cannabis-infused edibles only gained legal status by Health Canada in October 2019 – there is a lack of validated scientific knowledge for the infusion, stability, degradation and interaction of cannabis in foods and beverages and a critical void that needs filling to de-risk the research and product development process for companies. In support of this goal, the CFWI Innovation Centre was granted a Single Site-Multiple Protocol research licence – a unique model in that more generally, cannabis licences focus on one researcher, one industry partner and one protocol.

“This licence model fits Niagara College’s research framework in that it involves multiple foci, with numerous industry partners and a higher volume of unique projects from a range of clients,” said Nantel.

The CFWI Innovation Centre team is applying its expertise by engaging the industry in applied research and development, including the infusion and dispersion of active ingredients like CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol – the key psychoactive component in cannabis) for food and beverages containing cannabinoids. Research also focuses on understanding methods of dispersion and detection, stability and degradation studies to guide the cannabis industry when developing new products.

“Understanding how the cannabinoids behave in different media and food matrices is crucial to success in developing safe, stable and consistent cannabis edibles,” explained Ana Cristina Vega-Lugo, PhD, Senior Food Scientist, CFWI Innovation Centre. “At the same time, we are dedicated to contributing to advancing the body of scientific knowledge around this evolving market.”

Several industry partners are currently engaged with the CFWI Innovation Centre for applied research from food science experts, using state-of-the-art equipment in recently upgraded and commercially secure labs dedicated to R&D for cannabis edibles.

Dynaleo Inc., Canada’s highest capacity manufacturer of premium cannabis-infused soft-chews, partnered with the CFWI Innovation Centre to build on prior research by local collaborators CBD Innovations for a therapeutic CBD-infused gummy to support muscle recovery for the sports and wellness markets.

“The teams at Niagara College and CBD Innovations have been incredible turnkey partners in our collective pursuit of these exciting new product innovations,” said Michael Krestell, Executive Chairman, Dynaleo. “We have been thrilled with their focused and highly intelligent approach to development.

“We’re excited to offer these one-of-a-kind enhanced soft chews to wellness-focused consumers under our Dynawellness banner of cannabis-infused products in the near future,” added Krestell.

Dolled Up Desserts is an award-winning and innovative gluten-free and vegan bakery in Hamilton, Ont. and is working with the Research & Innovation team to finalize and test formulations for its first line of infused edibles, said Founder Katarina Poletto.

“We are innovating a product that will be completely novel in the legal space, and we needed to ensure, as a small business, we meet federal regulations. We’ve learned a lot about the processes involved with testing potency and how to improve our formulation,” said Poletto, adding she has even been able to apply what she’s learned from the research experts to her non-cannabis-related operations at the bakery.

“The team is enthusiastic, curious and very good at explaining their processes to us. We look forward to finalizing the project.”

Just as the College’s Cannabis Edibles Applied Research initiative supports the food and beverage industry, the research projects themselves also contribute to the experiential learning opportunities for students, said Lyndon Ashton, Centre Manager, CFWI Innovation Centre.

“The CFWI Innovation Centre routinely hires students as research assistants, who work alongside highly qualified experts and industry partners,” added Ashton. “These research activities, especially in an emergent industry, provide unmatched career-ready advantages.”

NC’s award-winning Research & Innovation division provides real-world solutions for business, key industry sectors, and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. Researchers conduct projects that provide innovative solutions, such as producing and testing prototypes, evaluating new technologies, and developing new or improved products or processes for small- and medium-sized businesses.

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 science, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca

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Quotes:

“Conducting cannabis edibles R&D for the food and beverage sector is a natural extension of the successful applied research that has been ongoing through our Agriculture & Environmental Technologies Innovation Centre and with the College’s School of Horticulture, Commercial Cannabis Production program for the cannabis industry.”

~ Krystle Grimaldi, Director, Research & Innovation

 

“We understand Canada has the opportunity to lead the world in cannabis-related innovations, and Niagara College is committed to strengthening this industry in Niagara and across the country through expansion of research and development into edibles.”

~ Andrea Campbell, Manager, Niagara College Cannabis Institute (NCCI), the first centre of its kind in Canada’s post-secondary system. The NCCI provides a strategic support role to help drive a coordinated effort and help strengthen all cannabis-related initiatives at the College.

 

Quick facts

• Cannabis edibles can include any food and non-alcoholic beverage: gummies, chocolate, brownies, cookies, hard candy, hot chocolate and tea; only be sold in packages containing a maximum of 10 mg of THC, with no nicotine or added alcohol and limits on caffeine. They must also be in child-resistant packaging, be shelf-stable, and non-appealing to children and contain ingredients and nutritional information.
• In June 2019, the CFWI Innovation Centre received a $149,345 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to support the purchase of specialized equipment for NC’s Cannabis Edibles Applied Research initiative. The Centre’s existing four food science labs (in food chemistry, food microbiology, shelf life, and food quality), at the Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake have been outfitted with this equipment. For details on equipment and research areas see: nccannabisinstitute.ca/capabilities/ediblelab/
• In the second wave of cannabis legalization, Health Canada gave legislative approval to cannabis-infused edibles on October 17, 2019, one year to the day that cannabis received legislative approval.
• In March 2020, Research & Innovation’s CFWI Innovation Centre was granted a Single Site-Multiple Protocol research licence by Health Canada. All the Centre’s research projects incorporate the government’s Cannabis Act framework through enforcement of strict safety and quality regulations. As well, intellectual property goes back to the industry partner and strict confidentiality on the project is maintained in this highly competitive market.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905-328-4101

[email protected]

 

 

Niagara College is planning an epic virtual send-off for almost 1,000 new graduates this fall with a special guest who is well versed in the spoken and written word.

Randell Adjei, Ontario’s first Poet Laureate, will deliver the convocation address at NC’s Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation ceremonies on October 29. The Scarborough native was appointed Poet Laureate in April – a position established in memory of Canadian singer-songwriter Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip. As Poet Laureate for a two-year term, Adjei is dedicated to writing and championing poetry, art and literacy, celebrating Ontario and its people, and raising the profile of poets in the province.

“The Niagara College community looks forward to welcoming Randell as our guest speaker and honorary diploma recipient for Fall Convocation. We are honoured that he will share his extraordinary talents with our Fall 2021 graduates,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “Randell’s mantra of resilience is sure to both inspire and resonate with our 2021 graduates, who have achieved their academic goals during an unprecedented time in history and are now poised to embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives.”

Adjei is a celebrated spoken word artist who has performed around the world. He has won multiple awards for his dedication to helping youth express themselves creatively through performance arts as the founder of RISE (Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere) Edutainment.

NC will confer an Honorary Diploma in Community Studies upon Adjei in recognition of his contributions to the literary arts, which serve to unite and bring attention to social injustice.

“I am ecstatic to be addressing the Class of 2021 graduates at Niagara College because it is a pivotal time in their lives,” said Adjei. “Niagara has often been a place of getaway and rejuvenation for me. Also given Niagara’s approach to learning and education, I am really looking forward to being involved.”

Two unique convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed from the Welland Campus on October 29: the 10 a.m. ceremony will celebrate new graduates from NC’s schools of Business and Management, the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Hospitality and Tourism, and Trades. The 2 p.m. ceremony will be dedicated to the schools of Academic, Liberal and Access Studies; Applied Health; Community Services; Justice and Fitness; and Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies.

The fall graduates join 3,872 from NC’s Class of 2021 who graduated during its Spring Virtual Convocation ceremonies June 21-25 when the College celebrated the milestone of surpassing 100,000 individual graduates.

Virtual convocation enables graduating students to celebrate their academic achievement in a safe and meaningful way during the COVID-19 pandemic before moving on to the next chapter of their lives. The upcoming ceremonies follow the resounding successes of the College’s previous virtual convocation ceremonies that drew tens of thousands of viewers from Niagara, Canada and around the world since they debuted in Spring 2020.

The College’s standout, interactive virtual convocation ceremonies feature many treasured traditions of its on-campus ceremonies, while leveraging modern technology and NC’s broadcasting expertise to create a live, interactive experience for graduates. The formal ceremonies conducted by Kennedy and Vice President Academic Fiona Allan will take place at the Welland Campus and will be livestreamed to a virtual audience thanks to a team of faculty and students working behind the scenes from NC’s Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film program.

Graduates and their families may visit the convocation website to view their ceremony as it happens, live in real time, from anywhere in the world. The name of each graduate will be called out, one by one, and appear on screen.

Videos will be incorporated into the live broadcasts, featuring well-wishes from the College community and beyond. Graduates will be invited to connect with their classmates and faculty through program Zoom parties to be held during their ceremony. Select clips from program Zoom parties – showing graduates smiling and waving – will be featured during the ceremony livestreams.

Virtual convocation also includes an immersive social media experience. Photos, videos and text messages with the NC convocation hashtag #NCGrad2021 will also be incorporated into the ceremonies.

For the convenience of those unavailable to attend the virtual ceremonies in real time, ceremony broadcasts will be available for later viewing via the Convocation website.

For information about convocation or to access the virtual ceremonies, visit niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation/.

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:

 

Julie Greco

Corporate Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales
Manager,

Corporate Communications

Cell: 905-328-4101

[email protected]