Algonquin College facts for kids
The Algonquin College Coat of Arms
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| Motto | Your goals, your career, your college |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1967 |
| President | Claude Brulé |
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Administrative staff
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1,151 full time |
| Students | 19,000 full-time; 37,000 part-time (2020: 18,412 FTEs) |
| Address |
45°20′48.97″N 75°45′33.79″W / 45.3469361°N 75.7593861°W |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colours | green and white |
| Nickname | Algonquin Wolves |
| Affiliations | CCAA, ACCC, AUCC, CBIE, Polytechnics Canada |
| Mascot | Thor the Wolf |
| Website | algonquincollege.com |
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Algonquin College is a public college in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It teaches in English. The college has three main places, called campuses, in Ontario. The biggest one is in Ottawa. The other two are in Perth and Pembroke.
Algonquin College offers many different programs. You can earn degrees, diplomas, and certificates here. It helps students get ready for jobs in many fields. The college is known for being a top research and innovation leader in Canada.
Contents
History of Algonquin College
Algonquin College started in 1967. This was when Ontario created its system of public colleges. Before Algonquin College, there were two other schools. These were the Eastern Ontario Institute of Technology (started in 1957) and the Ontario Vocational Centre Ottawa (started in 1965).
These two schools joined together to form Algonquin College. The land for the main campus in Ottawa was given by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ryan. The college is named after the Algonquin First Nations. They were the first people to live in this area.
Over the years, Algonquin College grew. It opened smaller campuses in other towns. These included Pembroke, Hawkesbury, and Perth. Some of these smaller campuses later closed or moved.
In 1990, a new French-language college, La Cité Collégiale, was created. This made Algonquin College an English-only college. Many programs moved to the main Ottawa campus.
Today, the college offers many degree programs. These are taught by experienced teachers. Some popular degrees include Interior Design, Public Safety, and Early Learning.
Campus Growth and New Buildings
Algonquin College has added many new and modern buildings. These spaces help students learn and work together.
The DARE District and Library
In 2016, Algonquin College started a big renovation project. They updated their original 'C' building. This project cost a lot of money and finished in 2018.
The main goal was to make the campus library better. They also wanted to create new spaces for students and staff to work together. This new area is called the DARE District. DARE stands for Discovery, Applied Research, and Entrepreneurship.
The DARE District also has a special place for Indigenous students. It helps them get resources to start their own businesses. This new building is also very environmentally friendly.
ACCE Building and Student Commons
The Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) opened in 2011. This large building has space for many students. They study construction and related programs here.
This building is very "green." It has a special certification for being environmentally friendly. It also connects to the main campus with a pedestrian bridge.
The Robert C. Gillett Student Commons opened in 2012. This building was built to give students more social and study spaces. The Students' Association helped fund this project.
The Students' Association at Algonquin College runs many services. These include sports teams and a fitness center. The Student Commons helps bring many student services together.
Pembroke Waterfront Campus
In 2012, the Pembroke Campus also got a new building. This new campus is located by the Ottawa River in Pembroke. It added space for over 300 more students. This new campus helps the college meet the job needs of the local area.
Programs Offered at Algonquin College
Algonquin College focuses on arts and technology. It teaches students with hands-on experience. There are over 19,000 full-time students. They are in more than 180 different programs.
The college offers many types of programs:
- Over 155 Ontario college programs.
- 18 apprenticeship programs.
- 40 co-op programs (where you work and study).
- 6 collaborative degree programs.
- 22 bachelor's degree programs.
Some of these degrees are offered with other universities. These include Carleton University and the University of Ottawa.
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Algonquin College offers many different bachelor's degrees. Here are some examples:
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Building Conservation)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Trades Management)
- Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food Science
- Bachelor of Digital Marketing Communication
- Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development
- Bachelor of Engineering (Automation and Robotics)
- Bachelor of Interior Design
- Bachelor of Public Relations
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Unique Learning Spaces
The Woodroffe Campus has a full television studio. It is used by students in the Broadcasting-Television program. Famous graduates from this program include director Jon Cassar and comedian Tom Green.
The college also has a radio station, CKDJ-FM. It is run completely by students. They also have an internet radio station called AIR - Algonquin.
The Algonquin College Animation Program is a three-year program. It focuses on creating animations. Students learn both 3D and traditional animation. Many graduates from this program find jobs in the animation industry. Some have even worked on Oscar-winning movies!
The Public Relations program helps students raise money for charities. Since 1990, they have raised over $300,000.
The Pembroke Campus is known for its outdoor training programs. These include Outdoor Adventure and Forestry Technician. Students from all over Canada come for these programs.
International Campuses
Algonquin College has partners in other countries. These partnerships allow them to have international campuses. They are located in:
Student Housing
The Woodroffe Campus has a residence complex. It opened in 2003 and can house 1,050 students. Many students also live in apartments or townhouses nearby.
Most students travel to campus using OC Transpo, Ottawa's city bus system. Full-time students get a transit pass included in their tuition. This makes it easy to get around.
The Pembroke Campus also helps students find places to live.
Algonquin College Presidents
| Date | Name |
|---|---|
| 1967–1969 | Frederick Rosser |
| 1969–1973 | Gerald Maher |
| 1973–1982 | Laurent Isabelle |
| 1982–1984 | Brian Ash |
| 1984–1995 | Philip Killeen |
| 1996–2012 | Robert Gillett |
| 2012–2014 | Kent MacDonald |
| 2014–2019 | Cheryl Jensen |
| 2019–Present | Claude Brulé |
College Partnerships
Algonquin College works with universities to offer special degrees. For example, they partner with Carleton University for some IT degrees. They also work with the University of Ottawa for a Nursing degree. Students take classes at both the college and the university.
The college also has agreements with universities. These help Algonquin graduates get degrees faster.
In 2017, Algonquin College partnered with The Ottawa Hospital. This partnership focuses on health research and training. It helps with things like digital health and clinical trials.
Algonquin College also works with Shopify. This partnership helps students learn graphic design. Students can practice their skills by helping local businesses.
Scholarships for Students
Algonquin College is part of Project Hero. This program offers scholarships to families of Canadian Forces members who have passed away.
There are also many scholarships for Indigenous students. These help Aboriginal, First Nations, and Métis students attend college.
Military Programs
Algonquin College offers special programs for members of the Canadian Forces. One program is the Diploma in Military Arts and Sciences. It is an online program. Graduates can get advanced standing at the Royal Military College of Canada.
The college also trains Canadian Forces Geomatics Technicians. These students learn about mapping and earn a certificate.
Algonquin College Sports
The sports teams at Algonquin College are called the Algonquin Wolves. Their mascot is Thor the Wolf. The Wolves compete in many sports. These include basketball, soccer, and volleyball.
They play against other colleges in Ontario. They can also compete for national championships. The Students' Association helps fund the sports teams.
Student Publications
The Algonquin Times
The student newspaper is called the Algonquin Times. It started in 1986. Journalism and advertising students create it every two weeks. It covers news and events at the college.
Glue Magazine
Glue Magazine is another student publication. It started in 2003. It comes out twice a year. The magazine covers topics important to students. These include money, food, friends, and gaming.
Journalism and advertising students work together to create Glue Magazine. It is given out at Algonquin College and other universities in Ottawa.
Services for the Public
Algonquin College offers many services to the public. These services are often cheaper than outside the college. They also give students real-world experience.
Some services available to the public include:
- Hair Salon services: Students in the Hairstyling program offer haircuts, coloring, and other hair treatments.
- Massage services: Massage Therapy students provide full massage treatments.
- Dental services: Dental Assistant and Dental Hygienist students offer cleanings and other dental care. Dentists supervise them.
- Restaurant International: Culinary Arts students run a fine dining restaurant on campus.
- Catering services: Students also provide catering for events.
- Pet Adoption: The college works with the SPCA. Veterinary students help care for pets available for adoption.
Notable Alumni and Faculty
Many successful people have studied or taught at Algonquin College. Here are a few:
- Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister of Somalia
- Jon Cassar, Emmy-winning TV director
- Zdeno Chára, former NHL player
- Janice Dean, Fox News weather specialist
- Tom Green, comedian
- Ricardo Larrivée, TV host and food writer
- Massari, Canadian singer
- Norm Macdonald, Comedian
- Ian Millar, Olympic medal-winning equestrian
- Larry O'Brien, former Mayor of Ottawa
- Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament
See also
- Higher education in Ontario
- List of colleges in Ontario
