The Assiniboine Effect - Spring 2021 Edition

The Assiniboine

Spring 2021

LEARNING DURING A PANDEMIC

Sustainable Food System student Carlie Johnston shares her educational journey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ASSINIBOINE TURNS 60

Take a trip down memory lane as Assiniboine celebrates turning 60 and Parkland campus 35!

FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

Be a part of Assiniboine’s plans for the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.

Spring 2021

CONTENTS 3 New Early Childhood Education Program Assiniboine announces new program for Fall 2021 to provide upskilling opportunity for educators.

17 Thank You for Funding the Future

Find out about our successful annual Funding Futures campaign that wrapped up at the end of 2020.

4 Learning During a Pandemic

Sustainable Food System student Carlie Johnston shares her learning journey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

18 Assiniboine Receives $83k in Research Funding 6 Introducing the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture Learn about the future of agricultural education with Assiniboine’s plans to educate the next generation.

10 Keeping Up with Parkland

Find out what’s been happening at our Parkland campus and meet one of our many incredible students there.

12 Assiniboine Celebrates 60 years

Amid the challenges of COVID-19, Assiniboine celebrates its 60th year of providing world-class education in Manitoba.

The funding will support research focused on managing white mould in dry beans grown in Manitoba’s climate.

21 New Housing Options for Students

Assiniboine has partnered with Places4Students.com to provide off-campus housing solutions.

22 Education a Key to Success

Assiniboine graduate Kaitlyn Davey shares her insight into finding a job post graduation and the invaluable advantage education contributed to attaining a job in her field.

24 Indigenous News at Assiniboine

Assiniboine has been busy partnering with First Nation communities and organizations to provide new opportunities and partnerships.

16 5-minutes with Alumnus Mike Gray

Get to know Mike Gray and his journey since graduating from Assiniboine...twice.

Cover photo: Carlie Johnston, student of the Sustainable Food System program at the Sustainable Greenhouse located on the North Hill campus (page 4).

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26 Great Grey Owl During a Pandemic

The annual ‘Learn by Doing’ event for Assiniboine’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Restaurant Management students transitioned to a new format, a ‘ghost restaurant’ for 2021.

OPPORTUNITIES IN GROWING

y a B y d n Sa

When people think of Assiniboine, they may first think of the fixed campus locations but the college has many dots on the map across the province, where community-based programs bring training opportunities close to home. In 2020, Assiniboine delivered programs in 27 communities in Manitoba.

Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation is one of these communities, and is seizing these opportunities at every turn—most recently with an Applied Plumbing certification. This program, which began in fall 2020, is training 11 local students, providing them with the skills they need to start a career in plumbing, right in their home community.

“These programs are a win-win, affording community members access to training opportunities with fewer barriers, and reducing costs for the community that might otherwise have to provide students with financial support required for relocation and living expenses if they were to train at a fixed campus,” he said.

“These communities base their programs on community needs,” said Charles Blackbird, Community Development Program Coordinator at Assiniboine. “When the community offers programs, like this plumbing program, it sets them up to less often have to go looking for tradespeople outside of the community.”

“Many of the students who take these programs would not be able to leave their community for training due to family commitments, and the logistics of relocating, so bringing the training to them allows them that opportunity.”

Assiniboine is a national leader in communitybased program delivery, and programs like Applied Plumbing in Sandy Bay, allow the college to offer opportunities close to home for Indigenous learners while responding to Manitoba’s labour needs.

When delivering these programs, Assiniboine acknowledges and respects the communities’ traditional ways. The college provides an Indigenous Life Skills course at the start of each program, and throughout the program, elders are invited to speak to students and provide Indigenous teachings and support.

The current plumbing program saw a hiccup when COVID-19 locked down the community in November, but students were able to get back tao their training in February and will complete their program in June.

This program is one of many that have been offered in Sandy Bay in recent years. Certifications in carpentry, heavy equipment operation, applied counselling and child development are just some examples of the areas that Sandy Bay has sought training in.

While most of these community-based programs are a one-time contract, Sandy Bay has offered an

ongoing Pork Processing program for a few years, and has graduated six cohorts to date. Funding from Service Canada was critical in building a state-of-the art facility to offer this community-based program.

“The community is growing, so more services are needed. It makes sense to get the people who will provide these services trained at home so they’re ultimately able to provide these services locally,” said Blackbird.

“They’re very active in Sandy Bay. We’re involved with them on an ongoing basis. There’s always a project in mind that they‘ll call the college about, to develop and deliver.”

Blackbird says that two-way communication is key in meeting the community needs. Assiniboine’s Community Development department is proactive in reaching out to Sandy Bay and other communities when they know of a funding opportunity that may be a good fit.

“We meet with them when they call us and sometimes not even when they call us. We just want them to be able to take advantage of any opportunity that will serve their community.”

Left and right: Students practice newly acquired skills during the plumbing certification program.

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It’s been great to be able to keep coming in and actually getting some hands-on learning and physically working with the plants instead of just learning about it online.

AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS Learn more about the Sustainable Food Systems program at assiniboine.net/SFS

Above: Carlie Johnston inspecting plants in the college’s Sustainable Greenhouse at the North Hill campus.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

LEARNING THROUGH A PANDEMIC WITH

n o t s n h o J e Carli

I’m originally from Brandon, and I went out to the University of Western Ontario, earning a Bachelor of Medical Science with honours in biochemistry. Now I’m in the Sustainable Food Systems program at Assiniboine.

I graduated this past spring with my B.S.C, right in the middle of the pandemic. It was a very unfortunate time to be graduating, but it also allowed me to take a second, sit back and think about what I wanted to do next. It gave me time to figure out what I was really interested in, what I’m passionate about and where my priorities are. Did I want to stay in Ontario or come back to Brandon and be closer to family?

I realized that I was passionate about agriculture. I did some past work over the last three summers here at the Brandon Research and Development Centre, and I loved it. We had a great team and managers that provided a lot of mentorship. They really got me even more interested in agriculture than I already was. I knew I wanted to go down this pathway, but I didn’t know if this meant pursuing my masters yet or what.

I knew I was interested in both agriculture and sustainability. I also wanted to use my biochemistry background and keep up with research. It was Lisa Huston at Assiniboine who actually recommended the program to me. She’s a great family friend.

When she talked about the Sustainable Food Systems program a little with me, I knew right away that the program aligned with my interests and background. It was exactly what I was looking for at the time.

During my time at the Brandon Research and Development Centre I worked in the Sustainable Systems and Agronomy Department. It was a lot of field agronomy and trials taking place outside. I loved being outside and working with the plants. I learned so much being out there everyday.

My instructors here in the Sustainable Food Systems program at Assiniboine have absolutely blown my mind. At university, we had HUGE class sizes. We now have six people in our cohort at Assiniboine, and it allows a lot of one-on-one time with the instructors.

The instructors are all so knowledgeable and professional. They have really taken the time to ensure we’re ready for the workforce when we graduate. The hands-on learning has really prepared us for employment compared to what I’ve mostly experienced in the past with other post-secondary institutions, which always involved a lot of theory and study. It’s nice being able to work inside the sustainable greenhouse at the North Hill campus and be able to physically work on research projects. I learned about the research that Dr. Poonam Singh and Dr. Rao were doing here.

I had no idea that was happening and the type of professionals they had teaching the program. It’s very cool to be able to learn from them, especially this close to home. It’s nice being local and to get this type of experience.

The first day of class, it was crazy to learn about my classmates’ different backgrounds. We all gave each other an introduction, and it surprised me to learn how different each one of our paths were that led us into the program. Ranging from coming straight out of high school to others coming from art and history in university.

For this semester, we’ve been broken up into two separate cohorts to help with physcial distancing inside the classroom and greenhouse. We have different schedules and get to use the facilities at different times.

It’s been great to be able to keep coming in and actually getting some hands-on learning and physically working with the plants instead of just learning about it online. We get to grow cucumbers, strawberries and many different types of plants.

I had never grown a cucumber in my life before coming to the program. Being able to experience the process really helps apply the theory I’ve been learning in class.

I feel like after every class I have something to text or share with my friends and family. “Hey this is what we did in class today!” and fun things like that.

One of coolest things I’ve done here is grow

microgreens in our food production class with Jennifer Wasko. I had no idea what microgreens even were and how interesting they would be to grow. Microgreens are a very popular health food at the moment, and it’s interesting to be able to work on it here. They are seeds you let germinate to an early stage and grow a few inches tall. You cut them off at the base and use them as a fresh green product; they are similar to baby greens but much smaller. We’re actually growing some and integrating them as part of a marketing project.

Some of the research that Dr. Rao is doing involves growing sweet potatoes here on campus at the grow plot. We’ve been able to help with some of the research and be part of the harvesting process.

Each instructor has something they are very passionate about and use the facilities for their research. A lot of this is incorporated into the program and classes. With Sajjad, we were involved with some of the sweet potato research; with Jennifer, we worked on growing market items and the microgreens; and with Poonam, we got to be involved in her onion research and testing. It’s all very interesting work and the scope of the research and everything involved is incredible.

I never came into the program with a green thumb, per se; I knew the theory and a lot of the textbook knowledge behind the research and testing, but being in the program has let me develop a lot of the practical and hands-on side of it all. I can identify which plants need water or other nutrients now after my time working with them. I leave the greenhouse every day with pictures I’m sharing with my friends and family, showing the different types of things we’re growing and doing.

I figured once I got my university education that I was set on my path. I was caught off guard about the program and how much I’m learning. It’s a perfect fit for me, and I never expected to be here, but I’m so glad I am. It’s a great transition from my biochemistry background to the agricultural field that I want to be a part of.

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P R A IR IE IN N OVAT I O N C E N T R E FO R S U STAI N AB L E AGR I C U LT U R E

Introducing

PRAIRIE INNOVATION CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

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P R A IR IE IN N OVAT I O N C E N T R E FO R S U STAI N AB L E AGR I C U LT U R E

While Assiniboine Community College has offered agriculture programming for the past several decades, a renewed focus has the college investing big into agriculture and food. While maintaining a sharp focus on applied research and providing agricultural programming that is responsive to industry needs, the college is ready to take the next step.

This step— the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.

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niting agricultural education, innovation and collaboration, and applied research, the Centre is Assiniboine’s vision for the future of agriculture in Manitoba, addressing industry and economic needs in this important and growing sector.

In 2018, Assiniboine’s strategic direction, with an emphasis on leadership in agriculture, led to the separation of the School of Agriculture and Environment into its own school.

This change brought traditional agriculture programs like Agribusiness and Environmental Technologies, under an umbrella alongside programs like Culinary Arts. The re-alignment also brought technology programs, like Communications Engineering Technology (CET)and Civil Technician, into the fold. With the shift to a focus on digital and precision agriculture along with the technology revolution, programs like CET are increasingly benefitting from exposure to agricultural systems.

“Creating a school that provides a cohesive and holistic approach to agriculture is important, because the agriculture industry is evolving to a place where technology and food innovations are fundamental to things like agronomy, farming or land management.” said Tim Hore, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Assiniboine. “You can’t do one without having knowledge of the other parts.”

Johanne Ross, Executive Director of Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), advocates for agriculture education at all grade levels and showcases ag career opportunities to K-12 students. She’s seen that along with building a necessary awareness of where their food comes from, knowing more about agriculture can affect students’ futures.

“One of the biggest eye-openers for people is that agriculture carries career possibilities in a wide range of things, covering all interests in the STEM acronym – science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Ross, who is also a member of the Assiniboine Board of Governors and co-chairs the campaign cabinet for the college’s Prairie Innovation Centre.

“No matter what career you’re looking at, we can relate it back to agriculture and food production,” she said.

And while it’s an undoubted positive that diverse careers exist, they’re also in high demand.

“Agriculture is moving so fast in terms of innovation that we can’t keep up. We have a labour issue shortage, big time, in agriculture—everywhere. On the farm and off the farm, past the farmgate; everywhere, we need people.”

She’s right. It’s projected that by 2025, one in five agriculture Continues on next page

LEARN MORE Find out how you can become involved. Visit assiniboine.net/PIC

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P R A IR IE IN N OVAT I O N C E N T R E FO R S U STAI N AB L E AGR I C U LT U R E Continued from previous page jobs in Manitoba could go unfilled and that’s bad news for the economy and could mean a staggering $725 million loss.

The good news, Assiniboine is on it.

The Prairie Innovation Centre, located at the college’s historic North Hill campus, will combine indoor and outdoor learning spaces for seamless, hands-on training experiences and aims to expand seats from less than 300 to more than 800 students in agriculture, environment and related ag-adjacent technology programs. It’s a Manitoba-made response to labour market gaps in the agriculture industry and that in itself is an advantage.

The college launched the fundraising campaign for the Centre with a $1 million donation from Sunrise Credit Union in fall 2020 and by March 2021, had revealed more support from local industry, including Guild Insurance ($10k), Mid-Plains Implements ($50k), Wawanesa Insurance ($100k), Compass Credit Union ($25k) and The Brandon Sun ($50k).

“There has been such significant investment in the ag sector in Manitoba in recent years, and that will inevitably lead to other investors being interested in setting up shop here, which brings with it the need for skilled, trained talent,” said Hore.

And not only will the Prairie Innovation Centre help keep up with these labour needs, it will give back to industry through collaborative opportunities and continued applied research.

“The Centre will be recognized as a go-to problem solver for agrelated practical challenges and provide a space for industry and collaborators to seize new opportunities,” said Hore. “We look forward to extending and transferring the knowledge built here to the industry and primary agriculture producers in Manitoba.”

While maintaining a major focus on fundraising for this major development in provincial agriculture training, the college is not slowing down in other respects. The college’s field to fork approach is already deep-seated into the School, bringing together education, applied research and extension to help strengthen local food chains find new ways to improve food security and build healthier and stronger communities.

Faculty researchers, Dr. Baljeet Singh, Dr. Poonam Singh and Dr. Sajjad Rao currently provide scientific leadership to applied research projects. And outside of the contributions toward the Prairie Innovation Centre, the college is continually seeking practical applied research funding opportunities. Students in agriculture and environment programs then have the opportunity to participate in field and lab activities related to the research.

Recent research grants and funding partnerships have contributed to various projects: looking at commercial sweet potato varieties to suit Manitoba’s climate; collaborating with Manitoba’s first large-scale vegetable greenhouse, Vermillion Growers, to produce local and sustainable produce; and identifying ways to manage white mould, which poses a serious threat to Manitoba’s dry beans.

“The emphasis that the college has on the future of agriculture means that now is a great time to be an ag student. Agriculture is evolving— it no longer depends solely on mother nature and the application of fertilizers and pesticides uniformly across entire fields,” said Hore.

“Agriculture is a business and operations will need to be run differently in the future to meet advances in technology.”

“The Prairie Innovation Centre will be at the forefront of this advancing industry, bringing the next generation of agriculture, environment and technology forward.”

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P R A IR IE IN N OVAT I O N C E N T R E FO R S U STAI N AB L E AGR I C U LT U R E

Left: The proposed Prairie Innovation Centre built into the existing Valleyview building on the college’s North Hill campus.

Bottom Left: Renewed interior design to provide ergonomic study and collaboration spaces for students and staff alike.

Bottom right: Restored and expanded Valleyview building to faciliate new learning spaces and resources, becoming the hub of agricultural innovation in Manitoba.

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All images created by Number TEN Architectural Group

“The Centre will be recognized as a go-to problem solver for ag-related practical challenges and provide a space for industry to seize new opportunities.”

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w e N s ’ t a Wh IN

PARKLAND

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM WRAPS UP FIRST COHORT The first 11-week session of Assiniboine Community College’s Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS) program wrapped up at the end of 2020.

The first completed cohort,delivered in Dauphin and Russell, Man. will see a total of 16 students receive a certificate of completion.

The program is intended for individuals with little or no significant work experience and who may not have completed their high school education. This is the first of six cohorts that will be delivered over the next three years, made possible through a $900,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS).

The program is tailored to each student’s educational, career, and personal goals. It is designed to prepare graduates for employment or to complete further education, such as a high school diploma.

“This program has provided a tremendous opportunity for individuals facing barriers to 10

employment. Along with building a work plan for employment or further education, the program strives to build students’ confidence and selfdetermination,” said Gabe Mercier, Director of Assiniboine’s Parkland Campus.

Thanks to the YESS funding, the program is offered at no cost to those who are accepted into it, and students are paid the provincial minimum wage throughout their training.

“It’s been rewarding to support these young adults in realizing possibilities that exist and assisting them to secure what, for many, is their first paid employment,” said Wendy Lawrence, Instructor for the YESS program in Russell. “They are learning valuable lessons about financial reward for consistent work and the importance of a strong work ethic.”

Students in the program attended classes five full days a week, building essential and employability skills and learning about career exploration and decision making. Throughout the session, students were also able to earn certification and complete workshops in a wide range of practical areas such as food safety, first aid, social media etiquette, basic keyboarding and workplace hazardous materials.

“Participants really appreciate the value of these various certificates,” said Jane Delange, Instructor for the YESS program in Dauphin, adding that support in skills like writing a good cover letter also go a long way for these students.

Assiniboine is currently accepting applications for the next 11-week session of the program. More details will be released about this session in the new year.

Below: Arriane Morales with her classmates. Please note this photo was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SPOTLIGHT Arriane Morales

Practical Nursing student, Parkland Campus

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get super emotional when I think I’m going to be a nurse soon because when you’ve wanted something for so long and you’re finally able to get a hold of it, it’s priceless. I have no words.

I started nursing back in the Philippines when I was 16 years old. I finished my first year of study and then became pregnant, becoming a teenage mom.

This meant I had to take a year off and then go back to school, but I couldn’t continue my nursing studies at that time.

My family and I then immigrated to Canada, and I wanted to continue my nursing studies, but because the Philippines is not a native Englishspeaking country, I had to take my International English Language test before they would even look at my credentials. Unfortunately, I failed the IEL test and it made me think maybe nursing was not for me; so, I went to study as a health care aide, and I’ve been working as a health care aide for 10 years.

Making the decision now to study nursing again, something I’ve wanted to do my whole life, was hard. When you’re making money and you have a routine, you think “maybe it’s not really for me”.

I was a single mom for a long time, and then three years ago I got married, and my husband said I should try going back to school again. At the time, I was living in Winnipeg and Assiniboine’s’ Practical Nursing program had a waiting list. I told my husband that I couldn’t wait anymore; we wanted to grow our family.

I was browsing the Assiniboine website and saw that the Parkland Practical Nursing program was open. I chatted with my husband and thought maybe I should just try and apply. Now I’m over half way through the program. Every week, I drive the three hours from Winnipeg to live and study in Dauphin from Monday to Friday then drive back to Winnipeg for the weekend to be with my family.

It’s very hard living between two towns and being away from family. It’s just me who drives to Dauphin, and a part of me is always in Winnipeg.

But every time I’m in Dauphin and school, I know this is the place I need to be; this is the place I’m going to be a nurse.

I have no regrets. All the driving, six hours every week, is totally worth it. At first, it was lonely because I didn’t know anybody; but during my first year, I developed great relationships with my classmates and instructors. The instructors are really passionate in helping you succeed. They love their job and do everything to help you. My classmates, we try to help each other; we came in as a group, and we’re going to graduate as a group.

The other thing is that my old classmates from the Philippians are in different parts of the world practicing nursing already, and it’s easier to compare to others rather than praise yourself for all the hard work you’ve done. But here I am, still fighting. The hard work, never quitting, no matter how many times I actually fail, I’m still here trying.

If you want something, and that’s your dream, then you have to keep working on the dream.

GET TO KNOW OUR STUDENTS Meet more Assiniboine students by visiting assiniboine.net/SPOTLIGHTS

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2021 marks two large milestones for Assiniboine, 60 years offering post secondary education as a leading educational institution and 35 years of the Parkland campus.

In 1969, the Manitoba Vocational Centre was dedicated and renamed Assiniboine Community College.

The college grew its program offerings and locations. The Applied Arts department delivered a Canadian Job Strategy-sponsored Licensed Practical Nursing course in Killarney.

The CJS program on Developmental Studies was taught on seven First Nation communities.

New wing at Victoria Avenue East campus was opened on Nov. 30, 1982.

Introduction of the Practical Nursing program, one of the college’s largest offerings today, was delivered in communities across the province.

1970

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1961 The Brandon Vocational Training Centre began operations in portions of the Agricultural Extension Centre building on February 1, 1961. Five preemployment courses were offered: Automotive Mechanics, Electrical Construction, Architectural Drafting, Plumbing, and Commercial and General Office Practice.

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1980 New programs related to technology and computerization were introduced.

In 1986, Assiniboine’s Parkland campus was established.

In 2007, the college introduced its unique-toCanada Police Studies program (now called Public Safety) in partnership with the Brandon Police Service.

In 1995, the college’s Adult Collegiate opened in downtown Brandon.

990 The college’s Great Grey Owl restaurant started providing hands-on learning opportunities to culinary and hospitality students.

The restaurant continues as an annual event to this day.

The college’s radio station, CJ-106, received approval from the CRTC in 2003 to hit the public airwaves.

Grand opening of Sustainable Greenhouse in March 2013.

2010

2000

2021 Grand opening of LECTT in October 2010.

In 1998, the Winnipeg Campus opened and is now home to nursing education.

Grand opening of MICA in October 2007.

In 2020, the college delivered programs in 37 communities across Manitoba and celebrated 1,514 graduates, the largest in Assiniboine’s history.

Cougars‘ Women’s Hockey Team goes undefeated in the 2019-20 season after winning the ACHA championship the year prior.

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A BRIEF HISTORY

This history passage was written by Diane Nelson as part of a special 60th anniversary history book currently in progress.

Throughout the decades, this not-so-little college on the prairie has gone through many transformations to become what it is today, a cutting-edge post-secondary educational facility. From its humble beginnings as The Brandon Vocational Training Centre, ACC has always been hailed as being not only on top of things, but also remaining ahead of the curve.

The college’s dedication to providing something more, something extra, something special— evidenced by its pledge to deliver “exceptional learning experiences” — was as true in yesteryear as it is today.

and Machines course, providing seats for up to 50 students in the business area. College staff increased to 12 people during the peak enrolment periods, and almost 400 students attended the college during that year.

It’s said the more things change, the more they remain the same. And that’s certainly the case with Assiniboine Community College. In 1961, a shortage of people with training in the skilled trades motivated the creation of the entity that became ACC.

In 1964, the college’s name was changed to The Manitoba Vocational Centre. And in January of that same year, the first formal graduation was held. Seventy-seven students received Certificates of Attainment, and 28 received Certificates of Qualification. Before the academic year was out, the staff complement reached 17. Four social events, staged by the student council, were conducted over the year, and a curling league, which ran through the winter, was formed. Enrolment reached a peak of 239, up from 162 in the ’62-‘63 season.

The Brandon Vocational Training Centre began operations in portions of the Agricultural Extension Centre building on February 1, 1961. Five preemployment courses were offered: Automotive Mechanics, Electrical Construction, Architectural Drafting, Plumbing, and Commercial and General Office Practice. By the end of March, a total of 84 students had enrolled.

Student numbers kept increasing, and more instructors were hired to cater to a local population obviously hungry for education and training. By the beginning of the 1963 academic year, the number of pupils in Automotive Mechanics had doubled from the preceding year, so a second class was offered.

The Commercial and General Office course was divided into a Stenographic course and a Clerical

On October 27, 1966, the first students moved from their temporary quarters to the almostcompleted 22-acre site on Victoria Avenue East.

The building incorporated some 120,000 square feet (approximately one hectare) and was home to 23 training courses. In addition, the building soon became host to an ever-increasing range of evening programs designed to provide the citizens of Brandon and the surrounding area with every opportunity to embark on self-improvement and to further their knowledge in a variety of fields.

On December 15, 1969, the Manitoba Vocational Centre was dedicated and renamed Assiniboine Community College.

In the ’70s, the college was expanding well beyond its physical walls. The college provided curriculum and support materials to Hamiota Collegiate in the delivery of a Small Motor Mechanics program.

The Agriculture department registered more than 1,600 individuals for the many programs and courses offered in more than 73 communities. A new Entrepreneurship in Agriculture program was delivered in three locations. In addition, several agricultural programs were offered via distance education. More than a thousand individuals took advantage of the programs offered by the Business, Industrial and Continuing Education department.

Gross revenue for the year was $1.3 million.

Distance education enrolment increased by 20 per cent over the previous years.

In the ’80s, Assiniboine continued its growth, not only in the number of students enrolled, but in program offerings and physical space, with a new wing opened on Nov. 30, 1982. The addition was 93,000 square feet – a 50 per cent increase in space – at the Victoria Ave. East Campus.

The interest in, and focus on, technology and computerization that had begun in the ’70s really came to the fore during the 1980s. In 1986, Assiniboine added what was hailed as an educational revolution in Manitoba: video conferencing. Commonplace nowadays, the college was praised, as it so frequently was, in local and provincial media for introducing such an advanced technological option to its bounty of offerings.

Assiniboine was blazing trails at every opportunity, and the public and the powers-that-be were taking notice.

The Great Grey Owl Restaurant, named after Manitoba’s provincial bird, was established in the late 1980s. The first incarnation was staged in a section of the cafeteria and was decorated with lights and candles and, of course, elegant table settings. The excellence of the food and the thenreasonable prices were a huge hit with the local community, and a meal at The Great Grey Owl has been the hottest ticket in town for the past 30 years. But further advancements in the program were forthcoming, and they all took place in the next two decades.

Above: Commercial Arts, Class of 1978-79 14

Moving into the ‘90s, Assiniboine and the Brandon and District Chefs Association partnered to create a program for cooks who had been in the

food industry for five years to allow them to write the exams for their Red Seal, a governmental designation of a high level of competency in one’s field. Assiniboine’s programming in agricultural education was also hailed as an asset to the area in the 1990s, and, among other things, the college offered a high-tech pilot project aimed at rural women. As well, a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) business course was developed that was also specifically directed at farm families. Assiniboine’s early foray into online learning continued to bear fruit. During the next three years, Assiniboine was the only community college in Canada to offer a complete two-year Business Administration diploma through distance education.

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Assiniboine added what was hailed as an educational revolution in Manitoba: video conferencing Assiniboine welcomed the 2000s with unprecedented growth in the Westman region. In January of that year, the inaugural Hot-Tub-A-Thon took place. For this fundraiser, which was an annual event for many years, the Ag and Environment students took turns in a hot tub, in freezing outdoor temperatures, to raise money for diabetes research and support. In 2002, Assiniboine was the first organization in the province to install a new telephone system called an Internet Protocol Telephony Network, and the college made application for its 24-hour campus-community

radio station license. CJJJ, better known as CJ-106, finally got the formal nod from the CRTC in 2003, and media students, who had previously just been broadcasting in-house at the college, were now legitimately on the airwaves, with their efforts accessible to all within a 20-mile radius of Brandon.

Closed in 1993, the buildings of former Brandon Mental Health Centre had sat empty for a long period of time. It was proposed that the architecturally significant buildings and gorgeous grounds would make a natural campus, and that the area should be repurposed as a hub for education.

Campaign Assiniboine, which was to raise funds to assist in the realization of this vision, was launched in January of 2007, and plans for the extensive North Hill campus, with a projected completion date of 2011, were publicly unveiled in November.

The launch of the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts (MICA) took place on December 6th, 2006.

MICA was officially opened with much fanfare on October 5th of 2007. The next major happening of the decade occurred in June of 2008, when it was confirmed that funding had been approved for the building of the Len Evans Centre for Trades and Technology on the North Hill Campus. Construction commenced soon afterward, and the college looked forward to welcoming the new decade with another freshly minted facility.

As the college ushered in the 2010s, the number of programs available would surpass 50 and the Assiniboine would see a record number of international students consistently enrol at Assiniboine. With more than a total of 4,000 students at campuses in Brandon, Dauphin and Winnipeg, the college provided comprehensive educational opportunities throughout Manitoba.

The college also continued to partner with many communities and organizations across the province to deliver customized education and training. By the end of 2019, Assiniboine’s annual provincial economic impact was $613 million.

Above: Assiniboine Cougar athlete playing volleyball in 1981

PARKLAND CAMPUS TURNS 35 Assiniboine had started its outreach activities in the Parkland region in 1969, with 1,300 full-time day students in Dauphin and other Parkland communities delivering academic upgrading programs in a number of rented facilities all over Dauphin and the surrounding areas.

The much-hailed Parkland campus was established in a converted Co-op building in 1986. According to Gabe Mercier, Parkland’s Director since 2011, there were 11 original staff members at the then-new location, and the first courses offered were Auto Mechanics, Trailer Mechanic, Welding, Academic Upgrading, and Business Certificate.

Today, ideally placed in a central location of Dauphin, Manitoba, our Parkland campus serves communities across the region.

We welcome full- and part-time students to this vibrant campus that features a contemporary trades shop, healthcare training lab, enhanced student lounge and an early learning centre. Support services include two computer labs, a Learning Curve, and an on-site, full-time student success advisor.

Above: Assiniboine Victoria Ave East campus in 1981 15

CONNECT WITH MIKE Follow @MikeGra63206438 on Twitter to see what he’s up to!

Meet Assiniboine Alum Mike Gray from Hamiota Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter (‘07) Agribusiness (‘12) Where do you currently work?

I work at CIBC as a Senior Manager, Team Leader, Commercial Banking.

Did you receive an award before or during your time at Assiniboine?

Yes, I had the privilege of receiving several. They all had a significant impact. I think you grow as a person through the application processes & the financial impact allows you to focus more on studies, coming out a more employable individual.

All I can say is thank you. It is very valuable, and I’ll never forget the support it provided.

What is something you are proud of so far in your career?

I would say just having some success and advancing in my career. I now manage a small team and I’m lucky in that I get to help farm operations and business owners plan to meet their goals every day; it’s very gratifying.

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What was your favourite class?

I would say financial/risk management and soils/ fertilizers as favorite classes. I really enjoyed all of the real life, hands on learning and to me the business planning process and final presentations were very valuable.

What were the most important skills you gained at Assiniboine?

Aside from academic knowledge, I would say presentations, teamwork and collaboration. We did a lot of group work in classes and would then present. This is important in any career; however, in our line of work, it is important everyday.

What advice do you have for current students who may be looking to go into the same or related field?

Go into it with an open mind and enjoy it, as the two years fly by. There is a pile of opportunity in the ag sector with many different avenues to choose from.

If I’m being honest, I initially wouldn’t have seen myself in the financial sector going into it but am certainly glad it ended up that way.

FUNDING

FUTURES

Assiniboine’s alumni community has come together once again to support financial awards that will contribute to the success of students who will soon join that very alumni community.

The Funding Futures annual fundraising campaign supports financial awards for students. This year, through the generous support of alumni, staff and community donors, Funding Futures raised more than $30,000.

As part of this year’s campaign, we spoke to students who had received awards and staff and alumni who have made the choice to donate to the campaign, and we shared their responses with the alumni community.

“I donate to the alumni campaign because I really value the education that I received at Assiniboine,” said Ashley McCaughan, Hospitality Administration alumnae. “The skills I learned at Assiniboine helped me succeed and develop more skills. So I feel that it’s important to give back to the school that has taught me so much.”

“When I was there, I received some bursaries and scholarships and they definitely helped so I want to be able to do that for future students, because I

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It lets you do other college stuff and live the full college experience Hayley Matiowsky, Lillian May Knox Award recipient

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understand how much it really does help.”

And so many of the students that these contributions have helped are keenly aware of the generosity of donors.

p a c e R

From Mariah McCue, a recent Practical Nursing graduate, who captained the Cougars hockey team for the past two seasons: “Thank you very much for offering up your own financials to help people like myself go to school and more easily afford it. I was able to worry less about the financial side and more about the education and having fun while you’re in college, because that is something you want to be able to enjoy – it’s a great time in your life.”

what Assiniboine alumni continue to contribute to his professional life. That’s part of the reason he donates.

“It adds up over time and could change someone’s future from not being able to start or continue on to being able to finish [college],” he said. “If you’re in a position where you’re involved in hiring people, some of these people could be your best employees in the future.”

Assiniboine’s alumni community has now raised more than $90,000 over the past four years through the Funding Futures campaign.

The exceptional learning experiences that Assiniboine strives to give to students will hopefully lead to exceptional careers. Alumni donor Steve Ganczar has seen many of these careers unfold.

He says he runs into Assiniboine alumni frequently and values not only the education he received, graduating from Agribusiness in 2003, but also

SPREAD YOUR DONATION OUT THROUGH MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

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ASSINIBOINE RECEIVES $83K FUNDING FOR WHITE MOULD MANAGEMENT RESEARCH Assiniboine Community College has received $41,850 from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Ag Action Manitoba Program with matching funding from the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) for a total $83,700 for the research project.

The funding, to come in April 2021, will support research focused on managing white mould in dry beans grown in Manitoba’s climate.

“We thank the CAP Ag Action Manitoba Program and MPSG for recognizing this need and supporting this research.

“White mould is a serious threat to many Manitoba crops, including dry beans,” said Dr. Baljeet Singh, researcher at Assiniboine, who is the principle investigator on the project. “To prevent crop losses to white mould, we will work to provide real-time disease risk warnings for Manitoba growers.”

“Dry beans represent an important, growing market in Manitoba,” said Dr. Daryl Domitruk, Executive Director of Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG). “Research partnerships such as the one MPSG has with Assiniboine Community College to tackle the issue of white mould are vital to ensuring our farmers are as supported as possible and vital to establishing dry beans as a viable crop option in multiple regions of Manitoba.“

The project, officially titled “Weather Based Fungicide Application Decision Support Tool (FADST) for Managing White Mould in Dry Beans in Manitoba” will be carried out in three phases over two years, starting with optimizing a disease severity model, then developing and releasing a weather-based FADST that Manitoba producers can use to manage white mould in dry beans.

The FADST will combine information surrounding weather data, white mould severity and agronomic practices to assist Manitoba producers in making informed fungicide application decisions.

“This important research will ultimately enhance Manitoba producers’ ability to optimize yields in dry beans,” said Tim Hore, Dean of the School of Agriculture & Environment at Assiniboine.

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The Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s Ag Action Manitoba Program supports industry-driven applied research. This research contributes to the development of agricultural knowledge and skills and improves competitiveness and sustainability in Manitoba’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-product sectors.

“We’re happy to support this important research initiative with the Assiniboine Community College,” said Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development. “White mould can be detrimental to bean crops, severely reducing their yields. Manitoba producers will greatly benefit from the research being undertaken by the college.”

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To prevent crop losses to white mould, we will work to provide real-time disease risk warnings for Manitoba growers.

Above: Dr. Baljeet Singh, researcher at Assiniboine, delivering a lesson during a field trip.

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CONTINUING STUDIES AT A S S I N I B O I N E

ONLINE TODAY! View over 200+ short online courses to augment your existing skills in areas of management, communication, marketing sales, Microsoft software and more.

Enjoy the guidance of either instructor-led six week courses or self-paced micro-credentials from the comfort of your own home.

assiniboine.net/ed2go 20

w e N

HOUSING OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Assiniboine has partnered with Places4Students.com to provide off-campus housing solutions.

Assiniboine Community College and its Students’ Association (ACCSA) have partnered with Places4Students.com, a company that specializes in providing academic institutions with offcampus housing solutions. Places4Students.com is introducing a new and improved rental property listing service for students, landlords and affiliates of the college’s community.

“This is a great platform that can help ease the transition for incoming students,” said Matthew May, Executive Director of ACCSA. “We are here to serve students and having a suitable place to live is a necessary part of a positive college experience.”

The college and Students’ Association wanted to offer students an established online directory to search for suitable housing accommodations, find roommates and post sublets.

In partnership with:

“Many students come to college from out of town or have had a recent change in their living situation,” said Kris Desjarlais, Director of Indigenous Affairs at Assiniboine.

“We don’t want these individuals to see this as a major barrier to coming to college, so providing a central location to find accommodations can hopefully reduce some of that barrier.”

Places4Students.com simplifies the process for students to search for off-campus housing accommodations near the college with a userfriendly website and mobile app. Landlords and property managers can advertise their rental vacancies directly to students free of charge.

To access the Places4Students.com database specifically for Assiniboine, students can visit assiniboine.net/housing. Landlords and property managers can post their listings by registering an account at places4students.com/Landlord/ Register.

ASSINIBOINE GOES DIGITAL Assiniboine launched an online application system in March, 2020. With most fulltime regular programs for domestic and international applicants being available online for nearly one year, the college is now in phase two of the launch, to bring all program applications online.

The online system guides applicants through all steps to enter their data and upload necessary documents they need to submit their application. Applicants can access the online application 24/7 from their computer, tablet or phone. They can start an application and return to it to add documents prior paying the application fee and hitting “submit”. If the applicant has all their documents ready to go, the application can take as little as 10 minutes to complete.

In the almost 11 months since it was launched, the majority of applications to full-time regular programs have been submitted via the online application with more than 5000+ application accounts created.

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ONGOING EDUCATION KEY TO SUCCESS After graduation from Assiniboine’s Agribusiness program in the spring of 2018, Kaitlyn Davey was among the 91 per cent to find a job within months.

The 20-year-old secured a sales agronomist position straight out of college, with Shur-Gro Farm Services hiring her at their Neepawa location after getting her foot in the door as a summer student.

As she neared graduation, Davey said that she wasn’t too concerned about finding a job, with an ongoing skilled labour shortage in the agriculture industry and Assiniboine’s reputation to her benefit.

Finding employment close to any one specific small town—in her case, her native Westbourne—might prove more difficult, but “if you want to move away, there are piles of jobs out there,” said Davey.

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Lifelong learning accompanies anyone working in agriculture.

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Now on the job for a couple of years, she said that the learning has been ongoing since graduation.

“No matter how much school teaches you, it’s nothing like on the job learning,” she said. “It just kept going up and up, and it will until I die, pretty much.”

Lifelong learning accompanies anyone working in agriculture, said Shur-Gro Farm Services sales manager Blaine Cochrane.

Given the reality of ongoing skilled labour shortages, he added that the key things he looks for in prospective employees isn’t necessarily their degree or diploma, but rather their attitude and willingness to learn.

“Attitude is number one,” Cochrane said. “You can teach them all the other stuff.”

While attitude reigns supreme, post-secondary education is still incredibly useful, he said. When an applicant comes in with a credential it showcases their willingness to learn and has set them up with a base of knowledge in the field they’re seeking to find employment in.

Shur-Gro president and founder Ron Helwer said that earning a diploma or degree is just the beginning, and that learning is a lifelong thing—at least among the people they seek to hire.

“If we have a new agronomist who comes out of ACC, they’re going to come out with a diploma in Agribusiness (Land and Water Management

or Geographic Information Systems), but they’re also going to spend a lot of time with our senior agronomy people learning stuff in the field,” Cochrane said.

Shur-Gro employees receive ongoing on-site training, and those who are Certified Crop Advisors have to keep up a certain number of credits each year to maintain their accreditation.

Helwer also points to various day courses and instructional sessions, hosted by the manufacturers they work with on a regular basis, as additional sources of ongoing education.

Shur-Gro employs approximately 70 people in autumn and roughly double that in the spring, with employees spread through 13 sites in southern Manitoba.

Redfern Farm Services is of a similar scale, employing approximately 150 people in various operations at 11 sites in Westman during their peak summer months.

Although founder and president Ray Redfern said that a large number of their graduates come from Assiniboine—mainly the Agribusiness program— “the market demand is bigger than the number of graduates.” His preference is to hire people with certain qualifications, but he said that in a pinch this doesn’t always happen.

“We can usually find a body to fill a direct role, but do we find someone who’s adept enough to grow our business?” he said. “It’s harder to find the person who’s a perfect fit.”

It’s not just the post-secondary experience that gives Assiniboine graduates an edge when it comes to landing a job with Redfern Farm Services, he said, but the fact that they went to school in Westman.

That’s a big selling point for him. It can be difficult to keep people in smaller communities, he said,

Above: Shur-Grow Farm Services sales manager Blaine Cochrane and ShurGro president and founder Ron Helwer.

Left: Agribusiness graduate Kaitlyn Davey found a job within months of graduation at Shur-gro.

and Assiniboine’s physical location in the heart of Westman allows local area people to attend college in Westman, which he said makes it more likely they stick around into the long term. “They give up a bit less of their history” if they stay in Westman, he said, which allows more time for their roots to continue to grow into whatever community they call home.

Like those who do the hiring at Shur-Gro, Redfern clarified that while having a degree or diploma might help them find employment with his company, simply being educated at a postsecondary level isn’t enough for them to find sustained success.

Agriculture is always evolving, so those employed in the sector need to adapt along the way. “You need to be ambidextrous,” he said, adding with a chuckle that he’s not even allowed on a combine anymore because they’ve become so high-tech.

Any certification should be seen as a “stepping stone toward broader requirements,” he said, adding that lifelong learning is often instilled during people’s college years.“Once you have some degree of education, you start to look at yourself and the roles you fill from the perspective of wanting to be a professional, as opposed to just some place I go every day,” he said, with peers often inspiring one another and spurring each other on to achieve greatness.

Davey said that those around her, both in the industry and within the company she works for, have had a similar effect on her. ”There are situations out in the field where you can’t cover them all in school,” she said. “It’s good there are so many people in the industry who can answer your questions and everything … It’s ever-changing, especially with all the technology that’s coming in these days.”

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“Attitude is number one, you can teach them all the other stuff.”

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Follow @AgAssiniboine on Twitter or Instagram to see the latest news.

Indigenous News Assiniboine Community College is a proud partner of the Indigenous YouthBuild Canada (IYBC) program led by Algonquin College, a national initiative which helps Indigenous youth gain trade skills and education.

As a part of the IYBC program, Assiniboine is delivering a 26-week Applied Building Construction program at the Parkland Campus from January 11 to August 27, 2021 for 10 Indigenous youth from Treaty 2 Territory. This program is accredited with Apprenticeship Manitoba and students who graduate with an average of 70% or better will receive credit for year one technical training and 900 hours towards the on-thej ob component of their carpenter apprenticeship.

ASSINIBOINE PARTNERS FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTHBUILD CANADA PROGRAM

“Our goals are to teach and support students during the program and ultimately to provide meaningful, practical training that leads to jobs upon graduation,” said Dean School of Trades, and Access Programs Kate Pelletier.

“We’re proud to continue providing new pportunities for Indigenous youth to develop their skills and experience to find gainful employment during this pandemic,” said Pelletier.

Part of the program includes students putting their new skills into practice by building sheds among other construction projects. Students will complete a six-week work practicum placement providing them with invaluable workplace experience.

Graduates of the program will be prepared to enter the workforce with technical training and hands-on experience in the construction field.

The program team includes a full-time instructor and an Education Assistant, both who hold their Red Seal in the skilled trade.

The three-year $7 million project, funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, is mandated through Indigenous YouthBuild Canada, a national job-readiness program that brings First Nations communities together with educational institutions, government, and corporate partners to help Indigenous youth acquire job-ready skills while extending their education.

Assiniboine has a strong history partnering with communities and Indigenous organizations to develop and deliver place-based education. In conjunction with the partners of the IYBC program, Assiniboine will help to offer nearly 360 Indigenous youth training opportunities throughout 2021.

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ASSINIBOINE AND TRIBAL TRIPARTITE HEALTH GROUP PARTNER ON NEW EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER TRAINING Assiniboine Community College and Tribal Tripartite Health Group have partnered to deliver an Emergency Medical Responder program, created to address the shortage of skilled emergency first responders within First Nation Communities.

Tribal Tripartite Health Group includes Four Arrows Regional Health Authority (FARHA), Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC) and South East Resource Development Council Corporation (SERDC) Health.

This program is funded through SERDC and the Health Canada Project.

Tribal Tripartite Group leaders, Alex McDougall Director of FARHA, John Spence KTC Director of Health, and Pam Grenier SERDC Director of Health shared this joint statement: “The Tribal Tripartite Group is incredibly pleased to be offering a Customized EMT Training Program in partnership with the Assiniboine Community College and Criticare to twenty-three First Nation communities and forty-six students. The successful graduates will work in their communities as licensed EMTs. The Tribal Partnership is unique and offers the opportunity for health authorities to collaborate with each other on our Health Care needs.”

“The current pandemic has demonstrated the need for emergency management training for First Nations to properly respond to health emergencies.

This program is the beginning of First Nations creating the capacity and infrastructure, at the community level, for the transfer of control of health services which are culturally safe and appropriate,” they added.

The program includes essential skills, emergency medical response training and prepares students to write the Emergency Medical Responder Entry to Practice Exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals will receive their Emergency Medical Responder Provincial License.

The program begins in April 2021 and will be delivered in both Thompson and Winnipeg with capacity for 48 participants, split across the two cohorts. Students are nominated from their communities to participate in this program.

with necessary emergency medical response skills for their home communities,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine.

“Our college has a proud history working with First nations communities and organizations to provide customized education that meets their needs.”

Assiniboine offered a similar program in 2019 in Waywayseecappo First Nation.

“This valuable partnership between our college at these health groups was formed to respond to the priority need to have more individuals trained

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GREAT GREY OWL GOES VIRTUAL

A year like no other, the 33rd Great Grey Owl transitioned into a new format this year due to the COVID-19 gloabl pandemic.

T

he 2021 Great Grey Owl restaurant, like all other events in recent times was impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Culinary Arts and Hotel & Restaurant Management programs transitioned to a different format as a result, allow students to have ‘learn by doing’ opportunities central to the educational philosophy of Assiniboine.

Great Grey Owl also did not want to compete with the restaurant sector, which faced its own own challenges as a result of the pandemic. For this reason, clientele was restricted to an internal audience (college staff, students and donors). The restaurant operated as a ‘ghost kitchen’, partnering with an app service to allow orders to be placed in advance for delivery or pick-up.

The students and faculty designed a tantalizing menu to reflect this year’s theme of Global Street Food in a “tapas” or small-dish style. The small portion items enable guests to experience two or three dishes at a time. In addition, the wines and

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beverages, bags, cutlery, and service technologies were carefully selected and managed by our Hotel and Restaurant Management program.

Academic Chair of the Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts & Field-to-Fork Initiatives, Ryan Whibbs RSE, BA, MA, PhD, believes this year has seen an increase in engagement with the college community due to the ability to deliver meals.

“It’s been an extremely rewarding experience, working with the students to develop the event in this new format,” said Whibbs. “The students experienced all aspects of hosting a virtual kitchen, learning the ins and outs of preparing administratively and logistically to on-demand orders factoring in delivery times.”

This event provided students with a true ‘Learn

by Doing’ experience, ensuring Assiniboine students receive credible, live experience that fulfills curriculum requirements and is directly transferrable to industry jobs.

True to the college’s Field-To-Fork philosophy many of the vegetables used to make this year’s delicacies were grown by Assiniboine’s nationally revered Horticultural Production and Sustainable Food Systems programs in the historic vegetable garden at the North Hill campus.

Our Hotel and Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts program have worked with Feastify’s experts to host our menus, prepare images and learn about virtual restaurants.

In addition to serving up delicious meals, the programs made a concerted effort to ensure that most of the bags and packaging materials used are biodegradable a or recyclable locally here in Brandon. With further steps taken to include food liners in containers to prevent grease stains which might prevent recyclability.

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Students experienced all aspects of hosting a virtual kitchen, preparing administratively and logistically to on-demand orders.

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60 never

looked so good