Fleming Students Receive Certification to Give COVID-19 Vaccines

Twenty-six Fleming College students of the pharmacy technician program have been approved to help local pharmacies load and administer COVID-19 vaccines in Peterborough.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The Ontario College of Pharmacists issued the Emergency Assignment Registration for all pharmacy students in the province to gain certification to temporarily load and give vaccines. The emergency certification is for 60 days but is open to being extended as needed. The opportunity came after the Canadian government recognized a shortage in vaccine administers.

The second-year students received the opportunity as their practical exams as a pleasant surprise when they found out back in early March. It was a different format from what was originally planned.

“I wanted to change their practical exams on this,” said Amanda Mushynski, pharmacy technician program coordinator. “It would qualify them to give vaccines and they were ecstatic. The students jumped on it.”

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

Students would be dispatched to local pharmacies, public health units or mobile vaccination sites to administer the doses.

Helping these locations is a big load off pharmacists’ shoulders according to Mushynski.

“They’re trying to do their regular jobs as well as administer vaccines,” she said. “Our students can go into the pharmacies and do the injections. Some of the local pharmacies don’t have the manpower, they might hesitate but now they have a pool to choose from.”

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

Students are currently waiting on final confirmation from the college before getting the green light to give the vaccines during this article’s publication.

This unexpected yet positive news for the students is a rare opportunity that they took advantage of and can put them over the top says Mushynski.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

“I’m so very proud of what we’ve done in the program and giving vaccines,” she exclaimed. “Flipping from face-to-face to learning online, learning from home and studying themselves. This is a group of phenomenal students. Their reward is to be able to give back.”

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Fleming Student Wins Gold Medal In Province-Wide School Competition

Culinary Management student Liam Collins of Fleming College has won the gold medal in the Skills Ontario Competition held from May 3 to 5 announced on Friday.

Liam Collins showcases his three-course meal entered in the Skills Ontario Competition. The Skills Ontario Competition did not have an event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College

His win makes him the school and Ontario representative in culinary arts at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in a two-day event on May 26 and 27.

The virtual competition had Collins cook an appetizer, main course and dessert while supervised by a proctor at the campus’s classroom kitchen. Competitors had to detail all the elements used in each dish in addition to being judged by taste and presentation.

Liliane Michaud (pictured) earned silver in culinary arts showcasing her three-course meal at Fleming College. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The following are a list of Fleming students who participated in the event and earned top-three honours in the province:

• Liliane Michaud won silver in culinary arts

• Bailey Wodzack won silver in carpentry

• Nicholas Stock won bronze in welding

• Devin Cartmell-Martin won bronze in metal fabrication-fitter

Nicolas Stock (left) and Devin Cartmell-Martin (right) both won bronze medals in welding and metal fabrication-filter respectively for the competition. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

If successful at SCNC, Collins could qualify for the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China. That event was originally scheduled for Sept. 22 to 27 this year but has been postponed for the fall of 2022.

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Fleming College Soars With Free Aircraft Interior Program

The sky is the limit with Fleming College’s SkillsAdvance Ontario Altitude aircraft interior program.

Students in SkillsAdvance Altitude train to be Aircraft Interior Technicians and Upholstery Technicians. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The College is offering a new intake of the free 12-week program that offers job readiness skills, technical training as an Aircraft Interior Technician or Upholstery Technician and a paid work placement with a local company.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone in our community who is unemployed or underemployed. There is industry demand for workers locally as well as beyond the region,” said Pam Stoneham, Dean of the School of Trades and Technology at Fleming.

The SkillsAdvance Ontario Altitude Altitude classroom at the City of Peterborough Airport. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The program is open to early school leavers, unemployed or underemployed youth and adults. EI eligible and non-EI eligible as well as women, Indigenous peoples and newcomers to Canada are encouraged to apply.

All training takes place at the City of Peterborough Airport. Participants start with in-class instruction and progress to hands-on training. The program culminates with a paid, two-week work placement.

“The program has been optimally designed for both students and employers,” said Stoneham. “It provides thorough hands-on training, soft skills that are essential for employment, and real-world work experience. This is all done in a compressed format that is highly specialized for the unique needs of the airline industry. Students can train quickly and graduate into the workplace.”

There is no cost to participants as all training and related costs for tools and equipment are covered.

Applications are due by May 21 with classes starting May 31. For more information or an application, visit their website or contact Tonya DeJong.

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Fleming College Partners with Seneca To Expand Diploma to Degree Pathways

Fleming College struck a five-year agreement with Seneca College to provide Fleming graduates more than 80 pathway options to 12 honours bachelor degree programs at Seneca announced Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College

Diploma and advanced diploma graduates from Fleming can continue their education at Seneca in business, child development, marketing, mental health, crime analysis, therapeutic recreation, data sciences and interdisciplinary studies.

Students pursuing Seneca degrees benefit from programs connected to industry and include work-integrated learning opportunities that prepare graduates to excel in their fields. This includes frontline experience in areas of local need such as childhood development and mental health.

“The omnibus agreement provides an opportunity for nearly all of our students to stretch their Fleming diploma further and enhance the value of their credentials even more,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College president. “The new pathways significantly build on our already strong partnership with Seneca and lay the foundation for further collaboration.”

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College

The goals of the newly-established agreement which went into effect Mar. 1, 2021 are to create opportunities that recognize the value of a student’s previous education and provide seamless, accessible and innovative options to further their post-secondary education.

“We are delighted to further our partnership with Fleming and add these new academic pathways within the Ontario college system,” said David Agnew, Seneca president. “Fleming graduates who build on their credentials at Seneca will find flexible program delivery and practical learning experiences that will give them the skills and experience to contribute to Canada’s post-pandemic recovery.”

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Fleming College Supports Upskilling with Online Learning in Continuing Education

Although online learning has now become an integral part of education, Fleming College's Continuing Education has long been a leader in offering a breadth of exceptional online programming to upskill, retrain and respond to industry trends.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

One such trend is the rise in interest in social media courses. Marketing through social media has become a critical tool for business owners faced with reduced capacity, who nevertheless need to stay in touch with and grow their customer base. Fleming's Social Media certificate has seen an increase in enrolment in their eight-week courses, with some completing the whole certificate, while others simply complete the courses they need most. Courses such as How to Start a Small Business and Entrepreneurship have also seen an increase in registrants.

The reality of working from home has had an impact on the types of courses that have become popular over the last year. Certificates that can launch home office careers, such as Small Business Accounting and Business Analyst, are popular choices for those who are looking to retrain, while Leadership Development courses offer managers the skills to lead employees who are now working remotely.

The growth in home renovations has also seen an increase in Continuing Education's Interior Decorating - Residential courses for home renovators and those looking to start a new business venture.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

With healthcare at the forefront of daily news, it is unsurprising that related courses have found an increased audience. Certificates in Hospital Nursing Unit Secretary and Medical Office Support Staff are opening up new career opportunities. Courses in Fleming's highly acclaimed Children's Mental Health certificate have been popular with teachers, health care providers, community service workers, parents and even police officers.

Several students are also taking the time to brush up on Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as writing and business communication skills.

The Spring semester starts on May 11, but many courses also offer monthly start dates. Most online courses and certificates are asynchronous, designed for those with busy home and work lives who need ensure that course work can fit into the schedule.

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Trent University Honours Professor With Research Award

Trent University has awarded Dr. Sally Chivers the Distinguished Research Award for her outstanding achievements in research and scholarship announced on Monday.

Dr. Sally Chivers earned her Ph.D. at in English Literature at McGill University in 2000. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Chivers is a professor of English and gender & women’s studies at Trent. She is renowned across the globe for her outstanding contributions to research in disability and critical aging studies.

“Dr. Chivers’ outstanding contributions to knowledge creation and her innovative approach to examining pressing issues of aging and care have played a major role in shaping research in this field,” says Dr. Cathy Bruce, acting vice-president of Research and Innovation. “Professor Chivers is a prolific scholar and worthy recipient of this prestigious award.”

Chivers will be presented with the award at the “Trent’s Celebration of Excellence: Teaching and Research”, a virtual event next Monday.

“Trent is the ideal place to embark on research that cuts across boundaries and makes a difference while remaining creative and engaging,” said Chivers.

Since joining Trent in 2003, Chivers has had a far-reaching impact in the interdisciplinary study of aging and society with work spanning five disciplines: Canadian studies, film, disability, age and women’s studies.

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Trent University Awards Longtime Employees For Their Service

Trent University is honouring four women with the 2021 Eminent Service Awards for their exceptional contributions to the school on Wednesday.

Eminent Service Award was created in 1978 that recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the life of the campus. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Dr. Jackie Muldoon, Sue Robinson, Jodi Aoki and Christy Carlson were the recipients of the award for their outstanding service.

“Each individual enriched our campuses and our community with their expertise, professionalism, hard work and tireless dedication to student well-being and the success of the university,” said Dr. Michael Khan, university provost and vice-president academic in the press release.

Dr. Jackie Muldoon has served as interim provost for Trent in 2015 before signing a five-year contract for Jan 1, 2016 for the position. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Muldoon is one of the University’s longest-serving employees, having served nearly four decades in a variety of roles including senior tutor, head of business administration and the first dean of the School of Education. Prior to her retirement, she served as provost and vice president Academic from 2015 to 2020.

During this term, Muldoon played a leading role in the development of innovative programming, which promoted increased enrolment including new undergraduate degrees and new professional Masters' programs as well as establishing key transfer agreements with partner institutions.

“I am both honoured and humbled to receive the Eminent Service Award,” stated Prof. Muldoon, “I have been very fortunate to spend my entire career at such an outstanding university, along with such great faculty and staff, all of whom have worked together to help our students grow and flourish.”

Throughout her many roles at the University, Muldoon was known as a humble leader and a passionate advocate for human rights, Indigenous reconciliation and social justice.

Robinson began working for Trent University in the athletics department in 1987 as an aquatics supervisor. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Sue Robinson, coordinator of Alumni Engagement and Services, recently retired after more than 33 years of dedicated service in various roles with the University and was well-known for her event coordination expertise.

Robinson started her Trent career in Athletics, where she worked for nearly 20 years developing fitness and athletic programs before moving to the External Relations and Advancement portfolio where she became a valuable member of the team that led the Athletics Campaign, raising $4 million to support the expansion of the athletics building and a new stadium.

Throughout the campaign, she was instrumental in organizing events such as the Justin Chiu Stadium dedication ceremony. In 2012, Ms. Robinson joined the Alumni Affairs team and continued coordinating large, award-winning events including Ideas That Change the World, which hosted 150 people and a live band at Chancellor Stephen Stohn’s Toronto home and a 90th birthday celebration for Trent’s founding president Professor Tom Symons.

During the annual Head of the Trent, Ms. Robinson kept the event fresh with new ideas and always made sure alumni were welcomed back with “open arms” and made to feel at home, greeting them by their first name.

“I have had the privilege of learning from, working with, and getting to know so many wonderful staff, students and alumni throughout my career at Trent and look forward to staying connected to our amazing alumni and colleagues from Trent during my retirement,” reflects Robinson. “I was deeply grateful to have been made an honorary alumna upon my retirement in March.”

Akoi has her Master of Arts degree in Canadian Studies from Trent. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Jodi Aoki has worked in the Trent Archives for 32 years, developing an in-depth knowledge of Trent’s archival and heritage collections and becoming the de facto curator of the University’s art collection.

As the first contact for student, faculty and community researchers, Aoki is known for being unfailingly helpful, patient, and knowledgeable.

"I am deeply honoured to receive this award and grateful to have had an opportunity to work in archives through my career at Trent,” she said. “In the course of my work, I came to know many wonderful people across the University and in the local community, too, who share a common interest in preserving history."

Aoki has also represented the University on the Museum and Archives Advisory Committee of the City of Peterborough and has served on the board of directors of the Archives Association of Ontario.

Carlson had worked at Trent University for nearly 20 years. Trent’s Bata Library put their flag at half-mast to honour her passing on the day of her service. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

The late Christy Carlson passed away in December after a long career at the university as an academic advisor. She was known for her kindness, compassion and unwavering commitment to students’ emotional and intellectual well-being and development.

Carlson’s career at Trent started in 2002 when she began teaching courses in Gender and Women’s Studies. She went on to become an academic counsellor at Julian Blackburn College.

In 2012, she became an academic advisor for Otonabee College where she proposed the My Pronouns Campaign, which encouraged students and staff to learn the importance of asking for and not assuming people’s pronouns.

In 2018, Carlson joined Gzowski College and took on the role of team lead for academic advising in 2019. Ms. Carlson was known for going above and beyond for students in her role, which she described as less of a job and more of a calling.

The award was posthumously presented to Ms. Carlson and shared with her family.

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Trent University Honours Top Student-Athletes At Virtual Athletics Celebration

It was a fantastic season for Lauryn Bons and Thomas Reid as they were awarded the Arthur Cup, Trent University’s highest athletics award to graduating students for outstanding contribution, sportsmanship, participation and leadership in athletic programs on April 9.

Thomas Reid (left) and Lauryn Bons (right) are originally from Orillia and Trenton, Ontario respectively. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

The awards were given at Trent’s Excalibur Awards banquet in a virtual setting to honour all of their athletes.

Bons was the female recipient for rugby as an inside back from 2017-2021. She will earn her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at the end of the semester.

She earned the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women’s rugby for her outstanding commitment to extracurricular activities in the 2019-2020 season.

“It was an absolute honour to be this year's Arthur Cup award recipient,” said Bons. “My four years at Trent has been an absolutely amazing experience and I am so thankful for my teammates, coaches and professors who have supported me both athletically and academically throughout my degree - I could not have done it without them.”

Bons (right) has played every single position in rugby except for the hooker position. Photo Courtesy of Lauryn Bons.

Reid earned the top male honours in men’s soccer as the team’s captain and as a centre-back defender. He is finishing his fourth year in biology with a minor in psychology and has been on the honour roll for four years running.

“I know a lot of great athletes and great people have won this award in the past so it certainly is an honour to share this award with them as well,” said Reid. “I was actually surprised to find out that I won because there are so many deserving athletes at Trent.”

Reid was named “Rookie of the Year” for Trent men’s soccer in 2017. Photo Courtesy of Thomas Reid.

Both award-winning students are founding members of the 1EX Council, a student-athlete leadership council dedicated to enhancing the overall experience of Excalibur athletes.

Their leadership and high standard in academics earned them the award according to Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of athletics and recreation.

“Lauryn and Thomas have been exemplary representatives of Trent Excalibur, who have demonstrated leadership in this very different year,” she said. “They have demonstrated leadership for their team and for Trent Athletics overall.”

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Fleming College Offering Free Work and Academic Upgrading Program

Fleming College has introduced a new work and academic upgrading program called “Skills on Demand” to help anyone achieve their educational and career goals.

The free program allows anyone who meets the pre-requisites to join any time where students set their own timetables and schedules. It is well-suited for those who want a refresher course before pursuing post-secondary education or work.

Courses in a variety of subjects —including math, computers, communications and sciences — can help you move forward with goals such as entry into post-secondary, employment, apprenticeship, or refreshing and gaining the essential skills required for today’s in-demand careers.

• Self-paced Learning – in their adult environment, you can set your own deadlines with your student advisor

• Start Anytime – their programs have year-round continuous intake

• Pick Your Schedule – attend full or part-time, day or evening (as available) - schedule around your work and family responsibilities

• Online Learning – some advanced courses are available in an online format

• Targeted Training – ask us about short-term flexible courses that are specifically designed for employment goals

• Fleming’s classrooms are small and provide one-to-one individual attention from instructors

• Study Options - choose a combination of in-class, from home and online study

• With the support of Fleming College's Work and Academic Upgrading team, they can help you create a new path regardless of your challenges or previous barriers

Fleming’s services are available in all their communities such as Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Work and Academic Upgrading courses are free to most residents of Ontario and they can provide financial help for transportation and child-care expenses for those who qualify.

Skills on Demand - Work and Academic Upgrading is a fit if you:

• Are 19 years of age or older

• Didn't finish high school

• Have been out of school for a while and need to refresh your academic skills to prepare for college

• Have your high school diploma but are missing prerequisites that you need for a college program or apprenticeship

• Want to refresh your Math, Communications or Computer skills before re-entering the workforce

• Need your "Grade 12 Equivalency" to improve your career prospects

People learn in different ways and they are committed to working with you to help you reach your goals. Our non-traditional classroom allows for teacher support in a relaxed environment with other adult learners.

In addition to academic assistance, the program provides:

• Career and educational counselling,

• Time management, goal setting and other learning strategies tips

• Help with applications to college and apprenticeship programs when you finish your academic upgrading

• Referrals to community services and resources that can help you move your plans forward

• When you complete your studies in the program, you will be prepared to reach your personal goals: further education, training, or a new career. You will have acquired new confidence, new skills and enhanced learning abilities all that will serve you well wherever you go and in whatever you do.

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