Fleming College

Peterborough, ON (August 29, 2024) - Every four years or so, Ashley Dykstra pulls out her Olympic silver medal.

“I know some people put it in a special case, but I think that the beauty of an Olympic medal is that people should be able to touch it, feel it and try it on,” Dykstra said. “I just have it in our bedroom, in a box, on a shelf.”

Dykstra rowed her way to silver during the London 2012 Olympics, alongside her teammates in the Women’s Eight. Four years later, she served as an alternate during the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“I came home from the Olympics in August, and then started at Fleming College in September,” Dykstra said with a laugh.

Dykstra enrolled in Fleming’s Massage Therapy program before she left for Brazil that summer. She knew the 2016 Olympics would be her last. She also knew she wanted a career that would complement the skills and knowledge she had acquired as a rower.

“I had a good amount of time to think about what I wanted to do when I retired from sport, and I really wanted to choose something where my time as an athlete would be an advantage,” she explained, adding that as an athlete she’d had a lot of experience getting physiotherapy and massage therapy. “As an athlete, you’re very aware of how your body works, how your muscles are connected, and I think it was definitely an advantage.”

Dykstra also knew she wanted something to keep her mind-and body-busy. A desk job was not in her future.

“’It kind of surprises people how much science massage therapists know. There’s a lot of technical knowledge involved with becoming a registered massage therapist,” she said.

“It’s an intense program. You have to know some serious biology, physiology and anatomy in order to be registered.”

It was also important for Dykstra to have a job that could accommodate her life outside of work.

Now a mom to three children all under the age of five, Dykstra said her job as a massage therapist allows her to take care of her family without sacrificing career opportunities.

“It’s a pretty amazing career that way, that you can work your schedule to be as flexible as you need it to be,” Dykstra said. “There’s a lot of different paths you can take. For me I’m growing my career, and I have a young family.”

Dykstra is currently working at Trent Health in Motion. It’s right where Dykstra wants to be.

The clinic setting allows her to set hours that work for her family. She’s also busy building a client base which includes everyone from construction workers to varsity athletes.

“The profession of massage therapy is amazing for letting me build my career the way I want to,” she said. “If you are passionate about it and you do a good job you can find a way to make it work.”

Dykstra credits the education and hands-on experience she got at Fleming College for the success she’s experienced in her professional field.

“I had a great experience at Fleming College, and I enjoyed my time there,” Dykstra said.

“The program and the instructors gave me the skills and confidence I needed to build a strong career and fuel my passion for massage therapy and a job I love.”

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Deeth
Communications Officer
sarah.deeth@flemingcollege.ca
705-749-5530 ext. 1161

About Fleming College
Fleming College respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg lands and territory. Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni.

Web: flemingcollege.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/flemingcollege
Twitter: @FlemingCollege
Instagram: @flemingcollege
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Lindsay, ON (Aug. 7, 2024) - A team of Fleming College students and faculty has been recognized as Environmental Heroes for their efforts in transforming Fleming’s Frost Campus into a bird-friendly environment.

Members of the Fleming Bird Conservation Committee (FBCC) received the designation from the City of Kawartha Lakes during a ceremony June 25.

This team has worked diligently to create a safe haven for birds around the Frost Campus through a multi-year project. The FBCC aims to have the Frost Campus, and Fleming College, designated as Canada’s first bird-friendly college.

It is estimated that up to one billion birds die each year in North America due to window collisions. It is one of the leading causes behind declining bird populations around the world, and a focus of avian conservation.

Using window decals designed to deter collisions, student volunteers installed the decals throughout the campus and spent a total of 449 hours surveying windows for any sign of a bird collision. Through applied research and observation, students were able to confirm that none of the treated windows were involved in a bird collision; however, untreated windows continued to be involved in bird collisions, resulting in significant bird mortality. This student-driven research has helped prove the effectiveness of window decals in preventing bird collisions.

The Frost Campus became the first applied testing ground for this product. This was funded through Fleming’s Office of Applied Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

The City of Kawartha Lakes recognized the FBCC for taking a leading role in the community and making a positive impact in mitigating threats to birds.

Fleming College congratulates the FBCC for this recognition, and all the success our students and faculty have achieved.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Deeth
Communications Officer
sarah.deeth@flemingcollege.ca
705-749-5530 ext. 1161

About Fleming College
Fleming College respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg lands and territory. Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni.

Web: flemingcollege.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/flemingcollege
Twitter: @FlemingCollege
Instagram: @flemingcollege
TikTok: @flemingcollege

Peterborough, ON (Aug. 6, 2024) - High School Students Learn Skilled Trades During Summer START!

Dozens of students from three area high schools came together at the Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre for an immersive, hands-on experience during the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board’s annual Summer Start! program.

Open to students entering Grade 9, this event involved over 150 students from Bowmanville High School, Cobourg Collegiate and Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School. Students who complete all four weeks of the program receive a high school credit.

Students spent one day each week at Fleming College, working with Fleming staff who set up interactive workshops in plumbing, carpentry, welding and trade sciences. During these sessions students were given projects to design and work on.

These unique summer workshops gave students a chance to explore skilled trades under the guidance and mentorship of Fleming’s faculty.

Students also had a chance to see the innovative resources and programming Fleming offers at the Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre and explore the possibility of training for an exciting career close to home.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Deeth
Communications Officer
sarah.deeth@flemingcollege.ca
705-749-5530 ext. 1161

About Fleming College
Fleming College respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg lands and territory. Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni.

Web: flemingcollege.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/flemingcollege
Twitter: @FlemingCollege
Instagram: @flemingcollege
TikTok: @flemingcollege

Peterborough, ON (July 24, 2024) - Fleming College is proud to announce that it has been awarded a College Fund research infrastructure grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

This significant investment of $227,753 from CFI, combined with other secured grants, will cover the costs for Fleming to purchase a state-of-the-art laser machining technology. At a price tag of approximately half a million dollars, the sought-after technology will be used to design and produce complex Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).

The funding was part of an announcement made in late June by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

PCBs are essential components in nearly all electronic products, including household appliances, automotive systems, healthcare devices, and more.

The research team at Fleming College’s Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and Industrial Internet of Things (CAMIIT) boasts an extensive track record in designing and creating PCBs and has the capability to prototype a wide range of PCBs in-house.

However, like many others in Fleming College’s region, CAMIIT has often had to outsource the production of complex PCBs to foreign manufacturers. This process could take several weeks, and lead to increased research costs and a heightened risk of intellectual property infringement.

Thanks to this new funding from CFI, Fleming’s CAMIIT researchers can now produce complex PCBs in the lab in Peterborough, significantly enhancing their research capabilities, efficiency, and security. Using a high precision laser cutter, this will enable CAMIIT to create PCBs for a variety of industries in as little as two days.

"This CFI College Fund grant is a game-changer for Fleming College," said Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. "CAMIIT’s new laser machining technology will fill a significant gap in our region's innovation ecosystem, empowering our researchers and students to engage in cutting-edge research and development projects. It's a transformative step for our institution and the broader community."

After its doors opened in 2021, Fleming College’s CAMIIT quickly became a hub in Eastern and Central Ontario for conducting applied research projects that lead to the design, development, prototyping, and improvement of products and technologies for use in the Mechatronics, Wireless Communication, Artificial Intelligence, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) markets. CAMIIT’s impressive laboratory and research space at Fleming’s campus in Peterborough has been designed to meet the needs of industry-focused projects.

“The acquisition of this technology opens up new avenues for collaboration with industry partners from our region and beyond,” continued Adamson. “This will undoubtedly enhance our applied research program and help foster a new generation of skilled professionals ready to meet the demands of the evolving tech landscape.”

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Deeth
Communications Officer
sarah.deeth@flemingcollege.ca
705-749-5530 ext. 1161

About Fleming College
Fleming College respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg lands and territory. Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni.

Web: flemingcollege.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/flemingcollege
Twitter: @FlemingCollege
Instagram: @flemingcollege
TikTok: @flemingcollege

Peterborough, ON (July 19, 2024) – Fleming College didn’t have to look too far when recruiting new coaches for its men and women’s varsity soccer teams.

Drawing from the wealth of soccer expertise in the area, Fleming has announced two local residents as its new coaches - Victor Waselenko joins Fleming as the new Head Coach for the men’s varsity soccer program and David Brown has been named as the new Head Coach for the women’s varsity soccer program.

Victor has been a faculty member at Fleming College since 2013 with the School of Business and has also owned Soccer Plus, a soccer sporting goods store in Peterborough. Victor’s prior soccer leadership experience includes being President and Technical Coaching Director of the Peterborough Youth Soccer Club, Director of Coaching for the Peterborough City Soccer Association, and coaching at various levels from U9-U21. Victor is currently the coach of Peterborough City U15 Boys Soccer.

David is currently the Head Coach, Varsity Girls at Trinity College School in Port Hope. David’s prior experience also includes being the Director of Coaching with Maple Leaf Cavan FC, Head Coach, Varsity Girls Soccer in Belgium at St. John’s International School, and Volunteer Assistant Coach with the Men’s Varsity Soccer Program at Trent University. David has also been the Co-Technical Director Northumberland Soccer Club, Port Hope, and held head coach positions for soccer teams at Lakefield College School and Brentwood College School, and international schools in Belgium.

Securing Waselenko and Brown is a step in the right direction for the development of student athletes and the varsity soccer program. Both coaches bring their vast knowledge, leadership and experience to the game.

A priority for the program will be to strengthen the relationship between the Fleming Phoenix and local soccer leagues to increase awareness and interest for local players to take their game to the next level with the Fleming Phoenix.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Deeth
Communications Officer
sarah.deeth@flemingcollege.ca
705-749-5530 ext. 1161

About Fleming College
Fleming College respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg lands and territory. Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni.

Web: flemingcollege.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/flemingcollege
Twitter: @FlemingCollege
Instagram: @flemingcollege
TikTok: @flemingcollege