Celebrating 55 Years of Student Success
Happy 55th Birthday, SA! SA President, Vanshika Sharma, reflects on the history and legacy of the Algonquin Students’ Association.
Published: September 8, 2025
The Algonquin Students’ Association’s mission is to create an environment that inspires a passion for student success. Over the last 55 years, we have learned many things, including that success will look different for each student. To make sure we achieve our mission for all, we have created a diverse community with something for everyone.
On September 8, the SA celebrates our 55th anniversary. We’ve spent more than five decades supporting Algonquin College students connect through unique experiences, crucial services, and dedicated support.
As the SA president, I am so proud to serve my fellow students and elevate such a vibrant community. As a student, however, I am so grateful that the SA helped me find my place on campus and build strong connections early on. Welcoming new students and helping them get connected is a core part of what the SA does, but our impact goes so far beyond that.
Each year, the SA creates new opportunities for students to come together. I have witnessed firsthand how our Clubs and Communities program has created and fostered friendships on campus. With more than 60 clubs, I know there is something for everyone. I encourage you to take a look and get involved in this thriving community of students or consider founding a new club!
I’m looking forward to attending varsity games this fall. Please join me in cheering on our Wolves teams this season, after all, we are all Algonquin Wolves. The College was closing varsity programming in the 1980s, and the SA Board of Directors felt that varsity was an important part of the college experience. We took on all operations of varsity, athletics, and recreation and have been winning championships ever since.
As the SA community grew, we quickly realized we needed more space to continue caring for students. We partnered with Algonquin College in 2012 to build the Student Commons, and we worked hard toward the College’s decision to build the waterfront campus in Pembroke. Most recently, the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC), in 2021, became the first building fully owned and operated by your SA.
I’m proud that the SA staff team is made up of hundreds of people who are committed to student success. More than 70 per cent of our staff are students themselves, and many of our full-time staff are Algonquin College graduates — some of them have even been here longer than I’ve been alive! They are truly dedicated to students through their work.
As students, we understand that there is more to life than academics and events, and we want to be here for it all. We provide services to help students navigate a time in their lives that brings on immense change. One way we achieve this is by offering a health and dental plan that includes emergency and accident benefits, as well as a student assistance program to support mental well-being.
I want to share that our impact is more than this list of achievements and milestones. I know that we create countless small moments of inspiration for thousands of students on our campuses each year.
The SA’s impact is the bonds formed between students at events, in our facilities, through our clubs, or on our teams. It is the success students share through SA-driven opportunities and supports. And it comes from you, the students. You continue to shape our impact every day.
As we dive into our studies this term, I encourage you to take full advantage of the resources, activities, and services that have been fifty-five years in the making. I know you will achieve incredible things, and it is an honour for us to be a part of your academic journey.
This is your community; you are part of the Pack.