Algoma University

University specializes in liberal arts, sciences, management and professional degree programs. From its founding in 1965 until June 18, 2008, Algoma U was an affiliated college of Laurentian University in Sudbury and was officially known as Algoma University College. The enabling legislation is the Algoma University Act, 2008.

• Name — Algoma University • Former Names — Shingwauk Indian Residential School, Algoma University College • Established — 1965 • Type — Public • President — Kofi Campbell • Chair — Robert Battisti • Chancellor — Mario Turco • City — Brampton, Sault Ste Marie, Timmins • State — Ontario • Country — Canada • Sporting Affiliations — * U Sports • OUA • Sports Nickname — Thunderbirds • Mascot — Boomer the Thunderbolt • Academic Affiliations — COU, Universities Canada • Colours — Algoma Red, Cool Grey Dark, Cool Grey Light start • Website — https: algomau.ca/

The desire to establish an undergraduate liberal arts college in Sault Ste. Marie originated as a broad citizens' movement in the 1950s. In October 1964, the Algoma College Association was incorporated by letters patent of the province of Ontario. One year later, on Dec. 17 1965, Algoma University College was established as a non-sectarian institution affiliated with Laurentian University after the Affiliation Agreement was signed. In September 1967, Algoma University College began offering courses to its first 77 students at what is today Sault College, formally then known as Cambrian College, under the leadership of Principal Reverend Charles A. Krug (1966–68). The majority of students studying at Algoma University College were mature or "extension" students looking to enhance their post-secondary education by taking first-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) courses. Part-time enrolment expanded to over 1,000 students by 1969–1970. The year 1971 marked a significant turning point in Algoma University College's history in respect to both program and facilities. In May, in recognition of the rapid maturation of the post-secondary institution, the Department of University Affairs approved Algoma University College's request to offer second-and third-year level courses, thereby giving the institution the ability to offer full-time, three-year programming in Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition, in September 1971, the Algoma University College was relocated to a new site, acquiring by lease Shingwauk Hall and the former Shingwauk Indian Residential School site. In 1975, with the assistance of a grant from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the college purchased Shingwauk Hall and 37 acre of land surrounding the buildings. Algoma University College would later purchase Shingwauk Hall. The Shingwauk Project was founded in 1979, which laid the foundation for the reaffirmation of a positive and respectful relationship between the post-secondary institution and First Nations people. Algoma University College also received its own emblem, the Thunderbird, as designed by Dora de Pedery-Hunt in 1972. Construction began to further enhance the new site of Algoma University College. In 1989, the Arthur A. Wishart Library opened, followed by the opening of the George Leach Centre in 1992. Student residence buildings were constructed in 1995 and 2001, and later in 2012. In 2005, a $6 million technology wing was opened, which included state-of-the-art technology and computer labs, the 'Great West Life Amphitheatre' (a 250+ seat lecture hall), a new student centre, cafeteria, faculty offices, a bookstore and campus shop, and a new pub. During this time, academic programming also expanded tenfold, with many of Algoma University College's programs becoming four-year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science honours programs. On May 19, 2006, Algoma University College entered into a new relationship, which further entrenched its pre-existing relationship with First Nations people. Algoma University College and Shingwauk Education Trust (SET) / Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG) signed the Covenant, which demonstrated the two parties' agreement to work together alongside each other in the pursuit of their goals to provide quality education to Anishinaabe students and students of all cultural backgrounds. Algoma's independence from Laurentian University was first proposed in 1994. The original proposal would have seen the school renamed Shingwauk University, but it was not ultimately pursued by the MTCU. On May 31, 2007, the government of Ontario announced that it would introduce legislation to charter Algoma University College as a fully independent university. After the government passed the Algoma University Act, it was given royal assent by David Onley, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, on June 18, 2008. On July 13, 2009, Algoma University conferred its first degrees as an independent university, with 60 students earning Algoma University degrees. In 2013 Algoma hired Myles McLellan as a law professor. McLellan had been disbarred by the Law Society in 2009 and was subsequently convicted of mortgage fraud, serving a 22-month sentence. He taught at the college until 2021, during which time he completed his Ph.D. on wrongful conviction law and published Compensation for Wrongful Convictions in Canada. Having experienced the humiliation of incarceration, he became a strong advocate for the wrongfully convicted, most notably as founding editor of the Wrongful Conviction Law Review based at the University of Alberta, and executive director of Miscarriage of Justice Canada (MJC), which represents persons who claim to have been wrongfully convicted. In 2021, Algoma began examining the campus for unmarked graves from the time as the Shingwauk Indian Residential School. Three months later a search was undertaken. Federal government officials refused to release names that would allow the identification of deceased children. In 2023, questions still remained as to the number of graves underneath the campus.

Algoma University offers bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in disciplines such as biology, business, economics, computer science, community development, English, geography, history, psychology, social work, sociology, political science, music and fine arts. It also offers undergraduate-certificate and graduate-certificate programs in disciplines such as Construction Project Management, IT Project Management, Information Technology, Human Resources Management, Business, and in unique streams such as E-Sports Management and Aviation Management.

In 2023, Algoma University created formal partnerships with the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) to offer the Learners Early Access Program (LEAP). LEAP invites Grade 11 and 12 students from the Peel region to spend a semester on the Algoma University campus in Brampton in an on-campus state-of-the-art classroom, providing them with the opportunity to take two university courses (six credits) while they complete their high school requirements. LEAP focuses on students who belong to groups traditionally under-represented on university campuses, including Black and Indigenous students.

Algoma University is an active member of the University of the Arctic. UArctic is an international cooperative network based in the Circumpolar Arctic region, consisting of more than 200 universities, colleges, and other organizations with an interest in promoting education and research in the Arctic region. Algoma University participates in UArctic's mobility program north2north. The aim of that program is to enable students of member institutions to study in different parts of the North.

The Algoma Conservatory of Music, which offers music lessons to about 1,000 students in the community, has a working relationship with Algoma. Concurrently with Algoma's charter as an independent university, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, an Anishinaabe cultural and linguistic federated school opened in the fall of 2008. The university has diploma-to-degree agreements with Cambrian College, Confederation College, George Brown College, Humber College, Mohawk College, Northern College, Sheridan College, Sault College and Seneca College, as well as a number of student exchange programs, such as the agreement with the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, and study-abroad or travel programs.

In Brampton, the university offers an urban option for Algoma University students. In Brampton, Algoma University occupies more than seven buildings, most surrounding historic Garden Square, including 8 Queen St. E, 24 Queen St. E and 28 Main St.

• Illustration — Shingwauk Hall Shingwauk Hall is currently used to house various classrooms, as well as administrative and faculty offices. It is connected on the first, second and third levels by links to the newer East, West and North-West wings that house further classrooms, research space and offices. In 2025 the East Wing of the university was decommissioned and demolished in preparation for the construction of the new Makwa Waakaa'igan building.

In 2009 Algoma received more than $16 million to build a biosciences and technology convergence centre. Ground was broken for the new building in September 2009. Along with state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory space for students and professors, the building is home to various research institutes, including the Health Informatics Research Institute, the Invasive Species Research Institute, the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre and Algoma Games for Health. The building opened its doors to students in September 2011 and was officially named the Convergence Centre in a ceremony including David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, in August 2012. Makwa Waakaa'igan An earth turning ceremony for this new space occurred in June 2025. Once completed, Makwa Waakaa'igan will be a centre of cultural excellence focused on honouring Indigenous knowledges and experiences. The facility will include space for the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association, culturally-appropriate learning spaces and cultural areas. It is currently anticipated to open in early 2027.

The George Leach Centre (GLC), the home of the Algoma Thunderbirds, is located on the university's campus. Built in 1992, and named after Algoma University's first Athletics Director, the GLC provides Algoma University students and community members with access to fitness equipment. The GLC also hosts regional, provincial, and national level competitions. In March 2015, the GLC opened a new 10,000-square-foot expansion, in addition to its 39,000-square foot pre-existing structure. This new weight room fitness space features new strength and cardio equipment. These large spaces overlook the campus. The gymnasium, or field house, features three regulation court surfaces, which accommodate a wide range of athletic activities such as badminton, basketball, volleyball, and tennis. The gym area is surrounded by a 1/9th mile indoor walking and jogging track. The GLC also has a sauna, change rooms with lockers, varsity change rooms, and private change rooms for refereeing officials.

The Speakeasy is Algoma University's student centre. Attached to the cafeteria, The Speakeasy operates as a patio, pub, and entertainment hub. In 2020, AUSU, (the Algoma University Students' Union), invested about $1.7 million to renovate the Speakeasy facilities.

Built in September 2003, the facility contains 45 single bedrooms.

The entire complex consists of 15 townhouses, housing 75 students. Each townhouse unit has five single bedrooms, two bathrooms, a common kitchen and living room.

With construction starting in late 2011, a new residence building opened at Algoma University for the start of the 2012 school year. Housing over 96 students, Algoma Dormitory is furnished with an open concept area, a single bed, wardrobe and a desk with a high speed wireless internet connection. The student shares a bathroom with another roommate of the same sex. There is a shared common room on each floor of the complex with microwaves and HD TV with satellite.

Algoma University at Timmins offers bachelor's degrees in Social Work and Community Development on the campus of Northern College in South Porcupine. These programs are designed for diploma-to-degree or university transfer students. Brampton

style="text-align:center; float:right; font-size:85%; margin-left:2em; margin:10px" Demographics of student body (2014–15) • Undergraduate — Graduate • Male — 52.5% • Female — 47.5% • Canadian student — 73.5% • International student — 26.5% The Algoma University Thunderbirds participate in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U Sports conferences in the sports of basketball, soccer, cross-country running, curling, wrestling, and Nordic skiing. Prior to making the move to the OUA and CIS in 2013, the Algoma Thunderbirds competed in the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) in the sports of basketball, curling, and indoor soccer. The students are represented by the Algoma University Students' Union (AUSU). AUSU is local 82 of the Canadian Federation of Students. Anishinaabe students of Algoma University have an active Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students' Association (SASA) and are represented on the Algoma University Student Union executive, the Anishinaabe Peoples Council (an advisory committee of the Board of Governors) and the Cross Cultural Committee. Student Publications The university's student newspaper operated by AUSU is The Sentient. As of Summer 2026 the newspaper was not operational. The Engracia de Jesus Matias Archives and Special Collections holds a back issues of the newspaper. Algoma has also published an annual juried literary journal, Algoma Ink. In 2024, Algoma began publishing The Algomian an online literary journal which provides a publishing platform to the Algoma community. The journal is focused on a range of creative writing practices.