Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Waterloo to host Virtual Open House this weekend

A message from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR).

The Waterloo Virtual Open House (WVOH) will be held this Saturday November 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Building on the success of our first virtual event in October, the WVOH will allow prospective students from around the world to learn more about Waterloo’s varied programs and services, and to connect with hundreds of professors, staff and students who will be on hand during the event.

Attendees will have the chance to sit in on live information sessions, ask questions through chat and video Q&A, watch videos, and download brochures.

If you know a university-bound student, invite them to register here.

Peace Incubator start-ups display progress and promise

From top left, counterclockwise: Cassie Myers, Lunaria; Amin Gharebaghi, GeoMate; Nastaran Saberi, GeoMate; Tina Chan, PASS.

This article was originally featured on the Conrad Grebel University College website.

The heartbeat of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement’s work is mobilizing impactful, collaborative social innovation efforts to advance peace. Participants in the Centre’s Epp Peace Incubator program pair their expertise with the Incubator’s support to catapult their ventures to new heights.

Three of the Centre’s current Incubator start-ups, Lunaria Solutions, GeoMate, and Panic, Anxiety, + Stress Support (PASS) have a history of consistently leveraging the program’s resources and connections to grow their businesses. Over the past couple of months, each of these start-ups has received external affirmation for their progress and promise. Here is an update on the recent successes of these Incubator ventures.

Cassie Myers, founder and CEO of Lunaria, a venture providing businesses with diversity and inclusion solutions, recently participated in the first ever SheBoot bootcamp, hosted by Invest Ottawa. This opportunity culminated in a pitch competition with 200, 000 dollars available in prize money. Lunaria was crowned Crowd Favourite at the event, awarding her the chance to meet with the Ottawa Angel Network. Cassie Myers is a leader in her field, having also spoken recently on a panel at Ada’s List Conf—a gathering for female tech entrepreneurs. Lunaria is persistent in its efforts to bring awareness to important issues in the workplace, developing relevant Education Units and thought-provoking blog posts.

An artificial intelligence start-up improving local travel safety, GeoMate is garnering the interest of organizations a bit closer to home—in the Waterloo Region innovation ecosystem. GeoMate was awarded up to $50,000 in funding through its AVIN (Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network) Waterloo Ventures at Communitech program. As one of ten companies chosen for the program’s second cohort, this funding will allow them to develop their products even further. Additionally, GeoMate was recognized for their leadership in the geospatial technology sector, winning the TECTERRA Award for start-up of the year. GeoMate, operated by CEO Dr. Amin Gharebaghi and CTO Dr. Nastaran Saberi, is a mapping service that will continue to increase accessibility and foster safer cities.

PASS, founded by academic and advocate Tina Chan, is another social enterprise tapping into noteworthy program opportunities. PASS’ mission is to improve access, add urgency, and spark change in the field of mental health, known for their flagship “first aid for mental health” PASS Kit. Tina Chan was a participant in Rhyze Ventures, a program for women entrepreneurs, which ended with a pitch competition. Chan made it to the competition finals, competing alongside eight other entrepreneurial endeavors. Additionally, Chan was recently named the recipient of the 2020 Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Young Alumni Award. With the recent release of PASS Cards for Screen Time, Chan is innovating and making her mark in the field of well-being.

Centre for Peace Advancement Director, Paul Heidebrecht, is eager to watch Incubator participants grow even more to advance peace in new ways: “As these social entrepreneurs continue to move the needle on pressing issues of justice and peace, it is an honour that the Centre for Peace Advancement can play a role in their journeys.”

Staff Excellence Fund supports remote exercise programs for staff

A message from UW Fitness.

Spending too much time sitting and not enough time moving? Join your co-workers for a fitness boost. UW Fitness (part of CCCARE – Centre for Community, Clinical and Applied Research Excellence) is launching 3 new remote exercise series featuring Bootcamp, Core Training and an Express Home Workout starting November 9. Each series will be 6 weeks long with a new exercise video released each week.

These videos will be pre-recorded and accessed through LEARN. Let our exercise professionals motivate and guide you through various effective workouts that require minimal equipment in the safety of your own home. Thanks to funding from the Staff Excellence Fund, these remote exercise programs will be offered at no cost to all Waterloo staff (Note: available as fee-for-service for Faculty wishing to participate).

For more information on how to register, please see our website for more details.

Volunteer with the UWinterloo program

A message from the Student Success Office (SSO).

As the weather begins to change and the days get colder and shorter, students are beginning to think about the winter holidays. This time of year is often a lonely and isolating experience for many international students, but this upcoming winter brings additional feelings of uncertainty and worry due to COVID-19. Our International Student Experience team at the Student Success Office has kept these realities top of mind when revamping the UWinterloo program. But we need your help to make it a success.

The UWinterloo program has been running for the past decade. Our goal is to build community and foster a sense of belonging for international students who are unable to head home for the winter break. On our ten-year anniversary, the program will be shifting to accommodate COVID-19 guidelines and ensuring that students can participate wherever they are in the world. This year, UWinterloo features a new pen pal activity. International students will be matched with a Canadian student, faculty or staff pen pal to connect with over the winter break. We invite you to volunteer as a pen pal during the month of December and virtually meet an international student. 

Post-election resources and other notes

The University recognizes that the US election—whatever the outcome—may have an effect on many in our University community, particularly Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC).

Since the spring, the world was angered and united in the wake of brutal acts of racism across North America. In June, the University committed to take steps to engage our campus community and address racism at Waterloo. While institutions, including our own, and the world at large have started important discussions about dismantling systemic racism, those taking action still face barriers that preserve oppression and backlash against the anti-racism movement.

Consequently, regardless of the election results, many in our community may face anxiety over the uncertainty of the future or fear of increased harassment or violence.

If you, your students or team members are in need of support, below are some resources, including mental health supports available to our University community, tips for coping and information for further reading.

• Mental Health Resources
  • Students: If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact the University’s Campus Wellness services.
  • Employees: Our Employee and Family Assistance Program is available 24/7 for counselling, coaching and support. Call 1-800-663-1142 or visit Homeweb.ca.
  • These community supports are also available:
    • Here 24/7 - 1-844-437-3247
    • Good2Talk - 1-866-925-5454
    • Crisis Services Canada - 1-833-456-4566 or by text 45645  
    • K-W Counselling
• Accommodations for racial trauma: understand your options for academic accommodations related to traumatic experience based on race
• The Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion team has compiled a list of Anti-Racism resources.
• Information about the University’s anti-racism initiatives.

If the news cycle is overwhelming, the Library has published a resource guide on how to avoid information overload.

The Centre for Career Action is hosting an Employee Career Workshop entitled Assessing Your Skills on November 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

"Being able to confidently talk about your skills starts with being able to clearly identify all the skills you have and want to use in your career," says the note from the CCA. "Prior to this workshop, you will have an opportunity to use the SkillScan assessment to identify your skills. In the workshop, we will discuss how the results of the assessment can be used to improve your résumé and influence your career planning. Take this time to create a plan to develop your skills for future opportunities."

"Sue Fraser, Employee Career Advisor and Learning Specialist invites you to check out the video and services our program provides to full-time staff, faculty and CUPE members and contract employees with a contract of at least 1 year. Book an appointment through WaterlooWorks and get inspired to develop your career."