Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Celebrating excellent student teachers

The Amit and Meena Chakma Awards for Exceptional Teaching by a Student for 2022 will be presented to four student teachers this year. Jeff Casello, associate vice-president, graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs, and chair of the selection committee provided the report to the University's Senate on Monday this week. 

The 2022 winners are:

Justin Shmordok

Justin Shmordok, a PhD student in Chemistry, has been described as an enthusiastic and thoughtful developer of educational content. He has been known to create an inviting and fun environment for students to develop their ideas, and has also been described as, “delicate in his pedagogical approach to answering questions.” Justin has worked with many types of undergraduate students as a teaching assistant for many courses, served as a supervisor for 4^th year research projects, and has supervised co-op students and volunteers in research laboratories. Throughout these roles, he has thrived as a mentor through being patient with students’ academic development, while continuing to challenge them.  As one student notes, “Justin treats his students just as they are” to explain his capacity for treating students as both adults and young learners: “Justin finds that balance by validating our struggles, personally and academically, while still creating an environment where he challenges us to do our best.”

He has held a teaching assistant position for CHEM 250L, CHEM 212, and a graduate lab supervisor for CHEM 494 (a research project laboratory course).

Sanaz Saadatmand Hashemi

Sanaz Saadatmand Hashemi, a Ph.D. candidate in System Design Engineering, has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the academic development of her students.  She has managed to create an active and flexible learning environment for students, and has been described as approachable, conscientious, well-organized, understanding, and accommodating for all students—inside and outside of the classroom, in-person and online.  Due to her passion for students’ success, she often volunteers her time outside of Office Hours to students and fosters an environment in which they feel comfortable approaching her with questions. A colleague states “Sanaz was able to establish a strong rapport with the students and create a positive environment in the classroom as a result of her friendly and supportive demeanor.” She has also generated organizational initiatives such as creating a scheduling system for students to reserve time slots in the lab so that students could collect data in a safe environment during the pandemic and eliminate time conflicts. An undergraduate student remarked that “Sanaz’s efforts, approachable nature and supportive attitude, made the course and its content that much easier to absorb.” 

Sanaz has held a Teaching Assistant position for ME321, MTE219, SYDE182, SYDE286, SYDE362 and BME355.

Urja Nandivada

Urja Nandivada, an undergraduate student in Physics and Astronomy, provided students with an impactful experience as an undergraduate TA. She has been described as a mentor who is passionate about her teaching, and who has not let chronic illness affect her performance in teaching and her attitude towards students. Urja makes the classroom environment feel welcoming, inclusive, and comfortable for students to learn new concepts. She has a positive attitude towards student development, and she tends to assist learners in understanding the process of arriving at answers rather than providing them on the spot. One student states that “her knowledge in the field helps the students prosper when doubts arise in the lab.” Another student says, “Urja gave us words of encouragement to keep going and not give up.” Urja makes lab experiences enjoyable and engaging: “I remember one 9:30 a.m. lab session on a Friday, Urja had her camera on, smiling, and she was engaging in the conversation.” Overall, her outgoing, sociable personality is a memorable one for all students who encounter her.

Urja has held a teaching assistant position for PHYS 121L, PHYS 131L, and PHYS 122L.

Urszula Pasterkiewicz

Urszula Pasterkiewicz, a PhD student in Public Health Sciences, has left a lasting impact on her students and colleagues.  She has designed a course called HLTH 373: Design Your Future that focuses on growth mindset, resiliency, and neuroplasticity with the implementation of student-centered learning practices and goal-oriented strategies. The course design was inspired by her thesis research in fostering resilience and improving mental health in young adults. A number of students emphasized Urszula’s ability to provide clarification in a format that is easily understood. She always checks up on those needing academic or mental health support, and her course has been described as a transformative and enjoyable experience. She is seen as a supportive and enthusiastic teacher that always makes sure students’ needs are met and that their mental health is prioritized. A student states, she is “the very first professor who has invested so much time in considering students’ health and well-being.” Another student says, she is “always open to listening to our input and giving us constructive criticism and encouragement to put out the best work.”

Urszula has held a teaching position for HLTH 373, HLTH 273, HLTH 340, and HLTH 320.

The Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student (AETS) awards are open to all students who have a formal teaching role at the University of Waterloo. Up to four awards are given annually in recognition of excellence in teaching of all kinds by registered students (e.g., teaching assistant, laboratory demonstrator, sessional lecturer).

Can you put that in an email? Results from the 2021 Student Communications Survey

A message from the Student Success Office.

Are we sending too many emails to students? Do students follow your social media channel? Are students satisfied with university communications?

In Winter 2021, during the height of COVID-19 communications, we surveyed a representative sample of our student community. We asked students about their preferences related to communications from the University and we’re ready to share what they told us.

Are students still using Facebook? Do they look to Reddit to answer their questions about Waterloo? Did we send them the information they needed about COVID-19?

Read the final report and view some of the key takeaways to help shape your student communications and understand their preferences.

Contact Claire Taylor in the Student Success Office for more information.

Co-op for Community program gives Waterloo students opportunity to help non-profit sector

By Namish Modi. This impact story was originally published on Waterloo News.

Megan Logan was excited when she secured a co-op work term with the United Way Waterloo Region Communities — a region she now calls home. 

The second-year Arts and Business student from Burlington wanted to find a first co-op work term where she could get to know the area she lives and studies in and feel like she was doing work that mattered. She found that opportunity through the University of Waterloo’s Co-op for Community program.  

Co-op for Community is a unique partnership between United Way Waterloo Region Communities and the University. The donor-funded program creates meaningful co-op jobs for Waterloo students from all disciplines to work at local non-profits that are affiliated with the United Way and need talent. Donations to the program go directly to support Waterloo co-op students.  

The goal is to eventually expand the program to include other major cities in Canada. 

“The next generation of talent wants to see their contributions affect their organization in meaningful ways. Co-op for Community provides opportunities for students to take their skills and energy and apply them in a way where they can see real impact,” says Norah McRae, Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education. “Regardless of a student’s career path, having the opportunity to work in a not-for-profit can be life-changing and help to develop key competencies for the world of work.” 

Jusleen Dhaliwal and Megan Logan were among five students who recently completed co-op terms at United Way as part of the Co-op for Community program. 

A stepping stone to full-time careers 

Logan and Jusleen Dhaliwal, a second-year Arts student, were among five students who recently completed co-op terms at United Way as part of the Co-op for Community program. 

“I thought this was the perfect opportunity to learn about local issues but to also be a part of the process of helping individuals in our community, especially with the pandemic and everything going on,” Logan says. 

“It’s a program that benefits so many different people. For students, it helps us gain opportunities and it is a stepping stone to our full-time careers,” says Dhaliwal. “I know it helps organizations, and the people that work with me have said that they appreciate what I’m doing. It helps them to have a fresh set of eyes from students. Then, in turn, it helps the greater community.” 

Since the Co-op for Community program began in winter 2021, it has funded employment for more than a dozen students. 

Supporting a good cause 

In her role as project coordinator at United Way, Logan uses social media to help promote donations to the organization. She also helps draft emails and newsletters that United Way sends to donors.  

"When you donate to the Co-op for Community program, you’re supporting students like me and giving us the opportunity to build skillsets, learn more about the nonprofit sector and help others," says Megan.

Beyond becoming more familiar with the Waterloo community, Logan believes working in the non-profit sector has helped her to learn about prevalent social issues. 

The Co-op for Community program also gives students the unique opportunity to work at multiple nonprofits during a single work term.  

As this is her first work term, Logan appreciates the benefits she’s gained at United Way while also contributing to one of the agencies it funds, Interfaith Counselling Centre (ICC). 

ICC helps match people in need with registered professional counselors and therapists.  In her role, Logan assists ICC with marketing and branding to create flyers, presentations and brochures. She has learned a lot from the experience of contributing to a small charitable organization and looks for opportunities to apply the principles she is learning in her Psychology classes to practical situations at work.  

 “I thought this was the perfect opportunity to give back since I am the type of person who always enjoys helping others,” Logan says. 

Motivated by meaningful work experiences 

When Dhaliwal landed her first work term role at United Way Waterloo Region Communities, she felt a sense of purpose and motivation to do her best to help others. “I just feel like I’ve done something that actually helps people,” she says. “It’s really a mix of getting opportunities and having that mental boost.”  

Like Logan, Dhaliwal is a project coordinator for United Way, but works as part of the community investment team mainly focused on grant applications. Dhaliwal reviews applications for completeness and overall quality and makes recommendations.   

"Working for a non-profit is really rewarding, because each day I wake up and remember that what I’m doing helps the community," says Jusleen. "It’s rewarding for both the student, the organization and the community."

Through her role with the United Way, Dhaliwal is also working with the Canadian Arab Women’s Association (CAWA), a nonprofit organization that works to connect, support and empower Arab women in Waterloo Region and Guelph. In her role at CAWA, Dhaliwal supports market research to help determine community needs. This opportunity allowed her to apply the research skills she learned in her Sociology classes to a real-life research initiative.

"The whole point is to give back,” she says. “Each and every day, I think about how my work helps the community and what the greater purpose of my work is. I feel like this combination of soft skills has really helped me, and I know I can take that to any job.” 

World-changing quantum breakthroughs on the horizon, says IQC member

A message from the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).

Michele Mosca, Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) and Mathematics faculty member sat down with the Waterloo Region Record last week to commemorate World Quantum Day on April 14 by discussing about the quantum landscape in Waterloo-Region, and the history that brought quantum research to the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo.

Since launching in 2002, IQC has become a global quantum leader that provides researchers with the resources and concentration of expertise to develop cutting edge research that is advancing quantum information science and technology.

Mosca marvels at the work that has already gone into creating the quantum computer, and while a practical computer with commercial applications is still on the horizon, quantum researchers on track to create the world’s first quantum computer within the next 15 years. “We are well positioned to become the market leaders,” said Mosca.

In celebration of IQC’s 20^th anniversary, Quantum Perspectives: A Panel Series officially launched on April 14. Informative panel discussions featuring research experts will take place throughout the year to educate the public on quantum research.

Read the full article in the Waterloo Region Record: 'We are at the cusp': One of Waterloo Region's original quantum researchers says world-changing breakthroughs are near.