Monday, April 28, 2025

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• Waterloo marks National Volunteer Week
• Celebrating innovative student mentorship with the Connection Collective
• Candidates sought for a role-play with robots research study
• Notes on Election Day

Waterloo marks National Volunteer Week

A message from Nenone Donaldson, Vice-President, Advancement and Interim Vice-President, University Relations.

This week is National Volunteer Week — a wonderful chance to recognize the alumni, colleagues and partners who give their time and talent to support Waterloo. From the class champions who unite old friends, to the speakers and mentors who inspire students, to the philanthropic leaders who support our fundraising efforts, to the caring colleagues behind the scenes at Convocation and the United Way campaign, volunteers make significant contributions to ensure Waterloo remains a special place to learn, work and live. It’s a joy to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Week and throughout the year. 

I hope you will join the celebrations on social media and thank volunteers for the role they play in building our thriving global community. 

Celebrating innovative student mentorship with the Connection Collective

A message from the Student Success Office.

The Connection Collective, a transformative group mentorship program developed by the Student Success Office (SSO), has received the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) Innovation Award. This award recognizes programs that exemplify innovation and excellence and was awarded to this community-building initiative for its intentional implementation and proven impact.

Launched in 2023 by Tara Kleinsteuber, the SSO Student Equity Programs Specialist, the Connection Collective was created to support University of Waterloo equity-deserving students, including those who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, or students impacted by their socio-economic status.

This program reimagines traditional peer mentorship by fostering group-based, community-centered connections rather than traditional one-on-one pairings. "If you are looking for a way to change our colonial society through small, but impactful ways, the Connection Collective is an amazing opportunity. In this role, I am not a mentor, but rather a fellow peer to newer students – participants and connection leads are equals. Advocating for DEI and anti-racism initiatives while fostering connections to support incoming first-year students is a truly humbling, yet gratifying experience,” said Waterloo student Caelen Shaw, Connection Lead.

The program is aligned with recommendation 57 of the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) report and demonstrates the University’s commitment to creating inclusive programs that support the diverse needs of its student body. The focus on creating a space centered on community building for equity-deserving students has encouraged consistent student engagement that continues to positively impact both student leaders and program participants. The Connection Collective exemplifies how innovative, community-driven initiatives can make a lasting impact on student success and well-being.​

For more information about the Connection Collective and how to get involved, visit the website or contact Tara Kleinsteuber in the Student Success Office.​

Candidates sought for a role-play with robots research study

A research project in Systems Design Engineering is inviting 9- and 10-year-olds to take part in a study exploring how children learn to respond to bullying.

“The experience includes an engaging, 2-hour solo robot role-play session and a 1-hour group debriefing,” writes PhD candidate Ellie Sanoubari. “Sessions will run in-person at UWaterloo on weekends and after school in April and May.”

Children will engage in REMind, an immersive game with social robots, combining elements of interactive theatre and escape-room activities to explore how to stand up to bullies.

Spots are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Check out the study’s information letter for more details.

Anyone with questions can reach out to Ellie Sanoubari.

The study has been approved by the University of Waterloo Human Research Ethics Board.

Notes on Election Day

Canadians will be going to the polls today to elect a new federal government. Polls are open across the region from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., including a polling location at the Student Life Centre for those voters who live nearby, including student residences, and have registered to vote with their on-campus address.

If you are unsure where you should vote, check the details on your voter information card, or visit the Elections Canada website.

Lauren Hoare presenting at VSGC 2024.

The Vision Science Graduate Student Conference 2025 kicks off today and runs until tomorrow at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. Attended by graduate students, faculty and staff in Optometry, this annual conference showcases research taking place within the School and is an opportunity to support the graduate students who make presentations throughout the two-day affair.

The last research seminar of the series, the Larkworthy Memorial Lecture, will wrap up the conference Tuesday. The lecture is entitled "Effects of chronic and transient alterations of intraocular pressure in experimental glaucoma on retinal structure and function" and is presented by Laura J Frishman, PhD, FARVO, FAAO, John and Rebecca Moores Professor of Vision Science, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies & Research, at the University of Houston's College of Optometry.

The presentations and seminars take place in Room 1129 of the School of Optometry, and the closing reception will take place in the Student Commons.

Flags on campus have been lowered today in accordance with the University's flag guidelines to mark the National Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured on the Workplace, also known as Worker's Mourning Day.