Thursday, June 4, 2026

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• Expanding co-op with community impact
• Engineering access: How the BALLIN Capstone Project advances adaptive athletics
• Applications open for graduate student valedictorians
• New course reserves platform coming fall 2026

Expanding co-op with community impact

This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

University of Waterloo students will have more opportunities to experience co-op work terms in the charitable and non-profit sector, thanks to a generous investment by The Steele Family Foundation.

The Foundation has committed $1 million to expand the Change Makers in Co-op Program, which enables students from across the University to participate in co-op positions at registered Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations in Canada and around the world.

Extending the pilot program that launched in 2022, the new gift will provide financial support for 20 students to participate in Change Makers each year. The funding will also enhance wrap-around supports to prepare students to work in the charitable and non-profit sector, including a new public summit where program participants will share their experiences and insights from their work terms. Students will have the opportunity to apply their skills to causes that strengthen communities, while building knowledge that will positively shape their lives and careers.

“We’re grateful to The Steele Family Foundation for this generous investment to educate the leaders of tomorrow,” said Nenone Donaldson, Vice-President, Advancement and External Relations. “Work terms in the charitable and non-profit sector help to build well-rounded global citizens. We’re committed to providing students with more of these opportunities and ensuring they are equitable and accessible. Expanding the Change Makers in Co-op program will play an important role in the process.”

Seventy-seven per cent of Waterloo undergraduate students participate in the co-operative education program, completing up to six work terms before they graduate. The rotation between classroom and workplace is a significant draw for Waterloo students, and an important factor in their career success.

For many students, however, co-op roles in the charitable and non-profit sector can feel out of reach due to lower salaries or higher costs, such as international travel. The gift from The Steele Family Foundation will reduce these financial barriers, allowing more Waterloo students to immerse themselves in experiences that challenge their assumptions and deepen their understanding of complex social and economic problems.

“Our economic and alumni impact report revealed that 38 per cent of Waterloo alumni sit on non-profit boards, demonstrating their commitment to thriving communities,” said Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of Waterloo. “With the expansion of Change Makers in Co-op, we will be able to introduce more students to the charitable and non-profit sector before they graduate, allowing them to make an immediate impact and bring that global awareness to their careers.”

Michael Steele (BASc ’81), President of The Steele Family Foundation, graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at Waterloo, where he benefitted from enriching experiences as a co-op student and a student-athlete in the Warriors Track and Field program. His family’s foundation — which he leads with his wife, Stacey Steele — has extended those opportunities to other Waterloo students through support for athletic awards and Change Makers in Co-op.

“Waterloo students are future leaders, builders and entrepreneurs,” Steele said. “Through the expansion of Change Makers, the Foundation aims to expose them to the level of need in communities worldwide and the complexity of the problems facing humanity. When we support their growth as global citizens, we empower them to create change with empathy, understanding and a shared commitment to a better future.”

The Foundation encourages other donors — particularly those who care deeply about community impact — to join them in growing a program that aligns student skills with global charitable and non-profit needs.

“The four-month work term is one part of a much bigger ecosystem,” said Judene Pretti, Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education. “Together with alumni, donors and employers, our University is building a community where students learn about the nonprofit sector, understand how to apply their skills and passion to meaningful work and reflect and stay engaged long after the work term ends. This investment by the Steele Family Foundation will scale our collective impact. I truly appreciate their visionary commitment.”

To learn more about the program and opportunities to get involved, contact Kate Dal Castel, Senior Development Officer, Co-operative and Experiential Education, at kate.dalcastel@uwaterloo.ca.

 Engineering access: How the BALLIN Capstone Project advances adaptive athletics

A message from the Office of the Associate Provost, Campus Support and Accessibility.

It is National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), and each day this week we are featuring a different University initiative that demonstrates a commitment to advancing accessibility and disability inclusion. Today, we are featuring BALLIN, an innovative mobility device designed and built by a Faculty of Engineering’s Capstone student-team.

Capstone is an opportunity for final-year student teams to lead design projects from conceptualization to functional, testable prototypes. As part of the 2026 Mechatronics Engineering Capstone Designs, BALLIN is an omni-directional, modular sports wheelchair created to lower barriers to participation in adaptive athletics, particularly wheelchair basketball. The hands-free design allows athletes to use their hands for play, rather than focusing on propulsion and movement. The project was supervised by Drs. Andrew Morton,  Baris Fidan, and James Tung and consisted of five Engineering students: Samuel Mpoloka, Chanuth Weeraratna, Joseph Bagheri, Adesh Partap Singh, and Ameen Aydan.

Capstone projects provide meaningful opportunities to apply engineering design and technical skills to real-world problems. As team member Joseph Bagheri described, “you see a project through to the end from start to finish” and can “use everything you've learned up until this point and…make something of your own.” The BALLIN team further emphasized the importance skill development throughout this process, including the value of teamwork, time management, and stakeholder consultation. These skills were further strengthened through CAPACITY’s interdisciplinary support and funding.

Looking ahead, BALLIN creates future opportunities for precise and responsive movement in sport and recreation, with the team envisioning use in recreational facilities where users could rent and play without needing to own specialized equipment. The team is excited to continue refining the software components and ensuring appropriate safety features as the design evolves.

National AccessAbility Week is just one opportunity to learn about accessibility and disability inclusion initiatives at the University of Waterloo. To stay connected year-round, join the Accessibility Ally Network Microsoft Teams channel or contact aoda@uwaterloo.ca for more information. 

Applications open for graduate student valedictorians

The University of Waterloo is seeking five graduate student valedictorians for the fall (October) 2026 convocation ceremonies.

For graduate students completing their master’s or doctoral degrees in spring or fall 2026, this is a unique opportunity to represent their faculty, reflect on their academic journey, and share their experiences with peers, faculty, and guests during the convocation ceremony. 

Interested applicants must be eligible for either spring or fall 2026 convocation, and have a strong academic record, demonstrated leadership, and strong communication skills. The deadline to apply is July 7, 2026.

Find out more about the application process.

New course reserves platform coming fall 2026

A message from the Libraries.

The Libraries will be moving to a new course reserves platform, Leganto, beginning Fall 2026 to better support faculty and students. Following a pilot this spring, we’re excited to expand access campus-wide.

Leganto offers a more intuitive, streamlined interface and integration with LEARN, simplifying access to course materials. This seamless connection reduces barriers and helps both faculty and students quickly find the resources they need.

Leganto also introduces flexible, self-serve options for instructors to create and manage their course reserve lists. At the same time, library staff will continue to provide comprehensive support, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing assistance.

More information and training materials will be shared in July. Questions can be directed to Sarah Martin, Resource Sharing and Reserves Manager.