The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the hospitality industry, and I aimed to explore how we can foster a more caring sector, better equipped to address labour shortages and retain talent.
In Fall 2021, Peggy Vacalopoulos returned to the University of Waterloo to pursue her Master of Arts Recreation and Leisure Studies thesis (RLS), a program she describes as dynamic and deeply interconnected with daily life. For Peggy, the RLS program has been transformative. "Leisure permeates every aspect of life, and through this lens, any topic can be explored. The mentorship from faculty and the sense of community among students have been irreplaceable" she reflects. As the community outreach coordinator for GARLS over the last two years, she has enjoyed giving back to local communities.
What is #GRADimpact?
#GRADimpact showcases the stories of our graduate students who are making an impact in their fields of study, communities, workplaces and the world.