Awareness of mental health and youth suicide prevention
Jillian Fleming (BA '01, Recreation and Leisure Studies), director of Recreation for the City of Waterloo, has received the Alumni Volunteer Award due to her dedication to supporting our students and her lasting impact on our academic and professional community.
For more than two years, Fleming has generously served as a guest lecturer in REC 101 (Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services), offering our undergraduate students invaluable insights into the field of municipal recreation. Fleming has volunteered to participate in a recorded interview for our REC 600 graduate class, where she shared her expertise with students. Here, she focused both on how her RLS degree has shaped her thinking about the role of recreation and leisure in people's lives - at all stages - and where she thinks the field is headed in the future. Her real-world experience has been a source of inspiration for students, giving them a clear picture of how their studies can translate into meaningful careers.
Beyond her classroom contributions, Fleming has gone above and beyond in offering personalized support to our students. She has provided thoughtful feedback on their career aspirations and actively connected them with her professional network. By doing so, she has helped students secure internships, job opportunities and mentorship connections that have set them on a path to success.
Fleming's commitment to giving back to the University of Waterloo community has made a significant difference in the lives of our students and has helped to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world.
In recognition of her dedication to supporting students and the University of Waterloo, Jillian Fleming is the recipient of the 2024 Faculty of Health Alumni Volunteer Award.