Congratulations to our 2026 Waterloo valedictorians and fellow graduates, who now join a powerful network of more than 263,000 alumni who are shaping the future.
Sat Arora’s (BCS ’26) journey to Waterloo began in childhood, competing in math and computing competitions hosted by the University’s Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing. Those early experiences sparked a passion for problem-solving and drew him to a community he had long admired.
“I knew studying at Waterloo would connect me with world-class problem solvers,” Arora says, a goal he realized both academically and as president of the Computer Science Club, where he helped create spaces for students to connect, collaborate and grow.
Receiving the René Descartes National Scholarship as an incoming first-year and being named valedictorian stand as defining moments in his undergraduate journey, recognizing his dedication to both mathematics and leadership.
After graduation, Arora returns to Ramp in New York City as a Software Engineer.
Through Waterloo’s co-op program, Kaitlyn Bowles (BMath ’26) explored everything from startups to government, discovering where her skills could make the greatest impact. A defining moment came during an international exchange at Tilburg University in the Netherlands.
“I loved getting to take classes in a new style, explore cultures and make friends from all over the world,” Bowles says. “Taking the step to travel alone to a new continent, I felt more confident in my own abilities and more willing to put myself up for opportunities I might not have considered before.”
She is also proud of her contribution to the Government of Canada’s environmental decision-making, where she developed a module for a model used to inform climate and energy policy, helping improve how policymakers approach decisions related to Canada’s energy future and net-zero emissions goals.
After graduation, Bowles will return to Valency Inc. as a Product Manager, with long-term aspirations to support renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.
As an active and engaged member of the Waterloo community, Rena Yang (BMath ’26) reflects on the many experiences that shaped her time in the Faculty of Mathematics.
After joining a women’s rights march with Waterloo’s Women Centre following the 2022 overturning of Roe vs. Wade, Yang continued volunteering, deepening her commitment to advocacy and community support.
As a founding member and director of Haebeat Dance Crew, Yang helped grow one of the largest active K-Pop dance crews in the Waterloo region, developing both her artistic voice and leadership skills.
“It’s especially meaningful for me as an international student and as a woman to represent the graduating math class,” Yang says. “I hope my story show others that they belong in these spaces too, and that their voices and perspectives matter."
After graduation, Yang will return to Amazon as a Software Development Engineer.
To learn more about the other 11 Waterloo valedictorians, read the full story from Waterloo News.