Creating community through events and recreation
Recreation and Leisure Studies graduate Kennedy Stock is applying lessons from Waterloo to create experiences that connect people and strengthen communities
Every year, thousands of residents and visitors gather in Port Colborne to celebrate community through festivals, events and shared experiences. Behind the scenes, Kennedy Stock (BA ’25, MA ’26, Recreation and Leisure Studies) helps develop and support those experiences.
As a member of the City of Port Colborne team, Stock delivers programs and events that bring people together and strengthen community connections. While she once considered a career in the private entertainment or tourism sectors, she feels like she has found her true calling.
"When I started with the City of Port Colborne, I felt strongly aligned with its goal of providing programs and experiences for the community," she says. "In just a few years, I feel I've contributed positively to residents' experiences. It's a career avenue I never saw for myself, but I'm very glad I found it."
Her contributions have already earned industry recognition. In February 2026, Stock received the Festival and Events Ontario Student Leadership Award (pictured above), recognizing her leadership and contributions to Ontario's festival and events sector.
"It was an incredible honour," she says. "Being nominated by my colleagues at Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival was already a huge vote of confidence. To then be selected from among students across Ontario's festival and events sector was very meaningful."
Journey to recreation
The confidence and experience that prepared Stock trace back to her time at the University of Waterloo, where she completed both a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies and an online coursework master's program, now called the Master of Sport and Recreation Leadership.
Her journey into the field began years earlier during a high school visit to the headquarters of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Scotiabank Arena.
"I was fascinated by everything that happened behind the scenes," Stock says. "The logistics, the planning and seeing how many people it took to bring an event to life really interested me."
When it came time to choose a university, Waterloo's co-op program stood out.
"I came into the program knowing I was interested in events, but I wasn't entirely sure where I wanted to go," she says. "The co-op program gave me the confidence to explore different opportunities and gain real-world experience while I figured out my direction."
Value of hands-on learning
That hands-on learning quickly confirmed she had found the right fit. “It allowed me to experiment with different roles, knowing I had the support of faculty members who encouraged me to pursue opportunities," Stock says.
During her master's studies, she was particularly inspired by courses taught by Dr. Heather Mair, whose focus on recreation policy aligned closely with her developing professional interests. The online coursework delivery allowed her to keep her career on track while completing her graduate degree at the same time.
One of Stock's most memorable experiences while at Waterloo was volunteering with the host team for the U Sports Women's Hockey Championship, an opportunity that deepened her appreciation for event operations within a university setting.
Throughout her studies and career development, Stock's understanding of recreation and leisure also evolved. "Leisure is an opportunity to learn and grow beyond what is expected," she says. "It’s a multi-dimensional experience reflective of intentional, unplanned or forced activities, and it allows us to relax, restore ourselves and reach a state of flow.”
Today, those beliefs continue to guide her work as she creates spaces and experiences where people can connect, celebrate and thrive.
"As someone who began university in 2020 and completed my master's degree online, there were many reasons to feel disconnected," she says. "But Waterloo created such an inviting and connected learning environment. Its commitment to recreation and leisure shaped both my career and my perspective for the better."
Building stronger communities
As she continues her work in Port Colborne, Stock’s experiences in the recreation and leisure field continue to guide her efforts in building stronger communities through supporting well-being and fostering connections.
“Leisure is an opportunity to learn and grow beyond what is expected,” she says. “It’s a multi-dimensional experience reflective of intentional, unplanned or forced activities, and its importance comes from the effect it has on our physical and mental spaces.”