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Hometown: Bradford, Ontario

Program: Honours Social Development Studies

Fun Fact: Fun fact about me is that I play the piano and some guitar, so if you want to jam out come talk to me!!

First-year Tip: My first year tip is to talk to new people and don't be scared to say hello, especially to fellow first years! First year is a time where you build new and diverse friendships, don't be in a rush to find your "main group," its okay to talk to everyone and see who clicks! Also you make lots of friends by participating in lots of things! Get out to renison events or events on main campus!!

Favourite Renison Memory: My favourite Renison Memory is watching tv in one of the many lounges with friends and then eating snacks. One of my favourites is when I watched little women in the Link Lounge, and a bunch of random people joined and watched with my friend group! 

Hometown: Jabalpur, India

Program: Accounting & Financial Management co-op

Fun Fact: I love cooking.

First-year Tip: Don't hesitate to reach out to others!

Favourite Renison Memory: Going to Wonderland!

Hometown: Clinton, Ontario

Program: Honours Social Development Studies

Fun Fact: I love to rock climb here at Grand River Rocks in Kitchener whenever I can! I also love nature, camping, and hiking!

First-year Tip: Organize all your deadlines in a calendar and make to-do list every day. Being organized will make first year so much more manageable if you have a handle on all of your work !

Favourite Renison Memory: One of my favourite memories here at Renison was when we played sock dodgeball during Christmas exam season!

Hometown:  Markham, Ontario

Program: Environment, Resources, and Sustainability and Social Development Studies Joint Honours

Fun Fact: I sail tallships in the summer!

First-year Tip: Go to your classes!!!! Otherwise you will get into the habit of skipping and fall behind 🙁

Favourite Renison Memory: Late night movie nights with friends!!

Hometown: Waterloo, Ontario

Program: Honours Arts Co-op, Theatre & Performance Major, English Minor

Fun Fact: I am the oldest of 8 children, and you might see the littlest ones running around Renison sometime!

First-year Tip: Do your laundry on weekdays during the day! Nobody is using the washers, and you’ll be awake to collect your clean clothes!

Favourite Renison Memory: My favourite Renison memory is volunteering for the Fall Open House in 2025! I got to meet future residents/students and learn about all the cool programs offered here at Renison!

Honours Psychology, Arts

Rubee (she/her) is a Peer Leader who is here to support all students registered in at least one course at Renison and/or living in Renison Residence! As a Peer Leader, Rubee can help you practice your English and how to learn effectively for your English classes. Rubee loves understanding how the brain works, and enjoys working with students in developing real-life learning strategies that can help you to stay organized with your tests and assignments, while balancing that with your well-being and maintaining positive mental health. 

Meet with Rubee about:

• Strengthening your study strategies (time management, note-taking, textbook reading)
• How to access the many learning supports, tutorial centres, and supports at the University of Waterloo
• How to juggle your well-being while building effective skills for your classes

Health Sciences, Health

Zohal (she/her) is a Health Sciences student in the Faculty of Health. Zohal is originally from Afghanistan, and she loves learning about history and watching historical series and films (especially about the Ottoman Empire). Zohal's advice for first year students is to get involved, ask questions and remember that it is ok not to have everything figure out.  

Zohal can help you with

• Building your time management skills
• Exploring Waterloo and Southern Ontario
• Getting involved at UW and access campus resources

Public Health, Health

Charles (he/him) 3A Public Health student in the Faculty of Health and a graduate from Renison's Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) program. Charles is originally from China and is always looking for good food recommendations or suggestions for the bubble tea place in Waterloo. Charles' first-year tip is "Don't worry if you don't make friends right away. Everyone adjusts at their own pace. Say yes to events, talk to people in your classes, and don't be afraid to ask for help--you'll find your community sooner than you think". As an international student himself, Charles welcomes students to connect with him about the adjustment to university life in Canada, navigating campus life, and any questions about settling into a new environment.

Meet with Charles about:

• Overcoming homesickness and culture shock
• Sharing your home culture and learning more about other cultures
• Finding resources on campus and talking about mental health

Learning Skills Advisor

Office: Lusi Wong Library

Andrew completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Victoria with bachelor's degrees in Education and Arts. As a Learning Skills Advisor, Andrew is here to support all students during their academic journey. Andrew can help you with:

• Building effective learning strategies and study habits 
• Time management strategies so you can keep track of tests, assignments, and appointments
• Effective note-taking skills and getting the most out of your courses
• Preparing for tests and quizzes and reducing test anxiety
• Navigating the University of Waterloo campus services, including tutoring and learning support resources

Assistant Director, Student Experience & Housing

Office: REN 1108 (Renison Ministry Centre)

Ryan is a proud graduate from the Social Development Studies program at the University of Waterloo. As your Assistant Director, Student Experience & Housing, Ryan is very knowledgeable about all of the campus services and resources available to University of Waterloo students. Ryan grew up in a small town called Thunder Bay in Northern Ontario, and he is addicted to iced cappuccinos from Tim Horton's. Some of Ryan's most popular things to talk about include:

• All of the campus services available to you as a Waterloo student and what you are able to access to support your academic and personal success
• Mental health wellness and strategies to improve your well-being as a university student 
• Advice for studying in an online environment. Fun fact: Ryan completed his UWaterloo degree, two college certificates, and a Masters degree completely online
• Tips for adjusting to Canadian culture and building your language skills outside of the classroom

Administrative Assistant

Office: REN 0208 (Student Experience & Housing Hallway)

Laura is a graduate of the Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies program at the University of Waterloo and St. Jerome’s University. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, Laura completed her Master of Education in Social Justice Education at OISE at the University of Toronto. Laura can assist you with questions related to Renison residence, as well as Student Experience events and activities. Some things you can discuss with Laura include:

• Questions related to living in Renison Residence, as well as off-campus in our local community, including Homestay
• Support with living on your own for your first time and how to navigate the transition
• Suggestions for effectively living with a roommate and having a fun experience in Residence 
• How to get involved in your Renison community

Student Experience Coordinator

Office: REN 1930 (International Programs Office)

Thalia Criollo Guerrero (she/her) is a proud graduate of the Honours Music program at UWaterloo with a minor in Digital Communication. Thalia began her journey at Waterloo by studying in Renison’s Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) program. During her undergraduate degree, Thalia worked as an active member in the Renison community through the International Programs Student Leadership Team, working as an ELI Peer Leader, and as a Renison Residence don! Thalia’s role at Renison is to support all students, with a special focus on students studying in our Renison International Programs and overseeing Renison’s Conversation Partner Program.

Popular things to meet with Thalia about are:

• Navigating culture shock and adjusting to new environments, including homesickness.
• How to thrive as a university student by learning about the student services and resources available to you.
• Getting involved as a student leader and making the most of your student experience at Renison.
• Conversation practice in both English and Spanish!

Manager, Student Experience

Office: REN 0209A

Owen Wu (he/him) is the Manager, Student Experience with the Department of Student Experience and Housing at Renison University College. He holds a BA in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University, an MEd in Adult Education and Community Development from the University of Toronto, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the same field. Born and raised in Xinjiang, China, Owen brings lived experience as a former international student, and a great way to start a conversation with him is to ask how Damon is doing.

Popular things to meet with Owen about are:

• Celebrations: Whether you had a fantastic day, did well on an assignment, reached a personal goal, or simply have good news to share, Owen would love to hear from you.
• Roadblocks: If you are feeling stuck, facing a challenge, or unsure where to find support, Owen can help connect you with resources and options.
• Your student experience: Owen enjoys hearing about what students are experiencing at Renison, including what is going well, what could be improved, and what would help you feel more connected.
• International student life: Owen can share advice on adjusting to life in Canada, building communities, and making the most of your student experience.

Hometown: Afghanistan

Program: Arts and Business

Fun fact: I am the first girl from my family who went abroad to study and bring change to my life. I also cook Afghan dishes and once taught my Canadian friends how to eat with their hands, which is cultural exchange at its finest! 

First-year tip: Try to manage your time and start doing your assignments early, even if it's just reading the instructions. It saves you so much stress later.

Favourite memory: My favourite Renison memory was being part of the International Culture Day event while I was in the EFAS program, wearing my traditional dress and chatting with friends from all over the world. We had fun, and I really enjoyed especially when I saw my country's flag.

Hometown: Hong Kong

Program: Computer Science

Fun fact: I love travelling, meeting new people, and exploring cool places. I'm a scuba diver and recently started getting into underwater hockey! If you have any fun or niche hobbies, I'd love to hear about them. I'm always down to try something new!

First-year tip: Adapting to university life can feel overwhelming at first, so remember to smile and stay open to meeting new people. Most students are friendly and happy to help. Having friends makes studying and everything else more fun, especially when you end up going on random side quests together.

Favourite memory: Renison holds many great memories for me, but my favourite has to be our spontaneous foosball games. My friends and I would gather to play, talk, and enjoy some friendly competition together. Over time, we not only got better at foosball but also grew closer through the shared inside jokes and laughter. Don't be surprised if you see me in the Moose Room most nights!

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

Program: Honours Liberal Studies

Fun fact: I love music, reading and travelling. I enjoy exploring different places and different genres of music and books.

First-year tip: If you need help or clarity on a topic, ask for help and try to get to know someone in your program.

Favourite memory: Spending time with friends at events or by watching movies together.

Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario

Program: Honours Social Development Studies

Fun Fact: I love thrifting, trinkets, and crafts

First-year Tip: Put a little bit of chocolate milk in the Renison Cafeteria hot chocolate to make it a bit creamier/chocolatey.

Favourite Renison Memory: Watching movies in the Link Inclusion Lounge and playing board games.