Staff Enhancement Grant

The Staff Enhancement Grant (SEG) helps to cover costs associated with the pursuit of personal development undertaken by UWSA staff members.

The SEG was the vision of Bruce Lumsden who retired as Director of Cooperative Education in June 2005. With seed donations given at his retirement, he requested that a fund be created to provide grants to Waterloo staff pursuing personal and professional development. At that time, the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) also donated $5,000.00. Since that time, the fund has evolved to be administered by the UWSA only and is for personal development opportunities only.

Applications

The UWSA Staff Enhancement Grant Committee reviews applications and recommends recipients for a Staff Enhancement Grant to the UWSA Board of Directors. The amount of each grant is up to $500.00.

All UWSA members are eligible to apply for a SEG. Preference may be given to individuals who have not previously received the grant. The grant will not supplement or replace routine departmental training unit development costs and responsibilities, or personal vacation.

Applications will be evaluated based on the clarity of the plan, explanation of benefits to the individual and the community, as well as a comprehensive breakdown of costs. Great applications clearly articulate how the SEG funds would be used and make a strong argument for why the proposal should be funded.

The Staff Enhancement Grant does not typically fund the purchasing of items. If you have questions about your application, please reach out to the UWSA team.

Deadlines

June 1
December 1

Past Staff Enhancement Grants

2023

Name	Activity
Alyssa Kuron	Writing and publishing conference
Ambika Opal	Fiddle lessons
Angie Hildebrand	Nutrition course
Courtney Bremer	Blogging and podcasting course
Cyntia Bratan	Chocolate science course
Eva Lu	Art sampler course
Ishari Waduwara-Jayabahu	Foundations of Canadian Immigration Law course
Jessi Neill	Advanced behavioural dog training course
Katherine Lithgow	Introduction to meditation course
Kyla Campbell	Yoga teacher training certificate
Marlene Coulter	Photography workshop
Rob Kraemer	Guitar lessons
Susan Guthrie	Jewelry making course
Sophie Nasato	Cycling instructor certification course
Stephanie Bailey	Unified Mindfulness Teacher training program
Stephanie Facca	Furniture basics course

2022

Name	Activity
Alana Rigby	Aerial yoga teacher training
Amber Cronin	Aerial yoga teacher training
Angela Rooke	Electric bike assembly, safety check
Danielle Vander Wekken	Virtual marathon fee
Jackie Hilts	Rug hooking course and supplies
Jennisha Wilson	Mural making process engagement
Julia Burke	Songwriter retreat
Kari Hueber	Purchase MTB hopper for mountain bike
Lauren Quang	Tuition for International Students and Immigration program
Mallory Gilmore	Fees for diver training
Marie Lippens	One year subscription to Franklin Covey
Matthew Fries	Membership to Writers Union of Canada
Sonya Walton	Purchase sewing machine for quilting
Tamara Maciel	Master Class to write children's books
Tim Ireland	Welding equipment

2021

Name	Activity
Sandra Gibson	Meditation for Yoga Instructors' course
Eric Jardin	Purchase bicycle repair tools for Red Racoon Bike Rescue business
Priscila Carrara	Therapy dog training course
Wendy de Gomez	Online Yoga Teacher training course
Angela Googh	Art course at Aldercreek Studio
Debbie Anderson	Fiction writing course
Melanie Hains	Subscription to Franklin Covey's Library
Michael R. Clark	Indigenous film program coordinator mentorship
Murray Zink	Tools for soldering equipment
Nadine Quehl	Reforming Yoga Culture course
Natalie Chow	Baking and decorating course

2020

Name	Activity
Gwen Penner	Create a shaft-switching device to enable designing and weaving one-of-a-kind rugs more quickly
Harmeny Toope	Help set up a shop for woodmaking and resin casting
Matthew Fries	Writer's Digest magazine class
Nadine Quehl	Mindfulness course
Nicole Guenther	Purchase a Cricut machine for crafts
Pavanpreet Ranu	Personal investing course
Samantha St. Amand	Home shoe-making course
Steve Holland	First aid course
Wendy Irving	Spanish course
Gosia Brestovacki	Promote family farm produce through advertising and signage
Stefanie Bruinsma	Hire graphic designer to develop business logo and brand enhancment for business, Miss Mechanic
Jenny Conroy	Astrology courses
Agata Jagielska	Mutual fund license
Jessica Leung	Purchase an injection mold machine to build machines that would allow plastics to be recycled
Mary Lyn Payerl	Purchase equipment/workbench/metal for setting up silversmith workshop and skill development & training
Karen Schooley	Reflexology course

2019

Name	Activity
Cheryl Suitor	Shamanic course at Rainbow Medicine Lodge
Cindy Howe	Groove retreat in Costa Rica
James French	Berlin and the Baltics music course
Jennifer Costello	Vocal music lessons
Jessica Leung	How to recycle plastics in your community course
Katie Battista	Machine learning course
Kathy Becker	Beekeeping course
Kayla Snyder	Piano lessons
Meagan Yarmey	Photography lessons
Meghan Schmuck	Natural systems course
Richard Nguyen	CAPM certification fee
Sarah Robertson	Genealogical certificate course

2018

Name & Department	Activity
Tasha Glover, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs	Culinary bootcamp at Liaison College
Melanie Scholz, Kin	Travel to breastfeeding hackathon
Jessica Jordao,	Monday night cooking series
Lisa Brackenridge, SSO	Cartoons and comics online course
Wendy Reid, Registrar's Office	PMP certification course
Jasmine Koblik, CEE	Aging in Place training certificate
Mari-Beth Davis, Alumni Relations	Baking camp
Trevor Holmes, CTE	Drum lessons
Lynn Long, HREI	Writing course at Athabasca
Brendan Lowther, Feds	Goalkeeping clinic
Nadine Quehl, Psychology	Yoga workshop
Julie Thomson, Biology	HERstory conference

2017

Name & Department	Activity
Margaret Burnett, Kinesiology	Mennonite Central Committee trip to Guatemala
Jennifer Collins, FoEng	Management studies course textbood
Gillian Dabrowski, CEL	Publishing course at Ryerson University
Dastan Surusht, Office of Research	MBET program books and supplies
Philip Demsey, CECA	Dispute Resolution Level 2 course tuition
Sandra Gibson, HS	Yoga course registration, travel, parking
Ivanova Marina, PS	PMP online course tuition, exam, textbook
Robert Wagner, MME	Safe Vehicle Operation License for boat
Colin Wallace, Acctg and Finance	21st Culture, Heritage and Technologies conference in Vienna
Janice Weber, Creative Services	Habitat for Humanity build in Yukon
Alexander Zorina, Plant Ops	Conversational French online course
Catherine Dallaire, Retal Services	Art materials to stage a solo exhibition to the public
Li Ruiqiang, EES	Online yoga teacher training
Mary Power, CTE	Dragon boat training sessions
Bev Raimbault, Env	Understanding Conflict Foundations workshop fee
Laura Strathdee, Office of Reseach	Columbus Redrover Responders workshop
Terence Tang, Biology	Chinese medicine practitioner license
Shawn Winnington-Bell, IST	Spanish course in Columbia
Linda Zhang, IST	French tutoring course books and software
Murray Zink, WatPD	Repair cafes tour in San Franciisco

2016

Name & Department	Activity
Tracey McKee, Financial Aid Systems	Funds awarded will complete 2 remaining courses in Criminal Psychology and Behaviour program
Sheila Rodriguez, Student Advisor	Funds awarded with help with tuition costs of Spanish Language training
Christine Gillis Bilton, Research Info Systems	Funds awarded will pay registration costs of 2-day Mental Health First Aid course.
Jennifer Calbery, Research	Funds awarded will help with course fees to pursue a Horticulturalist Certificate.
Alisa Sivak, Knowledge Translation	Funds awarded will help fund a Yoga Retreat.
Dave Gall, Library	Funds will help with Masters in Library Sciences courses at UWO.
Derek Jajko, CECA	Funds will help with 2 courses at U of Calgary, Masters of Education
Shandy Johnson, CECA	Funds to finance Product Manager Fundamentals course in Vancouver
Jessica Jordao, Student Service	Funds will go towards tuition costs of Master of Adult Education
Nancy Mattes	Funds will allow her to present at National Community Economic Development conference
Nadine Quehl, Psychology	Funds awarded will pay registration costs of 2-day Mental Health First Aid course.
Katie Schulz, SSO	Funds will help pay Masters of Arts in Leadership course in B.C.
Darlene Stegner, Waterloo International	Funds will help fund Mediation training.

2015

Name & Department	Activity
Pat Coutsos, Information Systems & Technology	Funds awarded will help with fees while studying the Irish language at the University of Ireland in Galway.
Rosemary Morrison, Optometry	Funds awarded helped with training fees whiles participating in the Iron Girl Canada Triathlon.
Jessica Lang, Housing & Residence	Funds awarded helped with the purchase of textbooks while pursuing Masters of Education.
Linda Zhang, Information Systems & Technology	Funds awarded helped with the cost of purchasing books to help with the writing her own book.
Andrew Urschel, Engineering Machine Shop	Funds awarded helped with the cost of obtaining Project Management Certificate.
Jennifer Calbery	Horticulturist course at U of G
Tracey McKee	Criminal psychology course, Conestogo College
Sheila Rodriguez	Spanish course
Christine Gillis-Bilton	Mental health first aid course
Alisa Sivack	Yoga retreat

2014

Name & Department	Activity
Jennifer Jantzi, Waterloo International	Funds awarded helped with airfare and accommodations while travelling to Whitehorse, Yukon with Habitat for Humanity.
Olivia Roth, Co-operative Education & Career Action	Funds awarded helped with airfare and accommodations while travelling to Whitehorse, Yukon with Habitat for Humanity.
Nadine Quehl, Psychology	Funds awarded helped with training fees while participating in the Transformative Mediation Training Workshop.
Marilyn Thom, Centre for Contact Lens Research	Funds awarded helped with training programs for the Iron Girl Triathlon Preparation.
Victoria Bambrick, School of Accounting & Finance	Funds awarded helped with text books and meals while attending Wilfrid Laurier University in pursuing her MBA.
Melinda Szilva, Centre for Sight Enhancement	Funds awarded helped with conference fees while attending the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association in Niagara Falls.
Valerie Wilson, Co-op Education & Career Action	Funds awarded helped with workshop and travel fee while completing her Project Management Certificate.

2013

Name & Department	Activity
Andrew Brunet, WatPD	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks for the completion of a degree in Management Sciences.
Julie Timmermans, Centre for Extended Learning	Funds awarded helped with workshop and seminar fees on Fostering Personal Integrity.
Mike Nowakowski, Centre for Extended Learning	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks while pursuing a diploma in Human Resources Management.
Terry Labach, Information System Technology	Funds awarded helped with accommodations to participate in the Harmonica Weekend Workshop.
Christine Gillis-Bilton, Office of Research	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks while pursuing her certificate in Project Management.
Melissa McNowan-Smith, Student Success Office	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks while studying at the University of Calgary.
Cynthia Breen, Alumni Relations	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks while completing her Communication Management at the University of McMaster.
Kristen Snell, Optometry	Funds awarded helped with travel and kits fees while attending the 2014 Quilt Canada Conference in St. Catherines.
Gabrielle Smith, Student Success Office	Funds awarded helped with accommodation while studying at University of British Columbia.
Summit Sehgal, Electrical & Computer Engineering	Funds awarded helped with textbooks and software expenses while completing Project Management Professional Designation.

2012

Name & Department	Activity
Steve Krysak, Registrar's Office	Funds awarded helped with the accommodations and airfare while travelling to Honduras with Habitat for Humanity.
Gabrielle Smith, Student Success Office	Funds awarded helped with the accommodations while studying at the University of British Columbia.
Deb Harrison, Food Services	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks to complete her degree in Social Development.
Michelle Burlock, MUR	Funds awarded helped with tuition and travel while studying Spanish in Guatemala.
Christina Kroeker, Centre for Population Health impact	Funds awarded helped with courses on Reiki (Japanese stress reduction)
Adam Wlad, IST	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks and courses while attending University of Western.
Summit Sehgal, Electrical & Computer Engineering	Funds awarded helped with the completion of obtaining his Professional Engineering License.
Lynn Graham, School of Accounting & Finance	Funds awarded helped with transportation and accommodations while being part of the International Elections in El Salvador.
Laura Bredahl, Library	Funds awarded helped with travel and accommodations while working at the Foundation Research Library in Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

2011

Name & Department	Activity
Erin Smith, Registrar's Office	Funds awarded helped with travel and accommodations while working in Poland with Habitat for Humanity.
Marcia Ruby, Alternatives/Environment	Funds awarded helped with travel and accommodations while attending Humanities and Social Sciences Conference.
Dan Jessel, Architecture	Funds awarded helped with material costs while competing in " Regeneration: Fine Woodworkers under 30".
Cassandra Etheridge, Registrar's Office	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks while completing courses Cognitive Processes and Development Psychology.

2010

Name & Department	Activity
Tonya Noel, WatPD	Funds awarded helped with the cost of textbooks while completing Masters of Education Degree.
Jeremy Steffler, PDEng	Funds awarded helped with the cost of courses for Conflict Management, Negotiation and Mediation.
Cheryl Suitor, Computer Science	Funds awarded helped with the completion of Level 2 Therapeutic Touch Workshop.
Anne Marie Fannon, WatPD	Funds awarded helped with tuition and text books while completing Bachelor of Education at Brock University.
Anuja Bajajm Centre for Extended Learning	Funds awarded helped with travelling expenses while completing thesis at Athabaska University.
Ryan Jacobs, Office of Development	Funds awarded helped with textbook costs while completing Certified Management Accountant course.
Bonnie Fretz, Science/Alumni Services	Funds awarded helped with airfare and accommodations while travelling to Haiti for Habitat for Humanity.

2009

Name & Department	Activity
Carol Ann Treitz, School of Accounting & Finance	Funds awarded helped with travel expenses while teaching choral music at Rwanda Nu-Vision School.
Erin Smith, Registrar's Office	Funds awarded helped with travel and accommodation while travelling to Honduras with Habitat for humanity.

2008

Name & Department	Activity
Colin Wallace, School of Accounting & Finance	Funds awarded helped with the course material while participating in a mortuary Archaeology course in Poland.
Rebecca White, Athletics	Funds awarded helped with travel and accommodations while attending World Lifesaving Championship Rescue.
Sara Dee, Arts Undergraduate Office	Funds awarded helped with course cost to complete Special Event Coordinator Certificate.

2007

Name & Department	Activity
Colin Wallace, School of Accounting & Finance	Funds awarded helped with expenses while studying Anthropology abroad in Greece.
Scott Murie, Distance Education	Funds awarded helped with airfare and accommodations while travelling to El Salvador with Can-Teach International.