United College is a vibrant community and welcoming home for students at the University of Waterloo. Located in the heart of campus, we offer more than just a place to live. Our residence community brings students together through connection, support, and shared experiences. Alongside vibrant residence life, United is also a place to learn and lead, with unique academic programs and hands-on opportunities to create social and environmental impact.
Whether you’re here to find lifelong friends, explore new ideas, or drive meaningful change, United is where you can live fully, learn deeply, and shape a better future
News
Finding Confidence Through Community: Alexandra Minard's United College Story
When Alexandra Minard first looked toward the University of Waterloo, the path ahead was wide open. Like many incoming students, she was drawn by the promise of the university’s renowned co-op program, a chance to gain a competitive edge and real-world experience. But the decision of where to live was guided by a more personal connection: her mother’s own history.
Building Community Through Innovation: Trishala Pillai Honoured with Emerging Alumni Award
At United College, student ideas don’t just stay in the classroom, they grow into movements, businesses, and community impact. That spirit was celebrated this past spring as alum Trishala Pillai (BA '16)returned to the college to officially receive the Emerging Alumni Award in recognition of her leadership, innovation, and commitment to creating meaningful change.
Jordyn Maywood’s Journey of Leadership, Community and Engineering Excellence
For Jordyn Maywood, the secret to navigating the intensity of a Biomedical Engineering degree at the University of Waterloo began with finding her circle.
By choosing to live at United College in the Women in Engineering Living-Learning Community (LLC) during her first year, she gained a vital support system that fostered both confidence and inclusion.
Events
Chats with Changemakers: Penn Bolourchi
GreenHouse at United College hosts Chats with Changemakers, giving university students candid insight into building socially focused ventures. The series replaces formal presentations with an egalitarian discussion circle, highlighting the rejected pitches, administrative roadblocks, and sudden pivots that shape impact work.
- Date and Time: Monday, October 5, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST.
- Location: GreenHouse (UTD 164) and Online via Microsoft Teams.
- RSVP: Reserve a spot through the Chats with Changemakers RSVP Form.
- Virtual Meeting Link: Join us on Microsoft Teams
Penn Bolourchi, founder of goodDEED, entered the housing sector to develop innovative models that reimagine equity and homeownership for everyday individuals. Moving past tidy success stories, this session looks directly into the messy early days of enterprise creation. Penn shares candid reflections about launching a venture prior to feeling completely prepared, challenging entrenched industry conventions, and working through the trial-and-error process of securing seed capital.
In-person guests gather in GreenHouse (UTD 164) for the discussion and stay for dinner and networking between 5:20 PM and 6:00 PM EST. Remote participants are welcome on Microsoft Teams from 4:00 PM to 5:20 PM EST to take part in the conversation and submit audience cards.
Chats with Changemakers: Ashoke Mohanraj
Hosted by GreenHouse at United College, Chats with Changemakers offers a candid, low-barrier setting to explore social innovation pathways without corporate gloss.
- Date and Time: Monday, October 19, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM EST.
- Location: GreenHouse (UTD 164) and Online via Microsoft Teams.
- RSVP: Reserve a spot through the Chats with Changemakers RSVP Form.
- Virtual Meeting Link: Join us on Microsoft Teams
Practising as a maritime and admiralty lawyer by day, Ashoke Mohanraj is simultaneously an author and aspiring television producer by night. His journey shows how legal grounding and creative expression inform one another, enabling professionals to sustain distinct callings without draining their artistic momentum. Ashoke discusses how to balance structured careers with independent storytelling, explaining how legal knowledge acts as protective armour for grassroots ventures to safeguard community impact.
The event takes place in GreenHouse (UTD 164) with dinner and networking running from 5:20 PM to 6:00 PM EST. Virtual attendees can participate through Microsoft Teams from 4:00 PM to 5:20 PM EST during the guided card questions and open Q&A.
Demo Day
Drop by GreenHouse (UTD 164) for Demo Day! Students from Social Innovators in Training will be showcasing early-stage ventures tackling climate resilience, health equity, community connection and more. They need your real-world insights to refine their work! Expect to encounter innovations like sustainable material solutions transforming ecological challenges, digital platforms advancing donor transparency, assistive technologies restoring mobility, and youth-driven hubs bridging housing and mental health supports. It’s a can’t-miss opportunity to witness how student ingenuity is shaping meaningful change.
What to expect:
- Help students strengthen their ventures by sharing practical feedback on prototypes addressing local and global challenges
- See firsthand innovative ideas emerging from campus—from circular economy models to culturally responsive health tech—designed to build more just and sustainable communities
- Connect with fellow changemakers over light refreshments while exploring how these ventures align with climate action, social justice, and community resilience
- Your perspective matters. Join us to support the next wave of solution-builders turning ideas into impact.