CEWIL CANADA HONOURS OUTSTANDING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THE CEWIL CANADA & EMERY-DUFAULT STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Toronto, ON, March 11, 2026 – CEWIL Canada & Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Awards, recognizing exceptional students whose work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences have made significant contributions to their workplaces, institutions, and communities. “This year’s recipients demonstrate how WIL can fuel innovation, leadership, and systemic change,” said Julie Witt, the Co-Chair of the CEWIL Canada & Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Awards Committee. “They show what’s possible when students are empowered to apply their learning in real-world settings.” added Colleen P. Davis, the Co-Chair of the CEWIL Canada & Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Awards Committee.

2025 CEWIL Canada & Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Award Winners 

Student of the Year Award – University Co-op Thomas Van der Sloot – University of British Columbia Thomas, a fourth-year Neuroscience student in UBC Science Co-op, is recognized for bridging health policy, cutting-edge Alzheimer’s research, and student-led WIL infrastructure. His co-op work at Satori Health Network and UBC’s Cembrowski Lab, alongside founding BioInnovate UBC and the Vancouver Biotechnology Innovation Foundation, has advanced healthcare strategy, accelerated research, and created lasting industry pathways for life sciences students. Read more about Thomas's work. 

Student of the Year Award – University WIL Laci Schulenborg – Vancouver Island University Laci, a fourth-year Honours Psychology student at VIU, is honoured for her harm-reduction work at AIDS Vancouver Island and her leadership in making experiential learning more accessible. She has strengthened training and evaluation tools at AVI and, on campus, led initiatives, resources, and a scholarship that support students—particularly those in recovery—to navigate WIL and academic pathways with greater clarity and equity. Read more about Laci's story.
Student of the Year Award – College & CEGEP Co-op Makayla Silvey – Camosun College Makayla, a second-year Mechanical Engineering Technology student, is recognized for her impact as a co-op student at the Department of National Defence’s Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton. She contributed to critical marine systems engineering work, improved technical data processes, and emerged as a visible ambassador for co-op, women in STEM, and Indigenous students through outreach and her leadership in Camosun’s Robotics and Automation Club. Read more about Makayla's journey.
Student of the Year Award – College & CEGEP WIL Fiza Kaleem – Sheridan College Fiza, an Honours BBA Finance student, is honoured for charting an inclusive path into corporate finance and expanding WIL access for her peers. Her WIL experience at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts drove meaningful process improvements in a major finance transformation project, while her founding of Sheridan’s Finance Club, CFA ambassadorship, and extensive peer mentorship have built a stronger, more connected finance community on campus. Read more about Fiza's achievements. 

“These students embody the spirit of work-integrated learning—using experience not only to advance their own careers, but to create opportunities and infrastructure that benefit many others,” said Charlene Marion, CEWIL Canada’s Executive Director.

 Honourable Mentions

CEWIL Canada also recognizes the outstanding achievements of the following honourable mention recipients for their remarkable contributions through WIL:

• University Co-op: Deborah Owoyemi – University of Manitoba • University WIL: Sofia Malatesta – McMaster University; Brianna Nguyen – York University • College & CEGEP Co-op: Wedad Rahmatallah – Sheridan College • College & CEGEP WIL: Sheldon Close – Portage College

About the CEWIL Canada and Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Awards 

Each year CEWIL Canada recognizes the outstanding achievements of co-operative education (co-op) and work-integrated learning students from both colleges and universities. Co-op and work-integrated learning offices across Canada will be celebrating these students’ successes and other related initiatives during National Co-op & WIL Month in March. 

All winners of the CEWIL Canada and Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Awards receive a certificate to commemorate their achievements. The awards were expanded in 2018 to include a category for all forms of WIL that occur beyond traditional co-op programs. The prize includes a $1,500 cash award (a CEWIL Canada Award of $1,000 and the Emery-Dufault Award of $500). 

The Emery-Dufault Award was established in 2003 to be given to the winners of the former Co-op Student of the Year Award in recognition of the contributions of two of the founding fathers of co-operative education in Canada, Dr. Charles Leslie (Les) Emery and Professor George Joseph Dufault. Les Emery first introduced the idea of co-operative education to Waterloo College Associate Faculties, the forerunner of the University of Waterloo. His proposal and subsequent work led to the establishment of the first co-operative education program in Canada. George Dufault set up and headed the Department of Co-ordination during its first year (from 1957 to 1958) at Waterloo College Associate Faculties. This was the precursor to the current Co-operative & Experiential Education Office at the University of Waterloo.

Institutions are encouraged to watch for the next call for nominations, which will open toward the end of the year.

About CEWIL Canada

CEWIL Canada is a national association with over 190 member organizations representing 1,900 individual, Current members include post-secondary institutions, industry and community partners who engage with WIL students, industry associations, higher education advocacy groups, and WIL-related organization.  Areas of expertise within our membership include advocacy, data collection, accreditation and certification programs, WIL thought leadership and resource development,  iHUB Centre of WIL Expertise, scholarly research, learning and development opportunities, and more.

For further information please contact our media contact: 

Lamia Rochdi

Bilingual Marketing & Communication Coordinator 

[email protected]

778.513.1429