Sheridan students win national and provincial co-op and work-integrated learning awards

Two Sheridan students have been recognized with national and provincial awards for their strong academic performance, commitment to enhancing the profile of work-integrated learning, and effort to make a difference in their communities.

Lawrence Young, a graduate of Sheridan’s Computer Systems Technology – Software Development and Network Engineering program, has been named Co-op Student of the Year (College) by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, which comes with a $1,000 prize. Young also received provincial honours with the Co-op Student of the Year (College) 2018 Award from Education at Work Ontario (EWO), which comes with a $750 prize and marks the fifth time in six years that a Sheridan student has earned this recognition.

The awards recognize Young’s active participation in Amplify, an RBC program that enables students to put their skills to the test by creating innovative solutions to RBC’s most pressing challenges. Young took on an active role within his team by developing a chat bot that could reimagine RBC’s digital interactions with business banking clients.

Young impressed his colleagues with his professionalism, application of advanced training, and ability to present ideas to all levels of the organization. Upon completion of his work-term, Young received six job offers from RBC. He has since accepted the full-time position of JavaScript Engineer. Young is one of five students selected as Sheridan’s Co-op Students of the Year. The other four winners include:

Emma Wootton, Honours Bachelor of Interaction Design

Sakshi Jangra, Electromechanical Engineering Technology

Timothy Rahardjo, Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) – Finance

Meagan Anstruther, Honours Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences – Athletic Therapy

Cristina Pereira, a second-year student in Sheridan’s Social Service Worker diploma program, received EWO’s inaugural Work-Integrated-Learning (WIL) Student of the Year 2018 Award, which also comes with a $750 prize. The award recognizes Pereira’s placement at Support and Housing Halton, where she demonstrated a remarkable level of energy and enthusiasm and quickly proved to be a team asset. Pereira, who was offered employment following her placement, is one of four students selected as Sheridan’s WIL Students of the Year. The other three winners include:

Natalie Kornas, Early Childhood Education

Dema Haddadin, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Tess Brierley, Visual Merchandising Arts

“These students are prime examples of the many Sheridan students who put their learning to work every term,” says Matt Rempel, Associate Dean of Career Education and Co-Curricular Learning. “We are so proud of our students who continue to excel in work-integrated learning while maintaining top academic marks and making a difference in their communities.”

Each of the nine award winners will be honoured during a special award ceremony at Sheridan College on April 5.