Nicholas DeFazio, City of Ottawa: Ottawa Fire Services

Highlight from the nomination:
What sets Nicholas apart is his emphasis on creativity. He fostered an environment that encouraged Ariadne to express her originality, allowing her to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to her work. This emphasis on creativity led to improved work quality and a deep sense of ownership in achieving the organization’s goals.

Nominated by: Ariadne Spontone, Co-op Student, Interactive Media Design student

Naji Otell, Government of Canada: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Highlight from the nomination:
First and foremost, Naji orchestrated a well-organized onboarding process that fostered an inclusive and positive work environment. This attention to detail and commitment to inclusivity set the tone for a healthy and thriving workplace.

Furthermore, Naji’s involvement in mentorship extended far beyond expectations. He warmly welcomed new hires and provided ongoing support, going above and beyond to ensure their success. By doing so, Naji not only cultivated a culture of learning but also created an atmosphere where individuals felt valued, included, and given ample opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Nominated by: Monourea Pich, Co-op Student, Business Marketing program

Sue McCallum and Francine Garneau, OC Transpo

Highlight from the nomination:
During her co-op work term, Yuka had the incredible opportunity to work as a Technical Graphic Designer under the guidance of Sue and Francine. What set these exceptional individuals apart was their unwavering dedication and support for Yuka throughout her co-op term. They entrusted her with practical design tasks and provided consistent feedback through regular work progress meetings. However, it was their immediate recognition of Yuka’s challenges and concerns about meeting design standards that truly exemplified their commitment to her growth and success.

Nominated by: Yuka Ishii, Co-op Student, Interactive Media Design student

Haitao Zhang, Megaverse Geomatics Ltd.

Highlight from the nomination:
What truly sets Megaverse Geomatics Ltd. apart is their commitment to providing a platform that seamlessly integrates practical field experience, state-of-the-art surveying instruments, and cutting-edge software applications with the theoretical knowledge acquired in college. Furthermore, Megaverse Geomatics Ltd. goes above and beyond by providing suitable accommodations and covering travel expenses for fieldwork. This ensures that engineers have the best possible resources for their career growth and personal development in the field.

Nominated by: Idris Kehinde, Co-op Student, Construction Engineering Technology

Helmut Fritzsche and Jayeshkumar Patel, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Highlight from the nomination:
The office culture at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is both professional and fun, fostering a positive atmosphere and camaraderie among colleagues. Though he was initially overwhelmed with programming various sensors using a specific microcontroller, the support and mentorship of Helmut and Jayesh made the learning process manageable and contributed to his professional growth. In addition to the technical aspects of the role, he had the opportunity to expand his professional network and knowledge through participation in various meetings with experienced professionals.

Relocating to a small town presented challenges in finding housing, but CNL showed understanding and flexibility by allowing him to start remotely. This co-op experience not only enhanced his technical skills but also instilled in him a deep appreciation for the collaborative and innovative spirit that defines the engineering profession.

Nominated by: Pukhraj Singh, Co-op Student, Bachelor of Engineering (Robotics and Automation)

Alan Charlton, DistillerSR Inc.

Highlight from the nomination:
DistillerSR was unwavering to their commitment to tailoring co-op experiences that align with each student’s career aspirations. Sushant had the opportunity to work on a personalized Hexnode special project, which allowed him to gain hands-on experience and develop his technical proficiency. This commitment to providing individualized opportunities extends beyond technical skills. It instills problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and confidence in co-op students like Sushant.

DistillerSR’s forward-thinking approach extends to incorporating cutting-edge technologies into their projects. By exposing co-op students to industry-leading practices, the company provides a unique learning experience that goes beyond the classroom. This exposure not only enhances technical skills but also equips students with the necessary knowledge and confidence to excel in their future careers.

Nominated by: Sushant Gautam, Co-op Student, Computer System Technician – Networking program

Jayde Medland, Junior Communications Officer
Natural Resources Canada

Program: Interactive Media Design, School of Media and Design

Additional Awards: Recipient of the Co-op Student of the Year (College) Award from Experiential & Work-Integrated Learning Ontario (E.W.O.) at the provincial level, and from Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) at the national level.

Quote from nomination:
“Jayde’s best workplace attribute was undoubtedly her enthusiasm. She approached every task, no matter how challenging, with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. This was evident in her handling of a complex news release under pressure for a ministerial event on wildfires. Despite the high-stakes nature of the task, Jayde executed it flawlessly, earning praise from colleagues and superiors alike.

Jayde consistently went above and beyond in her role. She was always ready to lend a hand, whether it was assisting with public information calls or stepping in to support other projects. Her proactive approach and dedication to her work were truly impressive. For instance, she took on a key role in a technical briefing on wildfires, a task not typically assigned to a student. Her successful handling of this responsibility is a testament to her capabilities and potential.”

– Barre Campbell, Natural Resources Canada

Tayla Somerville, Junior Program Officer
Public Safety Canada

Program: Bachelor of Public Safety, School of Wellness, Public Safety & Community Studies

Quote from nomination:
“Not only did Tayla have a significant impact on her OTS team, but she also contributed to the federal response to the wildfire season 2023, which was arguably the worst wildfire season Canada has experienced. Tayla worked long hours for three weeks straight in this role and was able to produce highly quality reports.

Tayla’s willingness to learn, motivation to produce highly quality work, and her ability to work well with others ensured that she was successful in the organization. She has been one of the best students and employees that I have managed. Tayla will be highly missed when she leaves the team to pursue other opportunities. The OTS team and I can say proudly that it was a pleasure to have her on the team and to work with her.”

– Marc Godin, Public Safety Canada

Miriam Mills, Scientific Research Intern
The Kenauk Institute

Program: Biotechnology Advanced, School of Advanced Technology

Quote from nomination:
“Miriam stepped up as a leader to ensure that the projects were successful. One such project revolved around pioneering a new method to sample bat populations; Miriam was instrumental in making the student’s vision a reality. She was not only a problem-solver in these instances, but a compassionate and supportive peer as well.

We were also impressed with Miriam’s dedication and eagerness to contribute to the institute’s success: based on her observations during her time with us, she has created long-term solutions to reoccurring issues and gave great insight and feedback on pre-existing procedures. One such solution was the creation of multiple standard operating procedures, which will be used by Kenauk for many years to come. She exceeded her job expectations many times over due to her observant and proactive attitude.”

– Liane Nowell, The Kenauk Institute

Annalyse Broumpton, Horticulturist
Carp Garden Services

Program: Horticultural Industries, Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence

Quote from nomination:
“Whenever we needed something extra to be done, Annalyse was there, willing and with a smile. Everyone loved working with Annalyse and she is a real team player. I really hope Annalyse comes back next year (she says she will, so we all have our fingers crossed!) but, in the meantime, it’s essential to say that Annalyse has added a new dimension to this business. Her way of communicating with clients and with other staff is quite incredible. I would love to promote Annalyse to the role of Team Manager, or perhaps Garden Designer one day.”

– Tim Dyer, Carp Garden Services

Emmett Deevey, Junior Developer
MASV

Program: Web Development and Internet Applications, School of Advanced Technology

Quote from nomination:
“Emmett joined, immediately demonstrating a keen eye for detail and an in-depth understanding of software architecture principles. But what set him apart was his initiative to delve into areas of our operation well beyond the remit of his position. With a proactive mindset, Emmett undertook a thorough analysis of our technological stack, identifying critical bottlenecks that hindered our efficiency—a task that had eluded even our seasoned engineers.

Our experience with Emmett embodies the very essence of what the Algonquin College Co-op Program aims to achieve—the fusion of academic learning with meaningful, real-world impact. His performance has been nothing short of exemplary, setting a high bar within our company for what a dedicated, keen, and versatile student can accomplish.”

– Ernilo Dallagnolo Junior, MASV

Igor Da Silva Costa, Consultations Assistant
Ministry of Finance, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions

Program: Marketing Research and Analysis, School of Business and Hospitality

Quote from nomination:
“While his eagerness and efficiency in completing tasks were commendable, I encouraged Igor to ask more questions when faced with unclear tasks and allocate additional time for reviews to minimize errors. Nevertheless, his proactive nature was evident in assuming additional responsibilities, managing tasks during absences, and ensuring project continuity. 

Igor’s standout quality as a self-starter was displayed through his enthusiasm to take on new challenges and projects. His work habits, characterized by punctuality, diligence, and active listening, demonstrated exemplary professionalism.”

– Jennifer Lascelle, Ministry of Finance, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions