Mark Klady, Lightenco

Highlight from the nomination:

Mark was nominated by Sean Anderson from the Bachelor of Commerce (Supply Chain Management) program, who described his co-op experience at Lightenco as empowering and hands-on. Sean was given real responsibility, applying his academic studies to select and implement a new inventory tracking system for the company.

Lightenco’s emphasis on teamwork and strong communication was evident through the interactions between the operations and sales teams. Team members consistently went beyond their assigned tasks to support each other, creating a collaborative environment. From weekly roundtable meetings to team-building retreats, Lightenco ensured that Sean gained practical experience while contributing to meaningful business improvements.

Nominated by: Sean Anderson, Co-op Student

James Ramage, Lightship Security

Highlight from the nomination:

James has been pivotal in creating an inclusive and empowering environment at Lightship Security. From day one, he made co-op student, Vanshika feel valued and supported.

His guidance during specialized certifications provided critical technical insights, turning complex challenges into learning opportunities. Beyond daily tasks, James encouraged Vanshika’s professional growth, inspiring her to complete specialized training and refine her problem-solving skills. James’s dedication to student success and the collaborative culture at Lightship Security set a high standard for co-op mentorship and student engagement.

Nominated by: Vanshika, Co-op Student

Mary McGivern, PointClickCare

Highlight from the nomination:

Mary was nominated by Mayank Mayank, an Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design student. At PointClickCare, Mary and her colleagues provided personalized training, helping Mayank gain hands-on experience with instructional design tools.

This co-op experience allowed Mayank to build technical expertise, develop adaptability, and refine professional skills. Mary’s mentorship solidified Mayank’s interest in instructional design and product education, equipping him with the skills and confidence to pursue a career in this field.

Nominated by: Mayank Mayank, Co-op Student

Nancy Vigneau, Public Safety Canada

Highlight from the nomination:

Nancy and her team at Public Safety Canada created a welcoming and supportive workplace, helping co-op student, Dylan and other co-op students balance work and academics while developing professionally. Her commitment to flexibility and student well-being extended beyond the co-op term, as Public Safety Canada continued to support Dylan by extending his contract into the fall.

Nominated by: Dylan Gunn, Co-op Student

John Paul Lamberti, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Highlight from the nomination:

John Paul was nominated by Muhydeen Oyewole, a Bachelor of Science Building Science student who gained valuable experience, including creating a 3D model of a government-owned bridge and developing practical skills in BIM software using Autodesk Revit.

The hybrid work model and collaborative team culture at PSPC provided a healthy work-life balance and a valuable learning experience for Muhydeen.

Nominated by: Muhyeen Oyewole, Co-op Student

Keith Brown, Terrapex Environmental

Keith was nominated by Michael Kunitomo, an Environmental Management and Assessment student who felt valued from the start of his co-op term. Keith and his team ensured that co-op students were fully immersed in meaningful field and office responsibilities, rather than limiting them to small tasks.

Their commitment to professional development and hands-on learning resulted in Michael securing continued employment with Terrapex after his co-op term.

Nominated by: Michael Kunitomo, Co-op Student

Gillian Cloot, Plant Molecular Biology Research Assistant
Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Program: Biotechnology Advanced, School of Advanced Technology

Quote from the nomination:
“Gillian has been outstanding as a student since she started in our lab last summer. From the beginning, and exploiting her extensive knowledge of plants, she took ownership of our fieldwork to collect invasive plants for our molecular experiments. Then she completely transformed our plant growth room by advising on purchasing controlled environment tents and taking care of their assembly and daily functioning, thus ensuring each plant species had the best conditions for development. Gillian has an impressive passion and curiosity for science, which results in her bringing novel ideas daily.

She has truly become a leader in our lab, even tutoring other undergraduate and graduate students in techniques she already handles in the lab. Gillian has also become an active member of the CFIA community, participating in other activities including emergency drills, and providing feedback to improve our work culture. I have great respect for Gillian’s work ethic, dedication, and passion for learning. She is a reliable individual who anyone would be lucky to work with. I truly hope that I can continue having Gillian as part of our lab for as long as possible.”

– Leonardo Galindo Gonzalez, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Brianna Abou-Zeidan, Technical Applications
Flux Lighting

Program: Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours), School of Media and Design

Quote from the nomination:
“Our experience with Brianna as our co-op student was very positive. From the start, she demonstrated an excellent work ethic and proved to be a team player. Brianna showed a keen interest in lighting design, consistently asking educated questions. One of her standout attributes was her adaptability in a fast-paced environment. She transitioned from tasks such as lighting layouts for legal firms one day to providing detailed measurements for custom homes the next. There was nothing we asked of Brianna that she wouldn’t do. She displayed a level of confidence and professionalism when interacting directly with clients that often takes years to develop. By the end of her term, she could handle tasks with minimal guidance, showing great resourcefulness. Whether reaching out to manufacturers for specific product details or researching various ceiling systems, she was always willing to go the extra mile. Additionally, Brianna’s communication skills stood out. She was an effective communicator within the office, capable of crafting clear and professional emails and minimizing confusion on complex subjects.

My LinkedIn recommendation for Brianna would be: “A hardworking individual who understands what it takes to be part of a successful team. She collaborates effectively with others and thinks outside the box to find innovative solutions.” Looking ahead, I would gladly consider hiring another Algonquin student, provided the opportunity arises. At Flux, we strive to educate our students while also needing them to contribute to the team. Brianna showed us that this is possible from a co-op student.”

– Jacob Loos, Flux Lighting

Oskar Linkruus, Building Science Technologist
Natural Resources Canada

Program: Bachelor of Science(Building Science) (Honours), Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE)

Quote from the nomination:
“Oskar is bright, responsible, and imaginative and always finished his tasks accurately and on time. He was given a variety of projects involving research, technical analysis, and technical writing. Oskar consistently displayed initiative in his co-op term. For example, when asked to track down home insulation levels recommended by historical building codes, Oskar not only found a variety of sources to search through, but he created a spreadsheet where insulation levels were displayed with the input of a year and province. Oskar was only asked to document the data; the extra effort to make a searchable tool was his initiative, and he taught himself the tools he needed to use in Excel. He is capable of working independently and knows when to ask questions when he needs guidance. Oskar is quick to learn new technology.

Oskar accepted guidance and feedback cheerfully and was keen to ensure that the work he was doing was in line with the team’s goals and expectations. The work Oskar was asked to do involved connecting with and learning from many people on the team, and he was always a pleasant and eager student. He was on time to meetings and prepared for presentations. When Oskar was asked to present his work on insulation levels, he asked for feedback on the slide deck and practised the presentation in order to give the best presentation he could. When Oskar had to leave some projects uncompleted due to the end of the co-op term, he spent his last weeks documenting his progress and methodology so that it could be picked up by someone else.

Along with a solid work ethic, Oskar has a strong attention to detail. When he was tasked with proposing changes to the help menu in HOT2000, he combed through each entry carefully ensuring that he caught every discrepancy. He is also a strong technical writer. His reports were well laid out, with explanations that were easy to follow and good documentation of his research. Some of the work he was asked to do has attracted the interest of groups in other parts of government, who would like access to the database he created.”

– Gwendolyn Barr, Natural Resources Canada

Julia Main, Electrical Engineering Technologist
C.D Martyn Engineering Ltd.

Program: Electrical Engineering Technician, Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE)

Quote from the nomination:
“Julia Main’s four-month fall work co-op at C.D. Martyn Engineering Ltd. was an exceptional experience that truly showcased her impressive skills, dedication, and ability to collaborate effectively. Her best workplace attribute was her ability to learn quickly and apply her knowledge with remarkable efficiency. Julia immediately adapted to our fast-paced work environment, displaying strong problem-solving skills and a keen attention to detail. One of the key ways Julia went above and beyond was through her proactive approach to learning and taking on additional responsibilities. She consistently sought out opportunities to contribute, often volunteering to assist on projects beyond her core tasks. For example, when a tight deadline for a critical engineering design review approached, Julia not only completed her own assigned work ahead of schedule but also helped another team member finalize their tasks, ensuring the project was delivered on time and exceeded client expectations. Julia’s collaboration and teamwork abilities were equally impressive. She communicated clearly and effectively with all team members, whether it was asking insightful questions to ensure she understood the project’s scope or providing valuable feedback during team meetings. Julia quickly became a trusted team member who contributed meaningful ideas during brainstorming sessions, and she was always willing to lend a hand when colleagues needed assistance. She demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, balancing professionalism with warmth and approachability, which fostered a positive and productive team environment.

Based on our experience working with a co-op student from Algonquin College, I highly recommend other employers consider this program. Julia’s work demonstrated the high quality of candidates that come through Algonquin, and her co-op experience proved to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Not only did we benefit from her hard work, fresh perspective, and contributions, but we also had the opportunity to help her develop professionally. This co-op experience enriched our team and reinforced the value of hiring talented co-op students who bring innovative ideas and strong dedication to the workplace.”

– Charles Martyn, C.D Martyn Engineering Ltd.

Wenjing Shan, Regulatory Project Manager
Canadian Health Food Association

Program: Interdisciplinary Studies inHuman-Centred Design, School of Media and Design

Quote from the nomination:
“Wenjing’s most outstanding attribute was her relentless dedication to excellence. She displayed exceptional initiative and problem-solving skills, consistently exceeding the expectations of her role. Wenjing’s flexibility and action-oriented mindset enabled her to tackle complex challenges with ease. Her ability to quickly adapt and learn ensured that she delivered high-quality results in every project she tackled.

Wenjing’s collaborative spirit was a key factor in her success. She consistently fostered open communication, actively listened to feedback, and approached every interaction with respect and professionalism. She worked seamlessly with cross-functional teams, contributing her expertise and ensuring project goals were met. Her ability to build trust and rapport with colleagues enhanced team cohesion and morale. For example, during a challenging project deadline, Wenjing took the initiative to coordinate efforts among team members, ensuring everyone’s contributions aligned perfectly for the Agri-marketing project.”

– Sonia Parmar, Canadian Health Food Association

Ana Paula Thormann, Business Administrator
Potvin Financial Services

Program: Office Administration – Executive, School of Business and Hospitality

Quote from the nomination:
“From the outset of her placement, Ana exhibited qualities that exceeded expectations, contributing immensely to our team and company. Ana’s best workplace attribute was her remarkable attention to detail and commitment to excellence in every task she undertook. Whether working independently or as part of a team, Ana approached every challenge with professionalism and thoroughness. For example, when tasked with assisting in the preparation of client financial reports, Ana meticulously reviewed each document for accuracy and consistency, ensuring that nothing was overlooked. Her ability to identify even the smallest discrepancies improved our workflow, and we were able to deliver higher-quality services to our clients as a result. Ana consistently went above and beyond to impress her co-workers and benefit the company. One standout instance was when she took on the responsibility of coordinating a new client intake process. Despite being new to the task, Ana approached it with confidence and determination. She researched best practices, consulted with team members, and streamlined the process to improve efficiency. Her proactive approach saved time, reduced errors, and improved client satisfaction.”

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

Kevin Mosekjaer
Founder, Squirrel

Program: Computer Engineering Technology – Computing Science

Highlight from the nomination:

Kevin has demonstrated strong technical abilities, communication and design skills, and a drive to learn and improve while developing his business through eCo-op.

Using his incredible coding abilities, Kevin designed a mobile application called Squirrel for students with ADHD. This user-friendly app helps students manage their schedules through automated task planning and time tracking. In 2024, Kevin won the inaugural ACTIVATE Pitch Championship and received a grant to continue developing Squirrel and bring it to market.

Kevin’s ambition and dedication to this project and eCo-op are evident. He has built his skill inventory and created an exemplary app that will help students with ADHD. Additionally, Kevin has shared his experience by mentoring other students and strengthening the eCo-op program at Algonquin College.