Clubs 

Winner: Japanese Student Association 

 

The Japanese Student Association celebrates and shares the rich traditions and culture of Japan through community-building initiatives and engaging events that foster cross-cultural understanding and bring students together.  

Throughout the term, the club has hosted a variety of events including matcha sales, flower viewings, board game socials, and cozy bonfire nights for students to experience various aspects of Japanese culture.  

Highlights from this term include their celebration of Tanabata, a star festival rooted in Japanese folklore that commemorates the annual reunion of celestial lovers Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair); their Mahjong Speakeasy held in collaboration with Riichi Mahjong, and their Natsumatsuri (summer festival) that featured traditional festival games, cultural performances, and seasonal snacks to promote intercultural exchange.  

Follow them on Instagram @uw_jsa. 

New Clubs 

Winner: Skateboarding Club 

 

Founded in spring 2025, the Skateboarding Club has quickly risen to attention by creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for skaters, sports enthusiasts, and students as a whole. With a core mission of introducing the art of skateboarding and celebrating the culture around it, the club hosts a variety of engaging events and learning opportunities to develop new skills, build confidence, and connect with like-minded students. This term, they put their “Learn to Skate” sessions into practice, offering space to promote hands-on learning and community bonding. They also hosted their first official Go Skate Day as a recognized club as a vibrant celebration of skateboarding. It featured fun structured lessons, contests and challenges – including kickflip specialization and best tricks. 

Follow them on Instagram @uwskate. 

Executive 

Winner: Brynne Suchomel, Society of Pharmacy Students 

 

As Vice President for the Society of Pharmacy Students, Brynne has been consistently involved with the community as not only the Vice President, but also the yearbook editor, a pharmacy student ambassador, and a member of the Community Action Now Club.  

As Vice President, her most significant achievement was initiating a new supplemental exam policy that focuses on the well-being of pharmacy students at Waterloo and will come into effect this fall term. To continue her efforts in promoting student growth, Brynne helped plan a pharmacy conference, OPSIS 2024, where students could connect and build relationships with one another and pharmacy professionals. Her initiative and organization were further demonstrated through her planning of PHROSH Week to introduce the incoming class to pharmacy, securing sponsors, and documenting processes to support future leaders.  

She consistently goes above and beyond, earning national recognition through the 2025 CPhA Centennial Leadership Award for her leadership, advocacy, and promotion of the pharmacy profession. 

Follow SoPhS on Instagram @uw_sophs. 

Runner Up: Jake White, Glow Centre 

As the Internal Director and Operations Director for Glow, Jake consistently takes the initiative to plan meetings, support volunteers, and lighten the load of the student coordinators with genuine care. They work to plan and prepare volunteer meetings, post in-depth notes for those who could not attend, and are a friendly and familiar face to those at Glow.  

Their most significant contributions include organizing archived resources to create an accurate booklist, rewriting outdated training for executives and volunteer manuals, enhancing the Glow space for accessibility and developing community support for new students. Jake leads by example — always showing up, following through, and inspiring others to do the same to help foster a culture of accountability and inclusivity.  

Widely recognized by peers for their efforts and compassion, Jake was the top-nominated volunteer for this award within the centre, reflecting the deep respect and appreciation they’ve earned through their dedication to the Glow community. 

Follow the Glow Centre on Instagram @uwglow. 

President 

Winner: Rae Lam, Arts Student Union 

 

As President for the Arts Student Union (ASU), Rae has demonstrated an unwavering commitment towards uplifting the organization, revitalizing operations, and strengthening student engagement.  

Her most significant achievement was leading a complete overhaul of ASU’s programming model to make it more diverse, intersectional, and student-led—ranging from mental health workshops and faculty mixers to academic networking sessions and interdisciplinary art showcases. This led to record-breaking turnouts at ASU events and a stronger sense of community among the students.  

Rae’s leadership is marked by her innovation, empathy, and a long-term vision that prioritizes sustainability and inclusivity. She meticulously documented processes, developed thorough transition materials, and successfully advocated for greater institutional recognition of ASU’s contributions — ensuring her impact will be felt well beyond her term. 

Follow ASU on Instagram @uw_asu. 

Runner Up: Alex Truong, UW Pre-Med Club 

 

As President for the UW Pre-Med Club, Alex led the club to become more student-focused, offering tailored resources and events that directly addressed the unique challenges pre-med students face. Through innovative programming, he identified gaps in student support and created practical solutions, such as research presentation nights and interactive workshops to provide valuable academic and career preparation.  

His most significant achievement was redesigning core events – such as the Undergraduate Research Presentation and MCAT 101 – into an interactive, and accessible experience that better addressed student needs. He also launched the Pre-Healthcare Social – a large, cross-disciplinary networking event that connected students across healthcare-related disciplines. 

Through this period, Alex has consistently stood out to peers for his commitment to fostering a supportive environment, creating a lasting and positive impact on the pre-med community at the University of Waterloo. 

Follow the UW Pre-Med Club on Instagram @uwaterloopremed. 

Volunteer 

Winner: Gurleen Saini, Velocity and RAISE 

 

As a Campus Ambassador for Velocity, Gurleen has consistently stepped up to lead events, support programming, and help connect students with resources. Often, she would use her own networks to add value, especially around VC education during the Summer Accelerator. Her most significant achievements include her ongoing support in strengthening campus programming and her behind-the-scenes contributions. Gurleen stands out for her reliability, initiative, and generous spirit, where she is always looking for ways to help others succeed. Her drive, kindness, and genuine investment in the campus community make her an invaluable part of the student experience. 

Follow Velocity and RAISE on Instagram @uwvelocity and @uwraise.