WUSA Volunteer Appreciation takes place every semester and recognizes the top Clubs, Executives, Presidents, and Volunteers for their hard work and dedication. For those who are interested, taking the time to get involved through clubs, societies, and volunteer positions is a great way to have fun, meet new people, and to give back to our campus community. Congratulations to all the winners and runners up, and as always, we want to take the time to highlight some of the amazing work that is being done here at Waterloo!

Winners

New Club – UW Sewciety

UW Sewciety creates a supportive space where students of all skill levels can sew, repair, and reimagine their wardrobes. Through workshops, walk-in hours, and access to high quality resources, the club makes sustainable fashion and repair more accessible, affordable, and community oriented. Our club is dedicated to fostering a safe space that encourages self-expression and offers a creative outlet amidst the demands of UW’s STEM heavy campus and work culture. 

Executive – Celia Evans

Celia Evans has been the UW Engineering Society B VP Communications since Fall 2024, and just retired in Fall 2025. As VP Communications, she oversaw all internal and external communications of the Society. This includes everything from advertising, social medias, and content, to Engineering student conferences, external advocacy and ties with Professional Engineers Ontario. Her main accomplishment last term was her advocacy work within the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students and the Engineering Student Society Council of Ontario. Celia pushed for lower CFES fee rates, helped voice concerns on Bill 33, and mandated a joint Ontario VP External Drive to share resources, ideas and procedures.  

Volunteer – Navya Gulati

Navya Gulati is a dedicated student volunteer and community builder who received the WUSA Volunteer Award for her contributions to the SOCH Mental Health Club, where she worked to promote mental health awareness and inclusivity across campus. Beyond SOCH, she has served as a Convocation Ambassador, Residence Ambassador, and Arts Ambassador, welcoming thousands of students and families to the University of Waterloo. As a Group Facilitator with the International Peer Community, Navya has helped international students feel supported during their transition to university life, and through her involvement in Residence Council and SMILE Club, she continues to foster connection, kindness and a strong sense of community across campus. 

President – Olivia Kuszaj

As President of the Stem Cell Club, Olivia demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and initiative in advancing the club’s mission to educate students about stem cell donation and increase participation in the Canadian Stem Cell Registry. Under her presidency, the club experienced significant growth, including an increase of over 200 Instagram followers and a more than 300% increase in the number of students successfully registered as stem cell donors within a single term. Olivia strengthened the club’s internal structure by expanding the executive team and prioritizing training, mentorship, and collaboration to ensure members felt confident and supported in their roles. She introduced innovative outreach tools, including instructional videos and informative infographics, to empower executives to effectively engage with the campus community. Through her transparent leadership style, consistent presence at events, and commitment to incorporating member feedback, Olivia fostered a welcoming, team-oriented environment that maximized engagement and impact. Her efforts have left a lasting foundation for the club’s continued success and meaningful contribution to health advocacy at the University of Waterloo. 

Initiative – Ashley Maas

I’m a first year optometry student from Dorchester, Ontario. I completed my undergraduate degree at McMaster University, in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour.  

When I started the optometry program at the University of Waterloo, I knew I wanted to get involved. I was elected as an Equipment Representative, whose traditional role is organizing presentations with representatives to inform my classmates about required optometry equipment. On top of this responsibility, I decided to reach out to FIGs to try to secure discounts on scrubs for our class, as we are required to wear scrubs in labs and in clinic. I was able to get our class a 25% discount, so I went ahead and organized orders, delivery, and distribution. It was a lot of hard work but it was worth it for the benefit of my class. 

Runner Ups

President – Julia Evans

Julia served as the EngSoc President for 16 months and has led Engsoc’s advocacy efforts on issues such as Bill 33, and academic setting such as Petitions council. She is a dedicated mentor who focuses on collaborative leadership and strategic thinking. 

Volunteer – Yunji Lee

My name is Yunji, and I’m from Korea. I study Math–Business, but I’ve always had a strong passion for art, design, and social media. That interest inspired me to volunteer as a MathSoc Marketing Director, where I had the chance to design Instagram posts and showcase my creative side. It was a really fun and rewarding experience. 

Executive – Ellen Chen

As the Musical Director of ACE (Acapella Ensemble, uWaterloo’s non-audition open acapella group), my biggest club priority is community, followed by growth and opportunity. I fostered a positive environment within the club by welcoming new members and offering musical guidance for those seeking to improve, and I stepped up to the role in a time of low exec interest to keep the club thriving. I was dedicated to giving new members many opportunities to audition for parts and to improve on their skills, as well as encouraging all members throughout the term, which contributed to a collective growth-oriented attitude.