The Change Engine Recap: Empowering Student Innovation

Three people sit at a table discussing, with bookshelves in the background. Text: "Change Engine: Recap & Winners" highlights student innovation and empowerment.

A Successful Inaugural Event

The Change Engine Competition, an exciting new initiative created by WUSA, concluded its inaugural competition night on January 23, 2025. This initiative brought together innovative, student-led projects to address key challenges at the University of Waterloo. Winners received mentorship, funding, and support to bring their creative ideas to life and make a lasting impact on campus! Congratulations to all the students who pitched their ideas for the first ever Change Engine! Your passion to improve student life on campus is inspiring.

Key Themes

The competition drew numerous submissions highlighting several major areas of student concern and innovation, including:

  • Mental Health: Projects including stress management tools to enhance student wellbeing through accessible, technology-driven services.
  • Community Building: Initiatives such as mentorship programs, LGBTQ+ inclusive housing opportunities, and large-scale events.
  • Sustainability: Ideas promoting environmental responsibility such as better bike security and second-hand goods exchanges to promote eco-friendly habits among students.
  • Access to resources and safety: Proposed tools such as apps to make campus resources more accessible, and campus safety programs.
  • Financial & Food Security: Proposals like discounted convenience stores, group shopping programs aimed to help food insecurity and financial strains among students.

Notable Initiatives

  • Empower Her Web which aims to support women of colour in science, technology, engineering, and math by facilitating mentorship with upper-year students and faculty members. Their goal is to bridge the disconnect between students and professors, provide career guidance, and enhance confidence in male-dominated fields.
  • Communi-Care, a structed program offering biweekly group shopping trips to help international students adapt to local grocery options. Through bulk purchasing, carpooling, and cultural food guidance, the initiative aimed to reduce financial burdens and improve student well-being.
  • The Living Archives, which seeks to document and share stories from marginalized student communities through pop-up events and digital publications. By preserving cultural narratives, The Living Archives aimed to promote inclusivity and foster a deeper understanding of diverse student experiences.

Winning Projects and Prizes

Winners in all three streams received:

  • Three one-hour mentorship sessions with professionals
  • Networking opportunities
  • Publicity on WUSA’s social media and website

First Place ($5,000) – WYGO (Mystery Events for Social Connection) 🥇

Team: Jocelyne Murphy and Christopher Oka

WYGO seeks to combat student loneliness by organizing “mystery events”. These events engage their participants in activities without prior knowledge of the event details, fostering organic social interactions. Through mentorship and coaching, WYGO empowers participants to transition from passive attendees to active community builders.

Two people smiling, one hands a white envelope to the other, standing by a wall emblazoned with 'Student Association'—a true hub for empowering student innovation.

Second Place ($3,000) – EcoPlastic AI Mobile Application 🥈

Team: Dev Katyal

EcoPlastic AI is an interactive mobile app designed to promote sustainable recycling habits. This app allows users to scan plastic waste and receive real time guidance on proper disposal. Additionally, it features educational modules, quizzes, and sustainability tips with the long-term goal of reducing plastic waste on campus by 30% within three years.

A man, symbolizing Student Innovation, holds an envelope against the backdrop of the WUSA Student Association, embodying a Change Engine that empowers future leaders.

Third Place ($1,000) – Campus Safety Enhancement 🥉

Team: Katie Traynor

This project seeks to address student safety concerns, particularly for those walking alone at night. By identifying and improving high-risk areas on campus, the initiative proposes better lighting, enhanced surveillance, and an expanded WalkSafe program to create a more secure and inclusive environment for all students.

A person holding an envelope, smiling, and giving a thumbs-up in front of a Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association banner, embodying the spirit of student innovation and empowering peers to drive change.

Looking Ahead: Your Chance to Make an Impact 🚀

The Change Engine serves as a catalyst for student-led innovation, equipping participants with the tools needed to create long-term improvements on campus. Through mentorship, financial backing, and exposure, this competition helps turn ideas into reality.

Do you have an idea to improve student life? The Change Engine Competition will return, and this is your chance to bring your vision to life! Whether you want to enhance student well-being, promote sustainability, or launch a new initiative to strengthen the campus community, now is the time to start planning your submission.

Stay tuned for future announcements. See you at the next Change Engine Competition in fall 2025!

Nastassja Dominguez

Communications Assistant

Published: Thursday, February 20, 2025

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