Alumni News

When Olivia Grimshaw (BHK 2018) walked onto the track at the University of Windsor Alumni Stadium for her first varsity track and field practice, she had no idea she was about to meet her future husband.

But the moment she spotted Trevor Way (BComm 2018), a fellow Lancer high jumper, she confidently looked toward her teammate declaring, “I’m going to date that guy one day.”

Fast forward almost a decade, and that bold prediction has come true. From the jumper pit at the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse to a lifetime of love and partnership — this year, Way and Grimshaw will celebrate two years of marriage and nine years together.

While Way, a Windsor local, was right at home, Grimshaw’s path to the University of Windsor was a homecoming of sorts. Originally from Nova Scotia, she chose Windsor for its track reputation, reconnecting with the Ontario roots of her parents. Little did she know it would also be where she found her teammate for life.

“Being in the same friend group and sport, we naturally supported each other — whether it was cheering at meets or warming up together before every practice,” she says.

The two didn’t start dating right away. It wasn’t until the summer after their second year that they began to wonder if they were more than just teammates. To test the theory, they took a trip to Grimshaw’s home province.

“We spent some time travelling around the east coast that summer — it was a special moment in our story and is now the place we both call home,” says Grimshaw.

During the trip, the couple discovered that they had unknowingly crossed paths years earlier at the 2012 Charlottetown Legion Track Meet.

“It’s as if Windsor was always meant to bring us back together,” she says. “Fate, one might say.”

What seemed like a classic coming-of-age love story was no surprise to their Lancer track teammates, who had always recognized their bond.

“They all saw it coming before we did,” Way says. “There’s a tradition on the track team, where fun awards get handed out to all the seniors before we graduate, known as the Paper Plate Awards — and we won ‘Worst Kept Secret’.”

Looking back on their love story, the couple reminisces about their journey: striving for new heights in competition, celebrating post-meet victories at Rock Bottom, a local bar near campus, and competing together in their final year at the Ontario University Athletics championship meet.

“If we could relive one UWindsor moment, it would be OUAs in 2018,” Grimshaw recalls.

For her, the moment was even more impactful, as qualifying for the Ontario championships had been a major goal.

“Trevor drove me to Toronto for two extra meets just so I could have another shot at making the standard in my final year,” she says. “Competing together at OUAs as teammates was so special, and with Windsor as the host, it made the experience even more meaningful.”

Later that year, before graduating, Way achieved a personal best of 2.06m at Saginaw Valley, earning a USports qualifying spot — fittingly also hosted in Windsor that year, where Grimshaw cheered him on.

“We learned to be great teammates first, and that has carried over into every stage of life —always cheering each other on. Unless we are playing board games… then we are mortal enemies,” she laughs.

The couple adds, "Special shoutout to Guff (former jumps coach Dave McGuffin) and our teammates. Guff was always so supportive, on and off the track.”

Grimshaw is now living her dream as a physiotherapist in Nova Scotia, where she owns her own practice, Radius Physiotherapy. Way works as a client executive at insurance brokerage BFL Canada and stays connected to the track world, coaching for Pace Athletics in Halifax.

Once again, the University of Windsor is set to host two of the biggest track and field events in Canada. The Ontario University Athletics track and field championships will take place Feb. 21 and 22, followed by the U Sports track and field championship tournament, welcoming the nation’s top university athletes the Dennis Fairall Fieldhouse, March 6 to 8.

The University of Windsor has long been a hub for cultivating academic excellence and shaping dynamic professionals. For one alumnus, the University was the launchpad for a multifaceted career blending education, data analysis, and strategic decision-making.

Samuel Jokodola’s journey toward bridging the gap between education and data-driven decision-making began with a bachelor's degree in guidance and counselling. His growing interest in combining education with analytical tools led him to pursue a Master of Education at the University of Windsor in 2021.

“I chose the University of Windsor because of its emphasis on academic excellence, research opportunities, and programs designed to foster critical thinking and real-world application,” says Jokodola.

The program’s curriculum, including specialized courses such as statistics in education, not only fuelled his passion, but laid the groundwork for his current work in strategic analysis.

“It was an ideal environment to refine my analytical and problem-solving abilities,” Jokodola says.

Despite facing challenges during his studies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, Jokodola embraced the opportunity to stay engaged through programs on campus like Suitcase to Backpack, and by leading panel discussions at such events as the UWill Discover and Lancers Leadership Conference.

“My time at UWindsor, though unconventional due to the pandemic, allowed me to build valuable skills in adaptability and leadership,” Jokodola reflects. “These experiences, alongside academic challenges, helped me develop valuable skills in adaptability, collaboration, and leadership.”

Playing a particularly transformative role in Samuel’s experience at the university was his advisor, James Oloo, professor in the Faculty of Education.

Under Dr. Oloo’s mentorship, Jokodola focused his research on an underexplored area of Canadian academia: the experiences of racialized Internationally Trained Professionals working as non-academic staff in post-secondary institutions.

“Beyond providing exceptional guidance on my thesis, Dr. Oloo became a mentor in life and career,” he says. “Even after graduation, Dr. Oloo and several other professors have continued to support me by offering career guidance, helping me refine my application packages, serving as professional references, and even connecting me with potential employment opportunities.

“Their investment in my success has not only shaped my academic journey but also continues to guide my career path and personal growth.”

Since graduating, Jokodola has held two key roles that have further developed his expertise in education and data analysis.

Before his convocation ceremony, Jokodola secured a position as an academic success advisor at Algoma University. In this role, he provided guidance to students, developed impactful academic initiatives, and collaborated with faculty and administration.

Currently, as a capital strategic analyst with Alberta’s Ministry of Education, Jokodola applies his expertise to assess educational infrastructure projects across the province.

Reflecting on his own personal journey, Jokodola encourages students and recent graduates to embrace a mindset of curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning.

“Though I’m yet to reach the pinnacle of my career, I’ve been fortunate to find a way to merge my passion for education and data analysis.”

He encourages students to explore opportunities beyond the classroom and to seek mentorship from professionals and professionals in the field.

“Remember, your path doesn’t need to follow a linear trajectory,” he shares. “Start by identifying what excites you both inside and outside the classroom and look for ways to integrate those passion.”

Carolyn Brown started a three-year term as chair of the University of Windsor’s Board of Governors, effective Nov. 27. Previously, Brown served as the Board’s first vice-chair and second vice-chair, chair of the Board Human Resources Committee, and a member of various other committees.

“I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the executive leadership team in this new capacity,” said Brown. “As chair, I plan to help the University navigate the unprecedented and evolving challenges that we face and guide it toward a sustainable future.”

Brown is a transportation professional with extensive experience working in public-private partnership arrangements. She is a standards-focused leader with over 20 years of experience working cross-border operations with senior officials from all three levels of government in Canada and in the United States. Brown’s background in cross-border operations includes the delivery of major infrastructure projects, preparing assets for operational readiness, and successful stakeholder engagement.

A strategic thinker and experienced executive, having held the roles of CEO of the Windsor International Airport; CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Corporation and Windsor Detroit Borderlink Limited, Canadian owner-operator of the Windsor Detroit tunnel; and executive vice-president of American Roads LLC, she has a proven track record of strong and effective leadership.

“We feel so fortunate to have Carolyn in this key leadership role,” said UWindsor president Robert Gordon. “Her extensive experience in industry and on corporate boards will translate well to the Board’s top position.”

Brown is currently chief operations officer for the Gordie Howe International Bridge Corporation. Formerly, she served as chair of the Board of Directors for both the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce and Lakeview Montessori School.

A life-long resident of Windsor-Essex, Brown is a graduate of the University of Windsor with a Master of Arts in Political Science and a bachelor's degree in public administration.

The Career Centre is seeking students to compete in the WACE Global Challenge, a four-week virtual experiential learning program where multidisciplinary teams from universities around the globe tackle real-world projects that advance UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Supported by edtech start-up Practera, the program connects students with real organizations, helping prepare them for global workplaces. Participants will collaborate with international peers, solve real-world challenges, and build skills in innovation, cultural intelligence and consulting—enhancing their career readiness and global network.

The Career Centre encourages students from diverse academic disciplines to apply to form a dynamic team with unique perspectives, skills and experiences, representing the University’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

All current University of Windsor students are eligible to apply. Ideal candidates are self-driven, capable of managing multiple responsibilities, effective communicators, eager to gain a global perspective and adaptable to change.

Interested students can apply here, with an application deadline of Thursday, Dec. 12.

For questions or additional details, contact careerservices@uwindsor.ca.

The Muslim Medical Association of Canada – Windsor Chapter through the Windsor Islamic Association has gifted $1.2 million to the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law to help establish a Chair in Palestinian Human Rights Studies. This historic gift is the first of its kind in Canada and builds on Windsor Law’s access to justice mission.

“This gift demonstrated our commitment to supporting academic excellence and advancing the university’s mission in the areas of social justice and community building,” said Dr. Osman Tarabain of the Windsor Islamic Association. 

Windsor Law’s mission is to educate ethical, justice-seeking lawyers through teaching, research, advocacy and service. 

“From the social determinants of health to harm prevention, doctors and lawyers shared common goals,” said Faculty of Law Dean Reem Bahdi.  

“We were deeply grateful for this gift, which helped the faculty advance its justice-seeking mission.” 

The campus community is invited to gather on Friday, Dec. 6, to honour the 14 women killed in the 1989 massacre at École Polytechnique in Montreal.

A ceremony reflecting on the ongoing fight against gender-based violence will begin at noon at the Memorial of Hope, located between Dillon and Essex halls. The event will include remarks from campus representatives, a reading of names, and a moment of silence.