Receiving scholarship support has allowed her to focus on her studies, and on immersing herself in learning opportunities outside the classroom, says Katrina Bahnam.

A third-year student in the law and politics program, she earned a president’s entrance award, a Lumley scholarship, and a bursary named for late political science professor Martha Lee.

“One of the biggest worries for me in high school was how I would afford a university education,” Bahnam recalls. “The scholarships allowed me to afford school, but I still need to work.”

She holds campus jobs as a teaching assistant and a research appointment through the Outstanding Scholars program.

“If I could speak to some of the donors who support these funds, I would want to let them know how much I appreciate the opportunities they have given me,” says Bahnam. “It may not seem big to them, but to me it’s helping me make a difference.”

She plans a career in environmental law, acknowledging the ecological challenges facing her generation, but Bahnam isn’t waiting until she graduates to take on responsibility.

She serves as president of the UWindsor Mock Trial Association; the Society for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; and WE Students United — a campus offshoot of the United Way charity.

“Any sort of involvement can make a difference,” Bahnam says. “I feel very privileged to have received these honours.”

The Annual Giving Program supports UWindsor students, ensuring their access to post-secondary education and enabling them to achieve their potential. Employees may direct their gift to the area they feel most passionate about, including any faculty, department, or scholarship.

For a chance to win one of these incentive prizes, donations to the faculty, staff, and retiree campaign must be made by Jan. 17:

• a free vacation day;
• two subscriptions to University Players;
• a UWindsor sweater, courtesy of the Campus Bookstore;
• tickets to concerts by the School of Creative Arts.

To make a tax-deductible donation online — including by convenient payroll deduction — visit uwindsor.ca/donate or contact Annual Giving Program co-ordinator Chris Knack at 519-253-3000, ext. 4279, or cknack@uwindsor.ca.

Exploring how Canada might benefit from a framework to assess community engagement in higher education is a unique opportunity for the University of Windsor, says provost Douglas Kneale.

The University of Windsor has been selected as one of 16 Canadian post-secondary academic institutions working together to pilot the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification and assess its fit for Canada. The program helps universities to document and reflect on the nature of their community relationships and partnership practices.

“I am thrilled that the University is taking part in this project,” Dr. Kneale says. “Kudos to the members of our pilot team for their leadership in working with campus and community partners who contribute to research, learning, and economic well-being in the Windsor-Essex region.”

About 350 colleges and universities in the United States participate in the classification system, identifying them as placing an emphasis on community partnership.

Cheryl Collier, chair of the Carnegie Pilot Steering Committee, says the pilot project will test the framework in the Canadian context.

“Right now, it’s more about learning from each other and about how different institutions work with their communities than about receiving the classification,” she says.

An initial meeting of representatives from the 16 piloting institutions — including three from the University of Windsor — discussed how academic institutions increase engagement through mutually beneficial partnerships within their communities.

A team from the University of Windsor will complete the classification application by May in consultation with faculty, staff, students, and community partners. The experiences of teams from across the country will inform the development of a Canadian version, to be drafted by the end of 2021.

To learn more about the Canadian Pilot Cohort and Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, visit http://www.uwindsor.ca/provost/carnegie.

To further support faculty and staff in their efforts to support students in distress, the Wellness Outreach Office has created a webpage listing resources which can be used within first classes, orientations, and anytime through the semester as a reminder for students of the available supports.

Resources include:

• an infographic on how to have a supportive conversation about any concerns,
• Blackboard posts and PowerPoint slides containing wellness resources,
• posters to highlight available supports, and
• links for further reading.

View this site made especially for faculty and staff here.

A new resource to highlight in orientations and classrooms this year is the My Student Support Program (MySSP).

The University of Windsor and UWSA have partnered to provide this program which offers 24/7 counselling services via call or live-chat (text) to all UWindsor students, including multicultural services for international students and those on exchange.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to incorporate a one-slide MySSP PowerPoint into any in-class presentation to highlight the key information on this new program to their students. For more information on MySSP, visit the website www.uwindsor.ca/MySSP.

Linda Coltman, a graduate student of political science, saw Thursday’s DailyNews puzzle coming and going, and has won the prize pack of swag donated by the alumni office.

Coltman’s entry was drawn from all those which correctly solved these “Before and After” clues, which called on contestants to supply answers combining two phrases that share a common word.

1. Access to justice academy leads to long-running Sam Waterston procedural: Faculty of Law & Order. The legal drama Law & Order aired for 20 seasons before its cancellation in 2010.
2. Seventh president cheers on Mr. Hockey: Robert Gordon Howe. Gordie Howe played 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings and is a 23-time NHL all-star.
3. Physics home building to music’s best-selling duo: Essex Hall and Oates. Hall and Oates have sold an estimated 40 million records.
4. Acting training ground produces Trump’s how-to business book: School of Dramatic Art of the Deal. Donald Trump’s 1987 memoir reached no. 1 on the New York Times best seller list.
5. Lancer colours run to Olympic top prize: Blue and gold medal. Canadian athletes have won 137 gold medals at the summer and winter games.

Coltman will receive a package that includes a lunch bag, notebook, water bottle, soup bowl and spoon, all bearing the imprimatur of the University of Windsor Alumni Association.