Michael Joyce (left), a software designer at DuroByte and University of Windsor alumnus, accepts the Outstanding Co-op Supervisor Award from Kristen Morris, director of the Office of Experiential Learning, during the university’s Co-op and Experiential Learning Awards ceremony on April 1st. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
Michael Joyce (BComp ’25) still remembers arriving at work as a co-op student, unsure of what questions he was allowed to ask — or whether he belonged in the room.
Now, he is the one making sure students never feel that way.
Joyce, a software designer at DuroByte, was among seven professionals recognized Wednesday, April 1, at the University of Windsor’s Co-op and Experiential Learning Awards ceremony. He received the Outstanding Co-op Supervisor Award for the Summer 2025 work term — a milestone that marks his evolution from student learner to workplace mentor.
“He was a co-op student, was hired by his co-op employer, and is now a co-op supervisor,” said Sandra Davis, co-op employer relations co-ordinator and master of ceremonies. “That’s the kind of story that really captures what this program is about.”
The annual awards celebrate employers, supervisors and students who have gone above and beyond in experiential learning placements. Speakers emphasized that co-op is not simply about earning course credit, but about building confidence, practical skills and professional identity before graduation.
That employer commitment was reflected in this year’s Co-op Employer of the Year recipient. NextStar Energy, honoured for 2025, pointed to experiential learning as a long-term investment in both students and industry.
“By investing in highly skilled local students, we’re creating a strong talent pipeline and laying the foundation for NextStar Energy’s long-term growth and success,” said Brett Hillock, the company’s chief operating officer. “Our co-op students have a rare opportunity to experience some of the most advanced battery technology in an environment where they can learn, grow, and contribute to our daily operations as part of the team.”
Joyce understands the value of that approach firsthand.
Recipients of the Rising Star Award from the summer and fall 2025 semesters pose during the University of Windsor’s Co-op and Experiential Learning Awards ceremony on April 1, 2026. Back row, from left: Amanda Muzzatti, Sophia Acampora, Cameron Anderson, Rachelle Dib, Happy Dineshkumar Mehta, Jasmine Kaur Gill, Hein Min (John) Htun and Bianca Toma. Front row, from left: Lucas Pineo, Akshat Rami, Shanmugamanikkam Subramaniyam, Tyler Ballard, Vansh Jignesh Patel and Mohammed Parvez. (PETER MARVAL/University of Windsor)
He graduated in June 2025 with a Bachelor of Computer Science, specializing in cybersecurity, along with a certificate in information technology and a mathematics minor. As a student, he completed co-op placements at Progressive Software and later at DuroByte, where he quickly found himself learning on the fly.
“It was stressful, but a fantastic opportunity,” said Joyce. “I learned a lot and made mistakes, but I ultimately turned those into an opportunity.”
At the time, DuroByte was a small company — even smaller during his placement. When Joyce lost his peer mentor midway through the term, he suddenly became largely responsible for managing an internal website used by dozens of employees.
“I had to do a lot of self-teaching,” he said. “It forced me to learn time management, responsibility and how to adapt when things don’t go exactly as planned.”
That experience paid off. Before finishing his degree, Joyce was offered a full-time position. Less than a year later, he became a supervisor to co-op students of his own.
Students Bilal Khan and Anthony Komini, who worked with Joyce over multiple semesters, nominated him for the award, citing his approachability and team-first leadership style.
“My co-op experience tremendously affected how I supervise,” said Joyce. “I try to create a safety net so students don’t dread the day. I know what it’s like to be new, to have a lot of questions.”
One of the most important lessons he learned — and now emphasizes — is honesty.
“It’s okay not to know something, as long as you’re willing to find out why,” he said. “Adaptability matters more than pretending you have all the answers.”
That philosophy echoed throughout the ceremony. Interim provost and vice-president academic Dr. Cheryl Collier told the packed room that experiential learning “closes the circle” between classroom theory and real-world application.
“Meaningful university education goes well beyond learning inside the classroom,” said Collier. “What everyone here is doing is giving students a chance to apply that learning before they graduate.”
Davis said supervisors like Joyce stand out because they treat students as full members of the team.
“They didn’t just assign tasks,” she said. “They invested their time, shared their knowledge and made students feel like they belonged.”
For Joyce, mentoring co-op students is both a professional responsibility and a personal reward.
“Four months goes by fast,” he said. “You have to make the most of it, ask questions and put yourself out there.”
Looking back, he sees his own path as proof that experiential learning works when trust and mentorship are at the centre.
“I learned more in the field than I ever could have in a classroom alone,” said Joyce.
And now, he’s making sure the next student through the door gets that same chance.