Community & Partnerships

A lifelong legacy of giving back: Retired women teachers’ organization celebrates 70 years

A group of women with a banner for the Retired Women Teachers' OrganizationRetired Women Teachers of Ontario celebrated its 70th jubilee at Devonshire Mall (MIKE FLANAGAN/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

Teaching has been part of Gina Marcon’s (BA ’87, BEd ’88) life since she was six years old. 

“I knew then that I was going to be a teacher,” she says. “Every time my cousins would come over, we’d play school, and I was always the teacher.” 

Historian, coach and healthcare leader honoured at 2026 Alumni Awards of Excellence

Alumni award winners (from left) Kurt Michael Downes, Dr. Bryan E. Walls and Mandeep BumbraKurt Michael Downes, Dr. Bryan E. Walls and Mandeep Bumbra were recognized by the Alumni Association as graduates who have made meaningful contributions in their professions, communities and beyond. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL WILKINS/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

By John-Paul Bonadonna

The spirit of leadership, resilience and community was on full display as the University of Windsor Alumni Association welcomed the campus community, graduates, leaders, faculty and friends to the 2026 Alumni Awards of Excellence.

Presented by the Alumni Association, the awards recognize graduates who have made meaningful contributions in their professions, communities and beyond.

This year’s honourees – Dr. Bryan E. Walls, Kurt Michael Downes, and Mandeep Bumbra each took to the stage to share their achievements and their stories.

Pow Wow returns to UWindsor celebrating culture, community and connection

A dancer takes part in the Student and Alumni Pow Wow in 2023.Guests will experience traditional dancing, drumming, singing and more at the 5th Annual Alumni and Student Pow Wow, May 2 at the University of Windsor's Toldo Lancer Centre. (PHOTO BY CHERRY THERESANATHAN/UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

By John-Paul Bonadonna 

The thunder of drums and the heartbeat of community will radiate across the floor at the Alumni and Student Pow Wow, May 2 at the University of Windsor’s Toldo Lancer Centre. 

UWindsor students put 67 high schoolers in the UN, grade 9 student won best delegate

More than 65 high school students from across Windsor-Essex spent a day as international delegates, debating global issues and negotiating resolutions.High school students from across Windsor-Essex spent a day as international delegates, debating global issues and negotiating resolutions at a Model UN conference hosted by the University of Windsor team. (TAIBAT IDRIS/ University of Windsor)

By Lindsay Charlton

More than 65 high school students from across Windsor-Essex spent a day as international delegates, debating global issues and negotiating resolutions.

The University of Windsor’s Model United Nations team hosted its annual conference this semester for a day of debate, negotiation and collaboration.

“It was amazing to have a room full of so many people,” said Model UN president and secretary-general Matthew Najem.

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Shaping the next generation: UWindsor co-op supervisor earns top honour

photo of Michael Joyce accepting his awardMichael 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.

High school robotics teams to face off in action-packed competition

Students work on a robot in front of a crowd at the St. Denis Centre at UWindsorTeams from high schools across the province will compete in the FIRST Robotics competition at the Toldo Lancer Centre April 9 to 11 (SARA ELLIOTT/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves

Thirty-five high school teams from across the province will converge at the University of Windsor’s Toldo Lancer Centre April 9 to 11 to put their teamwork, leadership and innovation to the test at the Windsor Essex Great Lakes District’s FIRST Robotics Competition. 

Robots will compete head-to-head, showcasing student engineering prowess, creative problem-solving and strategy in front of stands full of cheering fans. 

Hands-on co-op experience reshapes business student's view on HR: Amanda Muzzatti

photo of Amanda Muzzatti seated in the Odette Building lobbyOdette School of Business student Amanda Muzzatti has been recognized as a Rising Star Award recipient for her ongoing co-op work in short- and long-term disability case management, where she supports employees through medical leaves and return-to-work processes. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)

By Victor Romao

Amanda Muzzatti did not expect her co‑op placement to reshape her career goals — but it is doing so in a surprising way.

The UWindsor Odette business administration student, specializing in human resources, has been named a Rising Star Award recipient for her ongoing work in short‑ and long‑term disability case management with Ground Effects (GFX), a locally based automotive accessories manufacturer. Her integrated learning experience places her at the centre of employee support during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

University of Windsor launches Innovation Fellowship with $12,000 in funding per participant

University of Windsor Innovation Fellowship Build What's NextThe University of Windsor Innovation Fellowship is a venture development program supporting early-stage founders, creators and researchers with up to $12,000 in funding from Intellectual Property Ontario.

Students, researchers and recent graduates with an idea worth pursuing now have a new pathway to develop it. 

The University of Windsor Innovation Fellowship will select 10 participants for a venture development program supporting early-stage founders, creators and researchers. 

Windsor Law Class Action Clinic granted intervener status in high-profile Birth Alerts appeal

Andrew Eckart picturedAndrew Eckart, staff lawyer at the Windsor Law Class Action Clinic, is part of the team advancing legal perspectives in the Birth Alerts case as an intervenor. (SUBMITTED BY ANDREW ECKART/University of Windsor)

By Sara Meikle

When newborn babies were taken from their parents under Ontario’s controversial Birth Alerts policy, the removals left lasting trauma for families and highlighted systemic discrimination.

The Windsor Law Class Action Clinic has been granted intervener status before the Court of Appeal for Ontario in a landmark class action that seeks compensation for families harmed as a result of that policy.

UWindsor co-op student moves from classroom to enterprise AI in one work term

image of Vansh Patel seated with laptopUniversity of Windsor Rising Star Award recipient Vansh Jignesh Patel demonstrates the power of experiential learning through hands-on work in enterprise AI. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)

 

By Victor Romao

Vansh Jignesh Patel is completing his final semester in the Master of Applied Computing program at the University of Windsor, and his work is already making a measurable impact in the enterprise software and artificial intelligence industry.

Through his co-op placement with the University's Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships program, Patel is contributing to production-level AI systems used in real-world voice and data workflows.