The University of Windsor's newly renamed Co-op, Career & Experiential Education unit brings career development, experiential learning and co-operative education services together under one banner to support student success. (FILES/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
The University of Windsor’s Career Centre and co-operative education office are now operating under a single name: Co-op, Career & Experiential Education.
The new name reflects the integration of the Office of Experiential Learning, Co-op & Workplace Partnerships and Career Development & Experiential Learning, also known as the Career Centre.
The unit continues to include two departments, Co-operative Education and Career Education, working collaboratively under one brand identity to provide a more connected experience.
The change reflects the growth and evolution of these services over time and their increasingly interconnected role in helping students connect their academic experiences with career exploration, experiential learning and professional development.
"The new identity reflects the evolution of our work and our commitment to providing students with a more integrated and seamless experience as they explore careers, gain practical experience and prepare for their futures," said Kristen Morris, director of the Office of Experiential Learning.
Morris said the new structure better reflects the interconnected nature of the University's career development, experiential learning and co-operative education services, supporting students from career exploration to career readiness.
The name change is accompanied by a physical move. The Career Centre team has moved from its current space in JEC 100 to the co-op office in JEC 132, creating a shared space for both teams. The relocation is intended to strengthen collaboration among staff and improve coordination of services across the unit.
"Co-locating our teams is an important step toward strengthening collaboration, improving service coordination and making it easier for students, faculty, employers and community partners to access our expertise through a single, integrated unit," said Morris.
The consolidation will also support operational efficiencies while helping students navigate services more easily. The move aligns with the institution's broader vision of developing the Joyce Entrepreneurship Centre as a comprehensive Student Services Hub, bringing complementary supports together in a centralized location.
Although the unit's name is changing, existing services and programs will remain the same. Students will continue to work with the same co-op and work-integrated learning coordinators, and program requirements, recruitment processes and support services continue as usual.
In addition to co-op opportunities and experiential learning initiatives, students can now access career development programming, professional skills training and employment preparation services through a single office.
Employer partners continue working with the same contacts and recruitment processes, and existing partnerships and agreements remain in place.
Over the coming months, the Co-op, Career & Experiential Education name will be introduced across University websites, signage, social media channels and other communications materials.
Students with questions can contact Co-op, Career & Experiential Education at 519-253-3000 ext. 3900 or visit its website.