Jessica Michelin is one of six students recognized for exceptional achievement in the Ways of Knowing course.
Students in the course Ways of Knowing are challenged to prepare proposals bringing together communities, governments, and businesses to achieve the 2030 Sustainability Development Goals set by the United Nations.
Six of these students have been recognized for excelling in the course, offered in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
Instructor Tim Brunet says that building community affiliation is the central goal of the course.
The project helps students develop skills in group communication and presentation, as well as giving them a bird’s-eye view of networking with individuals and organizations.
“This course cannot run without quality partners like BlackBerry and the University of Windsor’s EPICentre,” says Brunet.
For Jessica Michelin, a college transfer student, the course was a great introduction to university.
“As a college graduate, I was excited but nervous to start university,” she admits. “Enrolling in Ways of Knowing - Capability Approach taught me to build a peer network and meet community partners.”
Among those community partners is the software company BlackBerry. Neelam Sandhu, vice-president of business operations and strategic accounts, listened to students pitch their ideas for ways the multinational firm can contribute.
“Businesses play an increasingly impactful role in ensuring the world we live in is sustainable and equitable,” she says. “BlackBerry is delighted to partner with the University of Windsor on the Ways of Knowing class curriculum to prepare the workforce of the future on these issues that are core to the well-being of our society.”
Wen Teoh, executive director of the Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre, agrees.
“As a community partner, we reap the benefits of getting out-of-the-box solutions that have the potential to address a real challenge,” she says. “This is truly a win-win deal for all!”
Six students in the course will receive a digital acknowledgment of their achievement and a cash award of $100:
- Jessica Michelin, psychology
- Ceana Ussoletti, criminology
- Mohammed Beyai, economics
- Megan Debresser, psychology
- Anika Cajun, international relations
- Ryan Prescilla, biology and psychology
Learn more about the course Ways of Knowing and its partner course Ways of Doing.