Posters and presentations by the 2024 cohort of Elevate interns were inspiring, said Jennifer Johrendt, associate dean of engineering for student affairs.

Instituted by dean of engineering Bill Van Heyst, Elevate scholarships afford opportunities to students from equity-deserving groups: those who identify as Black, female, non-binary, or Indigenous. Beneficiaries receive a $5,000 scholarship and upon completion of their first year, a $10,000 summer internship to conduct research with a faculty member.

“Faculty are challenging these students after their first year of engineering and our students are thriving,” Dr. Johrendt said. “The engagement and energy during the event were further evidence of the community we are building within our undergraduate students, and particularly amongst our Elevate students.”

Faculty and staff attending the poster presentations, Aug. 2 in the atrium of the Centre for Engineering Innovation, voted for prize winners:

• Best Poster: Diya Boparai, Dongju Seo, Shusmita Sur, Annie Poisson – Ford Mach-E Rear Motor Teardown
• Best Presentation: Ava Richardson – Developing Insulated Pavement for a Durable and Sustainable Road Infrastructure
• Honourable Mention: Naimah Ishaque and Gwynnevere Lawrence-Tayler – Developing a Foundation for “Design for Additive Manufacturing”

To learn more about the Elevate scholarships or to make a donation that will be matched, visit the engineering website.