WIL and EL Student of the Year Awards
Nomination Guidelines
The EWO WIL/EL Student of the Year Awards recognize the achievement of one University student (or group) and one College student (or group) engaged in Work-Integrated Learning.
The WIL/EL Student of the Year Award is presented to one student (or group) attending a university and one student (or group) attending a college, who have showcased exceptional job/community/project achievement, extra-curricular involvement, and a strong contribution to Work-Integrated/Experiential Learning.
The winning student/group receives an award of $750.
Are You Eligible?
EWO institutions are asked to nominate up to two candidates or groups that exemplify the qualities of exceptional WIL/EL.
To be eligible, the student(s) must:
Be a full-time student in an undergraduate, graduate, diploma, advanced diploma, or certificate program at the institution.
Complete the nominated experience within the calendar year.
Be nominated by an individual from an EWO member institution or a participating co-op employer / community partner.
Selection Points Criteria:
35
Job / Community / Project Achievement
10
Contribution to Work-Integrated / Experiential Learning
30
Personal Statement
10
Contribution to Extra-curricular Activities
15
Overall Assessment / Personal Comments
Nomination Package Checklist:
The nomination information required is essentially the same as previous years:
Institution Information
- Including contribution to WIL / EL
Student Information
Including:
- Student Reflection on WIL/EL
- Student’s Current Resume
WIL/EL experience should be clearly identified and noted with dates. Extracurricular and community activities, scholarships and awards, etc. should also be noted. (2 pages maximum) - Student’s Portfolio (Optional)
Any items that will provide a better idea of who you are as a person. You may submit photocopies of articles, employer evaluations, letters of recommendation, published work, awards and citations, etc. (2 pages maximum)
Employer Information
- including feedback on performance and contribution to the WIL/EL Experience
Instructions For Submitting a Nomination
Please cover the following points in your statement.
Where possible please be specific in your examples and offer any insight you may have on the student’s work habits and character:
Employer / Community Partner Nomination
- The student’s (or group’s) duties/responsibilities;
- The student’s (or group’s) performance in comparison to your expectations or in comparison to other WIL/EL students;
- Any outstanding work/community/project achievements (cost savings, process/quality improvements, design/development innovations, improved customer service, significant research or other initiatives etc.);
- How this student or group, or WIL/EL students in general, have benefited your department / company / community.
Institution Nomination
- The student’s (or group’s) achievement in the WIL/EL program;
- Any achievements, awards, and extracurricular activities that you feel are worthy of mention;
- The student’s (or group’s) activities in support of WIL/EL education such as:
- creating marketing/promotional materials
- participating in networking/recruitment events
- serving as an ambassador for the institution and department
- acting as a mentor to other WIL/EL students
- creating / strengthening existing WIL/EL opportunities
- Any insights on the student’s (or group’s) personal qualities you feel warrant consideration.
Student/Group Nomination
- Involvement in WIL/EL – including your/the groups reasons for participating
- Career Development – How this WIL/EL experience has enhanced or impacted your overall career development
- Academic Development – Including how this WIL/EL experience has enhanced or impacted your current academics
- Personal Development – How WIL/EL has enhanced you/ personal development
- Community Involvement – How you have been able to give back to your community
Group submissions are encouraged to be compiled as a singular cohesive voice and submitted as a single package.
Nominate Your Student(s)
To nominate your student(s) complete the Nomination Form linked below (Google Form. Gmail account required).
Submission Deadline: January 30, 2026.