Indigenous 
Submitted by Jadon Hook, Sustainability Coordinator, FMS
Each year Enactus SLC launches initiatives aimed at positively improving the community, from creating business ecosystems, to repairing electronics, to giving back to vulnerable members of our local community. Each semester brings fresh faces and new ideas about how to do better in our own little part of the world. But it doesn’t end here. There is one ritual that most students never see, except for a lucky few. Every year, a body of like-minded people gather to share accomplishments and create memories that will last a lifetime. This is the Enactus Regional Exposition.
Sixteen students from varying backgrounds and programs along with six faculty advisors, Steve Janssens, Jadon Hook, Michael Carter, Breanne Johnson, Cedric Pepelea, and Gerhard Freundorfer, travelled to Mississauga earlier this month with the mission to compete in three national competitions -- the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, Innovation and Impact Challenge, Powered by Enactus Alumni, and the Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge.
The Projects:
Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge
In the Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge five students told the story of – RepairTogether! Which is a student-led startup focused on addressing two needs in our local community. Access to affordable technology and diverting electronic waste. This incredible project was started by four Computer Systems Technician students, encouraged by faculty advisor, Michael Carter, who are creating social change through entrepreneurial action.
In this challenge, RepairTogether placed second as the regional runner-up which comes with an awesome picture of the team on stage and, more importantly, $1,000 in funding for the student projects to scale.
Student Presenters:
Computer Systems Technician Program: Heather Reid (Founder), Robin Kennedy, Dan Morandin, Braydon Riman.
Energy Systems Engineering Technologist: Sofia Lancheros Rodriguez
TD Entrepreneurship Challenge
In the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge we are a strong regional contender every year, coming second in 2021 and third in 2023. This year was no different, the students presented on the project – Switchboard which is focused on connecting entrepreneurs to support programs and funding. The entrepreneurial journey can be intimidating, but business owners don’t have to do it alone. We believe entrepreneurship should be accessible and rewarding. By removing barriers between entrepreneurs and business resources, we can empower them to reach their full potential and enrich our local communities.
In this challenge, Switchboard placed second as the runner-up which (just like the previous challenge) comes with an awesome picture of the team on stage and, more importantly, $1,000 in funding for the student projects to scale.
Student Presenters:
Business Admin. Marketing: Karla Espino Alvarez
Project Management: Micah Imomtebegha, Aarav Kataria, Nada Aarabi, and Hailey Kim
Innovation and Impact Challenge, Powered by Enactus Alumni
The third challenge students competed in is new this year, funded and supported by Enactus Canada Alumni. This challenge was designed to spotlight the innovative projects students create that encourage sustainable social impact in their communities. Our team presented the new Realms: A Beginner’s Journey Through Virtual Reality project that has been dismantling barriers with faculty and students this past year through exposure and experimentation with VR and other emerging technologies, exploring their potential impact on education and training.
This was a tough competition and although we did not place in this challenge, our students presented exceptionally well and got constructive feedback to properly scale and grow this project for the years to come.
Student Presenters:
Computer Systems Technician: Ernest Nii-Aponsa
Digital Marketing Communications: Jethro Patrocinio, Rielly Keeler
Business Admin. – Human Resources: Andrew Wylie
What is Enactus? Enactus Canada ignites the potential of Canada’s future leaders to drive positive social, environmental, and economic impact, by empowering their entrepreneurial mindset in Colleges and Universities.
Next Steps
The Enactus team will compete again May 14-16 in Toronto against 71 other teams from across Canada to have the chance to represent St. Lawrence College and Canada at Enactus Worlds.
How to Get Involved
We are always looking to create a greater social impact in our local community, if you are faculty or staff who would like to get involved with this incredible group of students and make change please reach out to either Jadon Hook jhook@sl.on.ca or Steve Janssens sjanssens@sl.on.ca. If you have a student group you believe can turn their school work into a impact-generating project or a social enterprise send them our way as well!
Follow us on URSLC and our socials (LinkedIn & Instagram) to stay up to date with projects, opportunities and follow our success.