Brock University’s Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) team recently recognized Airbus Helicopters as Co-op Employer of the Year for its commitment to student success, including offering work terms to students such as (from left) fourth-year Business Administration student Cody Lau, fourth-year Business Administration student Kyle VanEvery, Master of Business Administration student Hareesh Kanna Umesh Kannan and third-year Business Administration student Antonio Restagno.Community partners are the cornerstone of experiential learning opportunities at Brock, building bridges from classroom learning to career success for students in every program.
Outstanding employers, community partners and students were honoured during the annual Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) Celebration and Recognition event on Thursday, April 16.
The event also highlighted the growth of course-based experiential learning, supported by programs such as the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative.
CCEE Director Julia Zhu says co-op employment, course-based experiential education and programs like Med Plus and Law Plus allow students to gain hands-on experience while contributing to organizations and communities across Niagara and beyond. In 2025, more than 21,700 student experiential learning engagements involved community partners across the region, creating real‑world impact.
“Our employer and community partners play a critical role in shaping meaningful learning experiences for our students,” said CCEE Director Julia Zhu. “The organizations and individuals we are recognizing through the CCEE Awards demonstrate a strong commitment to mentorship, innovation and student development. Their partnership not only enhances student success but also strengthens the connection between academic learning and the evolving world of work.”
In recognition of its steadfast contributions to student success and professional development, Airbus Helicopters was named Co-op Employer of the Year in the Large Organization category as part of the 2025 CCEE Awards.
“Receiving this award is a testament to the strong, collaborative partnership we have built with Brock University,” said Dwayne Charette, President and Chief Operating Officer Airbus Helicopters Canada. “We take great pride in providing a supportive environment where students can take ownership of meaningful projects, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to student development in the Niagara region.”
Over the past three years, Airbus Helicopters has hired more than 19 co-op students across all programs at Brock.
As a Niagara-based employer with a global footprint, the company provides students with exposure to international business practices through diverse, hands-on work terms. Examples have included roles that provided end-to-end recruitment experience, such as resume screening, interviewing, onboarding and leading independent projects.
Co-op students who have worked for Airbus have said they valued the opportunity to develop their skills and explore career pathways in a supportive team environment that offers strong mentorship and encouragement to take ownership in their work.
Airbus has also collaborated with Brock by consistently engaging in networking events, participating in employer initiatives and hosting on-site visits.
The 2025 CCEE Awards recognized community partners for their commitment to student success:
- Co-op Employer of the Year (Small Medium Enterprise Category): Crawford Smith & Swallow
- Co-op Employer of the Year (Non-Profit Category): City of Port Colborne
- Alumni Co-op Employer of the Year: Angie Greenwood (BAcc ’00), Wormald Masse Keen Lopinski LLP
- Outstanding Supervisor of the Term (Winter): Linda Gibbons, Hydro One
- Outstanding Supervisor of the Term (Summer): Michael Krohe, Meridian Credit Union
- Outstanding Supervisor of the Term (Fall): Kari Stayzer, John Deere
- Law Plus Employer of the Year: Frank Guarascio, Lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
- Med Plus Employer of the Year: Dr. Kenneth Groves, Naturopathic Doctor and Chief Medical Officer at Inspire Health Niagara
Six organizations also received CCEE’s Experiential Education Community Partner of the Year awards, which honour organizations that provide experiential learning for Brock students:
- Faculty of Applied Health Sciences: Niagara River Lions
- Faculty of Education: Niagara Catholic District School Board
- Goodman School of Business: Collab Culture
- Faculty of Humanities: Sledgehammer Games
- Faculty of Mathematics and Science: Axzora Inc
- Faculty of Social Sciences: Bethesda
Visit the CCEE website for a full list of 2025 award recipients.
To learn more about how to engage with student talent at Brock, contact [email protected]
