Through UMVP, students can volunteer at major campus events and initiatives, earning Experience Record recognition for their involvement. Volunteers also develop transferable skills such as communication and teamwork and leadership, while also enjoying perks like free food, social engagement, and the chance to meet new friends.

Open House: be a tour guide and campus ambassador

One of the UMVP’s current areas of focus is recruiting volunteers for the Winter Open House, one of the University’s largest recruitment and community events. The open house welcomes prospective students and their families to campus, giving them the opportunity to explore programs, services and student life at the UM.

As an Open House tour guide, volunteers act as campus ambassadors for leading tours, answering questions and sharing their own experiences as UM students. Volunteering is a great opportunity to practice public speaking, build confidence, and connect with students who are just beginning their university journey.

Career Fair: support students and build professional skills

UMVP is also in search of volunteers for the upcoming Career Fair, where students connect with employers and explore career paths to gain insight into the job market. Career Fair volunteers support event logistics, assist employers, and help ensure the day runs smoothly.

Volunteering at a Career Fair gives students behind-the-scenes exposure to professional events, and as volunteers, you are there to support and develop facilitator skills that aren’t as accessible to others.

Leadership Opportunities: Orientation Team Leaders

For students looking to build on their volunteer experience, UMVP also offers leadership opportunities through the Orientation Team Leader (OTL) stream, which allows for returning student volunteers to take on greater responsibilities. Students selected as OTLs gain in-depth experience in team leadership, communication, volunteer coordination, and event planning. It’s a great opportunity to develop your skills and make a lasting impact on the student community.

 To find out more about the program and apply, visit: UM Volunteer Program | University of Manitoba

WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s brightest young innovators will take centre stage this fall at the Falling Walls Lab Manitoba Finale, a global showcase for big ideas with the potential to change the world.

The event takes place on Wednesday, September. 11, at 4:30 p.m. onwards at the Desautels Concert Hall, University of Manitoba, and will bring together students, researchers, and entrepreneurs who will each deliver a dynamic three-minute pitch outlining their vision for breaking down barriers in science, technology, and society.

Falling Walls Lab is part of the Falling Walls Foundation, launched in Berlin in 2011 with a mission to celebrate breakthrough thinking across disciplines. Each year, winners from Lab competitions around the world converge in Berlin for the Falling Walls Science Summit, representing more than 60 countries. The Manitoba Lab is organized by IDEA START in partnership with the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.

“The Lab gives participants a platform to share their passion and creativity in a way that sparks real dialogue,” said Hans-Joachim Wieden, Professor, Associate Vice-President Partnership, Knowledge Mobilisation and Innovation, Microbiology, “It’s about showcasing fresh perspectives and inspiring collaboration for a better future.”

Alongside the pitches, attendees will enjoy special performances designed to celebrate creativity and innovation in many forms.

The Honourable Mike Moroz, Minister of Innovation and New Technology of Manitoba, will attend as Chief Guest. Minister Moroz’s presence underscores the province’s commitment to supporting innovation, research, and technology in Manitoba.

At the Finale, a distinguished panel of judges from the province’s business and academic community will evaluate the pitches and select a winner. That individual will go on to represent Manitoba, Canada on the international stage in Berlin this November.

Past Falling Walls Lab participants from around the world have presented ideas ranging from climate solutions and medical breakthroughs to cutting-edge digital technologies. Manitoba’s competitors are expected to bring the same spirit of ingenuity to this year’s showcase.

The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required to assist with planning and catering arrangements. Community members are encouraged to register early through Eventbrite.

Organizers are also seeking volunteers to help deliver the event. Those interested in supporting the showcase can register by emailing Poonam Chopra, Falling Walls Lab Manitoba Project Event Lead. 

The Falling Walls Lab Manitoba Finale promises not only to highlight the talent of local innovators but also to connect Winnipeg audiences with a global movement that bridges science, entrepreneurship, and society.

“Every idea begins with one person willing to challenge the status quo,” said Moses Levy, Director IDEA START. “This event is about celebrating that courage and connecting those ideas with the community.”

For more information, visit the Falling Walls Lab Manitoba page through the University of Manitoba and IDEA START.

The Student Wellness Centre is looking for motivated and compassionate students to become peer health educators with UM’s Healthy U program starting September 2025. Applications (Apply to become a Healthy U volunteer 2025-2026) open March 17 and close March 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Founded in 2015, Healthy U (HU) is an opportunity for students to gain valuable training in the health and wellness field while promoting education on numerous topics including mental health, physical health, sexual health and substance use. Healthy U engages in online health promotion through social media and develops and facilitates numerous outreach events and initiatives such as sex pub trivia, stress management, and self compassion. In addition to health promotion, Healthy U volunteers are trained to provide one-to-one peer support using an empathetic, non-judgemental lens, meeting students where they’re at and helping them feel empowered in taking control of their own health.

“I have learnt so much about the importance of health and wellness in our university’s community and I have enjoyed learning more about diverse populations here at UofM while fostering community and making friendships. I look forward to volunteering next year and continuing to advocate for wellness” – Jodh Ghuman, former Healthy U volunteer and current Student Wellness Centre staff member.

“Being a HealthyU member has enabled me to become a more culturally competent individual. The community that the HealthyU team builds not only offers a safe and welcoming space for others but also for yourself. Overall, being a member can be a very rewarding and self-fulfilling experience!” – Bowen C., former Healthy U volunteer.

For those with an interest in health and wellness, looking to connect with their peers, or strive to creating a healthy campus, Healthy U may be the rewarding experience you are looking for.

To learn more and apply to be a Healthy U volunteer, visit the Healthy U website.

For any additional questions or application information please contact healthyu[at]umanitoba[dot]ca.

Ahmed is one of the people being celebrated at the 40th annual Volunteer Awards Thursday at Club Regent Event Centre.

This year’s awards will recognize more than two dozen outstanding volunteers from across the province.

To read the full story about Rana, please visit Winnipeg Free Press.

“I have learnt so much about the importance of health and wellness in our university’s community and I have enjoyed learning more about diverse populations here at UofM while fostering community and making friendships. I look forward to volunteering next year and continuing to advocate for wellness” – Jodh Ghuman, current Healthy U volunteer.

We know the importance of caring for our wellness and the impact our health and wellness have on our academic success. Accessing support on campus is essential in maintaining a positive experience throughout university. Everyone deserves access to support for their health, whether this be addressing challenges or taking proactive measures to maintain their overall wellness.

The Student Wellness Centre is looking for motivated and compassionate students to become peer health educators with UM’s Healthy U program starting September 2024. Applications open March 11 until March 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Founded in 2015, Healthy U (HU) is an opportunity for students to gain valuable training in the health and wellness field while promoting education on numerous topics including mental health, physical health, sexual health and substance use. Healthy U engages in online health promotion through social media and develops and facilitates numerous outreach events and initiatives such as sex pub trivia, stress management, and self compassion. In addition to health promotion, Healthy U volunteers are trained to provide one-to-one peer support using an empathetic, non-judgemental lens, meeting students where they’re at and helping them feel empowered in taking control of their own health.

“Being a HealthyU member has enabled me to become a more culturally competent individual. The community that the HealthyU team builds not only offers a safe and welcoming space for others but also for yourself. Overall, being a member can be a very rewarding and self-fulfilling experience!” – Bowen C., current Healthy U volunteer.

For those with an interest in health and wellness, looking to connect with their peers, or strive to creating a healthy campus, Healthy U may be the rewarding experience you are looking for.

To learn more and apply to be a Healthy U volunteer, visit the Healthy U website.

For any additional questions or application information please contact healthyu[at]umanitoba[dot]ca

Apply through UMConnect and log in through Single Sign On.
Then search for the following position title or Job Posting ID:

Position Title: Healthy U Peer Health Educator
Job Posting ID: 70468

The five participants — Allison Balasko, Hiwot Jonk, Jesse Shen, Joao Fidencio da Silva and Samuel Akinola — in the university’s President’s Student Leadership Program launched the Underwearness Project this week.

“We had to select a community need and try to address that need and work together to start a project,” Jonk said. “We noticed that there were a lot of unaddressed needs within homeless shelters, so we wanted to help out.

Read here

Are you interested in meeting people from other cultures and sharing about your culture and Winnipeg? The Language Partner Volunteer Program, at UM’s English Language Centre (ELC), is an excellent opportunity to participate in a rewarding experience with an international student! Our students are eager to practice their spoken English with fluent English speakers in Winnipeg.   

The English Language Centre’s Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP) prepares international students who meet the academic admission criteria, but not the English language proficiency requirements, for degree study.  The Language Partner Volunteer Program supports IAEP students in practicing their informal listening and speaking skills outside of the classroom and in making personal connections in Winnipeg. Participating in this program is an excellent opportunity to share and learn about diverse cultures and to practice cross-cultural communication! Volunteers also help students build their confidence by providing information about living and communicating in a new cultural environment.

Volunteering is open to UM students, alumni, staff and members of the community.  All UM students are eligible for recognition on their Experience Record (Co-Curricular Record) if they meet the 10-hour minimum requirement in a year (Volunteerism & Participation category).

To participate, volunteers must:

• be 18 years or older
• be fluent in both written and spoken English
• commit to volunteer for a minimum of 7 hours in a term (approx. 1 hour per week)
• manage scheduling to find a time and place to meet on or near the Fort Garry campus
• be able to travel to meet in public (at least to Fort Garry Campus)
• have lived in Winnipeg for at least two years, and/or Canada for five years to have knowledge of the city and its resources and cultural diversity

Participating in the Language Partner Volunteer Program is a rewarding experience for everyone! Be a difference-maker today!

If interested in becoming a language partner volunteer, please contact elclanguagepartners@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-9251

Seven Convocation ceremonies will be held between Tuesday June 6^th and Friday June 9^th. For further information about the ceremonies, visit the Convocation website.

Participation from UM staff and faculty is key to making convocation events a success. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to contribute to these celebrations and experience the joy and excitement of our graduates and their friends and families firsthand.

For more information, and to sign up as an usher, please submit this form by May 19th.

Through a series of in-person events and online modules leading up to Prep Week (August 29-Sept. 2) and Welcome Day (Sept. 6), UM Orientation provides some of the first interactions for new students. These events provide an orientation to university life with academic sessions, workshops, resource guides, campus tours and opportunities to connect with other new students.

This year, the Orientation team is looking for Welcome Leaders to support in-person programming that will assist new students in their transition to learning on campus. Welcome Leaders will have the opportunity to practice interpersonal communication skills and gain leadership experience by volunteering at one or more Orientation events throughout the summer and early fall. Volunteering offers the opportunity to meet new people and share your Bison pride, and volunteers who participate in 10 or more hours cumulatively will be granted a notation on their Co-Curricular Record (CCR).

After volunteering for Orientation in 2021, Eugenie Whan Kan, a third-year Asper School of Business student, returned this year as an Orientation Team Leader, helping lead other volunteers. Eugenie found volunteering to be a fulfilling experience. She says, “I am an international student, and being a volunteer gave me a sense of community and showed me that I could help new students despite being new to Canada.”

Alex Risbey, a fourth-year Science student, echoes Eugenie in encouraging other students to get involved with Orientation 2022.  Alex says, “As a volunteer, I really enjoyed being a part of a team and working together to help new students become a part of the U of M community.”

Students can sign up now to help with Welcome Day (Sept. 6) We’re looking for volunteers to help with sessions, wayfinding and set up/take down. 

All volunteers will receive training in a fun, relaxed, and supportive environment. There are lots of other perks to getting involved too, like meeting new people and fun volunteer appreciation events.

Visit the orientation volunteer page for more information on how to sign up as an in-person Orientation Volunteer!

Joining Healthy U is an opportunity to gain valuable training and contribute to health education and health promotion on campus. Founded in 2015, Healthy U has helped create many peer-led workshops on a variety of health issues like healthy sexuality, substance use and mental health.

“The Healthy U program is a great way to get involved with the university community and contribute in a fun way,” says Healthy U volunteer Jayden. “The support from both the leaders of the program and fellow volunteers provides a great sense of belonging, while the nature of the projects and tasks allows for lots of creativity. I’ve had an incredibly rewarding experience!”

“The Healthy U leadership team does not just talk the talk, but they walk the walk,” volunteer Sydney says. “They incorporate mental health check-ins and meditation, and they truly value and support students’ health. It is evident that Healthy U strives to create the most inclusive and supportive environment possible to make all students feel safe contributing their ideas and sharing their experiences. Being a part of the Healthy U team has been a blessing.”

The Healthy U program is run by the Health and Wellness Office and the SCC. Students who are accepted into Healthy U receive training from SCC counsellor Kayla Tessier and Bryanna Barker, health and wellness educator and registered psychiatric nurse.

“Working with our Healthy U peer educators is one of the best parts of my job; I learn so much from them,” Barker says. “To be able to educate, support, and collaborate with the volunteers and our UM students is hugely rewarding. I’m so excited to meet this new group of volunteers!”

“Being part of the Healthy U community has been an incredibly fulfilling journey,” Tessier says. “Working alongside dedicated volunteers to bring programming and content to UM students has been an opportunity for continued learning for all of us. I’m so thankful for the experience!”

If you’re looking to connect with your peers on topics vital to student health, apply to be a Healthy U volunteer on the Healthy U website.

For any additional questions or application information, please contact:

Bryanna Barker, Health and Wellness Educator, healthandwellness@umanitoba.ca.