Eden Nowiski and Nana Boncano Haidara benefitted from experiential, hands-on learning through student leadership, co-op placements, creative projects and community engagement. They discovered not only what they enjoyed doing, but also the kind of professionals, leaders and storytellers they wanted to become.
Finding confidence through student leadership
Eden Nowiski, Telfer School of Management
Eden Nowiski, who’s graduating with an honours bachelor of commerce in finance, found her most meaningful experiential learning through the Telfer Students’ Association, AETSA.
Over more than three years, she grew within the association, moving from presidential assistant in her first year to vice-president, before becoming president. What began as a way to get involved became a hands-on leadership experience that touched every part of her university life.
For Nowiski, leadership meant managing a team of executives, supporting vice-presidents, aligning with faculty, representing Telfer students at the University level and being present on campus so students felt comfortable raising questions or concerns.
One moment that stayed with her was becoming president. Although she knew she had the experience to take it on, she felt the pressure of following someone who had done the job exceptionally well. Choosing to trust herself in that moment became an important turning point.
“AETSA is where I found my confidence, my leadership style and, honestly, myself.”
Eden Nowiski
— Honours BCom, finance, Telfer School of Management
The experience also clarified her path after graduation. Through AETSA, Nowiski discovered how much she enjoyed supporting others, thinking about well-being and helping organizations create systems that allow people to thrive. She will be joining Export Development Canada’s Total Rewards and Wellness team full time after graduation.
Using storytelling to build connection
Nana Boncano Haidara, Faculty of Arts
Nana Boncano Haidara, originally from Mali, began university at age 16 as an international student. She’s graduating magna cum laude with an honours bachelor of arts in communications, with French immersion and co-op.
For Haidara, communication was personal before it became academic. After moving to Canada at 11, writing, capturing moments and documenting life became ways to stay connected with family abroad. Over time, this personal habit grew into an interest in how media can connect people, represent communities and shape the way we understand our environments.
Haidara’s experiential learning took many forms. She completed two co-op terms at Universities Canada as a communications and publications intern and worked with the University of Ottawa Alumni Office as a project and communications officer. She also volunteered as director of media for the Communications Student Association, served as a videographer and graphic designer with the Black Student Leaders Association and wrote, directed and edited a short film funded through the Digi60 film festival.
The short film funded through Digi60, which Haidara wrote, directed and edited in just 60 days, stands out for her. It pushed her to take ownership of a creative vision from start to finish.
“Creating that film showed me what I’m capable of when I fully commit to an idea.”
Nana Boncano Haidara
— Honours BA in communications, French immersion and co-op, Faculty of Arts
These opportunities helped Haidara realize that she wants to continue working in media and communications, especially in roles centred on storytelling and highlighting people’s experiences.
Engagement as a place to grow
Nowiski’s and Haidara’s paths show that student engagement can become a powerful form of experiential learning. Through charity work, student leadership, co-op placements and creative projects, they learned how to make decisions, collaborate under pressure, support others and turn ideas into something visible.
Their advice to other students is clear: get involved, even before you feel completely ready.
Nowiski stresses the importance of trusting your decisions and leaning on your support system. Haidara reminds students not to wait until they feel fully qualified, because some of the most important opportunities come from saying yes and learning along the way.
Together, their experiences show that leadership is not only about titles—it’s built through initiative, presence and the decision to contribute to something larger than oneself.
