At St. Jerome’s University (SJU), we want you to feel welcomed and included in our community before you even begin your studies here. We want to support you throughout your entire university experience: from the moment you first connect with SJU, to your graduation, and beyond.

 

Your journey here begins with the very first connections you establish. For many of you, that will be when you come on your first tour of our campus, or when you visit us at Fall Open House (Saturday, November 2nd)! Our Chief Experience Officers (CEO’s) are here to ensure that your experience while visiting SJU is everything you want it to be.

 

Our seven CEO’s are responsible for hiring and managing our student ambassadors (Experience Guides), and assist with the planning of open house events, the coordination of tours, and other activities oriented towards potential future students. Overall, their role is to ensure that you have the support and information that you need in your search for the perfect post-secondary institution.
In this post, we are introducing you to our 2019-2020 CEO team!

 

Hometown: Sarnia, ON

 

What made you decide to attend SJU?
Caleb: I went to a small high school and the idea of a small residence community really attracted me to St. Jerome's. It made the transition to university a lot easier.

What is an interesting fact about SJU?
C: We have over 100 student positions for you to get involved with!

What would you say is unique about the SJU experience?
C: You are given many opportunities to find your place here. By the end of your time living here you will definitely call it your home away from home.

What is your favourite course that you have taken at university so far? What made it so great?
C: Advanced Mediation. It gave us the opportunity to test what we were learning every other week by having us role play different mediation situations.

What extracurricular activities have you been involved with throughout your time at university?
C: All of my extracurricular activities have been at SJU. In my time here: I was an Experience Guide in first year, I was on the Student Activities Team in my second year, then in my third and fourth year I have been a Chief Experience Officer.

 

4A Honours Arts: Major in Speech Communication, Minor in Digital Arts Communication
Hometown: Waterloo, ON

 

What made you decide to attend SJU?
Josée-Claire: During my tour, I saw how everyone seemed to know each other! When I took my tour, the guide who brought me around kept running into friends and it really made me realize how much of a community SJU is. I also saw that there was a lot of opportunity to get involved and be a part of student life which I was so excited for!
What is an interesting fact about SJU?
J-C: We not only have a cafeteria- there's a cafe too! Being an upper year student, I always stop by our cafe to grab a tea before running to class.
What would you say is unique about the SJU experience?
J-C: The people are truly what make SJU. Everyone wants to get to know one another and build up our community.
What is your favourite course that you have taken at university so far? What made it so great?
J-C: DAC 329: Digital Presentations. This course was AMAZING! We worked all semester to prepare a timed presentation that we performed in the modern languages theatre. I was so nervous at the beginning of the semester but I learned so much about public speaking and presenting!
What extracurricular activities have you been involved with throughout your time at university?
J-C: At SJU, I have been an Experience Guide, a Floor Rep, a Frost Leader, a member of the Student Activities Team, and a member of the CCR (Co-Curricular Record) Committee. Currently, I am also a part of the Student’s Union. For the University of Waterloo, I am a Lead EDGE Ambassador, and the President of the CommArts society.

 

3A Science and Aviation, Minor in Earth Sciences
Hometown: Grimsby, ON

 

What made you decide to attend SJU?
Christian: I chose to come to St. Jerome's because of a connection I made with a St. Jerome's staff member I met at a conference. Soon after, I took a tour of campus. The tight knit community, along with the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere solidified not only my decision to come to SJU, but UWaterloo as a whole.
What is an interesting fact about SJU?
C: St. Jerome's offers it own intramurals. It's not only a great opportunity to de-stress, get some exercise and have fun, it’s a great way to meet new people that also live in the community.
What would you say is unique about the SJU experience?
C: The most unique thing about the SJU experience is the extra effort that the staff, faculty members, and student leaders put into ensuring that you feel welcome and that you belong.
What is your dream career?
C: Air Traffic Controller.
What extracurricular activities have you been involved with throughout your time at university?
C: Experience Guide, CEO, and Intramurals at SJU.

 

4A Honours Arts: Major in Psychology, Double Minor in Fine Arts and Legal Studies
Hometown: Georgetown, ON

 

What made you decide to attend SJU?
Bethany: I decided to go to St. Jerome's because it was the one place where I saw myself growing the most while feeling comfortable to be myself. St. Jerome's gave me the ability to branch out and explore all of my options throughout university while also being a safe place to land for all 4 years that I have been here!
What is an interesting fact about SJU?
B: St. Jerome's was actually here long before UW became a University! I think this really makes SJU the heart of campus (even if it is a little off centre).
What would you say is unique about the SJU experience?
B: I think SJU is unique in that it is not just a place to call home when in residence, but a place where I will always go throughout your university career. Having all of your resources (ex. academic advising, mental wellness assistance, experiential learning opportunities) in one place allows you to get all of your questions answered with people that will always remember your name and ask you how you are doing.
What is your favourite course that you have taken at university so far? What made it so great?
B: My favourite course so far has got to be psychology of the law (PSYCH 230). This course was all about forensic psychology and had some really interesting topics such as how interrogations happen and police psychology. 
What extracurricular activities have you been involved with throughout your time at university?
B: I have done my best to always stay involved in something other than school while at UW/SJU! In first year, I was an Experience Guide. This then lead me to the Peer Academic Leader position, which I held for my second and third years at SJU. In second year, I was also a Relay for Life Co-Chair which was an amazing experience with many challenges too! On Main Campus, I was a research assistant with the Social Development Lab for a term- I got to help run some really cool experiments where the subjects were (consenting) children! Finally in my last year, I decided to become a CEO as I absolutely loved my time as an XG and I wanted to continue to demonstrate to prospective students that SJU is the place to be!
 

3A Honours Arts and Business: Major in Political Science (Politics and Business Specialization), Minor in Public Policy and Administration
Hometown: Whitby, ON

 

What made you decide to attend SJU?
Matt: I am inherently an extremely social person, and I hoped to keep feelings of connection and involvement through my university years. I was torn because I wanted to attend a school which would offer me as much as possible in terms of academics, but everywhere seemed like a sea of chaotic stress. I was afraid of sacrificing academic opportunity in favour of enrolling at a small university, but St. Jerome's became my saving grace. SJU offered me everything I was searching for in terms of being part of a tight community while consequently studying at (no bias) Canada's best institution.
What is an interesting fact about SJU?
M: As an avid coffee drinker, I can truly say that the Funcken Blend coffee at SJ's Funcken café is the best coffee you can buy on campus - or anywhere. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Starbucks Dark Roast, but there's a taste which I honestly can't describe (kind of a spice or a zing, but not quite) to the Funcken coffee that I miss every time I leave for a co op term.
What do you enjoy about being a student leader at SJU?
M: I love the interaction involved with student leadership at SJU. Through my various positions, I've been able to meet and impact so many people, and the connections I've made is what keeps me coming back every year. I also love the real responsibility that comes with being a student leader at SJ. The roles I've had have prepared me extremely well for my co-op placements and allowed me to grow in a positive direction while teaching me important soft skills.
What is your dream career?
M: I want to be the Prime Minister of Canada! Of course, before then I'd love to be a Political Science professor. I want to teach, research, write books and articles, and someday I want CNN to call me up and ask for my input on TV about some sort of world event.
What extracurricular activities have you been involved with throughout your time at university?
M: I was the Vice President Finance on the SJU Students' Union for a year and half, and the Business Affairs Liaison before that. Also at SJU I was a Student Activities Team Member, Floor Rep, Frost Leader, Experience Guide, and now a Chief Experience Officer. On main campus I've played intramural hockey, volleyball, softball, and also played on a baseball team outside of school.

 

3A Earth Science: Geophysics Specialization
Hometown: Burlington, ON

 

What made you decide to attend SJU?
Izzy: I decided that I wanted to come to Waterloo when I realized I could have classes in the same building as real dinosaur skeletons, but it wasn’t until a friend showed me SJU that I decided I wanted to make it my home. The overwhelming sense of belonging and community I felt when my friend was showing me around was the cue that this was the place for me. Coming from a small high school where I was on nearly every committee and sports team, I felt that the leadership opportunities here too were something I was super keen on and turns out I was right!
What is an interesting fact about SJU?
I: The London Fogs at the Funcken Cafe are unmatched!
What would you say is unique about the SJU experience?
I: The connection that it brings you, not only to the students you’re in residence with. When I moved to the Netherlands for a Co-op term, a guy from SJU was also there and it was so comforting to immediately have something in common in a place that was strange to us. Much later, I was at my cousins wedding talking to a family friend and found out that he had gone to SJU too! Although the connections outside are great, it’s the ones you make during your time at SJ that are the best. My Don from first year (now one of my BFFs) came to visit me in Paris on my co-op, and we still get together almost weekly at the Funcken to chat and catch up.
What is your favourite course that you have taken at university so far? What made it so great?
I: Earth 223 - Introduction to Field Methods of Hydrogeology. I love this course because I got to go outside and learn different scientific procedures measuring everything from precipitation levels at the weather station on campus, to the conductivity of the water in Laurel Creek.
What extracurricular activities have you been involved with throughout your time at university?
I: At SJU I was part of the residence council as a Floor Rep, a member of the green team, an Experience Guide, an SAT, and now a CEO. On main campus I have been involved in many executive positions of WATROX (the earth and environmental science club), a Science Ambassador, and part of the WATSEF funding council.

 

3A Honours Arts and Business: Major in Psychology
Hometown: Dundas, ON

 

What made you decide to attend SJU?
Shelby: The inclusivity was clearly and immediately apparent, which made it feel as if everyone could find a home here.
What is an interesting fact about SJU?
S: People say our food is the best on all of campus (which is true), but they haven’t even experienced the food at Community House Dinners yet at SJU!
What would you say is unique about the SJU experience?
S: Absolutely everyone feels at home at SJU, so much so that it’s hard to even be homesick!
What is your dream career?
S: To have Judge Judy’s job! (But, more realistically, a lawyer).
What extracurricular activities have you been involved with throughout your time at university?
S: At SJU, I have been an Experience Guide for two years, a Frost Leader, a Frost Leader Advisor, a member of the Student Activities Team, Relay for Life Participant, and a Leaderships Conference Attendee. On UW’s Main Campus, I have been an Arts and Business Peer Leader, and I have completed the Student Leadership Program and received my certificate!

 

Our CEO’s look forward to meeting you at the upcoming Fall Open House! If you can't make it, you can always book a personal tour online.

 

If you have any questions about admissions, programs, your first year at university, or student life, please contact someone on our Recruitment and Admissions Team. Rebecca Rucurean (our Admissions and Recruitment Specialist) would love to connect with each prospective student. She coordinates all recruitment initiatives for future students, and is the supervisor of the CEO’s and the Experience Guides (student ambassador team). Please feel free to email her: rrucurean@uwaterloo.ca!

 

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions concerning this blog’s content, you are welcome to send those to outreach@sju.ca. Have a great Thanksgiving Weekend and reading week!

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