Celebrating Co-op 2024 showcases impact of experiential learning

On January 30, 2025, the 2024 Celebrating Co-op Awards welcomed co-op students and employer partners to reflect on another incredible year for co-op education. Sponsored by The Associates of the Asper School of Business, this event celebrates the Manitoba business community’s dedication to educating future business leaders.

Each year, the Co-op Student and Employer of the Year are awarded, recognizing excellence in leadership, mentorship, and contributions to learning.

The 2024 Co-op Student of the Year is Priyansh Modi, and the 2024 Co-op Employer of the Year is Treaty One Nations Inc.

2024 Co-op Student of the Year – Priyansh Modi

Nominated by the Government of Manitoba Department of Families, Asper finance major Priyansh Modi is the 2024 Co-op Student of the Year.

Modi served as a Student Policy Analyst, supporting the work of fellow policy analysts, senior management, and the Minister of Families. His supervisors commended his ability to thrive, lead, and grow in a dynamic, high-stakes environment.

Tamsin Collings (Manager) and Joann Correa (Senior Policy Analyst) described how significant Modi’s work was during a time of transformation for the Strategic Initiatives and Program Support unit of the Child and Youth Services Division (Department of Families).

“The work is filled with pressure and high demands, and Priyansh took on the challenge with eagerness and curiosity,” they wrote in their nomination.

For Modi, seeing the impact and real-world application of his work was transformative.

“My co-op placement taught me to translate academic knowledge into meaningful real-world contributions. The impact of my work, which was even used by the Minister, was incredibly meaningful. This experience boosted my confidence in my analytical abilities as I witnessed how my efforts contributed to tangible change,” he wrote of his co-op experience.

Modi, who has since joined the Asper Co-op Student Association as the Director of Finance and the Price Student-Managed Investment Fund, shared how he is taking this newfound confidence into the future.

“Co-op education has taught me to focus on the process rather than the results. This mindset shift has empowered me to set higher goals and embrace challenges, knowing that growth comes from facing the unknown,” he wrote.

2024 Co-op Employer of the Year – Treaty One Nations Inc.

Nominated by Asper MBA co-op student Ryan Nykvist, Treaty One Nations Inc. is the 2024 Co-op Employer of the Year. Jolene Mercer (Executive Director) accepted the award.

Nykvist completed his co-op term as an Environmental Planner at Treaty One Nations Inc., a unique role in which he contributed to the organization’s sustainability initiatives and strategic planning. During his co-op term, Nykvist developed environmental policies, conducted impact assessments, and created a sustainability management toolkit.

In his nomination, he shared that he expected to apply what he had learned throughout his MBA and gain some experience in environmental planning. “But Treaty One surpassed these expectations by providing me with opportunities to lead initiatives, engage with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to high-level strategic planning,” he wrote.

Nykvist described a supportive environment that encouraged learning and a team that allowed him to take the lead but was always there if he needed guidance.

“Treaty One Nations Inc. is an organization where your ideas are valued, and you’re given a real responsibility to make an impact,” he wrote in his nomination. “The work is meaningful, contributing to important goals in sustainability and First Nations economic development.

“Co-op is an excellent opportunity to gain diverse skills, work with passionate professionals, and contribute to significant initiatives.”

Manitoba’s top business co-op program

Accredited by CEWIL Canada, the Asper School of Business Co-op Program is the largest business co-op program in the province. Co-op placements offer students a chance to gain practical experience in the workforce while pursuing their studies.

According to 2023 Asper Employment Report, 89% of BComm co-op students were employed full-time within three months of graduation, bringing their practical experience, strategic insights, and passion into the workplace.

The program is committed to connecting talented Asper co-op students and employers in Manitoba, Canada and around the world. Celebrating Co-op is an opportunity to renew this commitment and honour these connections.

The Co-op Student and Employer of the Year demonstrate the transformative experience of co-op. It’s not just about work experience. Co-op students get to see the impact of their work beyond their team, department, and the organization. Co-op employers connect with top talent, seeing them grow as leaders while making meaningful contributions to their organization.

Connect with the Asper Co-op Program today and learn what experiential learning can bring to your organization.

Emily Wilson