Lassonde Co-op Students of the Year Winners 

Co-op opportunities and work-integrated learning are essential for bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world experience, providing students with valuable skills and insights that enhance their career readiness and professional growth. 

The Lassonde Co-op Student of the Year award recognizes two exceptional students who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and performance during their work terms. Their contributions have not only made a significant impact on their employers but have also enriched the Lassonde community. 

The 2024 recipients are Luca Mazzo and Zaina Awad. 

Mazzo working at OPG during his placement. 

Luca Mazzo 

Luca is a third-year Electrical Engineering student, currently undertaking a 16-month work term with Ontario Power Generation. 

During the initial months, Mazzo quickly adapted to the complex Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment Unit 4 (DNRU4) Turbine Generator project and grasped the intricacies of the project, despite its challenging nature and tight timelines. He showed a keen interest in learning about Darlington’s control and protection systems which enabled him to become proficient in the TG system. He led the execution of a temporary modification to a nuclear control system and provided an alternate solution that would avoid an eight to twelve-week delay to TG’s critical path. 

His achievements at OPG highlight his ability to excel in collaborative team settings, his strong leadership skills and his technical expertise. His contributions have benefited the DNRU4 TG project and resulted in his scope being completed eight days ahead of schedule, realizing $5.6M in cost savings. 

“In my time at OPG, I have never seen a student call vendors, successfully challenge engineers and come up with compelling, industry-changing ideas like Luca has. When Luca is working on an assignment, I can rest assured that it will be completed on time and with quality in hand. He makes my job easier every single day and I look forward to bringing him back to OPG once he graduates.” – George Manuel, Manager Projects, Ontario Power Generation 

Awad at the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. 

Zaina Awad 

Third-year Digital Media student Zaina Awad completed an eight-month work term as a digital marketing co-op student with Proax Technologies Inc. 

There, she played a pivotal role in supporting the company’s marketing operations across Canada. Awad applied her SEO expertise to analyze user behaviour and utilized AI tools for workflow optimization and competitor analysis. Her efforts contributed to measurable outcomes, including a 15% increase in website traffic and a 17% reduction in sitewide bounce rate. Awad’s creativity also revitalized the company’s social media presence, while her design skills modernized outdated marketing materials. 

Initially part of a four-member team, she took on significant responsibility when two members departed, effectively managing all marketing efforts alongside her supervisor. Demonstrating adaptability and a strong work ethic, she consistently delivered high-quality results under pressure. 

Beyond her success at Proax Technologies, Awad remained dedicated to supporting her peers by sharing insights from her co-op experience and assisting them with their résumés and portfolios. Her performance earned her manager’s strong preference for hiring York University students in the future. Awad’s efforts not only enhanced her peers’ professional development but also strengthened the School’s reputation with employers, creating a positive impact on the broader Lassonde community. 

“Zaina’s exceptional performance, creativity and willingness to learn made her an asset to our team. Given her measurable results, combined with her proactive attitude, she was an ideal candidate for this award.” – Hakan Orunlu, Marketing Manager at Proax