Steele Family Foundation funding empowers co-op students to transform refugee education | Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education

By: Christie Zeb (she/her)

Change makers, Rewa and Bruce embarked on a transformative co-op experience in Thailand, supporting migrant teachers and refugee children.

Before his Winter 2025 co-op term, Bruce Wu (he/him) had consistently gravitated toward corporate roles, including technology, operations and project management. However, while he was job searching, a non-profit role in Thailand caught his attention.

It wasn’t what he had planned. The second-year Business Administration and Mathematics double-degree student had envisioned building on his previous co-op role at an AI startup.

But as he read about the opportunity, his perspective shifted. “In high school, I did a lot of fundraising and worked with a homeless organization in Vancouver,” Wu says.

“When I saw the role, I realized I wanted to put myself out there and explore something outside my degree that could broaden my worldview.”

Wu was inspired to apply and secured the job! Although it was an unpaid non-profit position, which posed a financial challenge, he was able to make the leap.

Thanks to ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Change makers in co-op program, Wu received the necessary funding, which enabled him to gain an experience that would shape his perspective on social impact.

Bruce Wu, Business Administration and Mathematics Double Degree student

A partnership for impact

The Change makers in co-op program is a partnership between ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) unit and the . It is built on a shared commitment to expand access to education and empower young people, particularly in underserved communities.

Through a $200,000 investment from the Steele Family Foundation, the program eliminates financial barriers, enabling students to gain hands-on experience at non-profits abroad. These opportunities allow students to contribute to meaningful causes while building valuable skills.

Michael Steele (BASc ’81), co-founder, Steele Family Foundation

Co-op was a defining experience for Michael Steele (BASc ’81), co-founder of the Steele Family Foundation.

Inspired by mentors he met during his co-op journey, Michael and his wife Stacey are helping students discover their potential through challenging and inspiring experiences.

“The biggest challenge young minds face is deciding where to direct their energy and talents. I believe Change makers in co-op can help stranded superstars shine,” Steele says.

Together, ��ݮ��Ƶ’s CEE and the Steele Family Foundation are redefining what experiential learning can achieve, empowering students to become global changemakers while addressing urgent societal challenges.

Wu, and first-year Mathematics student Rewa Shukla (she/her), each received the Change makers in co-op financial award. The award is making a difference for co-op students working in communities worldwide—from Thailand to Uganda to the Galapagos Islands.

Empowering teachers, transforming lives

During their co-op term in Thailand, Wu and Shukla worked with the . They supported the organization to enroll refugee children in schools, train teachers and develop resources to enhance literacy and education accessibility.

Shukla’s role challenged her to be agile. One week, she taught math to teachers from Myanmar. Next, she designed educational materials and formatted research reports.

��ݮ��Ƶ co-op student, Rewa Shukla teaching teachers at the Inclusive Family Foundation

Rewa Shukla teaching migrant teachers

Teachers at the Inclusive Education Foundation preparing for their class lessons

Teachers preparing for their class lessons

Rewa Shukla teaching migrant teachers

During a 10-day workshop, she taught calculus to refugee teachers from Myanmar, who would return to their camps and train other teachers responsible for educating high school students.

The experience at InEd also pushed Shukla out of her comfort zone. As a first-time co-op student who had never lived away from home, she embraced the independence the experience offered.

“Managing everything alone for the first time and learning a lot of new things isn’t something I would have been able to experience just anywhere,“ Shukla says.

It was incredibly motivating to know that my work could help spark a chain of learning and empower not just individual teachers, but entire communities of students.

Rewa Shukla, Faculty of Mathematics student

Innovating for education

Wu brought his technical expertise to InEd by developing apps to streamline operations and improve access to education. He developed inventory management tools for the foundation to track resources in real-time and better manage school enrollments.

“It was fulfilling to apply my coding skills while blending the project management and business strategies I’m learning,” Wu says.

Bruce Wu supporting researchers at the Inclusive Education Foundation — Bruce Wu providing support to researchers

Beyond app development, Bruce also helped enhance digital literacy. He assisted researchers in formatting reports for a conference, ensuring consistency and clarity. “A lot of them had a bit of a disconnect in digital literacy,” Bruce says. “So, I put in work teaching them tricks to improve their workflow.”

Personal and professional transformations

For Wu and Shukla, their experience in Thailand shaped their perspectives in ways they hadn’t anticipated.

Shukla did volunteer work in high school and initially saw the opportunity as a natural extension of her interests. Although, this time with financial support. By the end of the experience, her passion for community service had deepened.

“Seeing firsthand how education can directly change lives has reinforced my belief in giving back,” Shukla says. She now carries the mindset that small efforts can make big impacts and lasting changes.

Shukla acknowledged that this experience wouldn’t have been possible without support from the Steele Family Foundation. “It was incredibly rewarding. I wouldn’t have had the chance to be part of such meaningful work without the funding,” Shukla says.

Refugee children with their mothers being enrolled in school by the staff members of the Inclusive Education Foundation

Refugee children waiting to get enrolled at the Inclusive Education Foundation

A little boy being enrolled in school at the Inclusive Education Foundation

Wu’s experience was equally eye-opening. While he still sees a future in corporate roles, his time at InEd reshaped his understanding of personal impact.

More than 1,000 children now have better access to education and countless teachers are more effective because of the resources we provided. I want to keep helping people, knowing I can make a difference on global issues.

Bruce Wu, Business Administration and Mathematics Double Degree student

Through international co-op opportunities and support from organizations like the Steele Family Foundation, students are taking risks, cultivating global perspectives and making lasting contributions that benefit both their careers and the communities they serve.

Want to help more students access life-changing opportunities?

Your donations can open doors. Connect with Kate Dal Castel, senior development officer, CEE, to learn how to make a difference and explore other student initiatives to support.