During National Work-Integrated Learning Month, McMaster Engineering proudly celebrated the achievements of its outstanding co-op students at the annual Co-op Student of the Year Awards dinner, presented by Hamilton Community Enterprises (HCE).
This year, 13 Faculty of Engineering students were recognized for their exceptional contributions in the workplace and beyond. One undergraduate student and one graduate student were named McMaster Engineering’s Co-op Students of the Year, while 11 additional students were celebrated as Future Leaders — finalists whose experiences exemplify the impact of experiential learning.
“During National Work-Integrated Learning Month, we celebrate how #WILbuilds confidence, talent, careers, and stronger communities, and this year’s nominees embody that theme beautifully,” said Stephanie Harper, Associate Director of the Centre for Career Growth and Experience. “They are making real, tangible impact in their workplaces and contributing significantly to the vibrancy and success of our campus community as they apply their learning, mentor peers and contribute to McMaster Engineering’s culture of excellence.”
Event sponsor, Hamilton Community Enterprises (HCE), affirms the value students bring to the workplace, and in turn, to the broader community. Ian McArthur, Technical Account Manager, shares, “As our organization grows, we see McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering, and specifically, the co-op program as a partner in this growth.” He follows this with, “HCE is excited about the ideas that these bright minds will bring to our team and their commitment to building a better community in which they live and learn.”
Read on to learn more about McMaster Engineering’s 2025 Co-op Student of the Year honourees.
This year’s winners
Undergraduate Co-op Student of the Year
Kyle Hagerman
Software & Biomedical Engineering
Co-op employer: Scotiabank
During his co-op term with Scotiabank’s Global Banking & Markets Engineering team, Kyle demonstrated a rare combination of technical depth, leadership, and curiosity. Working in algorithmic trading development, he contributed to building robust, enterprise-level software systems while learning how technology decisions align with broader business goals.
Through the experience, Kyle discovered a passion for creating reliable, user-friendly systems and supporting others through cross-team collaboration.
Outside the workplace, he has been deeply engaged in the McMaster Engineering community —participating in DeltaHacks, contributing to the Medical Engineering Design Team (MedT), and serving with the McMaster Engineering Society — where he continues to develop his leadership, communication and teamwork skills.
Graduate Co-op Student of the Year
Rahul Saxena
Master of Engineering Design (Product Design)
Co-op employer: IBM
Rahul’s co-op experience at IBM was defined by curiosity, collaboration and impact. Working in a user focused design environment, he took ownership of complex, high impact projects and collaborated with senior leaders to deliver meaningful solutions. Through his work, Rahul strengthened his confidence, refined his design and research skills and discovered his passion for solving real problems for real users.
Beyond his co-op, Rahul has been an active contributor to campus life; initiating a Tech & Design Club, mentoring fellow MEng students pursuing UX careers and working in Housing and Conference Services, where he developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. His journey reflects how experiential learning can empower students to lead with empathy, creativity, and purpose.
Future Leaders
The Future Leaders designation recognizes finalists in the Co-op Student of the Year nomination process whose experiences reflect leadership, initiative and professional growth. Across industries including finance, energy, construction, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and research, these students embraced learning opportunities and deepened their connection between academic study and real-world impact.
This year’s Future Leaders are:
- Abdul Mannan Mohammed
Bachelor of Technology – Automation Systems Engineering
Co-op: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
- Dharmrajsinh Muktirajsinh Chauhan
Master of Engineering – Systems and Technology
Co-op: Alectra Utilities
- Farzaneh Ebrahimizonouz
PhD – Mechanical Engineering
Co-op: EECOMOBILITY
- Jinay Shah
Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical Engineering
Co-op: PTech Engineering Solutions Inc.
- Jocelyn Xu
Electrical Engineering & iBioMed
Co-op: Martinrea International
- Junxuan Bao
Bachelor of Applied Science – Computer Science
Co-op: Resiliō Climate Solutions
- Madeline Lebreton
Bachelor of Engineering – Mechatronics Engineering
Co-op: European Molecular Biology Laboratory
- Madhav Parekh
Bachelor of Engineering – Materials Science & Engineering
Co-op: Purus Power Technologies
- Maraam Qassem
Bachelor of Engineering – Civil Engineering & Management
Co-op: PCL Construction
- Meghna Saha
Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (iBioMed)
Co-op: Nimble Science
- Sankavi Kirushnakumar
Bachelor of Engineering – Electrical Engineering and Society
Co-op: Lumentum LLC
For more information about experiential learning opportunities, visit McMaster Engineering’s Centre for Career Growth and Experience, home to the second largest engineering co-op program in Ontario, and discover how students are building careers through hands-on learning.