Streamlining work-integrated learning at the University of Niagara Falls Canada with Riipen.

Cherie Simms, the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Manager at the University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF), has worked in career services for more than 15 years, bringing a background in job development to her current role. "I have worked in career services for more than 15 years and most recently in the post-secondary industry for five years. Throughout my career, I have specialized in job development, supporting numerous job seekers by building relationships with employers and creating employment pipelines," says Cherie. Her role now bridges the gap between employers, students, and experiential learning opportunities—and she’s using Riipen to help her do it.

Streamlining processes with Riipen.

Before using Riipen, Cherie managed WIL through a more traditional process, helping connect field placement specialists with employers. However, without a centralized project management platform, submissions were often handled via email, making them difficult to track and manage efficiently. "There was no standardized process for how members submitted project proposals. Submissions were shared via email, often with documents attached, making it difficult to properly track and manage proposals," she explains.

Since integrating Riipen, the university has streamlined project management, making it easier for both employers and students to collaborate on projects. "Riipen has since created a more structured and efficient avenue for project submissions. Partners are now directed to create accounts on Riipen and upload their projects directly within the platform," Cherie adds.

Supporting students and partners through centralized management.

Riipen’s ability to centralize project submissions has been transformative for both Cherie and the university’s partners. "The platform allows us to centrally manage projects, creating a single space where job seekers, educators, and employers work toward the same goal—collaborating on meaningful work-integrated learning experiences," she says.

The platform has also enabled the university to diversify its projects and engage with businesses across the country, a significant improvement over previous methods. "Through Riipen, we have been able to diversify our projects and gain access to businesses across the country," Cherie notes.

Additionally, the structured platform has created transparency, ensuring that projects are matched with students more effectively and that everyone involved understands the expectations clearly. This has cut down on administrative work, as Cherie points out, "Riipen effectively cuts the workload in half."

Enhancing employer engagement and student success.

Cherie believes that Riipen has had a significant impact on employer relationships, formalizing processes and creating more professional, structured ways to collaborate. "Riipen has helped to formalize our WIL processes by providing a centralized platform where partners can create profiles and record, monitor, and manage their projects," she says.

A specific example of Riipen’s positive impact comes from a student who completed a Data Analytics internship through the platform. The student gained hands-on experience and professional certifications, including a Professional Scrum Master (PSM I) certification. The student reflected on the transformative nature of the internship, saying, “This internship has been one of the most transformative experiences of my career,” and praised Riipen for connecting them to the opportunity.

Why Riipen works for the University of Niagara Falls Canada.

Riipen gives students the opportunity to collaborate directly with industry clients. Allowing them to receive feedback and constructive criticism, earn certificates that can be showcased on their resume or through platforms like LinkedIn, and gain real-world experience that goes beyond the classroom.

Because of this, Cherie strongly recommends Riipen to other coordinators, describing the platform as an "invaluable" experience, specifically for its "ability to track and record all aspects of a project in one centralized platform.”

Looking ahead.

As the university continues to expand its use of Riipen, Cherie is excited about the new opportunities it offers students. "We plan to continue using Riipen in its current capacity and also look forward to exploring other ways of using the platform to expand work-integrated learning opportunities for our students," she says. The university will continue to refine its processes to ensure they meet the evolving needs of students and partners.

Riipen has become an integral part of the University of Niagara Falls Canada's WIL program, helping streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and improve student outcomes. By efficiently managing projects and supporting students through real-world experiences, Riipen is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of experiential learning at the university.

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