In June 2008, Carmen Poulin, director of the University’s co-op education program, was awarded the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education’s Albert S. Barber Award. Created in 1982, this award recognizes outstanding contributions to the philosophy and practice of co-operative education in Canada.
Poulin became the first full-time employee of the University’s co-op program in 1980. Driven by a desire to provide a quality co-operative education experience to as many students as possible, Poulin drew her inspiration from the University’s values -- excellence, bilingualism and openness to the world -- to create a customized program in the heart of the National Capital. It is her leadership that has led to the program becoming the second largest in Ontario and third largest in Canada.
Gilles Patry, outgoing president of the University, nominated Poulin for the prize last April. Her nomination was supported by 10 co-op program directors from across Canada.
