Thompson Rivers University (TRU) faculty and students are earning international recognition for their contributions to work-integrated learning (WIL), receiving a Best Paper Award and an Emerging Research Poster Award at the World Association for Cooperative Education (WACE) International Research Symposium, held April 14–17 in Auckland, New Zealand. The dual recognition is a rare achievement for a single institution at this global conference.
Kris Kadaleevanam, a Bachelor of Business Administration student majoring in economics, received the Emerging Research Poster Award (graduate student category), competing against graduate-level researchers from around the world. His poster, “Student retention across co-operative education pathways at TRU,” examined how co-operative education influences student academic retention.
The study found that participation in co-op is associated with higher persistence, driven by increased engagement, reduced financial stress and improved career clarity — particularly during the mid-degree period.
As an undergraduate presenting on a global stage, he described the experience as both humbling and motivating. He has been invited to expand his work into a full article for the International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning (IJWIL).
Corinna Bartucci, a faculty member and co-op coordinator in TRU’s Career and Experiential Learning department, received the Best Paper Award for “Reciprocal mentoring relationships in co-operative education: Industry partner and university student perspectives.”
Corinna Bartucci, centre, receiving the Best Paper Award at the 2026 WACE International Research Symposium, pictured with WACE executives Karsten Zegwaard and Jenny Fleming.
Based on her master’s research at TRU, Bartucci’s paper examines how students and industry partners define, experience and perceive reciprocity and mutual benefit in co-op mentoring relationships. It also introduces the Reciprocal Engagement and Mentorship in Co-op Systems (REAMICS) model to show how students, industry partners and institutions collectively support mutually beneficial mentoring within co-op programs.
“Presenting at the WACE IRS for my first international conference was such a rewarding experience and I am incredibly grateful to have received the Best Paper award,” said Bartucci.
“Having my research recognized in that way was both meaningful and encouraging. I also truly valued the connections I made at the conference and the opportunities they may lead to for future international research collaborations.”
Bartucci was invited to contribute a book chapter expanding on her research.
“Corinna stands out as an exceptional emerging educational researcher who takes great care to honour the voices of study participants, while also bringing her own lived experience and a practical lens to the work,” said Alana Hoare, assistant teaching professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work, and Bartucci’s thesis supervisor.
“The conceptual model she developed – REAMICS — during her master’s research at TRU offers the field a model for meaningful reciprocal partnerships between employers, students and universities that is grounded in empirical research. Corinna is one to watch in this space!”
“To have two major awards come to TRU at a global conference is extraordinary,” said Jamie Noakes, chair of Career and Experiential Learning. “This speaks not only to the individual excellence of our colleagues, but to the strength of Thompson Rivers University’s approach to work-integrated learning and career education on the global stage.”
WIL combines academic study with structured, real-world experience in workplace and applied settings, including co-operative education, applied research and community-engaged learning.
These recognitions highlight TRU’s growing leadership in experiential education and its commitment to preparing students for success through applied, career-focused learning.
Thompson Rivers University is leading in sustainability. Learn more about TRU’s contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
