2025 ACE-WIL Student of the Year | University Co-op Student, Honourable Mention

The Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC / Yukon is pleased to announce the recipients of the Co-op/WIL Student of the Year Awards. These awards recognize BC or Yukon students who demonstrate an outstanding level of achievement in their co-operative education or work-integrated learning experience; combined with a strong academic record, volunteer activities, and significant contributions to promoting co-operative education in their school and in the community.

University Co-op Student: Fabiana Peschiera

The University of British Columbia

About Fabiana Peschiera

Fabiana Peschiera is a Political Science and International Relations student in the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia and the 2025 UBC Arts Co-op Student of the Year.

She is driven by a deep commitment to public service and a passion for using research, data, and evidence-based policy to strengthen the institutions that serve our communities. Through her co-op experience with the Halton Regional Police Service, Fabiana supported initiatives within the Human Resources division across the Abilities Management and Staffing teams, contributing to projects related to policy implementation and organizational reporting.

Guided by values of service, integrity, and care for others, she hopes to pursue a career in public policy where she can contribute to building institutions that empower communities, advance the common good, and create lasting positive change.

Quote from Fabiana Peschiera

“Fabiana describes her co-op experience as a turning point in her academic and professional journey. Through work-integrated learning, she was able to connect classroom knowledge with real-world challenges, gaining firsthand experience in how policy, data, and governance shape decision-making within public institutions. For Fabiana, co-op represents the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and turning knowledge into action. These experiences transformed uncertainty into direction and curiosity into confidence, showing her how learning and leadership can come together to create a meaningful impact.”