Friendly competition, outstanding engagement propels 3 students to top of UNFConnect points board

Participation in campus events, volunteering opportunities, and clubs helped earn the top spots

Three master’s students have climbed to the top of UNFConnect’s campus engagement leaderboard, earning recognition as “top earners” on University of Niagara Falls Canada’s CampusGroups app, a community platform that tracks event participation, club involvement, and volunteer hours.

The app awards points for attending events, joining clubs, participating in online and in-person activities, and volunteering. For students like Elizabeth Lima, Mauricio Calderon, and Luis Villalobos, those points reflect more than just numbers. They represent community, connection, and a commitment to making the most of campus life.

Exploring culture and community

For Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications student Elizabeth Lima, one event stands out: UNF’s Moon Festival celebration.

“I enjoyed that activity because I had the opportunity to learn about a different culture,” she said. “We painted lamps, and it was a good time for me.”

Lima, who was active in multiple clubs last term including cooking, dance, and Rotaract, said balancing involvement has become more challenging now that she’s working and managing a heavier academic load. Still, she finds ways to stay engaged.

“The activity schedule here is pretty full. If you can’t attend something one day, you can find another event when you’re free,” she explained.

Her dedication paid off and she wasn’t surprised to see herself among the top earners. “I was always checking,” she admitted with a smile.

Volunteering as a path to connection

Mauricio Calderon said volunteering has been the highlight of his campus experience.

The Master of Data Analytics (MDA) student earns most of his points by staying active on UNFConnect and participating in events, but volunteering is what he enjoys most. His favourite experience so far was helping at Winter Fest.

“There was a group of 20 volunteers. It was a great day to help and be with everyone,” he said. “It helps you meet students from other programs and feel connected with people.”

Calderon believes involvement outside the classroom is essential for students.

“It helps you work on your confidence. You have to get involved if you want to meet new people and socialize,” he said. “It helps you build a community.”

Clubs, competition, and campus life

It was a mix of activities and club participation that helped Luis Villalobos, also in the MDA program, earn his points. He fondly remembers last year’s trip to Canada’s Wonderland.

“It rained, but it was still lots of fun. It was an experience,” he said with a laugh.

This term, he’s focusing on the chess club after previously joining the cooking and Rotaract clubs.

“If I have the opportunity, I will join many clubs,” he said. “But I need to focus on my studies this term, so I’ve limited it to the chess club. I’ve always wanted to play, and learning is contagious.”

Villalobos also admitted that the leaderboard added a bit of friendly rivalry.

“We were competing,” he said. “I wanted to be the top spot, for fun.”

Advice for new students

All three students agree that getting involved early is key.

“For new students, it’s important to join activities, especially in the first few weeks,” Villalobos said. “You get to know your classmates, other students, and the university staff.”

Their experiences show that campus engagement isn’t just about earning points: it’s about building friendships, discovering interests, and creating a sense of belonging.

UNFConnect debuted last fall, providing students with an online platform where they can stay informed about upcoming events and activities, connect with peers, and track their participation through a co-curricular record. Students can log in at UNF’s CampusGroups page.