A New Way to Make an Impact With USpark

This Giving Day, UCalgary is introducing a new way for recent graduates to take part. 

Through USpark, alumni from the classes of 2021 to 2025 can direct $25 of university funding toward one of six areas that support the student experience, from scholarships and mental health to athletics and experiential learning.

So, rather than making a donation of their own, participants are simply asked to choose where they would like that funding to go. It is a small decision, but one that reflects what matters most to the next generation of alumni and how they want to support the student experience.

“UCalgary Giving Day is all about community coming together to advance the causes that matter most. But we know it can be challenging to donate when you’re just starting your career,” says Concetta Sonnenberg, BA’05, MA’09, director of UCalgary’s Annual and Leadership Giving team. “USpark is a way for new alumni to be part of Giving Day without the financial pressure.”

Having recently been students themselves, new alumni also have a keen sense of what supports make a big difference, making their USpark selection a vote of confidence. 

“It’s a win across the board, especially for students,” says Sonnenberg. “With USpark open to 2,000 participants, that impact adds up to $50,000 for student-forward funds. 

So where can that support make an impact, and how do those choices come together to shape the student experience?

Here are the six ways alumni are helping support students at UCalgary this Giving Day: 

1. Scholarships & Bursaries

Financial support can make the difference between starting or finishing a degree. Scholarships and bursaries help reduce financial barriers, easing the cost of tuition and allowing students to focus on their studies, instead of financial stress.

“It really all started with the Chancellor’s Scholarship,” says athlete, lawyer and educator Wilma Shim, BSc’07, JD’10, who received the President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership and was inducted to the Order of the University of Calgary in 2010. “That (first) scholarship opened doors to allow me to come to Calgary without the financial burden of tuition and books,” says Shim.

At UCalgary, awards are available for students at all stages of their academic journey. They recognize achievement while also supporting those navigating financial challenges.

2. Experiential Learning

For many students, the most meaningful learning which you will experience happens outside the classroom. Opportunities such as internships, research placements and global learning experiences help students build skills and explore career paths before graduation.

“Being in a place where you don’t speak the language forces you to adapt,” says Donald Murataj, BSc’22, who completed a 2019 study abroad program in Beijing and now lives and works in Japan. “It helps you understand the world better and, once you’re there, you don’t want to go back.”

Programs in this area include causes like the Work Integrated Learning and Global Learning Access Fund were established to expand access to study abroad, especially for UCalgary’s diverse student population, many of whom are traditionally under-represented.

3. Emergency Student Needs

Unexpected costs can quickly become barriers, and, for some students, even basic needs like food can become uncertain.

At UCalgary, 32 per cent of students reported experiencing food insecurity in 2024, highlighting a growing challenge on campus.

The Student Food Security Fund helps fund programs through the Campus Food Hub, including subsidized groceries, low-cost meal kits and affordable meals. These programs help ensure students have reliable access to nutritious food so they can focus on their studies.

“Access to quality food is critical for learning,” says Karen Gallagher-Burt, BSW’08, MSW’13, director of Strategy and Engagement with the Distress Centre. “For many years now, we have talked about brain health and how events in our lives can impact the development of a healthy brain from birth to about the age of 25.”

It also supports initiatives like the Students’ Greatest Needs Fund, which allows the university to respond quickly to urgent or emerging student needs.

4. Mental Health & Well-Being

University can be both exciting and overwhelming, and, for many students, access to mental health support is essential to staying on track.

At UCalgary, support in this area helps fund campus-wide initiatives in the Community Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, a university-wide effort focused on building a more supportive and responsive campus culture through purpose-driven policy and meaningful implementation.

“When a new student, faculty or staff member begins at the University of Calgary, they need to know that our campus supports their holistic well-being: mental health, physical health, spiritual well-being and social connection,” says UCalgary President Ed McCauley, in a quote taken from the Community Mental Health and Well Being Strategy.

These initiatives include classroom-based wellness sessions, large-scale programs like UFlourish, and training opportunities that help students, staff and faculty build skills in areas such as mental health awareness and suicide prevention.  

Support also extends to programs like the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC), a peer-led initiative that supports students navigating addiction and recovery. The program, the first of its kind in Canada, helps reduce stigma and create a more inclusive campus environment.

Together, these efforts support not just individual students, but the overall well-being of the campus community.

5. Academic Enrichment

Some of the most impactful parts of the university experience happen beyond lectures, in the spaces where students build community, develop leadership skills and explore new perspectives.

Programs like the First-Generation Scholars Program support students who are the first in their families to attend university by offering mentorship, advising and a sense of community.

The Scholars Academy is a transformative program designed to nurture the potential of exceptional undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, intellectual curiosity and a strong commitment to their communities. 

Spaces like the Writing Symbols Lodge provide academic, personal and cultural support services and programs to prospective and current First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, and offers a welcoming and supportive learning environment for the whole campus community.

Together, these programs help students find belonging, build confidence and make the most of their time at UCalgary.

6. Dinos Athletics

For many students and alumni, Dinos Athletics is a defining part of the university experience. It builds community, school spirit and a sense of belonging on campus.

Support for the Dinos Athletics Endowment Fund helps fund scholarships, training and program resources for student-athletes. This allows them to balance the demands of academic and athletic performance. 

UCalgary’s Dinos Women Student-Athlete Award fund, aims to address the funding gap facing Dinos women, who receive 40 per cent of athletics financial awards, by increasing their share to 45 per cent by the end of the 2025-26 season.

Each year, UCalgary distributes more than $1 million in awards to varsity student-athletes, supporting excellence in both sport and the classroom.