A model student leader and a fierce advocate for the needs of her students, Stephanie Ye-Mowe had an outsized impact on the University of Waterloo community as WUSA President with a seat on both the Senate and Board of Governors.
Remembered for their steadfast dedication to others, Stephanie worked on a number of different initiatives including helping to develop the University’s Digital Learning Strategy, helping to guide the Teaching Innovation Incubator and assisting the rollout of IMPACT, a program that sees mental health workers and police team up to provide mental health care to students in crisis, to Waterloo’s main campus.
Through WUSA, Stephanie also held leadership roles in both the provincial and national organizations advocating for students.
Stephanie loved people and was proud of it. She is remembered by her friends as someone who cared deeply for her community and as someone who was extremely trusted, reliable, and enthusiastic about making life better for people.
“Stephanie was a beacon of passion and empathy at Waterloo, dedicating herself tirelessly to improving the lives of her fellow students. Their leadership and commitment were exemplified in her advocacy on crucial issues such as housing, food security, and accessibility. She championed these causes with unwavering determination, leaving an unforgettable mark on our university,” said Dylan Ellingson, President of the University of Waterloo Engineering Society.
“Stephanie was the model student leader and was someone that we really looked up to. Throughout her time as an executive, many of us had the pleasure of meeting her and we all benefited immensely from her mentorship and advice,” said MathSoc President Damian Mustatea.
"Stephanie served the Board and Senate with dedication. Their commitment to serving their fellow students was always so clear," said Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University. “It was clear that her top priority during her time at Waterloo was to make the student experience better for everyone. We all owe Stephanie a debt of gratitude for what she accomplished here."
We would like to remember Stephanie for sharing her light, for all of the hard work she put into helping students, and for always being the voice that had students’ best interests in mind. Her impact touched every single one of us and she will truly be missed.
A memorial fund* has been created to honour Stephanie and we invite you to donate.
*Memorial donations, contributed in memory of Stephanie Ye-Mowe, will be held until such time the family working with the University can determine the best way to honour Stephanie based on the total contributions received.