Our Impact
For 25 years, IGNITE has helped shape what student life looks like outside the classroom. From advocacy victories and financial support to friendships, wellness spaces and unforgettable campus moments, every initiative exists for one purpose: helping students thrive.
25 Years of Showing Up
For 25 years, IGNITE has helped shape what student life looks like outside the classroom. From advocacy victories and financial support to friendships, wellness spaces and unforgettable campus moments, every initiative exists for one purpose: helping students thrive. And that is why this year we chose to do more. More connections. More advocacy. More impact.
Every campaign, event and service has been built around the evolving needs of students, creating opportunities to feel supported, connected and heard throughout their college experience.
Behind that impact are the Board of Directors, Student Advocates and staff who continue to challenge the status quo, break the mold and push for meaningful change. Together, we strive to create a community that empowers students to shape their own experience and leave campus better than when they found it.
Your Student Representatives
Behind everything IGNITE does are student leaders committed to making campus better. This year, our Board of Directors and Student Advocates represented student voices and helped shape a stronger student experience.
2025 – 2026 Board of Directors
From left to right: Mark Tyshkevych, Andrea Joy Deveraturda, Gabriella Inko-Tariah, Alexia Velez, Natalie Vrdoljak, Alexandra Rodgers , and Divyam Grover.
Not pictured: Riya Sarda and Daniel Tarhembe.
2025 – 2026 Student Advocates
From left to right: Selena Ferreira, Emily Edwards.
Investing in Student Success
IGNITE puts students first. This year we helped students stay focused on their education when finances became a barrier through the IGNITE Bursary.
$15,000
awarded through the Black Excellence and Pride scholarship, strengthening a more inclusive campus community.
$500,000
bursary funding distributed since the 2024 – 2025 academic year.
969
students supported through bursaries and scholarships to support students when they needed it most.
1,095
students got free assistance for successful tax filing and financial literacy skills.
Advocacy In Action
From Queen’s Park to campus boardrooms, student advocates Selena and Emily championed affordable education, fair student policies and meaningful representation, making sure students had a voice wherever decisions were being made.
Time is Money
Fighting for paid placements, one student story at a time.
• 894 student stories collected to highlight the realities of unpaid placements.
• 4,764 petition signatures calling for change.
• 3,000 toonies distributed to spark conversations about the value of student work.
OSAP Advocacy
Taking student voices from campus to Queen’s Park in the fight to save OSAP.
• 2 student rallies organized at Queen’s Park.
• Multiple meetings with MPPs, including Tyler Watt and Lee Fairclough, advocate for reversing OSAP cuts.
• 1 letter delivered to Premier Doug Ford.
Bill 33
Ensuring student voices remain part of the conversation.
• Continued advocacy following Bill 33’s allowance.
• Partnered with the College Student Alliance (CSA).
• Met with Humber leadership to protect student interests.
Your Wellbeing Comes First
Student success starts with feeling supported. From spaces to recharge between classes, to services that help students take care of their physical and mental wellbeing, we believe that small moments of care create a bigger impact across campus.
Sleep Lounge
5,155 students recharged.
Sleep Lounge is the perfect quiet place to pause, rest and reset between classes because we believe rest isn’t a luxury. It’s part of student success.
Zen Zone
Students spent 1,625 hours finding their zen.
Students slowed down and prioritized their wellbeing in a space designed for connection and calm.
Health & Dental
50,300 students received coverage.
Access to health and dental care meant one less financial worry outside of the classroom and more peace of mind throughout the year.
Soupbar
7,224 bowls shared.
Every bowl at the Soupbar offered more than a meal to students; it provided comfort and support when students needed it most.
1,163
New friendships formed.
From first-year students to those looking to expand their circle, Speed Friending created meaningful encounters to turn strangers into lasting friends.
1,673
Escape Room adventures.
Our 25th anniversary deserved something we have never done before! IGNITE’s first-ever escape room had students racing to crack clues and created one of the year’s most memorable campus experiences.
7,065
Student voices heard.
Every survey response represented a student choosing to share their experience. Through the IGNITE Contest surveys, more than 7,000 voices helped shape future programming, services and advocacy, because our foundation is built by student voices.
300+
Club events hosted.
Whether students came to campus with a lifelong passion or wanted to try something completely new, clubs gave them a place to connect, create and belong. This year, 74 clubs brought together 140+ club executives across our campuses which turned shared interests into new friendships and stronger communities.
25 Reasons to Celebrate
With over half a million impressions on our @ignitestudentunion handle, we upheld the spirit of breaking the mold with a bang!
Because 25 years of student life deserved more than a birthday cake.
So, IGNITE spent the year giving back to the students who made it all possible. Through a series of Instagram contests, anniversary giveaways and exclusive prizes, we turned our 25th birthday into a community-wide celebration. From the Niagara Falls Cruise and Toronto Tempo tickets to fine dining experiences, Airbnb getaways and other unforgettable prizes, students had the chance to create memories beyond the classroom while celebrating everything that makes student life special.
The campaign generated over 535,000 impressions, reaching students across our campuses and beyond. These contests became a way to bring the community together, celebrate 25 years of IGNITE and thank the students who continue to shape everything we do.
Our Commitment to Financial Transparency
Here’s how your student fees are invested & how our budget was used for the 2025 – 2026 year.
Leadership + Advocacy
Total Expenses: $1,426,600
- Organizational Resources: $847,247
- Advocacy: $407,800
- Governance: $171,553
Wellbeing & Financial Security
Total Expenses: $1,787,800
- Organizational Resources: 678,400
- Financial Relief Programs: $650,000
- Programs & Services: $459,400
Core Operations + Capital
Total Expenses: $1,697,500
- Organizational Resources: $929,954
- Technology & Consulting: $533,746
- Operations: $436,100
- Maintenance & Improvements: $72,500
- Bank, Audit & Legal Fees: $47,300
Student Support + Community
Total Expenses: $2,929,200
- Promotions: $156,000
- Financial + Mental Wellbeing: $855,000
- Social Wellbeing: $600,000
- Administration: $1,318,200
Looking Ahead
25 years is a long time to keep a promise. And we’re just getting started.
This report celebrates the impact we’ve made together, but it’s also a reminder that our work is never finished.
Every year brings new challenges, new ideas and new generations of students with different needs, ambitions and dreams. As they evolve, so will we. We’ll continue creating spaces that support wellbeing, championing affordability, amplifying student voices and building communities where every student feels they belong.
Together, We’re Growing and Getting Better
Our impact was made possible by every student who engaged, advocated, showed up, and believed that campus life could be better. IGNITE exists because you exist. And we’re just getting started. Stay connected. Stay involved. Let’s make this year even better.