Videos

President Shepard regularly connects with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners via video. Below are selected videos from his Campus Conversations and Behind the Research series.

Campus Conversations

Scholarship Recipients

Students Marianna Speranza, Eric Sainnawap, Cosette Holliday, and Danny Tellez-Jimenez reflect on how receiving their scholarships shaped their journeys at Western. They share how these awards opened doors to grow their skills, participate in new experiences and build meaningful connections across campus. As they look ahead to life after graduation, they discuss their goals and their commitment to giving back. (February, 2026)

Student Leaders

Salaamat Toure, Wajd Amin Abuzaid, Farah Kamar, and Saad Ahmad discuss their leadership journeys at Western. From overcoming imposter syndrome and navigating culture shock to building community and planning for life after graduation, they share how leadership helped them find their voice, build confidence, and learn to collaborate with others. (December, 2025)

Experiential Learning

Western students Safaa Ali, Kobby Paintsil, and Dhri Dhar sit down with President Alan Shepard to share how experiential learning – from international experiences to research and internships – has shaped their growth, confidence, and career paths. Safaa participated in research and field schools, Kobby studied abroad and Dhri interned at Voices.com. (August, 2025)

Student-Athletes

Western student-athletes Jackson Findlay (Football), Favour Okpali (Track and Field), and Pyper Sennecke (Ultimate Frisbee) share their experiences and insights about balancing varsity athletics with their academic programs, staying well mentally and physically, and their plans for the future. (May, 2025)

Sustainability Champions

Western students Mikoohns Peters, Ethan Milroy, and Allison Pert sat down with President Alan Shepard to share how they got involved in sustainability on campus and beyond. (April, 2025)

Student Entrepreneurs

student entrepreneurs with Alan Shepard

Western President Alan Shepard speaks with students about the opportunities at Western to explore and develop entrepreneurship skills. Students: Karlie McCullough, Miles Leslie, Ryan Castellarin, Margaret Gleed, and Jade Shi. (December, 2024)

Music Students

Music students Madeline Berman, Matthew Bermudez, Nicholas Gryniewski, and Ocean Yin share their student experience at Western and what the future holds for opera. (May, 2024). Additional videos from this conversation.

Minh Nguyen, Summer Research Intern

Meet Minh Nguyen, a computer science student who joined President Shepard at the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory to discuss his summer research with the Northern Tornadoes Project. This Western research team collaborates with Environment Canada to better understand severe weather events. (August, 2024)

Behind the Research

Strengthening Climate Resilience

Western researchers are helping communities around the world respond to climate change by understanding its impact on extreme weather. Through world-class facilities, international partnerships, and advanced simulation and field research, this work is leading to safer homes, climate resilient cities, and coastlines that are protected against tsunamis. (November, 2025)

Tracking Migratory Birds

Researchers Chris Guglielmo and Beth MacDougall-Shackleton from Western's Centre for Animals on the Move are using cutting-edge technology to track the habits of migratory birds. Their work provides real-time data on weather patterns, ecosystem health, and biodiversity loss—revealing critical insights into climate change. (May, 2025)