Sheridan’s Co‑op on the EDGE (COTE) program continues to connect students with meaningful opportunities within Sheridan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by placing them directly alongside founders and startup teams. Manpriya, a student in Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Computer Science (Cloud Computing) Architectural Technology program, worked closely with entrepreneur Leequette Santiago‑Hinds, founder of Santiago Studios. Together, they tackled real projects that supported the growth of Leequette’s venture. Over the course of 200 hours of mentorship, Manpriya created a polished brochure and a detailed leads list that Leequette described as “wonderful,” noting that the collaboration helped move her business forward while also highlighting the value of mentorship and student talent in the entrepreneurial community.
For Manpriya, COTE offered the chance to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges. She shared that open communication was the most important concept she applied from the program’s learning modules. Working directly with an entrepreneur taught her how essential it is to understand expectations, communicate clearly, and build trust through open dialogue. As she grew more comfortable in the role, she gained confidence in sharing her ideas, expressing her thoughts, and exploring new approaches with creative freedom.
COTE’s events also played a meaningful role in her development. Manpriya emphasized the importance of networking and conversation, explaining that each event helped her deepen her understanding of entrepreneurial thinking. The InnocaS.E session became one of the most impactful learning moments in her COTE experience. It offered practical insight into industry expectations, the do’s and don’ts of early stage ventures, and highlighted the importance of developing unique business ideas while understanding how to protect original concepts in a competitive landscape. These experiences helped her see how entrepreneurial skills translate into real-world decision‑making. apply her technical and creative skills to a project with real community impact, while also learning how to communicate effectively with different audiences. “By constantly adapting how I presented information, my communication skills grew significantly,” she explains.
The skills I developed through COTE are ones I don’t think I have learned anywhere else.
Reflecting on her experience, Manpriya describes her time in COTE as a defining step in her learning journey. She gained meaningful exposure to business processes, marketing fundamentals, and the varied requirements of each project she supported. She says, “The skills I developed through COTE are ones I don’t think I have learned anywhere else,” emphasizing how the program builds on her coursework by offering a fresh, hands-on level of learning that feels both new and uniquely valuable. Her story shows how COTE builds confidence, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial mindset, qualities that prepare students to contribute effectively to the future of work.
By connecting students with founders and offering programming that encourages curiosity, initiative, and strategic thinking, Co‑op on the EDGE continues to strengthen Sheridan’s commitment to innovative learning. Students gain real experience, employers benefit from fresh perspectives, and together they help shape the next generation of entrepreneurial talent.
Interested in learning more about how to get involved as an entrepreneur or student in the Co-op on the EDGE program? Write to edge.students@sheridancollege.ca. Explore more about Co-op on the EDGE or read another student success story.