Ainsley Plitt

Bachelors of Commerce, 5th year

MARK 455, Fall 2025 with Dr. Webb Dussome

Who was your community partner, and can you describe the project objectives?

Zero Waste Project. The objectives were to reduce organic waste contamination in the landfill bin, increase the university’s waste diversion rate, and we wanted to reach these outcomes by educating the student body on proper organics bin usage.

What was the biggest takeaway from your CSL placement?

The biggest takeaway from my CSL placement was learning how to engage meaningfully with a community partner to support a shared goal. Collaborating with my group and our partner taught me how to navigate real-world challenges, align messaging with an organization’s mission, and adapt our campaign to meet the needs of both the partner and the student audience. By designing engaging signage and leveraging digital platforms like EClass and social media, I saw how small nudges, when strategically delivered, can lead to meaningful change in sustainability practices across a large campus community.

How can you apply any newly gained knowledge/skills to your future endeavours (courses/employment/volunteering)? 

This experience helped me strengthen my communication, collaboration, and campaign development skills, all of which are directly applicable to my future in the HR industry. Whether it’s crafting employee engagement strategies, supporting change management, or promoting workplace initiatives, I now feel more equipped to influence behaviour and communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Working with a community partner also taught me how to balance organizational goals with stakeholder needs which is also an essential skill in any HR role.

Why should students consider being involved with CSL, and how does it enhance their academic learning?

Students should consider being involved with CSL because it brings classroom concepts to life in a meaningful, real-world context. Through my CSL experience, I was able to apply what I was learning in lectures, like communication theory and behaviour change strategieo, to an actual project that made a difference on campus. It challenged me to think critically, work collaboratively, and adapt to real-world variables that don’t always exist in textbooks. CSL deepens academic learning by adding purpose, connection, and impact to what you're studying.