Emerging Leaders 2018

On Wednesday, March 28, the university hosted the annual Emerging Leaders Award event. The Emerging Leader Award recognizes the contributions that students make to their community and the university. Twenty-four undergraduate students and 19 graduate students received the honour. These students all demonstrate outstanding leadership and a commitment to their communities.

Three of the recipients were selected to speak at the event. Amanda Fredlund, fourth year Arts student, is getting her BA in native studies and anthropology. Amanda spoke about how her background has shaped who she has become, and how she hopes to bring positivity to the world. She said, “as an Indigenous Woman, I know it is my responsibility to do whatever I can to help make change happen, to be a support for others who need it. I can offer a helping hand, I can try my best to be a good role model, but above all I work hard every day to honour the sacrifices and hard work of my ancestors.” 

Adam Nepon is a fourth year MBA student in the Asper School of Business. Adam spoke about his leadership philosophy. “Leaders are individuals who are not focused on what’s in it for them but what’s in it for the group,” said Nepon. “There’s a mental shift going from a ‘me’ leader to a ‘we’ leader. I’ve come to understand that leadership is about collaboration and forging a communal effort. Great leadership creates an environment where every team member feels their opinions and ideas are valued, and are given their own opportunities to lead.”

Ryan Churchill, fourth year student from the Faculty of Science and president of the Science Students’ Association, spoke about his desire to initiate positive change for his peers. He said, “Last year I was told that running for the position of president was the worst decision because I was never going to accomplish anything that I wanted to change. I can now say that running for president has been one of the best decisions of my life and the support I have received from the Faculty of Science has been incredible.”

Ryan also spoke about his gratitude for the Emerging Leaders Award. To the group of forty-three other recipients, he said, “I think I can speak on behalf of all of the students who are receipts of the Emerging Leader Award by saying that none of us applied for this award to gain recognition, but rather validation that our leadership involvement has made a noticeable difference. I am so grateful for Student Life for putting together such an amazing event that celebrates student leadership. Simply being noticed for making a positive impact means the world to us as student leaders.”

For more information on the Emerging Leader Award, click here.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RECIPIENTS

Indigo Adam-Grant, 4^th year, I. H. Asper School of Business         

Hannah Chan, 4^th year, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Ryan Churchill, 4^th year, Faculty of Science

Andrew Fenwick, 5^th year, Faculty of Arts

Kristin Flattery, 5^th year, Faculty of Education

Amanda Fredlund, 4^th year, Faculty of Arts

Morgan Hanson-Oliveira, 3^rd year, Faculty of Arts

Aser Hailu, 4^th year, I. H. Asper School of Business

Darius Hunter, 4^th year, Faculty of Arts

Nina Lam, 2^nd year, Faculty of Arts

Joseph McKellep, 2^nd year, Faculty of Arts

Aaron Menon, 5^th year, I. H. Asper School of Business

Julia Minarik, 4^th year, Faculty of Arts

Taylor Nimchonok, 4^th year, Faculty of Science

Sochimaobi Nweze, 3^rd year, College of Nursing

Kristen Pot, 4^th year, College of Nursing

Alysa Raposo, 5^th year, Faculty of Arts

Kailee Rutherford, 4^th year, Faculty of Science

Zaenab Saeed, 5^th year, Faculty of Arts

Karan Saxena, 3^rd year, Faculty of Arts

Morgan Taverner, 4^th year, Faculty of Science

Victoria Truong, 5^th year, Faculty of Law

Langshi Wang, 5^th year, I. H. Asper School of Business

Celyna Yu, 3^rd year, I. H. Asper School of Business

GRADUATE STUDENT RECIPIENTS

Naomi Armah, 3^rd year Master’s, College of Nursing

Krystyl Bergen, 3^rd year Master’s, Faculty of Graduate Studies   

Rajib Biswal, 2^nd year PhD, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources

Jaden Brandt, 5^th year Master’s, College of Pharmacy     

Luis A. Castro, 1^st year Master’s, College of Rehabilitation Sciences          

Elise Couillard, 3^rd year Master’s, Faculty of Science         

Nour Eissa, 3^rd year PhD, Max Rady College of Medicine               

Chimezie Eleme, 2^nd year Master’s, I. H. Asper School of Business             

Mohammed El-Gendy, 5^th year PhD, Faculty of Engineering        

Ley Fraser, 2^nd year Master’s, Faculty of Arts      

Colin Graydon, 4^th year PhD, Faculty of Graduate Studies             

Ashley Hayward, 1^st year Master’s, Faculty of Graduate Studies

Danielle Lee, 5^th year PhD, College of Pharmacy

Karmen McDivitt, 2^nd year PhD, Faculty of Graduate Studies       

Hewa Madihe Annakkage Ruchira Nandasiri, 2^nd year PhD, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences       

Adam Nepon, 4^th year Master’s, I. H. Asper School of Business  

Obiajulu Nnaemeka, 2^nd year Master’s, Faculty of Engineering   

Kyla Smith, 2^nd year Master’s, Faculty of Science               

Amanda Woods, 5^th year PhD, Max Rady College of Medicine

UM Today Staff