OVPS student leadership awards announced

Student Housing leaders acknowledged among Ryerson’s top student leaders

Toronto, ON, March 18, 2011: The office of Vice Provost Students (OVPS) announced their leadership award winners today acknowledging top student leaders across campus in departments contained within the OVPS. The work of Student Housing Services (SHS) student leaders was well acknowledged with 4 leaders receiving top awards at the reception.

Marion Creery Student Leadership Award

This award is named in honour of Marion Creery who from 1988 to 2008 served as the Director of Student Services. It is presented annually to two Ryerson students whose leadership demonstrates passion, creativity, and perseverance in making Ryerson a better place for students to learn and realize their potential.

Maya Mboup was awarded this honour. Maya is deeply committed to helping students develop their academic potential in her work as an Academic Link. In addition, in her work as a Community Leader, Maya has acted as a mentor and facilitator to other leaders in residence. Maya was crowned Miss AfriCanada this year, lead her TRSM debate team to a top finish in a national competition, served on the executive of AEISIC Ryerson, and manages Initiatives A+- a non-profit youth mentoring program she began in her first year at Ryerson. Maya’s extensive leadership has impacted communities within residence, at Ryerson, across Canada, and globally.

Community Development Award

The Community Development Award recognizes student leaders that have helped to build a sense of community through their caring attitude, outstanding interpersonal skills and their ability to connect people to each other and to their community.

Sarah Stockdale was an award winner in this category. Sarah has acted as the Graduate Advisor- Leadership in SHS while completing her Masters in Professional Communication. Sarah has contributed to the residence community by managing the residence hero program, helping to advise the residence council, and introducing a brand new Student Leadership Program (SLP) to residence. The SLP has created numerous ways for first year students to get involved, develop their leadership skills, and create community within residence.

Student Leadership Award

This award recognizes and celebrates the contribution that Ryerson student leaders have made outside the classroom. Recipients of this award will have shown a high level of commitment, lead by example, shown initiative and made a strong contribution to their community.

Lauren Akbar and Kyra Whale were award recipients in this category. Lauren has acted as Residence Advisor and Community Leader within the residence community. Her strong advising skills, passion for people, and commitment to helping any student she comes into contact with in any way she can made her very deserving of this award. As a community leader in Pitman Hall Lauren has mentored and facilitated several residence student leaders and was recently selected in her program of Child and Youth studies to represent Ryerson during an experiential service learning project examining Aboriginal youth issues in April.

Kyra Whale has served for all of her years at Ryerson as a leader on the Ryerson Residence Council. As a floor representative, floor president, Vice-President Events and this year as President, Kyra has lead the council in planning events and building community within residence. Kyra has greatly influenced the development of the council and its’ members and also has a passion for planning events that benefit communities beyond Ryerson including Free the Children.