Eleven 91亚色 students were recently honoured with the Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award, which recognizes students whose leadership has contributed to the growth, development and vitality of the University.
鈥淲e are impressed with the calibre of student leaders we have and the many ways they make contributions to the 91亚色 community throughout their years with us,鈥 says Yvette Munro, assistant vice-provost, student success. 鈥淲hether their leadership role supports students across the University, in their Faculty or with a community of students with whom they share common interests or backgrounds, their contributions make 91亚色 a better place.鈥
Now in its 13th year, the award was created in honour of Robert J. Tiffin, who served as 91亚色鈥檚 vice-president, students, for nine years. University community members nominate individuals who demonstrate leadership and make valuable contributions to 91亚色.
鈥淩ecipients of this award have played a vital role in shaping the student experience at 91亚色,鈥 says Tiffin. 鈥淭heir active engagement in 91亚色 and the broader community has refined their critical skills and empowered their fellow students to create more engagement opportunities for future students.鈥
The winners were celebrated on April 2 at 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus.
This year's Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award winners:
Amina Fadzha Abam, bachelor of science in global health
Abam has made significant contributions to 91亚色鈥檚 Calumet and Stong Colleges as an agents of change coordinator and president of Calumet College Council. She has advocated for prayer and meditation spaces in the Colleges, spearheaded the monthly free meals program to 91亚色 students and clients at the Cornerstone homeless shelter, and organized a clothing donation drive for an Indigenous community in northern Quebec. She is also the executive vice-president of the Global Health Student Association.
Abdulrahman Al-Humiqani, bachelor of science in kinesiology and health science
Al-Humiqani鈥檚 focus on supporting his fellow students and peers has resulted in numerous achievements. As co-president of the Kinesiology & Health Science Students Organization, he helped support over 4,000 KINE students through tutoring, mentorship and networking events. He co-founded and launched THRIVE, a newcomers' empowerment initiative enhancing well-being for students. He is also the co-president of the Friends of MSF (Doctors Without Borders) chapter at 91亚色 and a peer tutoring coordinator with the Faculty of Health.
James Ehiagwina, bachelor of science (honours) in nursing
Creating inclusive, empowering spaces for Black nursing students at 91亚色 has been at the forefront of Ehiagwina鈥檚 advocacy and mentorship efforts since his first year. As president of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance at 91亚色, he has led a team supporting Black nursing students through mentorship programs, partnerships, events and workshops. He was also a student senator in the Faculty of Health, a cohort representative for 91亚色鈥檚 Nursing Student Association and a student success peer mentor lead for Black Excellence at 91亚色 and the Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students.
Claire Regina Kurniawan, bachelor of science (honours) in psychology
Stemming from a desire for connection and community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurniawan has demonstrated leadership through her involvement with 91亚色鈥檚 Undergraduate Psychology Student Association (UPSA) and the MAR psychology lab. She has acted as a peer mentor coordinator and co-president with UPSA, supporting first-year student engagement and directing initiatives including a podcast and alumni spotlight.
Narmada Murugarajan, bachelor of human resources management (honours)
Murugarajan鈥檚 passion for leadership, school spirit and empowering her peers began at 91亚色. Inspired by her orientation leaders, she became an orientation captain to help students鈥 successful transition to university life, leading a team of 14 fellow leaders. From there, she went on to become the vice-president of events for the Human Resources Students Association, planning and hosting several events, bringing together students and professors. She is also a student senator and president鈥檚 ambassador at 91亚色.
Arjun Punia, bachelor of arts (honours) in criminology
Punia believes in the power of resilience and authenticity to embrace leadership. As house don for Calumet Residence, they led a community of 230-plus residents by fostering inclusivity, providing mentorship and organizing leadership-building events. As a student engagement assistant for the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), they created the LA&PS Student Resource Guide for 12,000 students, coordinated large-scale events and mentored more than 80 student volunteers. They also acted as the managing executive for NATSAID, providing peer tutoring for natural science courses. 聽
Umael Qudrat, bachelor of science (honours) in neuroscience
Qudrat鈥檚 has demonstrated a passion for fostering academic excellence, mentorship and community engagement. As a neuroscience courses workshop coordinator, he enhanced learning and engagement for over 50 students. He helped improve student performance through personalized guidance and structured learning sessions as a Bethune College peer tutor. As a science outreach leader, he delivered neuroscience presentations and interactive activities to over 200 high school students, expanding 91亚色鈥檚 outreach to multiple schools.
Maria Fernanda Aispuro Ramirez, bachelor of commerce in finance
Throughout her time at 91亚色, Ramirez has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting students at New College through multiple volunteer roles. She was a frosh leader at New College for three consecutive years, acted as a first-year representative, planned social events for more than 5,000 students as the vice-president, social and helped develop the College鈥檚 first bursary for community-focused students as president.
Nebiyou Timotewos, bachelor of arts in global political studies
Timotewos鈥 dedication to leadership, advocacy and community services has positively impacted the 91亚色 community and beyond. Through his initiatives with Communities Care, Brothers4Brothers and The Kindness Loop, he has created safe spaces for youth, providing mentorship, mental health support and opportunities for personal growth. At 91亚色, he has acted as the vice-president of the Criminology Society, a leadership and equity education ambassador with Student Community & Leadership Development, a president鈥檚 ambassador, a frosh leader and more.
Catherine Tsasis, bachelor of science (honours) in global health
Tsasis has progressively demonstrated her leadership at 91亚色. As a peer mentor coordinator for 91亚色鈥檚 Global Health Student Association, she led the peer mentor team in supporting the success of more than 50 incoming global health students. As the co-editor-in-chief for the Boston Congress of Public Health Review, she created opportunities in academic publishing on global and public health issues for 91亚色 students. She is also part of the Student Health Ambassador at 91亚色 program, supporting orientations, tours, fairs and Q-and-A sessions for potential students.
Amina Yaqoob, bachelor of science in global health
From mentorship and tutoring to advocacy and storytelling, Yaqoob has been an actively engaged student leader at 91亚色. She was a founding member of the Calumet College Student Council volunteer crew, helping new and continuing students build connections. She supported seventeen first-year students as a peer mentor for the Global Health Student Association and was the editor-in-chief for the Muslim Student Association, overseeing production of a biweekly newsletter and student magazine.
For more information about the award and how to nominate a student, visit the .