Student Recognition | Student Affairs

Every year, Queen’s Student Affairs celebrates extraordinary contributions made by student leaders at Queen’s to support their peers, and local community members and initiatives.

The Student Leadership Awards honour student recipients – individuals or groups – of the Peer Leadership Award, the Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism (I-EDIAA) Impact Award, and the Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award. Nominations are submitted by students, faculty, community members, and staff.

Nominations for the 2025-26 Student Leadership Awards will open in January 2026; deadline TBD February 2026.

To nominate a Queen's student or group of students, fill out the online nomination form (located under each award heading) and submit.
Looking for tips? Check out our guide to writing a strong nomination!
Recipients will be chosen by a selection committee. Nominators with successful nominations will be notified by email.

If you have any questions about the awards or the nomination process, please email studentaffairs@queensu.ca.

Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism Impact Award

The Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-Racism (I–EDIAA) Impact Award will be presented annually to Queen’s students, individuals and groups, who have shown their commitment to the principles of Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism. Up to two awards will be granted annually to students (individuals or groups) who have contributed to making Queen’s a more inclusive campus. The recipients will demonstrate contributions to furthering an understanding of the interplay and intersections among different identities on campus and their work will show that diversity strengthens the Queen’s community.

2024–25 Recipients

Cameron Hare

Cameron is completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. He is being recognized for leadership roles at the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre and as an Equity Ambassador with Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment; for sharing his research experiences through STEM Indigenous Academics (STEMInA); and for his community-engaged research developing health promotion strategies rooted in Indigenous cultural values and knowledge.

Anosha Waqar

Anosha, a Bachelor of Health Studies student, is serving as co-President of her departmental student council, and on the School’s Academic Council and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity Committee, advocating for change and initiatives that promote inclusivity and student wellbeing. She is a member of the Queen’s Muslim Students Association has worked with Student Wellness Services as a Peer Wellness Navigator and as a Peer Health Educator, supporting food insecurity programs.

Open to both undergraduate and graduate students
Recognition is for demonstrated involvement in, and commitment to, social justice causes that impact the Queen’s community on a broad or small scale
Nominees can be associated with any Queen’s program, department, club, organization, or student-led initiative, or a community partner/organization
Self-nominations are not accepted

A strong nomination will:

give specific evidence of your nominee’s impact on the Queen’s community
show concrete examples of their commitment to the principles of I-EDIAA in academics, extra-curriculars, and/or personal development 
note how long they were in any relevant role(s) (as applicable) 
include letters of support for the nomination (see below)

Congratulations 2023-24 recipients - Shania Sheth and Meena Waseem!

Congratulations 2022-23 recipients - Layla Haddad and Clarissa de Leon!

Head shot of Layla smiling after receiving the award.

Head shot of Clarissa in a yellow shirt smiling.

Congratulations 2021-22 recipients - Victoria Yu (BScH’22, BEd'23) and Caroline Kim (BASc'22)!

Left: Victoria Yu

Right: Caroline Kim

2020-21 recipients: Biology Graduate Students and Ishita Aggarwal (MD'23)

1st photo Biology Graduate Students: L-R: Monica Garvie (PhD'23), Harshavardhan Thyagarajan (PhD’23), Kristen Hayward (MSc’21), Hana Thompson (MSc’22), Samantha Gene (PhD’23), Riley Gridzak (PhD'24), Regan Cross (PhD'23), Nell Libera (PhD'22)

2nd photo Ishita Aggarwal

2019-20 Recipients: Miriam John (ArtSci’21) and The Queen’s American Sign Language Club

2018-19 Recipients: Rebecca Gordon (Ed’19) and The Executive of the African and Caribbean Students’ Association (ACSA)

2017-18 Recipients: Aniqa Mazumder (Artsci'18) and Xin Sun (Artsci’18)

I-EDIAA Impact Award Nomination Form

Tips for Nominators

Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award

Named in honour of Brian Yealland, the Chaplain at Queen’s University for 32 years, the Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award will be presented annually to Queen’s students, individuals or groups, who make a significant contribution to society by working with and encouraging youth who are experiencing social, behavioral, economic or other challenges by helping them realize their worth as individuals and their potential to achieve.

2024–25 Recipients

Vikas HK

Vikas is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree with a Major in Global Development Studies and a Minor in Biology. Through the Neighbourhood Climate Action Champions program with the City of Kingston, Vikas has worked with local youth to create climate strategies, and helped empower them to implement these strategies, shaping the next generation of environmental leaders. As Environmental Sustainability Internal Manager with the AMS, Vikas worked with local youth and student peers on education initiatives in support of sustainable practices. He is a founding member of Queen’s Cricket Club, and a mentor with the Karta Initiative, providing guidance to high school students in rural India, helping them navigate their path to post-secondary education.

Steven Murphy

Steven, a Life Sciences student, has held several roles in the Autism Partnership student group. He managed and expanded the Homework Helper program, which offers personalized academic support to local youth with autism. He also revitalized Puppy Pals events, which give youth with autism an opportunity to interact with service dogs-in-training with Kingston 4 Paws. Steven also volunteers as a Crisis Responder for Kids Help Phone, and works with Kids4Kids, brightening the days of local children in hospital, with care packages, videos and activities. Steven is also a longtime math and reading tutor, working with young children through to high schoolers.

Open to both undergraduate and graduate students
Recognition is for demonstrated leadership and initiative in a volunteer capacity
Must be associated with a campus or local community-based organization working with youth
- A letter of support from the organization is highly encouraged
Student must be in good standing with the University
Self nominations are not accepted

A strong nomination will:

demonstrate the broad impact made by your nominee through working with youth in the local community  
detail contributions they have made that go above and beyond what would normally be expected 
note how long they were in any relevant role(s) (as applicable) 
include at least one letter of support for the nomination (see below)

Congratulations 2023-24 recipients - Mehak Chohan and Connor Hamlyn!

Congratulations 2022-23 recipients - Israa Abou El Nour and Jane Mao!

Congratulations 2021-22 recipients - Bags of Promise!

Executive: Celina Lovisotto (ArtSci’24), Megan Stellato (ArtSci’23), Makena Sceeles (ArtSci’24), Bridgett Chau (ArtSci’24)
Service Pillar: Kate Dickie (Comm’24), Patricia Roussel (ArtSci’24), Kyran Sachdeva (ArtSci’25), Lauren Pattison (ArtSci’24)
Advocacy Pillar: Erin Mlynaryk (ArtSci’24)
Education Pillar: Zaynab Karimjee (ArtSci’24), Mehak Khangura (ArtSci’25)
Branding/Marketing and Finance: Isabelle Ettinger (Comm’25), Sophie Omoumi (Comm’24)

2020-21 recipient: Claire Michelle Wright (BScH'21)

Claire Michelle Wright

2019-20 recipients: Christie Gray (Comm’21) and Shakira Brathwaite (MD’21)

L - R: Pedram Akbari (Shakira's nominator), Brian Yealland and Christie Gray

2018-19 recipients: Lindey Felske (MA’20) and Adrienne Fanjoy (JD’20)

2017-18 recipients: Emilio Frometa (Artsci’17, MIR’18) and Kennedy Everitt (Artsci'18)

L-R: Emilio Frometa, Brian Yealland and Kennedy Everitt

2016-17 Recipients

1st photo L-R: Brian Yealland, Gabriel Jayakaran, Dr. Johanne Bénard, Associate Dean (Studies) in Student Services (FAS) and Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic)

2nd photo L-R: Alex Chase, Brian Yealland, Chintan Dave and Dr. Tony Sanfilippo, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medicine Program

2015-16 Recipients

From L-R: Brian Yealland, Brittany McBeath, Lydia Warren, Ann Tierney (Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs)

2014-15 Recipients

2014-15 recipients Katie Ahlin and Katie Deakon at the presentation ceremony

2013-14 Recipients

Tian Lu, a 2014 recipient of the Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award holds her plaque.

Tian Lu at the presentation ceremony. Co-recipient Amanda Tracey was unable to attend.

Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award Nomination Form

Tips for Nominators

Peer Leadership Award

The Peer Leadership Award will be presented annually to Queen’s students, individuals or groups, who through their commitment, skill, dedication, and interest in helping others have exemplified excellence in peer-to-peer assistance and outreach.

2024–25 Recipients

Bhavya Bogra

Bhavya is pursuing a PhD in the Department of Geography and Planning. In 2021, she became Head of Peer Support for the Association of Indian Graduate Students, and has served as the associations’ president for the past 3 years. As a student staff member at the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC), she guides and advises students in-person, and through webinars and she serves as a Graduate Inclusivity Fellow with the School of Graduate Studies and Post-Doctoral Affairs. Bhavya contributes to the Gradifying blog, sharing advice and insights based on her experiences as an international student and woman in STEM. She also mentors others through the Women in Science and Engineering program.

Ramtin Mojtahedi

Ramtin, a PhD student in the School of Computing, is being recognized for multiple peer mentoring roles. He has mentored students through the ASUS mentorship program, and as a Faculty of Arts and Science graduate mentor, he connects with undergrads who are interested in learning about graduate studies in the Faculty. He also mentors graduate students in the School of Computing, and organizes mentorships between senior and first-year PhD candidates. Ramtin volunteers with the AMS Food Bank, as well as in the local community, promoting university STEM programs and careers to high school students.

Open to both undergraduate and graduate students
Recognition is for demonstrated leadership in peer assistance and outreach
Must be employed/associated with a Queen’s University program or service
Nominee must be in good standing with the University to be considered for this award
Self-nominations are not accepted

A strong nomination will:

Demonstrate the broad impact made by your nominee on their peers 
Detail contributions they have made that go above and beyond what would normally be expected 
Note how long they were in any relevant role(s) (as applicable) 
Include letters of support for the nomination (see below)

Congratulations 2023-24 recipients - Nashmia Anwar, Miles Brackenbury, and Pungavi Linghan

Congratulations 2022-23 recipients - Jacob DesRochers (Education) and Queen's Local WUSC Committee: Aidan Sander (FHS), Alaa Khalaf (FHS), Ayden Harrison (FAS), Nazanin Soghrati (FHS), Princess Talabi (FHS)!

Congratulations 2021-22 recipients - Landon Montag (BScH’20, MSc’22) and Erin Lee (PhD’24)!

Left: Landon Montag

Right: Erin Lee

2020-21 recipients: Miriam John (BAH'22, Biology) and Rohit Shukla (PhD'22, Civil Engineering)

1st photo: Miriam John (right) with Nominator Mariam Atnasious (left)

2nd photo: Rohit Shukla

2019-20 recipients: Brielle Thorsen (Sc’20) and Step Above Stigma

L - R: Provost and VP (Academic) Mark Green, Melanie Howard (nominator), Brielle and Dean of the Stephen J.R. Smith Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Kevin Deluzio

2018-19 recipients: Meghann Grenier (Sc’19) and Taylor Bluhm (NSc’19)

2017-18 Recipients: Atul Jaiswal (PhD candidate, RHBS), Jennifer Williams (Artsci’16, MSc'18) and Sexual Violence Bystander Intervention Trainers

1st photo: Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs, Ann Tierney and Atil Jaiswal

2nd photo: Ann Tierney and Jenny Williams

3rd: Sexual Violence Bystander Intervention Trainers with Assistant Dean, Student Life and Learning, Corinna Fitzgerald and VP and Dean of Student Affairs, Ann Tierney

2016-17 Recipients: Anna Geladi (MPL ’18) and Joyce Leung (B.Ed. ’18)

1st photo L-R: Ann Geladi, Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic)

2nd photo L-R: Dr. Johanne Bénard, Associate Dean (Studies) in Student Services (FAS), Joyce Leung and Dr. Rebecca Luce-Kapler, Dean of the Faculty of Education

2015-16 Recipients