Student Engagement Awards

Awarded to a graduating student who has been an exceptional leader, one who has made a consistent and valuable contribution to the community at Glendon. In celebration of building community, consideration will be given to the level of equity, integrity and caring that was demonstrated in the recipient’s leadership and to the positive impact this has made.

THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENT IS:

Brianna Carrasco 

 

 

Brianna Carrasco is completing her 4^th year in the Psychology program. Brianna is a very inclusive, organized and out going leader of the Pro Tem team! She motivates everyone to do their best and make sure everyone is shown appreciation for what they do! She’s constantly encouraging student engagement for Pro Tem and speaking with alumni and organizing events/ fun activities for students. Brianna also finds time to volunteer at the Glendon Women’s and Trans Centre and started a book club for young adults to have a social outlet. Best of luck with your future endeavours Brianna!  

 

 

 

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Raheela Popat

Raheela is in her 4^th year, studying Political Science. She served this past year as the Council Director for the GCSU. From the very start of the GCSU term, Raheela made it known that she wanted to revitalize campus life. Regardless of the initiatives, she would always be the first person on campus, going up to random students and asking them to come out. Her persistence and desire to garner participation has positively impacted campus life. Throughout her time on council, Raheela has always advocated for the acceptance and participation in clubs at Glendon. During Frosh week, she actively participated in club’s fair, and engaged with our new students. Raheela is graduating this year. 

Awarded in recognition of the contributions made by a Glendon student who has recently become involved in student activities and demonstrates commitment and leadership potential.

This year’s recipient is

Cyrielle Ngeleka

Cyrielle is finishing her 2^nd year at Glendon in International Studies. She also works at Financial Services as a work-study student. Cyrielle is dedicated to improving campus life at Glendon through her various engagements as a Peer Mentor, GME (Glendon Musical Ensemble) club member, Top Scholar Mentor, Student Researcher and Vice-President of Campaigns and Advocacy, among other involvements.

The Margaret Wallace Leadership Award has been created to benefit an outstanding student leader, with preference given to a student active in the Glendon sport community. This award was created in memory of Margaret Wallace, Director of the Glendon Athletic Club, who passed away in 2012.

This year’s recipients are

Hiru Balasuriya 

 

Hiru is a 4^th year biology student. Hiru has heavily contributed to promote athletics at Glendon. Through his role as Vice-President of Athletics for the Glendon College Student Union, he has reignited sports at our campus. Hiru has planned intramurals that allow and encourage Glendon’s students to take part in various sport activities, especially given the tough year we all had. He made it his priority to advocate for sports at Glendon and students’ recreational needs. He works with the GAC to provide students with resources and opportunities to connect with one another based on their interest in sports. In addition, he also contributed to campus life by touching on the mental health aspect and organizing related initiatives and events.  

 

 

 

 

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Stephen Teong

Stephen Teong is in the Psychology program and the current president of the Glendon College Student Union. Stephen’s work to cultivate a strong sense of community spans through his many contributions at York. Within the GCSU, he has time and time again dedicated himself to supporting student clubs on campus. He worked with the team to create additional forms of funding such as the GCSU Base Funding, to assist clubs getting started for the year. Stephen strongly advocates for student needs in terms of mental health, access, food, affordable services, space for student clubs… He is always looking for ways to improve things for future students and ensuring their needs are central to Glendon’s plans. He was tremendously helpful in moving conversations around Equity Diversity and Inclusion forward by connecting the EDI advisor with our community and making sure the student perspective is at the forefront.   

The Neal Stephenson Glendon Involvement Award is awarded annually to a full time continuing undergraduate Glendon student who is in good academic standing. To be eligible students must be serving in a volunteer capacity for one of the following groups: Pro Tem, Radio Glendon, GCSU/AECG or the Faculty Council.

This year’s recipient:

Ariana Mah

Ariana is a 3rd year Political Science undergraduate student. She presently serves as the Vice Chair of the Glendon Student Caucus, which entails attending meetings of Faculty Council, holding Caucus meetings, providing mentorship to Caucus and committee members, and serving as Interim Chair as needed. In her capacity as the English Editor of Pro Tem, Ariana edits all English articles, promote the newspaper through social media, and takes part in writing articles when needed. She has been a part of the Pro Team since May 2020. She is also active in recruitment for Glendon College through her role as a Glendon Virtual Network Ambassador. She is a Top Scholar Vice-President and has helped organize events for the Top Scholar program. Ariana has clearly shown a very powerful commitment to York University and the Glendon community.  

Endeavour: This award recognises students who are engaged in the pursuit of multiple challenging goals and show a high degree of motivation and perseverance.

This year’s recipient

Eden Minichiello

Eden obtained an Honours BA in Translation, a Certificate in Bilingualism, and a Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication at Glendon. She is now a graduate student in the Master in Translation Studies.  Since last year, Eden has been working in the organizing committee of the 12th Graduate Conference in Translation Studies. She maintains the quality of her organizational work even under pressure, responds on short notice, and is truly leading the team. She has been section editor and editor-in-chief at Pro Tem, Glendon’s bilingual student-run newspaper, and was volunteer for the 14^th annual Translation Games and for International Translation Day.

Support: Awarded to a student who has demonstrated a high level of caring and actively supports the success of a team and each individual in the team by recognizing and considering the views of his or her peers. A student who shares information, ideas or suggestions to support and help a person make an informed decision or determine the best course of action.

This year’s recipient:

Josée Philips

Josée is a third year. Josee started as the Section Editor of Pro Tem in September of 2020, and her commitment to her work and her dedication to Pro Tem led to her promotion as the Chief of Operations as Pro Tem. She is also the VP of public relations for the Glendon Communications Students Association and is now serving as a student member of CASTL (the Committee on Academic Standards, Teaching and Learning). Josee’s work extends to outside of the university. She works as a bilingual marketing agent, ensuring that the Francophone community is represented in journalism by writing for Village Media Inc. a newspaper in the town of Midland. 

Effort:  Awarded to a student demonstrating determination, a firm commitment and an ability to bounce back from challenges, adversity and set-backs to achieve set goals or objectives. 

This year’s recipient:

Mae Shibasaki

 Mae is completing her 4^th year in International Studies and is an international student. She has been instrumental in getting the cooking club going at Glendon which is currently running a campaign to improve food services in Glendon. Despite it being a challenging time to create a club, Mae has put in the effort to make sure it has a future!  

Positivity: Awarded to a student who has demonstrated her commitment by being an encouraging and optimistic force. While remaining pleasant and accessible, she has established a climate of trust and respect with her peers. Its main objective is to ensure that there is a strong connection between students in order to improve communication and mutual understanding.

This year’s recipient:

Robin Kirk 

Robin is in the Bachelor of Education program. She leads the Glendon Performing Arts executive team and participates as Director of Dance- Choreographing multiple stage shows for Alteri Productions, including this year’s Mainstage Production, Company, as well as acting in shows for both APA and Théâtre Glendon. Her contributions, positivity, kindness, and patience have been significant for the community and the vital to theatre at Glendon, notably Alteri Productions’ Mainstage show. 

Awarded in recognition of the achievements of committed students who have had a positive impact at Glendon by generously dedicating their time and talents in at least one of the following areas: residence life, community building, peer mentorship, athletics, creative arts, or university governance.

This year’s recipients

Katherine Mazzota

 

Katherine completing her 4^th year taking French Studies and History. Katherine is a peer mentor with the Glendon Zone, and a Student Ambassador part of the Glendon Virtual Network. Katherine served as a Team Captain in the inaugural Glendon Tournament. This past year, Katherine took on the initiative to revive the Glendon Historical Society as their President, a three-time Fellow in the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies and Vice President Communications on the Glendon College Student Union (GCSU).

 

 

 

 

 

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Marissa Buttigieg

 

Marissa is in 4^th year of French Studies. Marissa is an incredibly positive presence on campus, working quietly in the background. She deserves recognition for her efforts because she has had significant impact on Peace by Peace, the Glendon College Student Union, and all those around her. She is one of the Mentors Directors for Peace by Peace. Additionally, Marissa has spent a year as Vice President Academics of the Glendon College Student Union. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nadia Hayes

 

Nadia is studying in the Bachelor of education program. In the past year, Nadia served as O-Chair at the Glendon College Student Union, successfully planning, and executing social orientation in a hybrid format (virtual/in-person) over nine days in September to welcome incoming students to the Glendon community. Nadia is the current Campus Director for Peace by PEACE, the position she has held in the position for two years. Nadia is also an Active Bystander (ABS) facilitator for York’s Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support, and Education

 

 

 

 

 

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Sophia Tracey

Sophia is a 4^th year political science student. This year Sophia has served as VP Operations for the Glendon College Student Union and has been responsible for the safe reopening of the GCSU office. She has supported the planning and execution of the GCSU’s initiatives throughout the 2021-22 school year, such as Frosh Week, Self-Care Week, and social media contests and initiatives. Sophia is currently the treasurer for the United Caribbean Islands (UCI) clubs at York; a member of the Glendon Virtual Network and an Active Bystander (ABS) facilitator. 

Awarded to a full- or part-time student whose outstanding achievements in theatre at Glendon significantly contribute to the cultural vitality of the College community.

This year’s recipient

Victoria Matchett

 

Victoria is in her second year, studying Drama Studies and French Studies. She is known on campus for creating a sense of camaraderie in Theatre Glendon life, including course and club productions. Victoria has demonstrated a sincere commitment to theatre as an art form. In her role as a technician in The Housing Show (2020), and as a performer/collaborator in Love and Information (2021) and The White Plague (2022), Victoria has shown herself to be a dedicated artist, a skilled performer, and a generator of creative ideas.

 

 

The Robert Wallace Prize is given annually to an undergraduate Glendon student demonstrating a strong record of involvement in, and positive contribution to theatre, performance or visual art, while maintaining satisfactory progress in their studies. Preference will be given to students majoring or minoring in Drama & Creative Arts at Glendon.

This year’s recipient

Violette Daveau

Violette is a second-year student in the Drama Studies program. She has been continuously active within the theatre at Glendon.   She is passionate about theatre and the French language and French culture and promotes all three every chance that she gets.  She works in the Salon Francophone and promotes theatre activities to them, then turns around and promotes the Salon Francophone activities to her theatre colleagues. She is remarkably sensitive to those around her and regularly stands up for any ‘underdog’ within her circle.

Awarded to a Glendon student who promoted Glendon sports activities at the local and/or inter-college level. The candidates must have a minimum 5.50 grade point average and be nominated by members of the Glendon sports community.

This year’s recipient

Drew Batchilder

Awarded to a returning Glendon student for outstanding contributions to the Glendon Athletic and Recreation program in terms of organization, leadership and program promotion.

This year’s recipient

Taylor Johnson