Eight students were recognized recently for their exceptional leadership at York University during a celebration for the Robert Tiffin Student Leadership Awards.
Students and faculty gathered in a private dining room in the Schulich School of Business for a reception April 2 to honour and celebrate the winners.
The Robert Tiffin Student Leadership Awards distinguish those students who have made the greatest contributions to the development, growth and vitality of the University.
The eight winners of this year’s Robert Tiffin Leadership Awards are as follows:
Fourth-year students Christmari Fernando in the Human Resource Management Program; Mikhaela Gray in English; Manjeet Kaur in computer engineering; Anam Qudrat in biology; and Mohamed Shek Salah in kinesiology and health science; and third-year students Nickan Motamedi in kinesiology and health science; Zabeda Oumer-Haji in health studies; and Danielle Tucker, a master’s student in critical disability studies.
Front row from left, Danielle Tucker, Manjeet Kuar, Zabeda Oumer-Haji, Mikhaela Gray, Mohamed Shek Salah, Christmari Fernando and Nickan Motamedi. Missing is Anam Qudrat
Established in 2012, the awards are named after Robert Tiffin, who served as York University’s vice-president students for nine years. Through his dedication, integrity and strong leadership, Tiffin transformed his operation into one of the most professional student service organizations in Canada, serving one of the country’s biggest student populations.
Robert Tiffin speaks at the ceremony for the student leadership awards in his name
“It’s all about student engagement. Certainly all of the evidence and research indicates that students who become engaged with their postsecondary community are more likely to be successful in their academic endeavours. Active engagement also assists in the maturation process, if you will,” says Tiffin.
Attendees at the event included Tiffin, Vice-Provost Students Janet Morrison, student winners and those members of York’s community who nominated the winning students for an award. Also present were senior leaders from the Faculties on hand to celebrate their student leaders. Apart from receiving the award certificate at the reception, each winning student will have the award noted on their transcript and their name etched into the awards wall display in the Vari Hall Rotunda.
“The students who have received the award have made a significant contribution to not only the York community but also to the broader community,” says Tiffin. “They develop a sense of civic responsibility, so that after they’ve completed their studies, I think we can confidently say that these students will continue to be engaged with their community and demonstrate a leadership role. Overall it’s all about contributing to society in the long run.”