Student Affairs Awards

Student Award Anne Mahon Award for Community Leadership and Positive Change

Inspired by the remarkable contributions and enduring ideals of Anne Mahon, the University of Manitoba’s 14th Chancellor (2019–2025), this award honours an undergraduate or graduate student who embodies the transformative power of empathy, bridge-building, and inclusive community engagement. 

  • Anne Mahon—an acclaimed author, dedicated volunteer, and generous philanthropist—has devoted her life to amplifying the voices and experiences of systemically marginalized persons, using the power of storytelling to foster understanding, connection, and social change. Her belief that “we should never limit our expectations to the boundaries of what we already know” calls us to lead with openness, humility, and courage. 

    In this spirit, the Anne Mahon Award for Community Leadership and Positive Change recognizes a student who has made a profound and lasting contribution to the University of Manitoba community. The recipient demonstrates an unwavering commitment to human dignity, respect, and collective well-being, while thoughtfully confronting systemic barriers, advocating for a just and caring campus environment, and implementing initiatives that advance Reconciliation and/or equity, inclusivity, and accessibility.  

    Ultimately, this award celebrates students who not only imagine a better future but actively work to build it—one that is rooted in compassion, informed by lived experience, and strengthened by the courage to create positive change. 

  • Chancellor Anne Mahon

Selection criteria

The award is open to all currently registered undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Manitoba in good academic standing, and nominees will be assessed based on the extent to which they demonstrate the following:

1. Commitment and Values-Driven Action:

  • Demonstrated actions that address systemic barriers, including those related to Reconciliation and/or equity, inclusivity, and accessibility.
  • Contributions reflect core values embedded in the University’s mission: Belonging, Curiosity, Impact, Integrity, and Well-being.

2. Community Leadership and Positive Change:

  • Actively contributes to building an inclusive and supportive community at UM.
  • Actively addresses inequities and takes action to establish and maintain mutually respectful relationships.
  • Leads with empathy, humility, and care, and fosters meaningful relationships and inclusive dialogue.  

3. Advocacy and Social Responsibility:

  • Addresses systemic barriers and the resulting challenges impacting systemically marginalized persons and/or communities.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to Reconciliation, human rights, dignity, and social justice.

4. Innovation and Vision:

  • Embodies Anne Mahon’s belief in expanding our understanding beyond what is known.
  • Brings creative or imaginative approaches to community-identified needs that are rooted in relationship and reciprocity and that advance equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

5. Transformative Impact:

  • A record of initiating or contributing to projects, programs, or initiatives that promote Reconciliation, social responsibility, equity, and/or systemic change.
  • Shows evidence of long-term or ongoing involvement and impact, rather than a one-time event or initiative. 

Nomination guidelines

  • Eligibility: 
    The award is open to all currently registered undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Manitoba in good academic standing.
  • Who Can Nominate: 
    Faculty, staff, students, and community members may submit nominations.
  • Nomination Package Must Include:
    • A completed nomination form.
    • A letter of nomination (max 1,000 words) outlining how the nominee meets the selection criteria.
    • Up to two letters of support from individual's familiar with the nominee’s work.
    • Optional: supplementary materials (e.g., examples of work, project summaries, media).
  • Selection Committee: 
    The award recipient will be selected by a committee chaired by the Vice-Provost (Students) or their designate, and comprised of one representative from Student Affairs, the Vice-Provost (Equity) or designate, two Deans or their designates, the Associate Vice-President Indigenous – Students or designate, a member of the UMSU executive, and a member of the UMGPS executive. 

Award presentation

The recipient will be honoured at a university-wide student leader recognition event, where they will receive a certificate of honour. Their name will be featured on a commemorative plaque that is displayed in a prominent campus location, and on the Student Affairs website. 

Student Award Student Affairs Participation Award

Each year students at the University of Manitoba balance their student engagements with their studies. Volunteering both on and off campus, members of the University of Manitoba student community are active and contribute to building a better environment for their peers. The Student Affairs Participation Award seeks to recognize students who manage to balance these voluntary commitments. Every year since 1992, the award has honoured a student who has maintained high academic achievement while demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities, making a significant voluntary contribution to the University and/or broader community.

Read Stories About Award Recipients

Past Student Affairs Participation Award Winners

2020–2025

2010–2019

  • 2019 – Amanda Anderson | Faculty of Engineering
  • 2018 – Allison Balasko | Max Rady College of Medicine
  • 2017 – André Marchildon | Faculty of Engineering
  • 2016 – Shayne Reitmseier | Max Rady College of Medicine
  • 2015 – Matthew Sanscartier | Faculty of Arts
  • 2014 – Rebecca Earley | Faculty of Arts
  • 2013 – Allison Birch | Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources
  • 2012 – Alexa Yakubovich | Faculty of Arts
  • 2011 – Lindsay Bristow | Faculty of Arts
  • 2010 – Megan Lusty | Faculty of Engineering

2000–2009

  • 2009 – Omar Adam | Faculty of Social Work
  • 2008 – Pam Desrochers | Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • 2007 – Candice Baker | Faculty of Human Ecology
  • 2006 – Meredith Leigh Mitchell | Faculty of Arts
  • 2005 – David Ames | Faculty of Science
  • 2004 – Alim Pardhan | Faculty of Medicine
  • 2003 – Kimberly Goerzen | Faculty of Education / Faculty of Music
  • 2002 – Dale Smith | Faculty of Social Work
  • 2001 – Robynne Kazima | Faculty of Social Work
  • 2000 – Harpreet Singh | I. H. Asper School of Business

1990–1999

  • 1999 – Colin Kazima | Faculty of Science
  • 1998 – Nichola Brown | Faculty of Arts
  • 1997 – Tamara Lamb | Faculty of Nursing
  • 1996 – Ann MacIntyre | Faculty of Social Work
  • 1994 – Joseph Hebert | Faculty of Nursing
  • 1992 – Francois Bernie | Faculty of Medicine

Staff Award Dr. Donald W. Stewart Award for Excellence in Student Affairs Mentorship

Donald Stewart Profile Picture

Purpose of the award

This award celebrates the outstanding contributions of Dr. Donald (Don) W. Stewart, who was a member of the Student Affairs team from 1991 to 2024. Professor Stewart served in Student Affairs as a Counsellor, the Director of the Student Counselling Centre, the Professional Practice Leader in Psychology and, for eleven years, as the Executive Director, Student Support. Throughout his career Don’s dedication to fostering the professional growth and personal development of staff and learners had a lasting positive impact on the people he mentored and the supportive environment we strive to uphold in Student Affairs at the University of Manitoba.

The Dr. Donald W. Stewart Award for Excellence in Student Affairs Mentorship embodies the spirit of Don’s influence by acknowledging the vital role of mentorship in the professional and personal growth of staff and learners at the University of Manitoba. This award is presented annually to a Student Affairs staff person who, as a trusted advisor, guide, and role model has contributed significantly to the learning and development of a staff person and/or learner through their ongoing mentorship, coaching, and support. 

Eligibility

Nominees must be current Student Affairs Staff members in continuing roles at any level of the organization. Nominees have demonstrated significant contributions in the areas of mentorship, coaching, and support for current and former staff and/or learners, including:

  • A demonstrated commitment to mentoring staff and learners, adapting their approach to the individual, their needs and goals as required.
  • Evidence that the nominee takes a holistic approach to mentorship, encouraging personal and professional development through self-reflection, critical thinking and a commitment to lifelong learning.
  • A demonstrated commitment to provide staff and/or learners with tangible opportunities to develop competencies, tackle new challenges or opportunities, and contribute in new ways to the organization, profession, and/or institution.
  • Evidence that the nominee connects with staff and/or learners to professional networks, experiential learning opportunities, and/or community contacts.
  • Evidence that the nominee has had a positive impact on the performance and professional growth of staff and/or learners through coaching efforts.
  • Recognition as a respected, dependable and trustworthy resource within the Student Affairs community.
  • Evidence of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages the learning and growth of learners and/or staff.

Nomination Process

Any UM employee or registered UM student may submit a nomination, which will include:

  • a completed nomination form
  • a letter of support detailing the nominee's contributions and demonstrating how they meet each of the award's eligibility criteria
  • at least two letters of recommendation from staff and/or learners who can attest to the nominee's contributions and impact as a mentor, coach and support

Selection Process

  • A selection committee chaired by the Vice-Provost (Students) or their designate will be comprised of representatives from the division of Student Affairs, previous award recipients, and relevant stakeholders.
  • The committee will review all nominations and select a recipient based on the stated criteria.

Award Presentation

  • The award will be presented annually by the Vice-Provost (Students) at a gathering of the Student Affairs team.
  • The recipient will receive a certificate of honour, their name will be listed on a commemorative plaque displayed in the Office of the Vice-Provost (Students), they will be featured in a UM Today story, in the Student Affairs Loop, Student Affairs Annual Report, and on the Student Affairs website.