Eleven York University 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.
"We are impressed with the calibre of student leaders we have and the many ways they make contributions to the York communitythroughout their years with us," says Yvette Munro, assistant vice-provost, student success. "Whether 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 York a better place."
Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award recipients and some of their nominators. Award recipients (back row L to R): Narmada Murugarajan, Arjun Punia, Nebiyou Timotewos, Catherine Tsasis; award recipients (front row L to R): James Ehiagwina, Abdulrahman Al-Humiqani, Amina Fadzha Abam, Claire Regina Kurniawan, Amina Yaqoob, Maria Fernanda Aispuro Ramirez; missing: Umael Qudrat.
Now in its 13th year, the award was created in honour of Robert J. Tiffin, who served as York University's vice-president, students, for nine years. University community members nominate individuals who demonstrate leadership and make valuable contributions to York.
"Recipients of this award have played a vital role in shaping the student experience at York," says Tiffin. "Their active engagement in York and the broader community has refined their critical skills and empowered their fellow students to create more engagement opportunities for future students."
The winners were celebrated on April 2 at York's 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 York's 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 York 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's 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 York 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 York has been at the forefront of Ehiagwina's advocacy and mentorship efforts since his first year. As president of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance at York University, 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 York's Nursing Student Association and a student success peer mentor lead for Black Excellence at York University 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 York's 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's passion for leadership, school spirit and empowering her peers began at York. Inspired by her orientation leaders, she became an orientation captain to help students' 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's ambassador at York.
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, she 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), she created the LA&PS Student Resource Guide for 12,000 students, coordinated large-scale events and mentored more than 80 student volunteers. She also acted as the managing executive for NATSAID, providing peer tutoring for natural science courses.
Umael Qudrat, bachelor of science (honours) in neuroscience
Qudrat's 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 York's outreach to multiple schools.
Maria Fernanda Aispuro Ramirez, bachelor of commerce in finance
Throughout her time at York, 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's first bursary for community-focused students as president.
Nebiyou Timotewos, bachelor of arts in global political studies
Timotewos' dedication to leadership, advocacy and community services has positively impacted the York 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 York, he has acted as the vice-president of the Criminology Society, a leadership and equity education ambassador with Student Community & Leadership Development, a president's ambassador, a frosh leader and more.
Catherine Tsasis, bachelor of science (honours) in global health
Tsasis has progressively demonstrated her leadership at York. As a peer mentor coordinator for York's 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 York students. She is also part of the Student Health Ambassador at York 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 York. 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 Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award web page.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
