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With the creation of the Student Success Office, past projects are being put on hold to be reviewed and evaluated to see where they fit within the new department mission. This includes the President’s Circle Awards. Please check the new Student Success Office website for updates. www.success.uwaterloo.ca
| Leadership | Volunteerism |
President’s Circle Awards for Leadership
Michael Makahnouk
Michael Makahnouk has taken on many leadership roles throughout his time at the University of
Waterloo, advocating for students of all ages. Through his work with Chemistry Tutoring in Residence,
as a speaker at Southwood Secondary School with the “Let’s Talk Science” outreach program and as a
Director-At-Large on the Graduate Student’s Association, Michael’s leadership initiatives have positively
impacted students of all ages. Michael, a third year Science Ph.D. candidate, is “someone who selflessly
strives to inspire and help students become leaders with his contagious enthusiasm” and his passion is
evident in all that he does.
Andrew Roberston
Andrew Robertson, an Applied Health Sciences Aging, Health and Well-Being Kinesiology Ph.D. candidate, is a “tireless leader for graduate students both within Kinesiology and across the University.”
Sitting on the Kinesiology Graduate Student Association, UW Human research Ethics Committee and the
UW Graduate Student Council, Andrew acts as a voice for many others on campus. As the President of
the Kinesiology Graduate Student’s Association, Andrew was responsible for leading Orientation Week
for incoming graduate students. Andrew was also a founding member of the “Dr. Aftab Patal Memorial
Cup,” an annual hockey game which began in 2007. As his nominator stated “Andrew’s enthusiasm and
vision, along with positive influence, have encouraged many others to become leaders.”
Bojana Savic
Bojana Savic has been involved in many areas on campus, including the Serbian Student’s Association,
the UW World University Service of Canada/Student Refugee Program and the Waterloo Science
Endowment Fund. In her 4th year of a Joint Honours, Economics & Environment and Resource
Studies degree, Bojana often “takes time out of her busy schedule to perform numerous acts of
kindness, making a difference in other students’ lives.” Bojana has identified needs in a variety of
areas throughout her time at Waterloo and has stepped up to fill critical roles and revitalize many
organizations with her hard work, dedication and leadership.
Jonah Hu
Jonah Hu, a third year Computing and Financial Management student, “has a perpetually positive
attitude, is active, engaged and inspiring to his fellow students.” Jonah sits on the Accounting and
Finance Students Association (AFSA) as both the VP External and Manager, Communications, perpetually
acting as an advocate for all Computing and Financial Management students. A notable quote from one
of Jonah’s references stated that Jonah “has inspired all School of Accounting and Finance students to
become more involved and to take ownership of their own learning.” Jonah has also taken on many
leadership roles within the redevelopment of many websites including the School of Accounting and
Finance and the Waterloo Stratford Campus.
Leah Henderson
Leah Henderson is in her 3rd year of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo and
spends her free time involved in the Engineers Without Borders program, where she is the Director
of Global Engineering. Over the past year, Leah has developed the Global Engineering program at the
University of Waterloo and her referees believe that “her journey throughout building this program
from scratch makes her a strong role model for other students looking for leadership experience.”
Even though Leah is currently studying abroad, she continues to facilitate meetings with other student
leaders on campus.
President’s Circle Awards for Volunteerism
Julia Read
Julia Read, a fourth year Renison Social Work student, gives to the community in many ways, especially
as a member of the Renison University College community, where she has been a part of the Ministry
Centre and the Renison Academic Students Association. Julia also volunteers in the community as
a member of the Board of Dicrectors for Stonehenge Therapeutic Community, a youth engagement
volunteer for North-South Partnership for Children (working with northern First Nations communities)
and a Community Garden Organizer for a transitional house for the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Julia is “an excellent example to others in her tireless determination to give back to her community.”
Azra Premji
Azra Premji is a second year Kinesiology-Neuroscience Masters student who has volunteered
throughout her years at Waterloo. She has organized and implemented the 1st and 2nd annual Brain Bee
Competition and has volunteered for the UW International Shadow Program. Outside of
uWaterloo, Azra is a presenter for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, educating community members
about healthy eating and exercise, as well as an organizer for the annual HAS Walk For Heart. Azra
spends her Saturdays volunteering for the Ismaili Tariqah & Religious Education Board, where she has
been a volunteer Religion teacher for the past 6 years. Providing service to the community is a priority
for Azra and she has subsequently made a tremendous impact on all organizations she works with.
Denise Soueidan-O’Leary
Denise Soueidan-O’Leary has been nicknamed the “world changer” through her involvement in Beyond
Border, as her enthusiasm and passionate participation are energizing to all around her. Denise is the
owner of “Cookies With A Cause,” a fundraiser and women’s shelter Liaison with The Students School
Shelter Committee, and a performer with The Beaver Bible Class’s Spring Fling fundraiser performances.
Denise, a 4th year Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies student volunteered at the Ternopil Internat
for Girls with Disabilities in the Ukraine during her Beyond Borders placement.
Pasoua Xiong
Pasoua Xiong, a fourth year Legal Studies, Sociology and Criminology student at the University of
Waterloo is an “open-minded, approachable, friendly, dedicated and hard-working” individual. She
is a mentor with Ray of Hope, has volunteered with Kitchener-Waterloo Counselling Services, and is a
friend/mentor with the Mental Health Association. Pasoua is a long-time Sunday school teacher and she
currently volunteers at Grand Valley Institute, working with many of the women there. Pasoua devotes
her skills to help people in need smile.
Laurie Guay
Laurie Guay is an active member at the Ministry Centre at Renison University College, welcoming
students to the community, as well as an active volunteer on many committees within Renison.
Volunteering within her faith continues outside of school, as she has taught Sunday School for South
Kinloss Presbyterian Church for a number of years. Laurie, a fourth year Social Development Studies
student, was a Don for 3 terms at Renison, acting as a role model and engaging students around her.
This past summer, Laurie travelled to Uganda with Sleeping Children Around the World to distribute
bedkits. Laurie is always able to put the needs of others before herself and has clear focus and vision in
all her work with charity.
The awards were established in 1997 to recognize the significant contributions of students in volunteer work both within UW and the community at–large. The awards honour the extra–curricular contributions of students in a variety of service areas, some of which may not be highly visible but nonetheless important to the community. Up to five recipients are selected for awards of $500 each.
The awards were established in 2007 to acknowledge the outstanding performances of student leaders at the University of Waterloo. The awards recognize students who have left a lasting impression on the UW campus through encouraging of student participation, acting as a role model, enabling others to become leaders, or taking initiative to lead by example to make the university community better. Up to five recipients are selected for awards of $500 each.
ANYONE (faculty, staff, students, member of community–at–large) can nominate a student for either award. Nominators are encouraged to work with the student to ensure that the information submitted to The President’s Circle is complete.
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