Five FAS students named Schulich Leaders

Five students from the Faculty of Arts and Science have joined five other incoming first-year students that have received one of 100 Schulich Leader Scholarships, Canada’s most prestigious STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) scholarship.

The scholarship is worth up to $120,000 and is awarded annually to first-year post-secondary students. The program was launched in 2012 by Canadian business person and philanthropist Seymour Schulich to help identify the next generation of Canada’s brightest leaders in STEM.

“We are proud to celebrate the continued success of Schulich Leader Scholarships, the premiere STEM scholarship program in Canada. This group of outstanding students will represent the best and brightest Canada has to offer and will make great contributions to society, both on a national and global scale. With their university expenses covered, they can focus their time on their studies, research projects, extracurriculars, and entrepreneurial ventures. They are the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators,” says Schulich.

The award provides backing for innovative and entrepreneurial-minded youth to change the world through their passion for STEM. The scholarships allow students to focus on their studies by removing financial burdens.

Of the 100 recipients, 50 will receive $120,000 to pursue an engineering degree and 50 will receive $100,000 to pursue a science or math degree at 20 Canadian partner universities. Every high school in Canada can nominate one graduating student each year to apply for the scholarship.
 
The recipients joining Queen’s this fall are:

• Pooria Ahmadi, Oakville, Ontario (FAS)
• Allie Goodyear, Ottawa, Ontario (FAS)
• Mykola Luty, Eganville, Ontario (FAS)
• Cameron MacDonald, Elizabethtown, Ontario (FAS)
• Caitlin Roach, North York, Ontario (FAS)
• Brigitte Armatys, Etobicoke, Ontario
• Charis Chang, Burnaby, British Columbia
• Kearin Gough, Collingwood, Ontario
• Dolev Klein Harari, Cornwall, Ontario
• Samuel Wong, Vancouver, British Columbia

“On behalf of the university, I want to welcome this year’s Schulich Leaders to campus and congratulate them on this significant achievement,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “We look forward to supporting each of you as you pursue your degrees and anticipate the positive impact you will have in your fields. We are grateful to the Schulich Foundation for its generous support of post-secondary education and Queen’s.” 

Queen’s has hosted Schulich Leaders every year since the program began and a total of 74 Schulich Leaders have studied at Queen’s since 2012.

For 2024 recipient Pooria Ahmadi, the award offers not just financial support, but a connection to a community of mentors and fellow students.

"This scholarship has lifted a huge financial weight off my shoulders,” says Ahmadi, “allowing me to focus more on my academics and find peace of mind in my daily life. I feel ready to push myself further, knowing that even if I stumble, the incredible community of Schulich mentors and alumni will be there to support me. Their guidance makes it easier to take on new challenges, knowing that failure is just part of the journey toward success."

2024 recipient Cameron MacDonald appreciates the opportunity to connect with current STEM leaders.

“The Schulich Leader Scholarship is more than a scholarship,” notes MacDonald. “It’s an experience, a wealth of opportunities, and a network of people working to help you succeed. The support and guidance from the Schulich squad captains and fellow Schulich leaders have been invaluable to my growth academically, professionally, and as a leader. It has also given me the opportunity to connect and collaborate with Canada’s current STEM leaders and work alongside the next generation of innovators.”

This story originally appeared on the Queen's Alumni website.