The dedication and leadership of Queen’s University students in helping and supporting their peers and the community was recognized earlier this month through the Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award and the Peer Leadership Award.

At the event hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, each award was presented to two students for their contributions to Queen’s and the greater community.

“Students volunteer and work in many capacities across campus and beyond. Their contributions, on campus and off, are vital to the Queen’s and Kingston communities,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “Our students tutor, mentor, coach and run programs for peers and youth across the city. They serve as positive role models who make a significant difference.”

Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award

Lydia Warren (Artsci’16) and Brittany McBeath (Artsci’17) received the Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award, named in honour of the former Queen’s Chaplain.

Ms. Warren has volunteered for the past three years at the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston, working one-on-one with children, building their confidence and self-esteem by listening and encouraging them. She also coordinates Queen’s After School Buddies program and has initiated and led fundraising events for the Boys and Girls Club.

Ms. McBeath was recognized for her work with the Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program through Queen’s Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre. She is a community mentor, creating, directing and facilitating sport and physical activity programming for local Aboriginal youth that connects their wellness to their community and culture.

Peer Leadership Award

Christina Lamparter (PhD candidate, Pharmacology and Toxicology) and Jeremy Gooden (Sc’16) received the Peer Leadership Award for their dedication to peer-to-peer assistance, education and outreach.

Ms. Lamparter is Career Services’ first ‘Senior Peer.’ In addition to providing one-on-one coaching to students and delivering resume workshops, she has built a comprehensive on-line training program for peer assistants. This resource will benefit peer helpers in Career Services for years to come, and in turn, enhance service for the 1,000-plus students who access career-related peer support every year.

Mr. Gooden is a Student Ambassador and Educational Outreach Student for the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and has talked with hundreds of potential students and their families about Queen’s, the faculty and his own student experience. He is currently coaching a group of first-year engineering students in client relations and project management and is also involved in the Q Success transition program for first-year students.

The Division of Student Affairs established the awards in 2014.

More information about these awards and others is available on the Division of Student Affairs website.