BU celebrates students’ commitment to leadership

More than two dozen Brandon University (BU) students have been recognized for their leadership this academic year.

The Student Leader Certificate Program wrapped up last week for 2016–17, with 26 students being lauded for their participation at a celebration dinner. Every BU faculty and school was represented in the group of students, who completed a series of eight free non-credit workshops designed to develop individual and team leadership skills while honouring and including Indigenous perspectives.

“Many of the participants are already involved in leadership or mentorship in some way at Brandon University, and their commitment to using their free time to learn new skills has been wonderful to see,” said Michelle Bessette, Student Engagement Officer at BU. “Nearly every Tuesday evening during the second semester this diverse group of students met with exceptional faculty and local community leaders to share ideas. They apply what they have learned from this program to their other leadership roles on campus and in their communities.”

The participants of the group included several students who are involved in BU initiatives such as being Student Leader volunteers, Mentors, Tutors or Residence Assistants. The group also included representatives from student government, clubs or collectives and those training for future leadership positions such as education or health-care professionals.

Nolan Queen, one of the certificate recipients, thanked the organizers and presenters, as well as the other students in the group, for sharing valuable insight through the workshops.

“I gained a lot of great knowledge from amazing guest speakers who know what it takes to be a leader,” said Queen, and Education student. “A lot of the presenters are professors as well, and it was awesome to see them outside of the classroom giving more of themselves. It was very motivating.”

The celebration dinner that concluded the certificate program, featured Tasha Spillett, who teaches at the post-secondary level, specializing in Indigenous land based education. In her keynote address, “Ahkameyimok: Preparing your Bundle,” Spillett discussed her experiences pursuing education and learning to lead as an Indigenous woman and offered encouragement for the students as they prepare for their own futures. After the dinner, participants enjoyed a performance by Leonard Sumner, an Anishinaabe MC/singer/songwriter from Little Saskatchewan First Nation, who recently returned from the Aboriginal Music Program’s trade mission to Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

“In addition to our emphasis on excellence in academics and research at Brandon University, we also strive to spark leadership and community engagement,” said Dr. Steven Robinson, BU’s Vice-President (Academic & Provost). “All of these students should take great pride in their achievements through this program. We are certainly very proud of them at BU, and we’re excited to watch them build on the foundation of their efforts in the future.”

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