Dean’s Student Leadership Awards celebrate student achievements, reflect the times

A picture of the special award plaques from the 2018 DSLA celebration. The winners of the 2021 DSLA will receive their certificates and special award plaques by mail.
06/05/2021

The 2021 Dean’s Student Leadership Awards (DSLA) were celebrated on May 5 in an online ceremony bringing together student awardees, their guests and dignitaries from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE) and the University of Toronto (U of T). 

The awards, established in 2004, celebrate outstanding leadership and significant contributions by KPE students and students from other divisions in support of the Faculty's mission - advancing knowledge about the interactions of physical activity and health.

“The opportunities for leadership within our Faculty are wide and varied,” said Ira Jacobs, dean of KPE. “From our intercollegiate and intramural sports teams, to our camp programs and community outreach, KPE students have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on others.”

Reflecting on the year behind us, the ongoing battle against a global health pandemic and societal ills such as racism, Jacobs spoke of the power of physical activity and sport to not only contribute to physical and mental health, but also to a better society – one with fewer social, racial and gender inequities and more justice for all.  

“These awards acknowledge the students who have been taking their lessons about health, wellness and civic engagement beyond the classroom to improve the quality of programs, services and student life across U of T and beyond,” he said. 
  
Professor Sandy Welsh, vice-provost of students at U of T, also recognized the critical role that sport and physical education play in the health of students and the development of engaged and active citizens. Pointing out that the Toronto University Women’s Athletic League, which governed intercollegiate women’s athletics at U of T, wasn’t established until 1905, she acknowledged how far we’ve come since those early days. 

“Today, U of T and KPE have one of the world’s most diverse student populations,” she said. “We have students from more than 159 countries and regions around the world, and welcome individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identities and abilities.”

Noting that diversity makes the U of T community stronger, contributing to its capacity for excellence, Welsh added that equity and inclusion are important complements to diversity. 

“The student leaders we’re recognizing today are ambassadors not only of KPE but of the University of Toronto,” she said. “Your contributions, particularly over this last challenging year, have demonstrated an inspiring commitment to academic excellence and to our inclusive and community-building values.”

Beth Ali, executive director of athletics and physical activity programs at U of T, joined Welsh and Jacobs in congratulating the students on their ability to adapt, on their resiliency and continued passion for their academics, physical activity & sport, and to making the world a better place.

“On top of your busy academic schedules, you have all found time to get involved and take on leadership positions in co-curricular activities with fantastic results,” she said. “You set an example for all students at the University of Toronto and we are very proud of you.”

Ali introduced the winners of Kirkwood, McCutcheon and Hill-Powell Awards, presented to three students on top of their Dean's Student Leadership Awards.

The Kirkwood Award was presented to kinesiology student Grant Shantz in recognition of his contribution to the work of the U of T Council of Athletic and Recreation (CAR) and its committees. 

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Picture of Grant Shantz courtesy of Grant Shantz

A co-chair for CAR, Shantz helped get approval for the annual co-curricular budget and supported equity initiatives in the Sport & Recreation division, such as women-only and accessible programming. As member of the Varsity Blues men’s baseball team, he was OUA second-team all-star in 2018 and OUA champion in 2017, and currently represents men’s baseball on the Varsity board. Shantz is also a member of the Student Athlete Mental Health Initiative committee and has volunteered in the Blues Buddy Up outreach program and Mt. Sinai hospital.

“It is an honour to be recognized along with so many other inspiring and successful students,” said Shantz. “Being involved in student governance has been exceptionally gratifying. It provided me with the opportunity to improve my communication and presentation skills and has made me a more well-rounded leader overall.”

Shantz also reflected on his experience as a Varsity Blue athlete and KPE student, saying both communities acted like second families to him throughout his undergraduate degree, shaping him along the way.

“As a Varsity athlete, I always had 30+ teammates supporting me. The early morning workouts, late-night travelling for games and the camaraderie have been invaluable,” he said. “As a KPE student, I had the opportunity to receive a world-class education while being a part of an extraordinary community."

Moving forward, Shantz is planning on pursuing post-graduate research in sport policy or laboratory physiology at KPE.

Aalaya Milne was awarded the McCutcheon Award for her contribution to the administration of athletics and recreation programs at the Faculty over the last year. A second year master’s student in exercise science, Milne represents graduate students on the KPE equity committee and ensures equity, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of all graduate student events, such as the graduate students’ Bodies of Knowledge conference. She is currently working on creating a student handbook for incoming graduate students, compiling a list of locations on campus for work and leisure, and tips for transitioning to grad school. 

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Picture of Aalaya Milne courtesy of Aalaya Milne

“There are so many incredible students in the Faculty that have volunteered their time to ensure that their peers have the best possible experience,” said Milne. “I am overjoyed to have worked among them and proud to be recognized alongside them.” 

Describing her experience in the Faculty’s undergraduate and graduate programs as remarkable, Milne said she got involved in student governance in the hopes of providing current and future students with similar opportunities to grow. 

“I’m most proud of collaborating on initiatives addressing and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, including adapting projects to a digital setting,” she said. “Going forward, future initiatives can be made accessible in ways we hadn’t considered before.”   

The Hill-Powell Award was presented this year to AJ Bimm for his contribution to the administration of athletics and recreation programs at the Faculty over the last year.

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Picture of AJ Bimm courtesy of AJ Bimm

A student of urban studies at U of T, Bimm is also a Varsity Blues track and field athlete and a founding member of the Faculty’s first Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) Varsity Association (BVA). Working alongside KPE’s IDEAS lab, led by Assistant Professor Janelle Joseph, BVA is helping to collect research data for OUA's anti-racism project. Bimm is also busy working on the BVA mentorship program and communications plan and represents BVA on the KPE equity committee, among other responsibilities. 

“The opportunity to support BIPOC students and athletes at U of T through BVA has been the greatest highlight of my year,” said Bimm. “I am grateful to be awarded the Dean’s Student Leadership Award and the Hill-Powell Award and am most appreciative for the support and trust from the BVA team. This is truly a collective award.”

For weeks after the death of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed 25-year-old Black man, who was pursued and fatally shot while jogging in Georgia, USA, last year, Bimm felt nervous to go for a run or bike ride alone. 

“I thought that we can do better to support BIPOC communities, because sports should be a time when everyone feels most comfortable, not vulnerable,” he said. “So, last year, when a group of student athletes started organizing, I knew I wanted to be involved.”

Being involved in the work of BVA has helped instill a confidence in Bimm to voice his concerns and advocate for equity.

“I learned that this work does not get accomplished alone, that there is power in numbers and that a lot of change can happen simply by initiating a conversation,” he said. “Perhaps most importantly, leading this year during the COVID-19 pandemic has taught me that community does not just exist with those around you, but can be just as strong virtually.”

Bimm will be starting a master’s of urban planning in the fall, and is looking forward to applying the lessons he learned this year to a career of planning for more inclusive cities. 

The following are all the winners of this year’s Dean’s Student Leadership Award:

Natalie Alvares, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Caitlin Alvares, Kinesiology & Physical Education
AJ Bimm, Innis College, Arts & Science, Urban Studies,
Justin Brand, Arts & Science, Woodsworth College
Maggie Chen, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Giselle Credo, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Natalie Cuda, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Michael Davidson, Arts & Science, Victoria College
Michelle DeSouza, Arts & Science, Innis College
Hope Gumahad, Arts & Science, University College
Zeana Hamdonah, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Gabriella Hermary, Arts & Science, University College
Fiona Huang, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Eamon Kelly, Arts & Science, Victoria College
Brenaven Kugamoorthy, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Aalaya Milne, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Julie Morrow, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Jessica Muha, Arts & Science, Woodsworth College
Sandhya Mylabathula, Kinesiology & Physical Education, Massey College
Roxy O'Rourke, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Janai Puckett, Arts & Science, University College
Sephora Sandor, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Malieka Shahid, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Grant Shantz, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Rafaela Pancheco Steiner, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Sara Sutherland, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Anika Taylor, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Tiffany Tiu, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Erika Tworzyanski, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Mandy Wang, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Bella Willett, Kinesiology & Physical Education
Brittany Wu, Kinesiology & Physical Education

Also recognized during the online ceremony were the KPE winners of the U of T Student Leadership Awards. The awards continue U of T’s long-standing tradition of recognizing outstanding student leadership, service and commitment to the University started with the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award, established in 1994 by the U of T in honour of Mr. Gordon Cressy, former vice-president of development and university relations.

This year’s winners of the UTSL Awards from KPE are: 

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Brenaven Kugamoorthy 

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Mackenzie McLaughlin

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David Sewell 

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Tiffany Tiu

A big congratulations to all.