Celebrating our 2025-2026 Student Experience Winners

The Student Experience Awards honour the outstanding achievements and contributions of campus leaders who have made a lasting difference in the lives of our students and the U of G community. Each year, students, staff, and faculty are invited to nominate individuals who exemplify leadership, commitment and dedication to the University and broader community.

Visit the  Student Experience Awards page for full award descriptions and nomination criteria.

Meet this year’s recipients: 

Laura Legzdins – BSc, Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College

Laura Legzdins exemplifies outstanding citizenship through her deep commitment to community, relational leadership, and academic excellence. Since arriving at the University of Guelph, she has demonstrated exceptional integrity and impact, centring people, relationships, and reciprocity in all she does. Her sustained work with Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation through The Manomin Project reflects culturally grounded, community-engaged scholarship rooted in respect and trust. 

Her participation in the University’s Bridging the Gap program highlights her commitment to listening, understanding, and fostering respect across difference. Laura has also served as a Volunteer Notetaker supporting more than 1,000 students through Student Accessibility Services—a deeply impactful form of everyday quiet leadership. Beyond campus, Laura has supported low-income families in Latvia and Ukraine distributing essential supplies to families, strengthened cultural continuity through years of volunteering with the Latvian School of Hamilton. 

As a repeated Dean’s Scholar and endorsed by the University for the Rhodes Scholarship, Laura has made outstanding contributions to campus and community life through compassion, leadership, and a genuine commitment to others. 

Tressa Rooney – BA, History, College of Arts

Tressa Rooney exemplifies the spirit of the Brian D. Sullivan Student Leadership Award through her sustained, ethical, and deeply inclusive leadership at the University of Guelph. Throughout her undergraduate career, she has held numerous impactful roles within residence governance and Interhall Council, culminating as Vice‑President of Communications. 

As Chairperson of the Hospitality Services Advisory Committee, Tressa has ensured student voices meaningfully shape campus decisions through thoughtful, collaborative leadership. 

Her involvement extends to Athletics, Alumni initiatives, the publishing committee of 

Footnotes, and leadership in both university and community softball programs. Known for her integrity, empathy, and genuine desire to make the campus community better for others, Tressa’s leadership has left a lasting and widely felt impact at the University of Guelph.

Spandana Chereddy – PhD, Computer Science, College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences

Spandana is a PhD candidate in Computer Science who exemplifies exceptional leadership, dedication, and sustained commitment to enhancing the graduate student experience at the University of Guelph. 

As Vice President Community Engagement with the Graduate Students’ Association, she has played a central role in advancing graduate student wellbeing, inclusion, and connection through community building initiatives and wellness collaborations, including work with the Graduate Student Support Network. Known for her approachable, mentorship-focused leadership, Spandana has provided direct support to students navigating academic challenges while also representing graduate student interests on numerous university committees including the University Judicial Committee, CCMPS Dean Search Committee, Town & Gown Committee, CSA/GSA Transit Committee, Experiential Learning Advisory Committee, and the Student Leaders & Administrators Meetings, the St. Patrick’s Day Planning Committee, and Black History Month programming. Beyond governance, she empowers students through outreach as a Go CODE Girl presenter and Project Serve volunteer. 

Through her exceptional dedication, compassionate leadership, and commitment to supporting graduate students, she has empowered others to become involved, thereby contributing to a welcoming and inclusive campus environment.

Saadia Arif Shaikh – BSc, Biomedical Science, College of Biological Science

As an international student, Residence Assistant, and campus leader, Saadia exemplifies the values of this award through determined, caring, and authentic leadership. She creates inclusive spaces where students feel heard, respected, and supported through transition and growth. Saadia’s commitment to accessibility shines through in her work as a Peer Helper with Student Accessibility Services, supporting students by offering one-on-one and group support that fosters confidence and independence. 

Saadia genuine commitment to students and community extends to her engagement in leadership roles with the Muslim Students’ Association and Islamic Relief Canada, where she has strengthened communications, supported extensive programming, and built cross-community connections. Notably, she helped lead impactful fundraising initiatives raising over $40,000 in a single semester to support global humanitarian efforts for Islamic Relief Canada. 

Saadia strengthens the campus community and beyond, and inspires others by leading with integrity, compassion, and purpose.

Abby Gloade – BSc, Biological & Medical Physics, College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences

Abby is an outstanding scholar, leader, and role model whose academic excellence and community engagement exemplify the spirit of the Kishaadigeh Award. A Bachelor of Science student in Biological and Medical Physics, Abby is a Dean’s Honours List student and recipient of several NSERC and University of Guelph Undergraduate Research grants and awards. Abby’s leadership spans campus clubs, community health initiatives, and Indigenous student mentorship. Some highlights include: founding Quantum Buddies—a peer mentorship program for students in Physics; serving as President of Gryphons Give; serving as the undergraduate EDI Chair on the Department of Physics’ EDI committee; serving as the College Royal Chair for the Physics and Astronomy Club;  being an active member of the Indigenous Student Society, and volunteering at the Indigenous Student Centre.

Through her academic excellence, service, and advocacy, Abby is a role model to others, inspiring students and strengthening community both on campus and beyond.

Rebekah Natarajan – BEng, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering

Rebekah’s impact on the University of Guelph is defined by her rare ability to connect people, programs, and purpose across the student journey. Since first volunteering with Global Pre‑Arrival Support in October 2024, she has consistently engaged incoming international students with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. Rebekah serves as a vital bridge across campus—welcoming prospective students as an International Student Ambassador with Admissions, supporting students before their arrival in Guelph, and fostering an inclusive community as a Peer Helper with the Cultural Diversity unit. Her leadership also extends to roles such as Interhall Council Hall President, Gryphon’s Nest facilitator, and peer mentor.

In her work as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Lang School of Business and Economics, Rebekah has demonstrated strong academic and technical excellence, contributing to streamlined workflows and improved data integrity. Through her unconditional care and profound sense of personal responsibility for the campus and our local community, Rebekah exemplifies Gryphon values in action, strengthening community and helping make U of G a truly welcoming and inclusive home for students at every stage of their journey.

Ava Augustine – BIESP, Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice, Ontario Agricultural College 

Ava is a proud member of the first graduating cohort of the Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice program and has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her time at the University of Guelph, serving as an undergraduate representative on the U of G Board of Governors, CSA Board of Directors, as well as the U of G Senate.

Confronting early challenges around student support and representation, Ava found her voice and became a dedicated advocate—successfully working to change Senate policy so smaller and developing programs, such as the Bachelor of Indigenous Environmental Science and Practice (BIESP) program, could have meaningful representation at the table. 

Ava has put her care and values into action through three years of service on the BIESP Program Committee, helping shape meaningful curricular change. Her leadership culminated in her creation of the Indigenous Environmental Science Student Council, for which she wrote the founding constitution, guided elections, secured space, and mentored future leaders. 

Ava’s vision, commitment, and integrity have left a lasting impact that will benefit students for many years to come.

Anna Gaby-Trotz – Assistant Professor, School of Fine Art and Music, College of Arts

Professor Anna Gaby Trotz exemplifies outstanding dedication to enhancing the student experience through her leadership, vision, and compassion. Since joining the School of Fine Art and Music as faculty in Fall 2024, Anna has taught nearly all undergraduate fine arts students while also mentoring graduate students through advising, critiques, and community engaged art practices. Her impact extends beyond the classroom through inclusive, community driven learning spaces that inspire engagement and critical inquiry. A highlight of her work is the Queer Print Project, which she founded three years ago to provide LGBTQ2SIA+ students with a safer and creative space for learning screen printing to express identity, resilience, and belonging. The Queer Print Project has now grown beyond campus, bringing together queer community members across Guelph and the region; it is a program that many students and community members have described as “life-changing”. 

Anna has strengthened queer community spaces on campus, increased student involvement in collaborative learning, and encouraged student—faculty engagement grounded in respect and trust. In doing so, she has promoted values of equity, inclusion, and community-building, and shown leadership in shaping the student experience at the University of Guelph.

Yuka Kazama – MSc, Capacity Development and Extension, Ontario Agricultural College

Since joining Student Experience’s Global Pre‑Arrival Support team in October 2025 as the GPS Program Assistant, Yuka has made an immediate and lasting impact on the transition experience of incoming international students. Drawing from her own journey as an international student, she offers thoughtful, compassionate support while strengthening key resources such as the Pre‑Arrival Guide through a student‑centred lens. Academically, Yuka demonstrates exceptional rigor and integrity through her master’s research on Indigenous language revitalization with Six Nations of the Grand River, grounded in ethical, community‑engaged scholarship. 

Deeply committed to equity and inclusion, Yuka consistently advocates for Indigenous, multi‑faith, and LGBTQ2IA+ communities with care, humility, and purpose—embodying the spirit this award celebrates.