Goodman student Arusa Mithani has a lot to celebrate these days.

The second year accounting student won Goodman DECA’s Rookie of the Year award at Recognition Night recently and has big shoes to fill next year as incoming president of the Goodman Student Ambassador Association (SAA).

Hosted by the Goodman Business Students’ Association, the annual Recognition Night event recognizes student leaders for their contribution to student life at the Goodman School of Business as well as the support of community partners and sponsors.

Mithani, who volunteered her time this past year as the VP Communications of Goodman DECA, spent time managing the club’s social media accounts and promotional strategies.

“This year I got to learn a lot about the power of marketing and what it can do for a brand,” she said.

“I underestimated it before and my experience with DECA gave me a different perspective and a chance to learn about another field that I didn’t know much about.”

In his award presentation speech, Goodman DECA President Nick Hollard said Mithani is an example of an intelligent, expressive and creative individual who has contributed remarkably to the student organization.

Mithani says her year with DECA is a great stepping stone to her next student leadership role where she will be leading the SAA to increase their link with the local community. The SAA President attends weekly meetings at the St. Catharines Business Club to stay connected with the local business community and Mithani has plans to continue this relationship.

“It’s really important that as students, we get to know the local businesses in the area. When we go away to university, we’re not just part of the Brock community, it’s also the whole St. Catharines community,” she said.

She encourages all students to get involved and be part of student clubs.

Goodman DECA President Nick Hollard with Rookie of the Year award winner Arusa Mithani.

“You will never regret it. I learned so much about my passion and talent and skills this year,” she said.

In total, the nine Goodman student organizations include 175 student leaders, who contributed over $30,000 in charitable funds raised and hours volunteered at non-profit organizations and over $15,000 of sponsorship funds raised.

Other highlights of the evening were the Goodman Professor of the Year award presentations. Based on student votes, Professor Glenn Skrubbeltrang won the undergraduate award and Professor Anteneh Ayanso won the graduate award, presented by Goodman Business Students’ Association President Rudy Ambrosio and Goodman Graduate Business Council President Neil Bourque.

Full list of award winners:

Brock Finance and Investment Group

• Rookie of the Year: Jake Berec
• Outstanding Contribution: Michael Nash

Brock Innovation Group:

• Rookie of the Year: Chase Anderson
• Outstanding Contribution: Mikayla Zolis

Brock Marketing Association

• Rookie of the Year: Sahil Budwal
• Outstanding Contribution: Nawal Siddique

Goodman Accounting Students’ Association

• Rookie of the Year: Kawshik Basak
• Outstanding Contribution: Neal Sengupta
• Paul Hansell Competition Award: Srujal Patel

Goodman Business Students’ Association

• Apprentice of the Year: Amy Rudnicki
• Rookie of the Year: Ashley Howard
• Bryan Butryn Award of Outstanding Contribution: Heather Bernie

Goodman DECA

• Rookie of the Year: Arusa Mithani
• Outstanding Contribution: Shirley Khuu

Goodman Graduate Business Council

• Executive Initiative: Leona Yiu
• Volunteer Award: Regan Fitzgerald

Goodman Human Resource Management Association

• Rookie of the Year: Ashwin Anant
• Outstanding Contribution: Sabrina Jancsi

Goodman Student Ambassador Association:

• Rookie of the Year: Punit Tailor
• Outstanding Contribution: Danielle Griffin

Club Awards:

• Best New Initiative Award: Goodman DECA
• Community Impact Award: Goodman Student Ambassador Association
• Rising Star Award: Brock Marketing Association