Brock University’s 117th Convocation was more than an academic milestone for two community-building student leaders in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Christabell Creighton (BA ’25) and Ben Johnson (BA ’22, MA ’25), who graduated on Wednesday, June 11, say they were honoured to receive a Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock medal. The award honours graduating students who exemplify the spirit of Sir Isaac Brock through leadership, innovation and community involvement.

As a commuter, Creighton always prioritized getting involved with campus life. The Political Science and Labour Studies double-major says the Law Plus program helped her find opportunities to build skills while giving back to the community, such as serving on the Student Conduct Council to ensure students facing disciplinary action were treated fairly.

Creighton became a Labour Studies Ambassador, revitalizing the Department’s student club by hosting events and developing a mentorship program matching upper-year students with those who are new to the program. She says she’s proud to hand over the reins to one of these mentorship pairs taking over the club, which she hopes will continue to thrive.

In her hometown of Brantford, Ont., Creighton is former co-chair of the Bruce Trail Conservancy Youth Council and current Vice President of Brant for Nature, a community initiative she co-founded that runs a range of educational environmental events — from owl prowls to invasive species pulls — and engages with local policy-makers.

“We have spoken with the County of Brant on what can be done to reduce our county’s impact on climate change and to advocate for other environmental causes in the area,” says Creighton. “The group aims to provide fun and educational events to our community and inspire a passion for the environment.”

This summer, Creighton will complete a certificate in Dispute Resolution before starting a master’s degree in Immigration and Settlement Studies next fall. She then plans to attend law school.

Co-curricular experiences are not new for Child and Youth Studies (CHYS) MA graduate Johnson, who received the Spirit of Brock Medal in 2022 after earning his bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Co-curriculars inspired his research assistantship with Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning Rajiv Jhangiani, in which Johnson developed a concept integrating open educational practices with co-curriculars he calls “open co-curricular practices.”

Last September, Johnson became President of Brock’s Chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society, committed to academics, leadership and service. He also served as Canada Representative on the Golden Key International Council of Student Leaders.

Johnson spent two years as Associate Editor for Mind Pad, the academic publication for the Student Section of the Canadian Psychological Association.

He sat on the CHYS graduate program committee while completing his master’s thesis, which was funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Canada Graduate Scholarship and an Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

He also served as a graduate student representative on the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity, and Decolonization (PACHRED), where he volunteered on the Anti-Ableism and Mental Health Working Group and served as Co-Chair of the Employment Equity Working Group. In 2023, Johnson received Brock’s Accessibility and Inclusion Recognition Award.

“Next, I’m pursuing doctoral studies where I aspire to advance research on authentic pedagogical supports for students with developmental disabilities that address challenges while recognizing strengths,” Johnson says. “This award represents the value of diversifying my experiences, with the biggest takeaway being that challenges are inevitable but perseverance always pays off.”

Acting Dean of Social Sciences Dawn Zinga admires the community-mindedness of this year’s award recipients.

“Christabell and Ben have devoted their time, energy and creativity to improving the experiences of others,” Zinga says. “Through their leadership and determination, they have contributed to the growth and enhancement of their communities. We are thrilled to see them recognized in this way.”

Brock University Board of Trustees member Kevin Magee (BA ’14), left, presents Benjamin Johnson (BA ’22, MA ’25) with the Spirit of Brock medal on Wednesday, June 11 during the University’s 117th Convocation.