Aishah Sonekan (BA ’26) believes “when you show up as your authentic self, ready to help people feel connected and supported, there are always rewards you’re not expecting.”

That sentiment has manifested itself in many ways throughout the Psychology graduate’s time at Brock University, most recently with Sonekan being presented a Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock medal. She was recognized for her leadership and community involvement alongside Critical Sociology graduate and Spirit of Brock medallist Ben Sterling (BA ’22, MA ’26) at the University’s 119th Convocation on Wednesday, June 10.

Sonekan’s many roles at Brock included peer mentor, residence don, international student ambassador and founder of Leaders at Brock, a club dedicated to supporting students with a passion for leadership. She served on the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization and as the Brock University Students’ Union’s Vice-President, Student Services.

As a research assistant for Human Rights and Equity, Sonekan helped increase the number of events for Black History/African Heritage Month, organized Brock’s first Eid Bazaar and worked with the District School Board of Niagara to launch the Black Secondary Student Symposium.

Sonekan says she aims to help others find their place, a goal she considers equally important whether acting as a tutor for the Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region or sitting on their Board of Directors.

“I had lots of people welcome me to Brock, and I know that’s not always an experience people have in higher education,” she says.  “As an international student, finding a place where I could walk the hallways and know I’d always find a friendly face to connect with made Brock feel like a second home. I wanted to be able to pay that forward.”

A recipient of the BESE Saka Award and the President’s Surgite Award, Sonekan is grateful to her many champions — especially her mother, who instilled the importance of embracing opportunities even when the outcome is uncertain.

“I give a lot of credit to my mom, who had a different upbringing and wanted to right the wrongs she had experienced,” she says. “If she couldn’t be in the right rooms, she would ensure I was in the right rooms.”

Sonekan says Brock gave her the space she needed to grow. She urges future Badgers to be unafraid as they find their own way here.

“It wasn’t just one department offering support and earning trust but a culture across the institution,” she says. “That really helped me stretch my wings to figure out where I could create change.”

For Sterling, the Spirit of Brock recognition is especially meaningful.

After a challenging start as an undergraduate working through personal losses, he found himself studying Sociology and Criminology — a program that quickly taught him to see through new lenses.

“I started reading all kinds of articles about youth from troubled backgrounds and the family as an agent of socialization, and gained perspectives on my own experiences,” he says. “You feel isolated when you’re in that situation, but learning about systemic and structural issues changes that.”

Alongside his newfound academic success, Sterling took every opportunity to help others learn, whether as a drop-in literacy tutor with Learning Services, a teaching assistant, a volunteer presenter for high school workshops or an ambassador for Brock at recruiting events, encouraging uncertain students that they, too, could hit their stride in university.

A note from Associate Professor Lauren Corman on an undergraduate essay suggested he speak with her if he were considering graduate studies. He hadn’t been — until that moment.

Sterling now plans to publish his master’s thesis research on the risks and long-term impacts of labelling youths as “at-risk.” He also hopes to find new ways to serve the community of adolescent boys he works with at an out-of-home care facility near his home in Chatham, Ont.

“I want to advocate for those who potentially have the capacity for success, whether that’s academically, musically, artistically, but they — for whatever reason — don’t get to realize that potential because they get caught up in a system,” he says.