Brock University celebrated the impact of student leaders, mentors and community contributors during the Student Life and Success Recognition Awards this week.<\/p>\n
Held Wednesday, March 25 in the Rankin Family Pavilion Atrium, the ceremony recognized achievements in volunteering, leadership and mentorship, community engagement and the promotion of Black excellence.<\/p>\n
Second-year Nursing student Ademide Abogunrin received the Rising Star Award for her significant involvement in student life and the Bese Saka Award for her dedication to Black flourishing and academic success.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see myself in the commuter who\u2019s on the road at 5 a.m. to get to campus, in the future nurse balancing their studies and extracurriculars and in the Black student looking to find their people and place,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m passionate about amplifying their greatness and seeing them thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
In her work with the Black Student Success Centre (BSSC), Nigerian Students Association and Black Nursing Students Association, Abogunrin contributed to events and mentorship opportunities that supported academic and leadership excellence as well as equitable inclusion for students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat stands out about Ademide is the way she builds community,\u201d said BSSC Manager Monique Beauregard. \u201cShe shows up consistently, amplifies the voices of others and helps students navigate opportunities with confidence. Her leadership reflects the spirit of the Bese Saka award, which focuses on shared responsibility and collective care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abogunrin said she strives to integrate the Bese Saka values of togetherness, unity and allyship into all aspects of her life, making the recognition especially meaningful.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe brightest parts of my journey so far have been creating welcoming spaces for representation, connection and Black Joy,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s incredible to see Black students from across the University celebrating and supporting each other.”<\/p>\n
Off campus, Abogunrin is an Ambassador for the Hamilton organization Sisters in Sync and a Student Executive Network Officer for the Registered Nurses Association, deepening connections between Brock and external organizations and creating new networks for achieving shared goals.<\/p>\n
In the future, she plans to to take on advanced leadership roles, such as within the BSSC, that will allow her to further support students while boosting her professional and personal growth.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m so grateful for the support I\u2019ve received from the BSSC and Student Life and Success, and I want to provide similar mentorship opportunities to others,\u201d she said. \u201cI always tell students: \u2018You’re not the next Ade \u2014 you\u2019re the next you,\u2019 and I encourage them to contribute with their unique skills and viewpoints.\u201d<\/p>\n
Executive Director, Student Life and Success Jenn Skelding said the Recognition Awards highlight the diverse ways students contribute to building community and strengthen the Brock experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s incredible to see how much our students contribute to campus life, and this is a chance for us to pause and really celebrate the energy, leadership and care they bring to the Brock community every day,\u201d she said. \u201cTheir impact reaches far beyond the programs they join and shapes how students feel, connect and thrive here.\u201d<\/p>\n