The Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences celebrated 11 newly-minted LEAD Medallion Scholars in a virtual event Thursday, one day before they celebrated their graduation at Fall Convocation.

The program recognizes undergraduate students who have excelled within and beyond the classroom. In order to earn a medallion, recipients must have demonstrated:

• Leadership through peer mentoring and campus involvement;
• Engagement through service learning, study abroad, or other outreach activities;
• Application through internship, practicum, or other hands-on activities related to your field of study; and
• Discovery through undergraduate research or creative pursuits.

This fall’s recipients are:

• Gold medallists Nicolas Jakowiec, Gagneet Kaur, Noor Az-Zahraa Khachab, Fardovza Kusow, Maria Lederer, Sherin Mathews, and Hussein Samhat;
• Silver medallists Max Ieraci and Katie Harrison; and
• Bronze medallists Michael Emanuel and Fina Pirrone.

These scholars join more than 150 LEAD Medallion grads to receive this recognition since the program was introduced in 2019.

“My experience in the Mentorship and Learning program has kick-started so many great opportunities for me and has pushed me to become a better person,” says Hussein Samhat, a grad of the drama in education and the community program. “What I will take with me are the lessons and the connections that have been fostered over the course of the last four years.”

He offered “a huge shout-out” to Tina Pugliese, Phebe Lam, Danielle Soulliere, and Tony Vo for being his biggest sources of support and mentorship: “I have so much respect and admiration for all of you and would not be here without you.”