Presenting her Outstanding Scholars project at the UWill Discover conference was a unique and rewarding experience, says second-year biomedical sciences student Mina Pairawan.

She received one of two top prizes during the UWill Discover Sustainable Futures project’s April 3 Day of Excellence event celebrating student research, creative work, and leadership for her exploration of “followership,” the under-researched side of leadership.

“It was challenging to take an often-overlooked subject like followership and communicate it in a way that really resonated with the audience, but it honestly helped me grow so much as both a researcher and presenter,” Pairawan says. “I truly think it is an amazing opportunity for students in any program, especially younger students, to experience presenting in a professional setting.”

This year marks the completion of a SSHRC Connections grant as a partnership of the Student Success and Leadership Centre, the Office of Vice President Research, the Outstanding Scholars program, the Humanities Research Group, STEMx, and the Leddy Library.

Among the highlights of the project:

• The team launched a new student journal and podcast.
• The UWill Discover Model United Nations team was the first Canadian university in eight years to win two awards at the National Model United Nations event in Washington D.C.
• It provided thousands of dollars in student work opportunities and student awards.

Faculty include the UWill Discover project in their tri-council funding grant applications because it demonstrates a campus-wide commitment to fostering the growth of student leaders and research assistants.

“We look forward to building on the success with a new theme for the 2025-26 conference season,” says co-ordinator Tim Brunet.

Find the complete roster of winners on the UWill Discover awards website.

Learn more about the UWill Discover project at uwindsor.ca/uwilldiscover.