This weekend, we celebrate with Renison grads who will walk across the stage and receive their degree during Convocation. Congratulations to each of you on your incredible achievement!
We are so grateful and proud to have you as part of the Renison community of alumni – and we can’t wait to see what you do next!
During Convocation, we also announce the Fall 2025 Student Award Winners. Each award winner embodies the values of Renison in a special way, and these awards recognize their contributions to our community.
Student Award Recipients
Kaylie MacKeen
Kaylie MacKeen
Master of Social Work Award of Excellence
Kaylie MacKeen is receiving a Master of Social Work degree. Hailing from Guysborough, Nova Scotia, Kaylie has also completed a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie, as well as a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Criminology and Psychology from St. Mary’s University.
Kaylie plans to continue working within Nova Scotia Health in the area of Mental Health and Addictions. Her own lived experience with mental health, addiction and chronic invisible disability informs her practice, and she intends to contribute to the field of social work in both practice and pedagogy. She hopes to move into a leadership or educator role in future to help the next generation of social workers lead with heart, imagination, authenticity, and integrity. Ultimately, Kaylie dreams to build a community-based, interdisciplinary chronic pain clinic that offers holistic care grounded in dignity, and flexibility.
Lindsay Shaddock
Lindsay Shaddock
Master of Social Work Award of Excellence
Lindsay Shaddock is graduating with a Master of Social Work degree. She previously completed an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Social work at Laurentian University, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Behavioural Psychology from St. Lawrence College.
Lindsay has spent the last 17 years working in various roles within the community mental health and addiction sphere, but recently expanded her experience with a role at Providence Care Hospital in Kingston where she is a Concurrent Disorder Specialist in Community Mental Health and Addiction. She is also in the process of embarking on a private practice journey with fellow social workers.
Cindy Chiu
Cindy Chiu
Bachelor of Social Work Award of Excellence
Cindy Chiu is graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Cindy previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto, as well as a Social Service Worker Diploma at Seneca Polytechnic. Among her other accomplishments, Cindy was also the co-recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement.
Cindy’s experience at the Yonge Street Mission and the Yee Hong Geriatric Centre for Care have shaped her perspective on social work, saying that it helped her understand importance of building relationships, listening deeply, and supporting people in meaningful ways. Looking ahead, Cindy hopes to pursue a Master of Social Work and further develop the skills needed to advocate for equity and create supportive spaces for individuals and communities facing systemic barriers.
Lea Tewfik
Lea Tewfik
President's Special Award for Academic Achievement
Lea Tewfik is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies. In addition to this award, Lea was recognized for her academic success on the Dean’s Honours list multiple times throughout her university career. She plans to continue working in healthcare technology to better the lives of individuals by making healthcare more accessible, compassionate, and efficient.