Congratulations, class of 2024!

Deanna Rooke

SDS Book Prize and President's Merit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Life at Renison

Deanna is graduating from Renison with a Social Development Studies (SDS) degree. Before arriving at Renison, Deanna completed a Police Foundations Diploma and graduated from Conestoga College’s Social Service Worker program in 2022. During their studies, they were very involved on campus, including as Vice-President of the Renison Academic Student Council (RASC), and as a model for W Store! They have also stayed involved in the community, working with Community Justice Initiatives.

Deanna has been recipient of several other awards, including Renison’s Town and Gown Society Award, which they received twice, and the Kerr Ostrander Leadership for Tomorrow Award and the Wahl Family Scholarship for Community Involvement from UW.

Deanna will be pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) this Fall (2024). They hope to continue on to complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, and establish a career where they are able to unite social justice, restorative approaches, and research to support post-secondary students and community building.

Erin Smyth

Renison Gold Medal Award for Academic Achievement

Erin is graduating from Renison with an Honours Social Development Studies (SDS) degree with specializations in both Social Work and Social Policy and Social Action. Previous to studying at Renison, Erin completed a Pharmacy Technician Diploma, and an Addictions Careworker Diploma.

Erin recently started a doula practice where she specializes in supporting clients through abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, TFMR, and infant loss. She is a passionate advocate for reproductive justice, and is currently a Member of Niagara Reproductive Justice, and works as a volunteer for the Abortion and Reproductive Support Network.

Omar Al-Samadi 

President’s Special Award for Academic Achievement

Omar is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Development Studies. Before joining Renison University College at the University of Waterloo, Omar completed the Social Service Worker program at George Brown College, as well as the Business Administration - Finance program at Sheridan College. In addition to this award, Omar has received the Trevor H. Edwards Memorial Award, and is a three time recipient of the Town & Gown Society Award.

Omar has a history of community work in harm reduction and mental health, and currently volunteers with a local mixed-income housing charity in downtown Toronto. They will begin a Master of Information and Master of Museum Studies combined degree program at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information in September, where they have already been awarded the Dean's Master of Information Scholarship for their academic excellence. Omar's ultimate goal is to become a Diversity and Inclusion Archivist, focusing on designing and implementing archival systems that prioritize disability justice and the preservation of marginalized histories.

Crystena Parker-Shandal

Renison Faculty Teaching Award

Crystena Parker-Shandal is an Associate Professor in Social Development Studies (SDS), and has taught hundreds of students in her 8 years (so far) at Renison. Crystena’s exemplary teaching prioritizes relational pedagogy and community-based learning. Her innovative pedagogical approaches include peace circles and in-school ethnography centred on restorative justice and antiracism education. Crystena models what it means to be a caring and empathic educator who is an equity leader. She is a transformative educator through her classroom teaching, her mentorship of students and colleagues, and her peace education scholarship.

Kevin Cai

Renison Faculty Research Award

Kevin Cai is a Professor in East Asian Studies, and one of Renison’s most senior scholars, with a long record of publication over many years. He has been conducting research and publishing consistently since 1999 in the areas of International Political Economy and International Relations with reference to East Asia and China. Kevin’s many works, which include 4 single-authored books and numerous other publications, are frequently cited, and used as course materials in universities around the world. Kevin is regularly called on by local, Canadian, Korean, and international press for interviews on his area of specialization. He is also the co-founder and editor of a book series entitled Politics and Development of Contemporary China, and his forthcoming co-edited volumes on “China and Global Economic Governance” (Palgrave MacMillan, in press) are well-positioned for significant impact.

Julia Williams

Renison Faculty Service Award

For the last two decades, Julia Williams has been tireless in supporting communication skills initiatives for multilingual students. Collaborating with chairs and administrators across faculties, Julia has designed courses to address the distinct learning needs of multilingual students, creating course pathways that support their agency, autonomy, and long-term development. She has served actively on numerous university-wide committees to develop communication curricula, including the Steering Committee for English Language Competency Initiatives, the Undergraduate Communication Outcomes Initiative, and the Arts First Advisory Committee, to name but a few. Through these committees, and here at Renison, Julia has demonstrated practical and effective leadership, profound commitment and dedication, a deeply collegial spirit, and exceptional dedication to student learning.