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On April 5th, the air in Wyckham House shimmered with anticipation as the annual SAMRU Awards Ceremony illuminated outstanding contributions of campus members. SAMRU has championed the vital role of non-academic and extra-curricular engagement of MRU students and staff for years, and in this spirit of recognition, the organization dedicated an evening to celebrating these exceptional individuals. A total of $40,000 in scholarships was awarded.

The Student Governing Board (SGB) had the distinct honour of presenting these awards during the ceremony. We invite you to explore the distinguished list below to learn more about each recipient and the award they received during the celebratory event held in Wyckham House.

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Enrichment Awards

Daniel Owoeye | Inspiring Culture Award
Aisyah Ghazali | Beyond Disabilities Award
Jason Oliveros | Deanna Cardinal Memorial Award

Clubs Awards

The Mount Royal Justice Advocates | Excellence in Community Service Award
Financial Students Organization | Excellence in Membership Service Award

Staff and Faculty Awards

Dr. Jeella Acedo | Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Jodi Nickel | Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Gloria Pérez-Rivera | Teaching Excellence Award

Endeavour Awards

Ana Cruz Alvarado | Citizen Award
Xena Al-Hejji | Citizen Award
Eden Maracle | Citizen Award
Jemina Lumaban | Committed Learner Award
Tiffany Singer | Committed Learner Award
Demola Yusuf | Committed Learner Award

Excellence Awards

Joel MacWilliams | Bronze Award Winner
Mady Pauletto | Bronze Award Winner
Jessica Quiring | Bronze Award Winner
Daniela Perez Delgado | Silver Award Winner
Nicole Ranieri | Silver Award Winner
Hamza Echchoujaa | Gold Award Winner
Santina Duarte | Outstanding Student of the Year Award

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Enrichment Awards

Inspiring Culture Award
Daniel Owoeye

Daniel is in the nursing program and is a member of the MRU men’s basketball team. Driven by a passion for both healthcare and athletics, they embrace the intense time commitment required to balance academics and sports, to push themselves to excel in both fields.

Beyond the court and classroom, they also mentor youth and share their love for the game in the community. It is important for Daniel to advocate for minorities, and create an inclusive and empowering environment. Their role as a student nurse & athlete strengthens their leadership skills, and provides resilience that enables them to connect with diverse populations. Daniel hopes to leave a meaningful and positive impact both on and off the court through their interactions with others, and inspire many that anything is possible through the PhDs of life (Prayer, Hard work, Dedication).

Beyond Disabilities Award
Aisyah Ghazali

Aisyah, is a first-year student in the Bachelor of Child Studies: Child and Youth Care Counselling (CYCC) program at Mount Royal University. They care deeply about supporting children and youths, especially those with disabilities, and creating safe, inclusive spaces for them to grow. A large part of why Aisyah chose CYCC and working with children with developmental disabilities is because they want to make a difference, even in small ways. In their free time they love giving back to organizations that have supported their younger sister, such as Ups and Downs: Calgary Down Syndrome Community, where they help with community events and fundraising. Whether through studies, work, or volunteering, Aisyah tries to do what they can to support and uplift people in their community.

Deanna Cardinal Memorial Award
Jason Oliveros

Jason is a passionate student leader, mentor, and advocate dedicated to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and culturally enriched community at Mount Royal University. He served as a mentor in the First-Year Mentorship Program, advocated for Indigenous representation, and contributed to campus-wide initiatives. Beyond the campus, he actively volunteers with non-profit organizations, working to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Jason has left a lasting impact on the campus community and beyond through his unwavering commitment to fostering cultural awareness and empowering students.

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Clubs Awards

Excellence in Community Service Award
The Mount Royal Justice Advocates

The MRU Justice Advocates (MRUJA) provides MRU students with diverse opportunities to volunteer, connect, and learn, all while empowering them to make a difference in Calgary’s marginalized communities. MRUJA unites students from various fields who share a passion for social justice and community involvement. Through social gatherings, group volunteering events, fundraising campaigns, and educational speaker sessions, MRUJA facilitates engagement, awareness, and hands-on learning for students eager to contribute to positive community engagement and social change.

Excellence in Membership Services Award
Financial Students Organization

The Financial Students Organization is a dedicated student body that has a mission of creating the financial leaders of tomorrow. Empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and network they need to excel in the world of finance. This past year FSO has doubled their efforts and presence to expose more students up for success.

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Staff and Faculty Awards

Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Jeella Acedo

Dr. Jeella Acedo (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Mount Royal University and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary.

She teaches courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. Her research focuses on strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance, including the discovery of new antibiotic molecules, environmental surveillance of antimicrobial resistance genes and organisms, and the development of training platforms that equip trainees with a One Health perspective on addressing this global challenge.

She also designs Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), ensuring that every enrolled student has the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience.

Originally from the Philippines, Dr. Acedo moved to Canada to pursue higher education. She earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Alberta and was consequently an NSERC Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before joining MRU in 2019.

Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Jodi Nickel

Jodi Nickel is a Professor in the Department of Education where she delights in helping the next generation of educators become the best teachers of reading that they can possibly be. Her own teaching career began in grade 1-2 classrooms. After graduate studies, she joined MRU faculty first in Child Studies and then moved to Education where she was department chair as the B.Ed. degree rolled out. Jodi has sparked a love of research and scholarship for several student research assistants by engaging them in projects and applying their input to continuously improve teaching. Under her leadership, teacher candidates have been engaging in community service learning by deepening their knowledge of course concepts while helping young children learn to read. This work is supported by MRUReads, an open access website that guides teacher candidates and also showcases their rich knowledge to school partners. Jodi partners with a variety of community agencies to advocate for literacy as a fundamental human right.

Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Gloria Perez-Rivera

Gloria Pérez-Rivera is a sociocultural anthropologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at MRU. Gloria’s research and teaching integrate political and economic anthropology with migration studies, labour studies, justice & peace studies and critical criminology with transnational projects in Colombia and Canada.

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Endeavour Awards

Citizen Award Winners
Ana Cruz Alvarado

Ana Cruz is a second-year student in the Business Administration program. In addition to her studies, she is a devoted mother of two girls and an active volunteer with SAMRU. Passionate about helping others, she supports the Spanish community by providing translation services and assisting with government forms, including Canadian citizenship, passport applications, and subsidy forms for seniors. Ana looks forward to using her education to continue making a meaningful impact in the business world and her community.

Xena Al-Hejji

Xena is in her last year of the Psychology Honours program at MRU. Throughout her time at MRU, she has been involved extensively on campus, volunteering for the Peer Health Educator program, the Peer Learning Program, and the After Hours Peer Support Centre. Additionally, Xena is a student representative and peer mentor for the Psychology Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. She is also very passionate about research, engaging in interdisciplinary research across various fields. As she continues her academic journey beyond MRU, she hopes to continue her advocacy and research pursuits to make a meaningful impact on those around her.

Eden Maracle

Eden is currently in their fourth and final year in the Bachelor of Arts-Criminal Justice program, where they are writing their honours thesis on the topic of Indigenous gang culture and how aspects of traditional Indigenous representation make their way into gangs. They are also preparing to begin a Master’s Degree in the Master of Science in Crime Analysis program at Arizona State University this coming fall. 

In addition to academic pursuits, Eden is in their second year serving as the Events Executive for the Mount Royal Justice Advocates, an MRU Club dedicated to providing university students with volunteer opportunities and ways to positively contribute to the community. They also volunteer with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary, where they work weekly at the Calgary Indigenous Court. 

In their free time, Eden enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, and snowboarding at Lake Louise.

Committed Learner Award Winners
Jemina Lumaban

Jemina is a third-year Accounting student at Mount Royal University who loves learning and getting involved in the community. They spend time volunteering with The Mustard Seed and SAMRU’s Mobile Grocery Store, and are also part of the Peer Learning Program, helping other students. When Jemina is not busy with school, work or volunteering, they enjoy playing video games, watching anime, baking, and fishing. Life can get pretty hectic, but Jemina always makes time for the things they love and the people around them.

Tiffany Singer

Tiffany is in her final semester of the Bachelor of Social Work at MRU, where she is also pursuing a minor in Indigenous Studies. Disabilities significantly affect her life as a woman, mother and daughter. She is passionate about autonomy, equality, and self-determination for all individuals. Tiffany values both her family, and education and is dedicated to working with marginalized people and communities to help them achieve their dreams. She advocates tirelessly for the rights of persons with disabilities, promoting accessibility, inclusion, and participation.

Demola Yusuf

Demola is currently pursuing a degree in Anthropology Honors with a minor in Indigenous Studies. They serve as a member of the MRU Human Research Ethics Board (HREB), where they contribute to ensuring ethical standards are met in research involving human participants at Mount Royal. Their academic interest lies in combining the hands-on, practical approaches of both anthropology and healthcare to advocate for better healthcare access and delivery. Demola is particularly interested in how cultural perspectives and direct community engagement can inform more effective healthcare advocacy and improved outcomes.

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Excellence Awards

Bronze Award Winners
Joel MacWilliams

Joel is a dedicated social work student, set to graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work in April 2025, and continuing studies toward a Master’s degree. Since 2019, Joel has been an active volunteer with Mount Royal and SAMRU, contributing to food security programs, mental health education, and campus inclusion initiatives. His experience includes peer-to-peer counseling, governance involvement, and facilitating workshops on safety and well-being. Through his work at the DDRC and ongoing academic pursuits, Joel is committed to fostering inclusive, supportive environments that empower individuals of all abilities.

Mady Pauletto

Mady is in their last semester of their Criminal Justice degree, with a minor in Psychology. During four and a half years at Mount Royal University, they have gone on a Holocaust field school through Europe, semester abroad in Scotland, and been a volunteer at a children’s divorce care program, women’s shelter, and MRU’s International Student Support Centre. Mady also just completed a practicum at the Calgary Young Offender Centre, where they plan to continue working as they begin a career within the justice system after graduating this June. 

Jessica Quiring

Jessica is a public relations student who has been deeply involved in leadership, mentorship, and content creation throughout her university journey serving as the President of the MRU Public Relations Society, working as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the campus pool, studying abroad in Vienna for a semester through the international program, and organizing networking events and community initiatives to support students’ professional growth. She also spends her summers volunteering as a camp counsellor, fostering leadership and inclusion among young campers.

Jessica has also played a key role in shaping MRU’s digital presence as the university’s official content creator, creating engaging videos highlighting campus events and resources and connecting students to the MRU community. Passionate about storytelling and community engagement, she is excited to begin her public relations career in the arts and culture sector as she graduates this spring with a minor in speech and 4.0 GPA.

Silver Award Winners
Daniela Perez Delgado – Silver Award

Daniela is a fourth-year student majoring in Financial Analysis with a minor in Financial Services. A dedicated and hardworking individual, her passion extends beyond academics—she is committed to making a positive impact on campus, within the business community, and in the lives of students. Above all, Daniela believes that even making a difference in one person’s life is a success. As she approaches graduation, her goal is to leave a lasting legacy at her school.

Nicole Ranieri

Nicole (she/her) is in her final year of a Bachelor of Computer Information Systems with a minor in Ancient and Medieval Studies. She is a founding member of MRU’s Women in Tech and Women in Business clubs and has contributed to campus life as president of the book and baking clubs and a library front desk worker.

Passionate about equity in tech, Nicole is conducting original research on women’s experiences in Calgary’s tech sector using qualitative and AI-driven analysis. She looks forward to continuing her journey in tech while building inclusive communities.

Gold Award
Hamza Echchoujaa

As a Muslim male student in the Nursing program, Hamza is dedicated to fostering belonging, inclusion, and representation at Mount Royal University. He works to continuously improve the campus life for all students with a focus on the Muslim student population. 

As the Finance Director of the Muslim Students’ Affiliation, he works to enhance the experiences of Muslim students by securing funding, organizing events, mobilizing efforts, and advocating for accessibility. As President of both the Men in Nursing Club and the Public Speaking and Leadership Club, he champions diversity in healthcare and empowers students to develop confidence in communication and leadership. His crucial work as President of the Palestine Advocacy Club amplifies voices, raises awareness, and strengthens solidarity on campus in these trying times. 

Through his leadership, Hamza continues to break barriers and create a more inclusive and engaged student community. Whether through advocacy, mentorship, or organizing initiatives, he remains committed to uplifting others and making a lasting impact at MRU.

Outstanding Student of the Year
Santina Duarte

Santina is in her final year of the BSc Biology program focusing on Anatomy and Physiology and minoring in Anthropology. Throughout Santina’s undergraduate career she has volunteered for multiple organizations including Alberta Health Services, Alberta Hunters Education Instructors Association, and the Peer Learning Program at Mount Royal University. Santina has also spent much of her time at MRU researching the effects of stress on the brain using a multidisciplinary approach – particularly looking at the effects of various stressors on brain blood-flow and using artificial intelligence to model the neural effects of mental health disorders. Finally, Santina has spent much of her undergraduate career being active in various SAMRU clubs, most notably acting as Vice-President of the Student Society of Science and Technology from 2023-2024. Santina now plans to complete her PhD in neuroscience following the completion of her undergraduate degree, particularly studying novel treatments for various mental health disorders.

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Congratulations to the esteemed recipients of the 2025 SAMRU Awards! Your dedication to the Students’ Association is highly valued. Photographs from the Wyckham House event are available on our Facebook Page.

Are your contributions to the Students’ Association deserving of recognition? We encourage you to continue your exceptional engagement. Award applications will open at the beginning of the winter semester.

Further information regarding the SAMRU Awards can be found here. For any questions or inquiries, please contact info@samru.ca.