Environmental science leaders honoured with Dennis Mock Student Leadership Awards

Environmental Applied Science and Management Master’s students Brieanna Limkilde and Krystal Henry-Mathieu received program and university level Dennis Mock Student Leadership Awards for their dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement at TMU. The campus community celebrated the remarkable achievements of these student leaders at the Student Experience Awards reception hosted by the Office of the Vice-Provost.  

"I’m so grateful to have been selected as one of the recipients of the Dennis Mock Student Leadership award. There are so many students deserving of an award like this," said program-wide recipient Limkilde. Her leadership as president of the Urban Water Student Leadership Committee was instrumental in fostering a sense of community among students from diverse backgrounds. Through organizing events and initiatives such as faculty and student seminars, she facilitated opportunities for students to learn from each other and engage in collaborative research projects. Looking ahead, Limkilde is enthusiastic about leveraging her skills in her future science career, aspiring to work for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Faculty-wide award recipient Henry-Mathieu reflected on her journey at TMU. "Throughout my time at TMU, a lot of my focus became to bridge the many gaps that I came across throughout my academic journey," she said. An advocate for diversity and inclusion, Henry-Mathieu is dedicated to creating a supportive community for Black women and youth in STEM across Canada. Her outreach initiative, BLK Women in STEM (external link) , aims to increase visibility and representation for Black women in STEM, inspiring future generations to pursue their passions without limitations. Henry-Mathieu is looking forward to continuing her outreach as an Energy and Carbon Solutions Analyst for WalterFedy.

"Student leadership in many ways can be the driving force for change," emphasized Henry-Mathieu. "I hope to create more visibility for Black women in STEM fields so that young Black girls who have been told that 'they can't' or that 'they shouldn't,' can see very clearly that they can.”

Both recipients’ commitment to fostering inclusivity and driving positive change at TMU exemplify the changemaking spirit of Dr. Dennis Mock, who was a dedicated leader during his 28 years at Toronto Met and played a pivotal role in developing graduate studies as vice-president, academic. At the upcoming Dennis Mock Awards 25th Anniversary Reception, Limkilde, Henry-Mathieu and other TMU changemakers will have the opportunity to network, learn from past award winners and celebrate the legacy of student leadership at the university. As they continue to inspire and empower others, their contributions will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy on the TMU community and beyond.