Student Recognition
Neil Russell Student Leadership Award
The Neil Russell Student Leadership Award honours TRU undergraduate students who have demonstrated leadership and have made outstanding contributions to TRU, their communities and/or the society-at-large. This award is given in recognition of Neil Russell, former TRU VP Student Affairs and VP Academic, for his dedication to student achievement and leadership.
Congratulations to Tess Russell, winner of the 2025 Neil Russell Student Leadership Award.
Fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) student Tess Russell was named the Neil Russell Student Leadership Award winner for demonstrating exceptional leadership within the TRU School of Nursing, the broader campus, and the healthcare sector. As a single mother balancing school, parenting, and volunteer work, she exemplified time management, perseverance, and the power of community engagement. Her dedication to mentorship, advocacy, and student support distinguishes her as a highly influential figure in nursing education.
Throughout the completion of her nursing degree, Tess:
- Served as the official delegate for the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association.
- Organized in-person events to support nursing students in their academic and professional journeys while representing TRU on a national stage.
- Implemented a study night for over 150 attendees each semester and coordinated a speaker series for students to explore diverse nursing careers.
- Secured funding for five students to attend the CNSA National Conference.
- Participated on the Nursing Curriculum Committee, where she actively gathered information from the student body, advocated for curriculum improvements, and ensured the integration of student feedback into course design and delivery.
- Contributed to the transition experience of new nurses entering the workforce through the Interior Health New Grad Committee
- Collaborated with healthcare leaders to identify challenges and provide insight into what is needed to foster confidence and prepare new nurses.
- Initiated the Nursing Peer Mentor program in 2023, pairing third-year students with first-year students to provide academic support, guidance, and encouragement. Students have shared that peer mentorship brings them a sense of security, community, and belonging.
- Supported initiatives and organizations – such as the stem cell swabbing events and the TRUSU Blood Club, which collaborates with Canadian Blood Services.
- Shared her experiences as a woman, parent, and career professional as a panelist at the TRU EmpowerHER International Women’s Day Celebration.
- Organized a Teddy Bear Clinic to ease children’s anxiety about medical settings.
More information about this award
The successful candidate will receive a monetary award of $1000 and will be honoured at a luncheon with the adjudication committee.
Note: This award is for students enrolled in a program at the undergraduate level. Nominators must be a faculty or staff member of Thompson Rivers University.
Application
A complete application package must include the following completed documents and be sent to lead@tru.ca no later than the first Wednesday in March by 4:00 pm.
Nominator Form along with a 300-500 word response to the information requested on the nominator form.
Co-Nominator Form along with a 300-500 word response to the information requested on the co-nominator form.
Nominee form along with a 300-500 word response to the information requested on the nominee form.
TRU Peer Leader of the Month Recognition Award
The TRU Peer Leader of the Month Award recognizes one or two Peer Leader(s) per month from September to April of each academic year for contributions they have made to their mentees, peer leader group, the TRU community, and/or the broader Kamloops community. This award recognizes the diverse contributions made by peer leaders and rewards students who exemplify attributes such as passion, leadership, resilience, excellence, creativity, and empathy.
More information about this award
Application
If you are a Peer Leader Coordinator and have questions regarding nominating a peer leader, please send an email to lead@tru.ca.
TRU Peer Leaders of the Month
April 2025
Monty Armstrong
Student Wellness Ambassador Team
Monty (they/them) was honoured for supporting student health and well-being through their responsiveness, advocacy, research, and content creation. They have a passion for sexual health, queer wellness, and harm reduction education and contributed to the increase of student literacy. Monty was involved in almost every single wellness educational event the Wellness Centre offered in Fall 2024.
As co-lead on the social media team, Monty creates informative, meaningful, and educational content for social media, such as the Bladder Chatter Student Health and Wellness newsletter. They’ve also volunteered to lead an educational video about the new take-home naloxone emergency kits.
Monty’s willingness to work diligently and intentionally to discover relevant and responsive resources for students who access our support is commendable. Monty deserves to be recognized as a Peer Mentor of the Month because they go above and beyond to help create a safe, inclusive, equitable, non-judgmental, and authentic environment for learning and connection at TRU.
March 2025
Caylah Lemon
Senior PACE Leader
A leader in the classroom, on the field and in the community, Caylah, a TRU WolfPack women's soccer team member and a fourth-year psychology major, is enthusiastic, empathetic and creative. In her three years as a PACE leader, Caylah has continuously developed new initiatives and ideas when brainstorming projects, presentations and icebreaker activities. Caylah is adaptable when working with and supporting student-athletes and is always willing to step in and offer help or stay behind after a meeting or PACE session to debrief or strategize. She holds herself to a high standard and leads by example; she expects her peers to do the same. Caylah is a great representative of the WolfPack and the TRU community, winning the Cliff Neufeld Leadership Award for the 2023-2024 season for exemplifying a combination of excellence. She helped lead many initiatives in the community, including supporting fundraising efforts for a fellow Canada West women's soccer player undergoing cancer treatment.
Set to graduate this spring with aspirations to attend grad school and become a counsellor, PACE will miss Caylah next year but is excited to see her future unfold!
February 2025
Ppriyanka Bokey
Career Ambassador
Ppriyanka exemplifies passion, leadership, creativity, and excellence through her outstanding Career & Experiential Learning ambassador contributions. Priyanka has been incredibly active in bringing new ideas to the team, showcasing her creativity and commitment to enhancing the student experience. She has been a hands-on advocate for students' career development, demonstrating her initiative and leadership skills. Her ability to engage with students is exceptional - she consistently fosters meaningful connections, providing guidance and support with empathy and enthusiasm. Ppriyanka has been incredibly active in bringing new ideas to the team, showcasing her creativity and commitment to enhancing the student experience. Also, having experience as an Orientation and Transition Ambassador and Student Storyteller, her knowledge base has enabled her to confidently assist students and deliver excellent support, making her an invaluable resource for her peers and the broader TRU community. Ppriyanka's dedication, innovative thinking, and ability to inspire others make her an ideal recipient of this award. She has made a lasting impact on the students she has worked with and the Career Ambassador program.
January 2025
Bensly Roods Pierre
Undergraduate Research Ambassador
Bensly is a superstar upper-level student entering his final semester of TRU's Computer Science program. Bensly's creativity shines through the thoughtful ways he manages the student clubs, coursework, and paid positions. His ability to read the room and translate what he perceives through media is unique—if you can imagine it, he can make it! He's an amazing peer mentor, Research Coach, Research Assistant, and student caucus member. You'll likely see him fist-bumping every other student as he walks down the hall, evidence of his keen community-building skills and ability to make people feel like they belong.
December 2024
Paromita Roy
BBA Peer Mentor
As a BBA Peer Mentor, Paromita is an intuitive, supportive, reliable, and adaptable student leader. She generates many creative ideas about future programming while assessing the team's successes and challenges to ensure continuous growth and improvement. Paromita is celebrated for her initiative, care, compassion, and logistical support; she often provides guidance or can anticipate when shifts need to be covered, filling those gaps without being asked.
November 2024
Doan Nguyen Phat
Intercultural Ambassador
As an Intercultural Ambassador, Doan Nguyen Phat is known for being thoughtful, humble, empathetic and passionate about advancing equity, inclusion and intercultural engagement at TRU. Having been a part of the Intercultural Ambassador team for two years, Phat has led several projects, including the name inclusion project, created marketing and communication assets for upcoming intercultural events, and hosted the first-ever Intercultural Teatime in House 4. Phat has modelled personal growth, resilience and bravery and leads by example and with deep compassion. This is Phat's last semester at TRU, and he will be remembered for contributing to meaningful change at TRU and beyond.
October 2024
Jenna Marshall
Senior Student Storyteller
As a senior Student Storyteller, Jenna Marshall is dependable, strategic, and a multi-talented producer of exceptional and meaningful digital content. Jenna's technical skills have grown significantly over the years, and she's very generous with information and insights to help others feel empowered. Above all, Jenna's approaches to leadership are particularly heartening. She supports junior students on project work with care and compassion and engages in various on-campus events with intelligence, interest and enthusiasm. Jenna is completing her final semester as a BBA student and marketing major and will be missed.
September 2024
Manuel Centeno
Supplemental Learning Leader
In his role as a Supplemental Learning Leader Manuel is known for his positive energy and for being an extraordinarily hard-working individual. Despite a demanding timetable of courses, volunteer work, and other commitments, Manuel never says no to an opportunity to help. Manuel has taken on responsibilities to better manage the SL space and supplies. He often volunteers on Fridays at the community Homework Club, and he is always around to help the students attending his sessions. This year, Manuel will be returning to TRU not only as a Supplemental Learning Leader, but also as a Mentor and Peer Academic Coach. Manuel’s enthusiasm, caring nature, and respect for others make him an exceptional member of the Supplemental Learning team.
