This award recognizes an outstanding student who has demonstrated leadership excellence in the development and/or implementation of an ongoing or one-time community service project or program and has made a significant contribution to the community through his or her leadership and involvement during the academic year. We are proud to present Claire Poulin as the recipient of the 2021 Marcel-Coté Award for Leadership in Community Engagement!
2021 CSL Awards for Outstanding Achievement and Marcel-Côté Leadership in Community Service Award
Posted on Monday, June 21, 2021
Marcel-Coté Award for Leadership in Community Engagement
Claire Poulin
Student, University of Ottawa - Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and Minor in Psychology
"What a year! Although it was quite unconventional in the delivery methods of my volunteerism, I am honoured to be this year’s recipient of the Marcel Côté Leadership in Community Service Award! As a team leader for the Let’s Talk Science chapter on our beautiful University of Ottawa campus, as well as the Organ Donation Awareness Club president and founder, it’s been a busy year. Giving back to a community that has given me so much is truly my pleasure, educating students and youth across the greater Ottawa area as well as across the country. It has been such a positive learning experience. Reflecting on this past year, I believe that it was my involvement in these organizations that helped me to succeed academically and personally during these unprecedented times. "
CSL Award for Outstanding Achievement
Each year, the University of Ottawa’s Community Service Learning (CSL) program highlights the outstanding contributions of a student, a professor and a community partner. We are proud to present the 2021 CSL Awards for Outstanding Achievement!
Student
Madison Hitchcock
Student, University of Ottawa - Master of Arts International Development and Globalization (Co-op)
"My CSL experience with Mines Action Canada has had a profound effect on me personally and professionally. I was able to experience the inner workings of a civil society organization tackling projects related to humanitarian disarmament, and I feel that my work contributed to the goal of civilian protection in combat. I took concepts I learned in the classroom and applied them to real world issues, which both solidified my understanding of them and unlocked a passion in me for this line of work. I would like to thank Dr. Rebecca Tiessen for introducing me to CSL and Erin Hunt and Paul Hannon from Mines Action Canada for their mentorship and faith in me."
Nominator: Mines Action Canada
Erin Hunt, Program Manager:
"Mines Action Canada got involved in the Community Service Learning program because we know from experience the impact that committed and engaged youth can have. Young people have been leaders in global movements to ban landmines, cluster munitions and nuclear weapons. By sharing their learning and their enthusiasm, uOttawa students like Maddie have contributed to our work on indiscriminate and inhumane weapons, including international diplomatic negotiations and national parliamentary outreach. Every semester we look forward to meeting our CSL students and seeing what unique skills they bring to our work!"
Professor
Matthew Archibald
Director, Student Services, Telfer School of Management
"Community Service Learning is a fantastic program offered by the University of Ottawa. It allows students to make a difference by applying what they learn in the classroom to community service projects, while providing our community partners with opportunities to work with top talent. Through Community Service Learning, I have been fortunate to partner our students with Junior Achievement Ottawa. The students who enrol in Community Service Learning find significant value in working with Junior Achievement to shape a future generation of leaders within our community. Without a doubt, the students report that this experience is a highlight of the course!"
Community Partners
Lotus Centre for Special Music Education
Erin Parkes, Founder and Executive Director, Lotus Centre for Special Music Education
"Lotus Centre partnered with CSL for two primary reasons: our commitment to teacher education and providing learning opportunities in special music education, and the in-program support that it would provide our organization. Our experiences with CSL have surpassed our expectations. The students that we’ve had have been fantastic in their level of engagement and the skills that they’ve brought to our programs, and they’ve said that their own views have been expanded as a result of their participation. It’s been a truly rewarding experience for all involved."
Community Partners
Regroupement Autisme Prescott-Russell
Danika Lévesque, Executive Director
"The Regroupement Autisme Prescott-Russell is proud to be a CSL community partner, because it allows us to welcome many volunteers for our programs for people with autism, like facilitators’ assistants. It’s a great opportunity to publicize our organization and raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder. Volunteers make a real difference with partners. In addition to helping us offer high-quality programs, they’ve helped us find excellent activity ideas and run a fundraising campaign for Autism Awareness Month. "