News

Congratulations to Schulich Law students Allison Hearns, Maya Churilov and Donna Mbamy-Conci, who were named 2021-2022 Dalhousie Impact Award recipients.

The Dalhousie IMPACT Awards, which are hosted by the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) in collaboration with Dalhousie University, recognize outstanding individuals and student groups that impact the Dal community.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021–22 IMPACT Awards in-person gala event did not take place, and the winners were instead celebrated on social media.

Hearns, Churilov and Mbamy-Conci each took time to share what winning this award meant to them.

Allison Hearns – Student Activist Award

Allison Hearns, a third-year law student, won the Student Activist Award, which is awarded to a student who demonstrates passion and commitment to social justice and action, and who leads by example, organizes students in an inclusive way, acts with integrity, raises awareness, and inspires others to create change.

"The honour that I feel about winning this award is indescribable," says Hearns. "Like so many activists, I don't do the work I do to be celebrated; I do the work I do because it needs to be done. What being recognized in this way tells me is that progress is being made, and for that, I am most thankful."

Maya Churilov – Faculty Leadership Impact Award (Law)

Maya Churilov, a third-year student, won the Faculty Leadership Impact Award for Law. These awards are given to undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing for each Dalhousie faculty. These students exemplify the highest level of passion for their discipline, take initiative in creating new opportunities and encourage their peers to engage in faculty initiatives. Faculty Leadership Impact Award winners positively impact other students in their faculty and the reputation of their faculty at Dalhousie outside of the classroom.

"Winning the Law Faculty Leadership Award has been such an honour," says Churilov. "Supporting my community and advocating for my peers has always been a passion of mine, and I can only hope to have fostered a lasting positive and inclusive environment for everyone around me. I am incredibly grateful for everyone that I have had the opportunity to work with this year and all of the support I have received from my friends and colleagues."

Donna Mbamy-Conci – Faculty Leadership Impact Award (Health)

Donna Mbamy-Conci, a third-year student at Dalhousie's College of Pharmacy and a first-year law student, won the Faculty Leadership Impact Award for Health. These awards are given to undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing for each Dalhousie faculty. These students exemplify the highest level of passion for their discipline, take initiative in creating new opportunities and encourage their peers to engage in faculty initiatives. Faculty Leadership Impact Award winners positively impact other students in their faculty and the reputation of their faculty at Dalhousie outside of the classroom.

"Receiving this honourable award empowers me to continue my mission of impacting people's lives in our community, country and world as a future pharmacist and lawyer," says Mbamy-Conci.

Congratulations to all who were nominated! The full list of winners can be read on the Career and Leadership webpage.