OCUFA announces winners of 2016 Mandelbaum Fellowship

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The Ontario Confederation is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Henry Mandelbaum Fellowship: Chérine Stevula, from the University of Guelph, and Karen Marie Olsen Lawford from the University of Ottawa.

“The Mandelbaum Fellowship recognizes graduate students who combine exceptional scholarship with deep engagement in their communities,” said Kate Lawson, Chair of the selection committee. “Despite receiving many excellent applications, the committee was unanimous in selecting Chérine and Karen as the recipients of the 2016 Fellowship.”

At the Master’s level, Chérine Stevula was recognized for her innovative work on the educational experiences of Hispanic youth with an eye to making Canadian classrooms more inclusive and effective. Chérine, a student in Guelph’s Latin American and Caribbean Studies program, is also very active in her community, notably as a mentor for immigrant and employment services at the local YMCA.

At the Doctoral level, Karen Marie Olsen Lawford’s work looks at the gap in Canadian maternal health care for First Nations women who live in northern communities. A PhD candidate in Ottawa’s Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies, Karen’s nominators describe her as an exemplary community member, committed activist, and a dedicated scholar.

The Mandelbaum Fellowship was established to honor Henry Mandelbaum, Executive Director of OCUFA from 1996-2011. The Fellowship is awarded to a graduate student “who has demonstrated academic excellence, shows exceptional academic promise, and has provided significant community service in his or her university career.” For more information, please visit https://ocufa.on.ca/ocufa-awards/

“Henry’s commitment to building up individuals and communities through higher education was inspirational,” said Judy Bates, President of OCUFA. “Henry sadly passed away in 2012, but we are honoured to continue his work through the Mandelbaum Fellowship.”

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