2023 Carl Rom Colthoff Experiential Learning Award Winner Announced
Congratulations to Rayan Kanaan (she/her) who is the recipient of the 2023 Carl Rom Colthoff Experiential Learning Award.
This award was established with a donation from University of Guelph alumnus Carl Rom Colthoff (2012), in honour of the many passionate and involved students he encountered during his time at the University. It is presented annually to a student who has participated in University-organized experiential learning opportunities which have informed the development of their leadership capacity to contribute to the greater social good in their community.
Some of Rayan's significant experiential learning activities include her roles as a Residence Assistant, Career Education Peer, Undergraduate Research Assistant with the Ontario Veterinary College, and being a Teaching Assistant for the UNIV2100 Career Development course.
Her roles as a Residence Assistant supporting first year students transition to university, and as a Career Education Peer Helper supporting students with job search preparation, offered Rayan the opportunity to further develop her leadership capacity and interpersonal skills, and take on more responsibility by joining the Residence Life Advisory Committee and becoming a Senior Peer Helper to help further support international student success with cultural programming and tailored job search support.
Rayan's involvement with Residence Life and the Peer Helper Program directly contributed to her appointment as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for UNIV2100 which is a hands-on experiential learning course to help prepare students for the present and future job market. In the broader community, Rayan brought her job readiness skills and knowledge to her role as a Youth Mentor at The Grove Hubs, which is an organization that aims to support youth and be a one-stop shop for youth mental health services and supports.
These experiential learning opportunities provided Rayan the chance to not only develop strong interpersonal and leadership skills, but also gain a deeper understanding of the challenges that people from different backgrounds face and have contributed to Rayan's desire to pursue medical school and become a pediatrician.