Residence Awards
Nominate Someone Making an Impact in Residence
You’re invited to nominate yourself or another resident who truly embodies what it means to live, lead, and give back to your community. Whether it’s organizing events, volunteering their time, or going the extra mile to support others, these residents help create the welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment that makes Residence such a great place to live.
Every act of involvement, big or small, helps shape the Residence experience and makes our community stronger. Each nomination is thoughtfully reviewed by our Residence team, with final selections based on a holistic look at each resident’s involvement, leadership, and positive impact within our community.
Award recipients will receive up to $100 - $900 in recognition of their outstanding leadership and contributions to residence life.
Applications open Feb. 3, 2026, and close Mar. 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Fill out the nomination form below and help us celebrate the residents who make a difference every day.
McKinley Pawlak | 2026 | $1000
Since entering the University of Calgary residence community in 2020, McKinley has been actively involved with the Residence Rainbow Council (RRC). The RRC is a student-run organization formed by and built for the 2SLGBTQIA+ student residence community, such that all residents can feel loved and accepted on campus.
In her 5-year Presidential Term with the RRC, McKinley was able to integrate the RRC into the UCalgary community by working on the development of the UofC Queer Campus Network, working with UCalgary's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) group to facilitate UCalgary’s Pride, and working with Residence Services to advocate for safe and gender-affirming housing for 2SLGBTQIA+ students. McKinley's work through the RRC was longitudinal, had widespread community impact, and displayed leadership, advocacy, integrity, and collaboration.
Nania Van Der Merwe | 2025 | $900
Nania, as Chair of the Arts and Leadership Academic Community Committee, has been an amazing leader, she created a positive and inclusive community on the fifth floor of Kananaskis Hall. One of her standout accomplishments was organizing a letter-writing event that taught first-year students professional communication skills while giving them a meaningful way to connect with friends. Through her creativity, initiative, and kindness, she has brought residents together, led her committee to host consistently successful events, and made a real, lasting impact on the floor both academically and socially. Nania won the Dr. Cal Waddell Award.
Tauheed Ali | 2025 | $200
Tauheed has been an outstanding leader in the residence community, consistently taking initiative to improve daily life for all residents. A standout example of his impact was how he provided key feedback to the dining center, leading to improvements in the pizza dough and accommodations for residents observing Ramadan. Beyond this, he has promoted inclusivity and connection by organizing fun events and participating in open communication between residents, staff, and residence teams.
Noah Karmali | 2025 | $200
Noah, as Chair of the Scholar’s Advantage Academic Community Committee, has been an exceptional leader, creating a close-knit and engaging residence community. Through events like academic Kahoot nights, gingerbread competitions, volunteering, and a planned year-end celebration for first-year residents, he has helped residents connect and thrive. His dedication, energy, and genuine care for every resident made his floor feel welcoming and connected.
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