Awardees (2024)

Farah Chouayakh, McGill’s Student Affairs Liaison for Muslim students, is a passionate social justice advocate with extensive experience in international humanitarian and civil society projects on youth, women, refugees, and migrants, as well as specific issues touching Muslim women and youth in Quebec. A firm believer in the unconditional sovereignty of human dignity, Farah’s personal mission in her role is to be there for all Muslim students, in all their rich diversity, and to help them reach their full potential as they navigate their unique journey at McGill. As an African, Arab, and visible Muslim woman who has been facing, surviving, and overcoming multiple systemic barriers since she has started her recent immigration journey to Quebec, she advocates for the acknowledgement of diverse forms of expertise and experience, such as lived reality. In the same vein, she deeply believes in the key role of education and awareness-raising in stimulating collective critical reflection, cultivating authentic allyship, and generating positive social change. She loves foregrounding personal stories, deconstructing stereotypes, biases, and prejudice to contribute in creating more egalitarian and inclusive spaces around her.

Madeleine  Elise  Nadler (she/her) is the Business Analyst Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Enrolment Services. Working on the Applicant Census and Students Census, these centralized demographic data collection tools are used to better understand the composition of our applicant pool and student population, informing data-driven operational decision making to address identified areas of underrepresentation. Madeleine works closely with Branches - McGill's Community Outreach Program - on mentoring and supports for students with additional barriers to accessing higher education. Madeleine's work includes conducting research, developing proposals, managing key performance indicators and impact assessments, generating and presenting reports, coordinating tailored trainings and resources, as well as advising on policy to drive change at McGill for its communities.

R. Nanre Nafziger, PhD, is an educator-organizer-scholar who serves her various communities through writing, research, teaching, and pan-Africanist organizing. She currently works as an Assistant Professor of African/Black Studies in Education at McGill University. Nanre’s research contributes to debates and collective knowledge production in the areas of critical education policy studies, Black/African Studies in Education, decolonial approaches to education, global critical race theory, critical youth studies, Black/Africana social movements, youth participatory action research; and the role of civil society in education and democratic nation-building in the Global South. Nanre is committed to building bridges between the university and community through engaged methodologies and pedagogies that enable education students to pursue social justice in their teaching and daily practices.

Frédéricka Petit-Homme embodies artistic citizenship. Trained as a classical singer and choral conductor, her eclectic career path reflects a passion for exploring the full spectrum of music making. From chorus work with OSM and contemporary opera with Musique 3 Femmes, to cross-cultural collaborations with local ensembles, Frédéricka's journey demonstrates how non-linear careers can fuel personal and musical growth. As the visionary behind Ensemble Nigra Sum, she champions Afrocentric music, enriching Canada's cultural tapestry and demonstrating the power of embracing diverse musical traditions. Her commitment to community engagement, particularly through the "More than a Song: Gospel Music Workshops" hosted by McGill University, fosters meaningful connections within the wider Montreal community. Petit-Homme's academic activities, which began in 2005 as a course lecturer at the Schulich School of Music, and her pursuit of a PhD in music education focusing on resilience, cultural production, and leadership in community gospel music, mirror her hands-on experience. Frédéricka also brings the world of choral music to a wider audience through her CBC Music radio program, "Choral Concert," showcasing diverse choral works. Join her every Sunday morning as we celebrate the power and beauty of choral music together, coast to coast.