Introducing our Fall 2025 distinguished student award winners
From earning top marks to demonstrating excellence in research, leadership and more, these graduates are outstanding scholars in their fields. Read on to find out more about our Fall 2025 distinguished student award winners.
Governor General’s Gold Medal
Master of Arts in Tourism Management graduate Melinda Quintero receives the Governor General’s Gold Medal in recognition of her thesis, “First Nations Place Names From Cadboro Bay to Millstream,” which draws on existing First Nations knowledge to map Greater Victoria landmarks with the Lekwungen (lək̓ʷəŋən) place name.
This highly prestigious award recognizes a student at each of Canada's public Universities twice a year for having presented the most outstanding dissertation, thesis or graduate research project.
“Tourism has this unique ability to tell stories,” Quintero says. “But the stories we’ve told in the past have often excluded Indigenous voices. Place names are a way to amplify those voices.”
Quintero, whose research includes a database of 100 First Nations place names, says her research is about more than making a map.
“It’s about demonstrating what’s possible while respecting Indigenous communities’ autonomy over their histories, languages and data.”
Read more about her research and her goal to transform how we understand the land and its stories.
Royal Roads also recognizes the following candidates for receiving a nomination for the Governor General’s Gold Medal
- Luis Gonzalez-Lunden, College of Interdisciplinary Studies
- Cade Ronald Robert Murphy, Professional and Continuing Studies
- Khusan Mirkhamidov, School of Business
- Khasan Mirkhamidov, School of Business
- Katalina Rojas Fernandez, School of Environment and Sustainability
- Candace Stacey Denison, School of Leadership Studies
Governor General’s Silver Medal
The Governor General’s Silver Medal, presented to the graduating student who achieved the highest academic standing upon graduation from a bachelor's degree program this year, is awarded to Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies graduate Brian Lawless.
Lawless' high academic achievement is also recognized with the Chancellor’s Award, President’s Scholar award and the Royal Roads University Founders Award.
Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy, and Reconciliation
The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy, and Reconciliation will be presented to Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism Management graduate Elisa Paranich.
Paranich was selected for the award in recognition her work as a volunteer firefighter as well as her efforts to support people affected by BC wildfires. It also celebrates her volunteer work for Pride events and industry conferences including one focused on women in tourism. Read her full story.
Royal Roads Chancellor’s Award
The university presents the Royal Roads Chancellor’s Award to graduates who achieved the highest academic performance in their undergraduate or graduate program.
Fall 2025 Chancellor’s Award recipients
- Elizabeth Suzanne Candler Williams, Doctor of Business Administration
- Kerry-Krista Nicole Pinkowski, Doctor of Social Sciences
- Danielle Kristie Diaz, Master of Arts in Climate Action Leadership
- Jeremey Jay Verity, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management
- Meredith Joy Mills, Master of Arts in Environmental Practice
- Julia Ann Szucs, Master of Arts in Executive and Organizational Coaching
- Jennifer Elise Paige, Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership
- Lin He, Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communication
- Tiffany Anne Stevenson, Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Marni Diane Russell, Master of Arts in Learning and Technology
- Kailyn Trudy Elizabeth Park, Master of Arts in Professional Communication
- Sarah Alexandra Klein, Master of Science in Environmental Practice
- Makenzie Richard Miltimore Konwick, Bachelor of Arts/Science in Environmental Practice
- Sara Jane Trites, Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism Management
- Derek Kenneth Wilkinson, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Neelanjana Khondkar, Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management
- Brian Stewart Lawless, Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
- Nicole Vanzi, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Steven Charles Smith, Bachelor of Business Administration in Innovation and Sustainability
- Jane Marie Bassett, Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management
- Chelie-Renee Elsom, Bachelor of Arts/Science in Environmental Science
- Karen Leigh Fraser, Bachelor of Arts/Science in Environmental Science
Founders’ Award
The Royal Roads Founders’ Award is presented to a student or a small collective of students in each graduating cohort of a degree program for exemplifying the qualities of leadership, commitment to sustainability, positive and proactive work in equity, diversity and inclusion, and personal growth.
Fall 2025 Founders’ Award recipients:
- Francis Michael Cadeau, Doctor of Social Sciences
- Vanessa Ida Paesani, Master of Arts in Executive and Organizational Coaching
- Jennifer Elise Paige, Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership
- Hermione Jane Jefferis, Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Catherine Maryrose Pooley, Master of Arts in Leadership
- Marni Diane Russell, Master of Arts in Learning and Technology
- Robert Allan Newman, Master of Arts in Professional Communication
- Rita Lia Dsouza, Master of Arts in Tourism Management
- Katie Leigh Kendall, Master of Business Administration in Executive Management
- Udochukwu Peter Akunna, Master of Global Management
- Wilhermina Mensah Asante, Master of Global Management
- Corrine Louise Bundschuh, Master of Global Management
- Ahmad Ullah Khan, Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism Management
- Tshering Dekar, Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management
- Derek Kenneth Wilkinson, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Kaycie Saydie Brant, Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
- Brian Stewart Lawless, Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
- Paul Migisha Nicholson, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Brayden Richard Roy Hart-Young, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Nabhan Ayoob, Bachelor of Business Administration
- Jane Marie Bassett, Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management
- Makenzie Richard Miltimore Konwick, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- William Biraki Ratudradra, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
President’s Scholar Award
The President’s Scholar Award is presented to students who graduate with distinction in the top 10 per cent of the graduating class in each undergraduate degree program.
Fall 2025 President’s Scholar Award recipients
Bachelor of Art/Science in Environmental Practice
- Chelie-Renee Elsom
- Karen Leigh Fraser
- Sarah Rachelle Burggraf Hunt
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Derek Kenneth Wilkinson
Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
- Brian Stewart Lawless
- Conor Francis James Rosen
- Kayla Star Ostare
- Kiera Michelle Tomalty
- Martina Elizabeth Dawn Ziemer
- Mohamed Abdalla
- Nyah Kathleen Meller
- Allyssa Maria Rosado-Hann
- Thomas Earl Hjorth
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Braedon Russell Lust
- Brayden Richard Roy Hart-Young
- Nicole Vanzi
- Simranjeet Sehgal
Bachelor of Business Administration
- Nabhan Ayoob
Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management
- Jane Marie Bassett
Royal Roads University wishes to acknowledge the generosity of donors who have supported students to realize their academic and personal goals. View a complete list of awards.