4 Concordia students are awarded Quebec’s Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal

For the second consecutive year, four Concordia students have been honoured with a Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal for their tremendous contributions on and off campus.

Vanessa Manroop, Asli Isaaq, Michael Lecchino and Sierra Campbell recently received the 2023 medal for their hard work and leadership. The prestigious distinction, awarded by J. Michel Doyon, lieutenant governor of Quebec, recognizes young Quebecers whose involvement, determination and constant striving positively influence their community.

“Congratulations to our outstanding Concordia students,” says Andrew Woodall, dean of students.

“Their drive, leadership and commitment to community make them well-deserving of this award. They are an inspiring group of young leaders, and I look forward to seeing them continue to make an impact.”

Meet the winners

Vanessa Manroop

Human Resource Management, BComm 23, John Molson School of Business

On campus and in the community, Vanessa Manroop has distinguished herself as a leader. Working with Concordia’s Black Perspectives Office and the West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA), she has led a number of initiatives and programs aimed at supporting Black youth and local Black-owned businesses.

At WIBCA, the recent graduate helped launch Black Girls Gather, a book club aimed at empowering young Black women through literature. She also organized a meet-and-greet with Black professionals to encourage Black Montrealers to support local businesses and find mentors.

Manroop’s work has already earned her several accolades. She was named the Government of Canada Volunteer Awards’ Emerging Leader in the Quebec region in 2021 and is among the 2023 CBC Black Changemakers honourees. She is also the 2023 recipient of Concordia’s O’Brien Medal.

Asli Isaaq

Sociology, BA 23, Faculty of Arts and Science

During her time at Concordia, sociology graduate Asli Isaaq made an impact on student life with important roles at the Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA) and the Concordia Student Union (CSU).

Early in her studies, Isaaq joined the ASFA’s task force on anti-racism and sexual violence, advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion on campus. That experience led her to the CSU, where she served as the academic and advocacy coordinator, representing more than 33,000 undergraduate students.

In this role, she was responsible for multiple student initiatives and services, including an advocacy centre, a housing and job resource centre, a legal information clinic and a recovery and wellness community centre.

Isaaq also served as chair of the CSU’s BIPOC committee and has been active in the university’s Muslim Student Association. The young leader is a member of Parlement Jeunesse du Québec.

Michael Lecchino

Marketing, John Molson School of Business

Dedicated volunteer Michael Lecchino has held a long list of leadership roles, including founder and president of the Conseil jeunesse de LaSalle, board member of the Fondation de l’Hôpital LaSalle and Youth for Youth Québec; and youth council member for the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada.

In 2022, Lecchino was among four young leaders selected to represent Canada at the G7 Youth Summit in Berlin, Germany. In this role, he helped identify the priorities of Canadians across the country through a nationwide survey and youth consultations.

The marketing student has also played an active role at Concordia, serving as a CSU councillor and Library Services Fund Committee member and as an independent director on the Commerce and Administration Students’ Association board.

Sierra Campbell

Civil Engineering, BEng 23, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science

At Concordia’s Gina Cody School, recent graduate Sierra Campbell distinguished herself through several leadership roles. The co-op student served three mandates with the Engineering and Computer Science Association (ECA) — as a department representative, vice-president of academic affairs and, in her final year, president of the association.

Over the course of her mandates, Campbell was a member of high-level committees within the school and represented nearly 6,000 undergraduate students with a seat on the Gina Cody School's Faculty Council. During her time as ECA President, Campbell was responsible for a near million dollar budget, 14 sub-groups and relations with university leadership.

This past spring, Campbell received the Concordia Medal, which is awarded to an undergraduate graduating student who has displayed distinctive leadership ability through academic and non-academic achievements.

Find out more about the Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal.