Meet student leader Michelle Schenk

Nipissing students consistently impress as leaders, in the classroom, on campus and in the community. Recently the university celebrated 25 student leaders at the annual Dave Marshall Leadership Awards. Over the coming months, NU News will introduce each student leader to the wider community with a short article discussing their accomplishments and activities. Today, we are pleased to profile Michelle Schenk, a student in the Concurrent Bachelor of Education Degree Program who is working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree, with Honours Specialization in Geography, and a Bachelor of Education degree – Primary/Junior division.

During her tenure as president for the Best Buddies Nipissing Chapter, Schenk led hundreds of students at Nipissing University and Canadore College to become active participants in the Best Buddies program – a program designed to create durable friendships between people with intellectual disabilities and those without. Schenk helped to match supported individuals from Community Living to current postgraduate students and spent many hours arranging a variety of recreational activities and games. These occasions allowed the individuals from Community Living the opportunity to experience university and college and interact meaningfully with people their own age. Schenk organized a website and a Facebook page for Best Buddies to allow all the Buddies to stay in contact and create long-lasting relationships. Many friendships and opportunities were created, which would otherwise not exist without this program.

Schenk is a motivated and caring person who values inclusion. She has mentored Peer Buddies and made sure there was a strong succession of executive to carry on the valuable chapter. She is passionate, and caring, and has been a positive role model to many. These admirable attributes will serve her well as an educator.

The university community is proud to recognize Michelle Schenk with a Dave Marshall Leadership Award in the Community Category.