Class of 2024: Meet the fall 2024 President’s Award recipients

The University of Calgary is pleased to announce the fall 2024 recipients of the President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership. The award was established in 2008 to recognize exceptional graduating students who have a record of outstanding leadership and academic achievement, and who have made significant contributions to our community.

Dr. Tanille Butler, PhD, Chemistry

Dr. Tanille Butler exemplifies a unique blend of academic excellence, community service, and innovative leadership. Originally from Lacombe, Alta., Tanille’s journey began with an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and culminated in a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Calgary. She first discovered her passion for leadership as a community advisor in residence, a role that fostered her commitment to community building — a commitment that continued as she went on to serve two terms as president of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA).

A driving force behind her success has been Tanille’s creative approach to problem-solving, underpinned by empathy and adaptability. Inspired by her early days navigating university life, Tanille’s leadership is built on a foundation of integrity, a confidence in her vision, and a scientific mindset that embraces change and collaborative discovery. Her tenure as GSA president saw her initiate impactful projects like the Mandatory Hotel Stay Support Program, designed in collaboration with the Faculty of Graduate Studies, to support international graduate students during the pandemic’s challenging quarantine requirements.

Tanille’s proudest accomplishments often extend beyond the academic realm. A keen advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, she established the IDEAS Journal Club to foster interdisciplinary discussions on EDIA topics among early-career scientists. Additionally, her influence has reached far into the Calgary community through initiatives like The Graduate College’s technology drive for immigrant families, demonstrating her commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

With her PhD program now behind her, Tanille will be joining the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Science as associate director of development. She remains focused on leading with heart, whether within academia, research or community service. Her advice for others: “Keep finding your community and align your passions with the work you choose to do. It makes the journey far more rewarding when your work aligns with what you love.” 

Nicole Schmidt, Bachelor of Arts (Honours, Co-op) Political Science and Bachelor of Arts, International Relations

Nicole Schmidt, recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership, is a dedicated advocate for student well-being, accessibility, and gender equity. Inspired by her high school experience attending Model United Nations conferences, Nicole recently completed dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science (Honours, Co-op) and International Relations. Her academic achievements include honours such as the Women’s Resource Centre’s Distinguished Undergraduate Student Award and recognition among Alberta’s Top 30 Under 30. Nicole is also a member of the university’s Scholars Academy and the Arts and Sciences Honours Academy program.

As president of the University of Calgary Students’ Union from 2021 to 2023, Nicole championed initiatives to address ongoing student concerns. During her time as SU president, she advocated passionately for students, playing a pivotal role in areas such as food security, post-secondary affordability, and improving campus accessibility. Notably, she secured $700,000 in funding for mental health services in response to feedback from students about the barriers they faced in accessing mental health resources. Using data from the Canadian Mental Health Association, she established bursaries to reduce the financial impact for students accessing mental health support, creating one of the first programs of its kind at Canadian universities. 

During her time as president of the university’s Model United Nations team, Nicole led the team in attending conferences across North America. She later had the opportunity to collaborate with Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations and advise on gender equity efforts at the UN. 

Nicole’s approach to leadership centres on inclusion, equity and accessibility. She is passionate about giving students a voice in decision-making processes that impact them directly. As she explains, “Listening is so important. [Leadership] isn’t about me or what I want – it’s about reflecting and representing [your peers].”

Inspired by her time working for the Attorney General in Washington, D.C., Nicole plans to attend law school, where she aims to build on her past experiences and hopes to shape legal practices in the future that promote equity and accessibility.