Culinary Arts student Jillian Clark has received a Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada 2022 Student Leadership Award. The award recognizes women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their college and in the community while maintaining an exemplary academic record.

Clark, who has a PhD in chemistry, is in the second year of the Culinary Arts program. Holland College President, Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, said staff at The Culinary Institute of Canada were delighted to learn that Dr. Clark had received the award.

“Jillian demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to the college community. She consistently offers exceptional support and service to her fellow students, her instructors, and to the support staff at the Tourism and Culinary Centre,” he said. “Her activities within the college and in the community make her a worthy recipient of this honour.”

“I am honoured to receive this award. I feel grateful to staff, students, and colleagues at Holland College for their support and friendship, and to the SWAAC for their empowerment of women in both academia and trades,” said Dr. Clark. “The recognition associated with this award has emboldened me to continue exercising and developing my leadership skills, and to support other female-identifying people as leaders.”

“Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada is so pleased to recognize our future leaders. These upcoming leaders are already making a significant impact and as an organization we are pleased to support their ongoing contributions and excellence through these awards,” said Dr. Donna Kotsopoulos, Secretary General of Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada.

The Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada organization was founded in 1987 to provide a forum and a collective voice for women in senior administrative ranks in Canadian universities, colleges, and technical institutes. The primary purpose of SWAAC is to promote leadership in Canadian post-secondary institutions through developing and enhancing leadership skills, mentoring future leaders, and recognizing exceptional leaders.

In addition to a monetary award, Dr. Clark received a registration for the organization’s annual conference, hosted virtually this year by Memorial University April 28-29.  Find more information about the conference here.