Provost and Vice-President (Academic) L. Pauline Rankin and Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President (Academic) David Hornsby, along with the Faculty Deans, presented five undergraduate Carleton students with Provost Scholar Awards on Thursday, April 10.
Funded by the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and administered by Teaching and Learning Services, the Provost Scholar Award is valued at $500 and is given to undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in research, community engagement, immersive learning and/or international activities.
The Peter J. Ricketts Outstanding Provost Scholar Award was established in 2019 and is given to an outstanding recipient of the Provost Scholar Award. The award is named for Peter J. Ricketts, who served as the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at Carleton for eight years. This year’s award, worth an additional $2,000, was presented to Aya Tessier.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Provost Scholar Awards!
Brianne, a fourth-year Psychology and Greek and Roman Studies student, excels academically and is deeply involved in community engagement. She has volunteered as a PMC note-taker for three years, works as Carleton Wellness Health Promotion Team Leader and managed the social media for Greek and Roman Studies program for three years. . Currently, for her undergraduate Honour's thesis she is interviewing handlers involved in Carleton's Therapy Dog Program, applying qualitative thematic analysis to improve future teams’ preparation and provide valuable insights into the program and the field of animal-assisted services.
Maria, a fourth-year international student in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, has extensive research and community engagement experience. Most recently she contributed to the Neonatal Patient Transport System (NPTS) as a research assistant. In this role, she simulated low-amplitude movements of a neonatal incubator and evaluated how these vibrations impact patient safety during transport. At Carleton, Maria has served as a volunteer notetaker, Math Teaching Assistant and held leadership roles in clubs, including VP Internal of the African Students’ Association and VP Communications of the Biomedical Engineering Society.
Emma is an exceptional fourth-year Criminology and Criminal Justice student. As the elected President of the student-led Carleton University Criminology & Criminal Justice Society (CUCCJS) and lead editor of Crime & Ethos, Carleton's undergraduate criminology journal, she has significantly enhanced student engagement and academic publishing within the department. Her Honours thesis on illicit drug policies reflects a master’s-level research rigor. Through her leadership, Emma has fostered a more inclusive academic community, building strong connections between CUCCJS and the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice BIPOC Caucus. Her unwavering commitment to student advocacy, community building and scholarly achievement truly embodies the spirit of the Provost Scholar Award.
Aya Tessier is an exemplary Physics student who is immersed in learning, teaching, research and community service. She contributed to research through Carleton' International Venus Research Group, mapping Heng-o Corona’s volcanic features using radar data. Her detailed mapping work, carried out in 10-20x greater detail, doubled the known corona diameter and lead to a presentation at the 2023 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference and a first-author Icarus publication. Aya also researches neutrino mass generation for her Honour’s thesis, extending theoretical models using numerical methods. A dedicated TA and an executive officer in the Carleton Physics Society, Aya is a role model in STEM.
Neil-Philippe, a Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Finance, has been an active member of the Sprott Student Investment Fund for four years, rising from junior analyst to Portfolio Manager. Through the Fund and coursework in advanced corporate finance and strategic management, he has led numerous research reports while also recruiting and mentoring new analysts. He has completed multiple internships in New York City, gaining valuable international experience and industry insight. Beyond the classroom, he contributes to local organizations supporting young Black students as they begin their careers, demonstrating a strong commitment to community and professional growth.