2024 Student of the Year thrived by building community
Each year, the Concordia Students’ Association recognizes a student who leaves an enduring impact on our campus community. At CUE, the university experience extends beyond the classroom; you’re more than a number in the hallway who is simply taught and tested; you are a part of this close-knit community.
Jessica Manderville found herself immersed in this community, growing it and advocating for those in it, spending time with both current students and also introducing new students to CUE.
“Initially, I had imposter syndrome when I first came to CUE. I didn’t believe that I would fit in, or that I deserved to be there. Through getting involved with volunteer activities on campus I not only found my place but discovered a second home,” said Jessica.
“I didn’t just grow academically, but as a person.”
Peer Support and Peer Wellness
Throughout her time at CUE, Jessica was an active member of CUE’s Peer Support and Peer Wellness teams.
As a person in recovery from addiction, now with over 5 years of sobriety, she initially feared that she would have to hide this part of her identity, but was welcomed into the community.
“When I got to CUE, it was my first year sober. And at CUE, I found a community where I was not only accepted but celebrated for my journey,” said Jessica.
As a Peer Supporter, she would lend an ear to students in need, giving them an empathetic person to confide in, and she would help connect them to any resources they may find helpful.
“Being there and being on the front lines as a Peer Supporter myself, when people were experiencing crises, it made me see how much the school cares about students alongside a whole team of professionals ready with support.”
And with CUE’s Peer Wellness team, she would help with proactive efforts to promote wellness on campus. Whether it was through planning events and activities, promoting wellness campaigns, or getting people around campus involved, Jessica was an active champion of wellness at CUE. She also sought out and created opportunities to talk about mental health on campus, and to share her story.
One space where she could share her story and amplify others’ was through the Lived Experience Panel during addiction awareness week. The panel event, founded and organized by Jessica, brought in people in recovery from the Edmonton community to share their stories to help reduce the stigma around addiction.
A CUE Student Ambassador
It can be daunting for a new student, especially someone who may be new to Edmonton or Canada entirely, to make the leap to university. That’s where the CUE’s Student Ambassadors like Jessica come in.
As a Student Ambassador, Jessica connected with prospective students to talk about CUE’s programs, share her experiences, and ultimately answer questions and calm nerves that CUE’s future students may have.
“Student for a day was something I always loved to do,” she shared.
“I myself felt nervous when I first came to university and I wasn’t sure if I was going to fit in, so I always strived to make sure that prospective and incoming students felt like they would be cared for at CUE, that they would not only fit in but be welcomed and enjoy their time here.”
Building Communities with the CSA
Jessica became a key member of the community for the CSA. A leader and founding member of clubs at CUE and as a student representative, Jessica spearheaded efforts to both bring students together and to advocate for them.
She served as the Founder and President of the Concordia Pre-Law Society to bring together like minded students. She also served as the Vice President of the Arts Union. On top of holding leadership roles with clubs in the CSA, she also volunteered at a variety of events and initiatives the CSA held, and was elected as the Arts Representative to the CSA.
“Having that accountability to clubs or CSA meetings, and having an important role and an impact on other students’ lives through the CSA gave me leadership skills, public speaking skills, business acumen, and hands-on skills that you normally wouldn’t get at a bigger institution.”
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, her major in English and minor in political science, Jessica will be attending the University of Victoria in the fall to pursue her law degree.
“Several of my professors at CUE were there for me through my law school application process. The application process is challenging, but having their support and reassurance helped me to continue to believe in myself and ultimately achieve my dream of being accepted into law school,” she shared.
Congratulations, Jessica, on receiving the Student of the Year Award from the Concordia Students’ Association!