Meet the University of Guelph students receiving top entrance awards for the 2026-27 school year
Thirteen incoming University of Guelph undergraduate students have received top entrance awards recognizing their academic and community contributions.
Six students have received President’s Scholarships in honour of their high school achievements, leadership abilities and citizenship activities.
Two students have been awarded the Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarship, named for the former U of G chancellor. The award recognizes students who are Indigenous, racialized or live with disabilities who have made significant community contributions.
Two students received the Dr. Franco J. Vaccarino President’s Scholarship, named for the former U of G president. This scholarship recognizes top international students and potential leaders who have made significant school and community contributions.
The President’s and Chancellor’s Scholarship recipients receive $8,250 over four years, in addition to a $9,500 stipend for a summer research assistantship. Students are paired with a faculty mentor within their discipline to guide their time during their undergraduate degree.
One student has received the Loran Award, a comprehensive four-year undergraduate award. The Loran Scholarship Foundation, along with universities, donors and volunteers, recognizes young Canadians for academic distinction and for significant demonstration of character, service and promise of leadership. The Loran Award is valued at more than $100,000 over four years of undergraduate study.
U of G is also welcoming two inaugural recipients of the Schulich Leader Scholarships, Canada’s most prestigious science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) scholarship program. This is the first year U of G has participated in this program, reflecting the University’s strength in STEM education and commitment to developing entrepreneurial-minded, critical thinkers.
These scholarships provide $100,000 for a science, technology or math degree, or $120,000 for an engineering degree to entrepreneurial-minded students who demonstrate leadership, charisma and creativity, with strong consideration for financial need.
The incoming scholars will be honoured at a luncheon, where they’ll be welcomed by senior leaders, deans and faculty members, along with members of the Guelph community.
Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarship
Autumn Switzer – Bachelor of Applied Science, Applied Human Nutrition
Autumn Switzer has shown exceptional academic excellence while continually challenging herself to grow.
Throughout high school, Autumn earned the highest academic average in Grades 9, 10 and 11, received awards in subjects including biology, functions, art, fashion and photography, and became the first student in her school’s history to earn a perfect score on the OSSLT.
Beyond school, Autumn has served as a volunteer camp counsellor, supported community events for individuals with special needs, contributed to Relay for Life fundraising, and worked with military-connected youth at Canadian Forces Base Borden.
Rafay Saleem Toor – Bachelor of Arts, Honours, Criminal Justice and Public Policy (Co-op)
Rafay Saleem Toor is a thoughtful and resilient leader who understands that leadership is rooted in service, not status.
After experiencing setbacks in student leadership, Rafay used the opportunity to redefine his purpose. When he transferred to ISNA High School, he focused on building community, listening to students and creating spaces where his peers felt connected and proud to belong.
Rafay has led through debate, school media, youth mentorship and community service. With humility, integrity and a commitment to inclusive leadership, Rafay is dedicated to building systems that uplift others.
Dr. Franco J. Vaccarino President’s Scholarship
Itzel Bahena Miranda – Bachelor of Science, Honours, Biochemistry (Co-op)
Itzel Bahena Miranda is an outstanding student whose love of science is matched by a deep commitment to helping others.
Through her project “Aprendiendo Juntos,” Itzel created learning materials, raised donations and provided weekly classes, school supplies and food to children in street situations. Her project was selected as a finalist in the global Rise program.
With curiosity, compassion and perseverance, Itzel is determined to use biochemistry to improve lives and create meaningful change.
Sergey Kudryashov – Bachelor of Science, Honours, Biochemistry (Co-op)
Sergey Kudryashov brings exceptional scientific curiosity, resilience and global perspective to everything he does.
Fluent in French, English and Russian, Sergey has lived across multiple countries and uses these experiences to connect with others, adapt to challenges and approach problems with creativity.
With strong academic ability, organization and leadership, Sergey is committed to using science and collaboration to improve quality of life.
President’s Scholarship
Kyra Ducharme – Bachelor of Commerce, Hospitality and Tourism Management (Co-op)
Kyra Ducharme is a driven student and positive leader who brings energy, kindness and adaptability to every community she joins.
While maintaining an exceptional academic average, Kyra has balanced academics with part-time work, athletics, student council, volunteering and youth mentorship.
With resilience, warmth and a desire to brighten others’ lives, Kyra leads by helping people feel supported and capable of becoming their best selves.
Eva Hanoudi – Bachelor of Science, Honours, Bio-medical Science
Eva Hanoudi is an exceptional student whose leadership is grounded in empathy, service and meaningful impact.
With more than 1,000 hours of community service and a strong academic record, Eva brings both discipline and compassion to her work. As Co-Secretary General of King’s Model of United Nations, Canada’s largest one-day Model United Nations conference, Eva has learned that leadership is about creating spaces where dialogue, mentorship and understanding come before competition.
Aspiring to become a physician, Eva leads with intellect, purpose and a commitment to helping others feel seen and supported.
Morgan Kipfer – Bachelor of Science, Honours, Biological Science
Morgan Kipfer is a positive and welcoming student, advocate and community leader who is motivated by service and compassion.
While maintaining strong academics and part-time employment, Morgan has shown a long-standing commitment to helping others. For nine years, she and her sister have organized a Fall Food Drive that has collected thousands of pounds of food, pet food, household items and candy, along with more than $6,000 in cash donations for community organizations.
With a strong work ethic and inquisitive mind, Morgan is dedicated to improving the quality of life for others by pursuing education in the medical field.
Janessa Nunan – Bachelor of Arts, Honours, English
Janessa Nunan is a creative and service-minded leader who believes leadership is rooted in kindness, respect and helping others grow.
As Chair of Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School’s Arts Council, Janessa helped rebuild the council into a vibrant group of 40 consistent members and led events that strengthened the school’s arts community. As a student trustee and member of Student Senate, she represented student voices and helped expand a mental health symposium to reach more than 800 Grade 11 students.
With curiosity, empathy and purpose, Janessa leads by helping others find confidence and joy.
Sophia Saleh Izadkhast – Bachelor of Science, Honours, Neuroscience
Sophia Saleh Izadkhast is an exceptional mathematics student whose academic brilliance is matched by initiative and care for others.
Through years of preparation and dedication, Sophia earned perfect scores on multiple University of Waterloo mathematics contests and was selected for national-level competitions, including the Canadian Math Olympiad, Asian Pacific Math Olympiad and European Girls’ Math Olympiad Team Selection Test.
With curiosity, persistence and a commitment to making others feel included, Sophia continually turns ideas into meaningful action.
Isabelle Won – Bachelor of Mathematics, Honours, Mathematical Science
Isabelle Won is a disciplined and reflective student whose leadership has grown from a commitment to balance, service and connection.
An outstanding student, Isabelle has earned honours, scholarships and subject awards while developing a deep passion for mathematics and teaching.
In her community, Isabelle has volunteered at a thrift store, hospice and local service initiatives. With empathy, discipline and curiosity, Isabelle is ready to keep growing as a scholar and leader.
Loran Scholarship
Nathan Froebe – Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Co-op)
Nathan Froebe is a community-minded leader whose work is grounded in service and kindness.
As co-founder and leader of a local youth initiative, Nathan has helped nurture kindness and coordinate young people in community volunteerism, creating opportunities for youth to contribute meaningfully to those around them.
With initiative, humility and a deep commitment to community, Nathan leads by encouraging others to serve with purpose and compassion.
Schulich Leader Scholarship: Engineering
Aryan Thakur – Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Engineering Co-op
Aryan Thakur’s interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning drew him to U of G’s Computer Engineering program in the College of Engineering.
A community advocate, Aryan built a volunteer coordination platform to manage more than 100 volunteers across organizations and designed a mindfulness program to help students manage mental health concerns.
Eager to launch his own start-up, Thakur says his program’s co-op stream is the kind of experiential learning that will build a foundation from which to grow his own ideas.
Schulich Leader Scholarship: Science, Technology, & Mathematics
Matteo Volpini – Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Co-op
Matteo Volpini learned the kind of devastation disease can bring to plants and the crops of farmers growing up on a small hobby farm.
He competed in the Ontario Skills Competition for Horticulture and Landscaping and Niagara Catholic Technology Skills Competition in Horticulture and Landscaping, working through tasks under a strict time limit.
Matteo is looking forward to joining a community of STEM students with similar interests across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
Learn more about the inaugural Schulich Leader Scholarship recipients.