Graduating journalism students win Dennis Mock Leadership Award

Three students from the School of Journalism have been awarded this year’s Dennis Mock Leadership Award, which recognizes graduating students who have made outstanding voluntary extracurricular contributions within the university.

Camilla Bains, Zainab Damji, and Dorsa Rahbar have won the award at the university, faculty, and school levels, respectively. 

The Dennis Mock awards recipients are honoured for their leadership and  influence on student or university affairs, including  working to improve the quality of life of students and encouraging  peers  to become involved in extracurricular activities focused on the campus or community.

Camilla Bains, honoured at the university level, graduates this Spring with a double minor in politics and public relations. She has been the journalism director for the Society of the Creative School, managing editor of New Wave Magazine, editor of Folio Magazine, volunteer for the Tri-Mentoring Program and vice-president of Ryerson Women in Politics.

“In the midst of a difficult time for the School, she has been a supportive and compassionate voice recognized by fellow j-school students and faculty members alike,” says Asmaa Malik, interim co-Chair of the School of Journalism. 

Zainab Damji, honoured at the faculty level for the Creative School, has held a series of roles at the university with a focus on equity and inclusion. In her first year, she was the Journalism Course Union’s first-year rep, and went on to other roles such as being a member of the Creative School's ECI committee and the School of Journalism’s School Council, co-founder and chair of Ryerson Journalists of Colour, president and VP, Events for the Journalism Course Union, editor-in-chief of Her Campus, and an executive member of Muslim Womxn at Ryerson.

Dorsa Rahbar, honoured at the program level for the School of Journalism, started as a copy editor for New Wave Magazine in 2019 and now holds the position of editor-in-chief. She was also the former Director of Administration at Her Campus.

“Becoming involved with student publications instilled confidence, knowledge, and leadership skills as a journalist and content creator,” says Rahbar. “I feel ready for new challenges and opportunities because of my performance and experience.”

“It's a privilege to be a recipient of this award given its history and merit, as it also brings a bittersweet goodbye to my undergraduate career,” she says. “I'm so grateful for the things that I've learned, the peers that I have met, and the professors who have guided and mentored me.”