Trinity’s 2025 U of T Student Leadership Award Winners

This year, an incredible 15 members of the Trinity community have been awarded 2025 U of T Student Leadership Awards (UTSLA) – 14 Trinity College students and one Trinity College alum! The University of Toronto Student Leadership Awards recognize graduating students for outstanding student leadership, volunteer service, and commitment to the university broadly, to their own division, or for contributions in both areas. Congratulations to Trinity’s 2025 UTSLA recipients! View the list of all recipients: 2025 U of T Student Leadership Awards (PDF).

#TrinityGrad25 undergraduate Arts & Science students: 

Alicia Balduzzi, Abigail Kirsten Delizo, Sara Eftekharzadeh, Qi Huang, Tavie Callisto Cromar Johnson, Ciara Fiona Seeman Mahaffy, Bhavnoor Kaur Pannu, Emily Qin, Amanda Rattle, Eugene Seo, Victoria Sephton, Stephanie Staibano, Jacqueline Zhao and Yinuo Zhao

Trinity alum (current U of T graduate student):

Lydia Angarso

Trinity’s 2025 UTSLA recipients share what contribution of which they are most proud:

Lydia Angarso: Lydia was passionately involved in advocating for Black learners as previous co-chair of the Community Outreach group, and later co-president of the Black Medical Students Association.

Alicia Balduzzi: Alicia was part of U of T Drama Coalition for two years and the Artistic Director of the St. Michael’s College Troubadours for their 2023/24 season, engaging members of the campus theatre community.

Abigail Kirsten Delizo: Abigail fostered inclusivity and mental wellness by organizing accessible, creative events through the Healing Hearts Through Art Club, while also providing dedicated mentorship to STEM students, helping them thrive academically and personally within the U of T community.

Sara Eftekharzadeh: Sara takes pride in her leadership within the Iranian Student Association, where she created a second home for many students through vibrant cultural celebrations that honored tradition and culture.

Qi Huang: Queena is most proud of her dedication to representing students’ voice and academic growth at U of T, fostering a inclusive community to ensure every student feels supported and connected.

Tavie Callisto Cromar Johnson: Tavie is proud of her leadership as Head of Non-Resident Affairs at Trinity College. She has established a commuter lounge, hosted weekly events, and represented students in College-wide governance.

Ciara Fiona Seeman Mahaffy: Ciara is most proud of the connections and sense of understanding she created for U of T students living with a rheumatic disease through the club she founded, the U of T Rheumatic Disease Organization.

Bhavnoor Kaur Pannu: I am extremely proud of my work as the Head of Trinity College where I advocated for students on key boards and committees, organized 30+ community informed events, and led significant policy reforms.

Emily Qin: Emily is recognized for her dedication to student well-being and engagement, creating impactful programs and initiatives that promote diversity, advocacy, and mentorship for her peers.

Amanda Rattle: Amanda is most proud of her contributions to the Rotman Commerce Competition Team (RCCT), fostering a culture of excellence and mentorship, and helping the team achieve international recognition for U of T through training and workshops.

Eugene Seo: Eugene’s most proud contribution was representing the A&S Faculty on the Vice-Provost Student Advisory Committee. He enjoyed discussing educational initiatives with students from all three campuses.

Victoria Sephton: Victoria is a vibrant member of the Immunology community. Leading IMMSA as co-president, she provides programming that sets undergrad immunologists up for academic, professional and personal success.

Stephanie Staibano: Stephanie has transformed the Rotman Commerce Real Estate Association by leading professional events connecting 300+ students with industry leaders and global mentorship opportunities.

Jacqueline Zhao: Jackie is the co-founder of the Clinical Psychology Students’ Association, leading seven executives and 100+ general members to cultivate a space dedicated to psychopathology and clinical science.

Yinuo Zhao: With the diverse roles Yinuo has held – TEDxUofT director, vice president of Statistical Science Union, panelist, senior data science student – she hosted, helped or volunteered in over 25 events providing academic, social and professional opportunities that benefits more than 1,200 students.

Trinity Program Students

If you are a Trinity College program student or alumni (International Relations; Ethics, Society & Law; or Immunology) who received a 2025 U of T Student Leadership Award, please let us know – email trinity.newsletter@utoronto.ca.

About the Award

The University of Toronto Student Leadership Award continues U of T’s long-standing tradition of recognizing outstanding student leadership, volunteer service, and commitment to the university. This tradition began with the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award, which ran from 1994 – 2019 and was named in honour of Mr. Gordon Cressy, former Vice-President, Development and University Relations. In naming the award, the University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) recognized Cressy’s leadership and volunteer service across various spheres, as well as his term at the university. During the award’s 25-year history, it celebrated the exemplary contributions of more than 4,000 students whose commitment and volunteerism had a lasting impact on their peers and the university. The University of Toronto Student Leadership Award (UTSLA) continues the spirit of the retired Cressy Award. Recipients of the UTSLA  join the distinguished community of past Cressy Award recipients in being honoured for their exemplary leadership and volunteer service to U of T.

Categories: Alumni; Awards & Honours; Student News; University of Toronto News