Earning awards from Queen's Student Affairs from the Faculty of Arts and Science were Jenna Kring and Simarjeet Singh.
Continuing a legacy of peer support and leadership
Two students in the Faculty of Arts and Science have earned awards from Queen ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s Student Affairs. Jenna Kring has earned the Michael Condra Outstanding Student Service Award. The award is presented to ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ faculty or staff who have displayed a commitment to providing outstanding service to students, outside of a teaching role.
Simarjeet Singh has earned the Peer Leadership Award, presented annually to Queen ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s students, individuals or groups, who through their commitment, skill, dedication, and interest in helping others have exemplified excellence in peer-to-peer assistance and outreach.
Jenna works as the Academic Advisor for Indigenous Students in the Faculty of Arts and Science.
“It is hard to put into words what this award means to me,” Jenna says. “I am usually accustomed to being in the background with my work. Everything I do in my role, I do to support others, faculty, staff and students alike. It is sometimes hard to see the impact you have on those around you. Therefore, this award in a way acts like a physical representation of that impact.”
Jenna Kring accepts her award from Corinna Fitzgerald, Interim Vice-Provost & Dean of Student Affairs, and Michael Condra.
“Personally, I still am coming to terms with it. I truly appreciate all those I work with who make it possible for me to do the work that I do. My time being a part of the Arts and Science team has been incredibly precious to me, and I look forward to continuing supporting those around me.”
The award was established upon the retirement of Dr. Condra to recognize and honour his contributions and impact during his 30 years at Queen ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s. Dr. Condra was the long-time Director of what is now Student Wellness Services, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology.
Jenna says they strive to make Academic Advising accessible for Indigenous Students. They host weekly drops ins at Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre and works with various departments around campus. Jenna also hosts medicine bag making workshops and is a recurring guest speaker with Four Directions joint event with Yellow House with their 2SLGBTQ+ circle.
They support other events for current Indigenous Students including Four Direction Welcome Day, STEMInA transition week and STEMInA monthly meals.
“I strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment,” she says. “I support student advocacy and a student-centered approach. I come from a genuine place of wanting students to succeed. Everyone goes through ups and downs, I hold no judgement, just coming from a place of intention and care. Indigenous students face barriers in post-secondary education, and I find ways to fill the gaps. I hope to continue Dr. Michael Condra ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s legacy of supporting student success and wellbeing.”
Haley Everson, Associate Director, Student Services (Advising, Appeals, and Academic Consideration) was one of the people responsible for nominating Jenna for the award.
"Jenna demonstrates an exceptional commitment to outstanding service, not only to the students within their portfolio, but to Indigenous students across Queen ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s,” she says. “Their work is rooted in care, relationship‑building, and an unwavering belief that all students deserve to feel supported, seen, and valued. Jenna ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s kindness‑first, human approach defines everything they do, and their advocacy extends beyond students to colleagues as well. Their knowledge, generosity, and openness enrich our team culture and foster ongoing curiosity and dialogue about reconciliation and how we can move this work forward together. They are truly one of the most compassionate, non‑judgmental, and caring people I know.”
Learn more about the Michael Condra award on the webpage.
Over the course of his time at Queen ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s, Simarjeet has been deeply involved in student leadership, governance, and service delivery roles that focus on improving the day-to-day student experience.
He currently serves in a senior operational leadership role within the Student Life Centre, where he oversees space operations, service delivery, and strategic initiatives that support thousands of student interactions each year. Alongside this, he has been involved in university governance as a Faculty Senator and continue to contribute to academic advocacy work through advisory roles within FAS. His involvement has also extended to student programming, mentorship initiatives, and cross-campus collaborations that aim to strengthen community belonging and access to opportunities.
Simarjeet Singh accepts his award from Corinna Fitzgerald, Interim Vice-Provost & Dean of Student Affairs.
“Personally, this recognition is deeply meaningful because it reflects the relationships, trust, and shared effort that define student leadership,” he says. “None of the work I have been part of happens in isolation. It is shaped by mentors, peers, and team members who continuously inspire me to grow and to lead with empathy and accountability. Professionally, the award reinforces my commitment to pursuing leadership roles that create tangible impact within institutions and communities. It affirms my belief that thoughtful collaboration, strategic problem-solving, and service-oriented leadership can meaningfully improve the environments in which people learn and work.”
Former Peer Leadership Award winner Pungavi Linghan provided a letter of support for Simarjeet and talked about the passion and dedication he brought to his various roles.
“Simarjeet is such a passionate and hard-working individual it ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s hard to find a student on campus that hasn’t seen or heard of him,” Linghan says. “He never hesitates to help others and always takes care of his friends and his teams. From bringing in treats, and buying lunches, to noticing when people aren’t feeling themselves, and being easily accessible for support, Simarjeet is someone that represents the Queen ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s spirit. The work he has done to support Queen ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s will live on for many years after he graduates.”
Simarjeet adds that looking ahead, he is excited to continue this work by stepping into the role of Head Manager for the AMS Food Bank next year, where he hopes to give back to the Queen ąú˛ú´«Ă˝ ’s community in more proactive and meaningful ways.
“I also look forward to supporting fellow student leaders in a senior mentorship capacity, particularly through teaching corporate procurement and sponsorship strategy, and helping bring new experiences, partnerships, and opportunities to the broader campus community.”
Learn more about the Peer Leadership Award on the webpage.