The Road to the President’s Medal: Zeina Abou Haidar
Zeina Abou Haidar was awarded the President’s medal this Spring convocation.
As graduation season invites the warmest feelings of celebration, support and academic prowess, the University of Windsor makes no exception to convocational conquest. During the University of Windsor’s 125th convocation (from June 2nd to June 5th), various graduates were highlighted as exceptionally high achieving. In the department of Communication, Media and Film (CMF), graduate Zeina Abou Haidar was illuminated above all.
You may know Zeina as one of your knowledgeable tour guides from UWindsor’s welcome tours, or perhaps as the friendly Student Groups Coordinator for the UWSA. Chances are, if you were a student at the University of Windsor in the past 4 years, you’ve met Zeina at a campus event, in your CMF classes, or have been impacted by her work in some way.
Zeina is an international student from Lebanon who has been living in Windsor for nearly 4 years where she focused on completing her CMF degree, adjusting to local life, and making genuine connections. Since her very first year—a “fly-by” year full of personal adjustments—Zeina has worked towards excellence as an Outstanding Scholars candidate. As the title suggests, the Outstanding Scholars program recruits high-achieving prospective students interested in research and provide them with leadership opportunities (i.e. paid research placements) to build their academic experience.
It is no surprise then, that ‘Outstanding Scholar’ Zeina Abou Haidar has received multiple medals upon her graduation this spring that honored her academic excellence: the President’s Medal, the Governors Graduating Medal, and a Gold LEAD medallion. These medals represent the highest possible honours that the University of Windsor has to offer.
For reference, the President’s Medal is awarded to one undergraduate student every convocation who demonstrates extensive campus involvement while maintaining a high cumulative average (over 80%). Meanwhile, the Board of Governors’ Graduating Medal is awarded to students who demonstrate the highest academic average (at least 83%) in their respective program. And though LEAD (Leadership; Engagement; Application; Discovery) medallions are awarded to many students, the gold LEAD medallion is awarded to students who create long-lasting impacts at the University through campus engagement and high academic performance(s).
Zeina’s Journey
As an international student, Zeina spent her first year at the university adjusting to daily life in a new city and country. With the help of some Windsorite relatives, Zeina was able to “adjust faster” as she focused on navigating her life as a freshman—but the adjustment process didn’t end there.
“Knowing that you’re thousands of miles away from your family... I wanted the time I spent away from them to count” Zeina remarked.
Because of the initial adjustment period, it wasn’t until the end of her first year when Zeina decided to get as involved as possible on campus. She wanted to “be that person” who was always involved in campus life, events, and activities. Zeina first put this goal into practice by putting herself out there and taking advantage of university resources. She recounts how she used the University of Windsor’s career center to revitalize her resume when applying for over 500 jobs in her early academic years.
By her second year, her focus continued to be on campus involvement, which dually benefitted her continued adjustment process, as she got to make meaningful connections with peers, professors, and friends. She continued to take advantage of her university experience, like using the Ignite Program to find on-campus work and attending office hours to build her academic network. Zeina began to feel more integrated into the campus community, which allowed her to reveal “the dynamics of the university and what’s out there in regard to scholarships, awards, and more.”
Unlocking the underlying resources and opportunities, Zeina overcame her initial cluelessness about the University of Windsor’s award and scholarship opportunities in the later half of her third year. By the beginning of her fourth year—when reflecting on her high-grade average and community involvement, she actively considered it possible to achieve the once unreachable awards that she now possesses.
“Putting yourself out of your comfort zone will get you places” recounts Zeina.
The student team at the Office of Student Recruitment located at the Welcome Centre.
Managing while Making It
Balancing academics, campus involvement, networking, and living in a new city is not without struggle. Zeina admitted that her journey was “not all flowers and sunshine” and particularly noted occasional feelings of homesickness, uncertainty about the future, and self-doubt.
“Sometimes you're capable of a lot of things, but our own fears limit us” Zeina reflects.
Zeina also worried about her family during times of world crises. Being away from home not only posed a personal challenge but also produced uncertainty in times of broader political conflicts. Zeina described the experience as a big balancing act: “It was a lot of learning, adjusting, managing your emotions and knowing how to manage everything else.”
But Zeina also recalls how in challenging times, she had the support of her family members, newfound friends, campus coworkers, and professors to lift her up. She notes how CMF department head, Dr. Kyle Asquith had always been supportive of her work, and who she is grateful for as he nominated her for the President’s Medal this convocation.
“I would not have been here without our professors... from film professors to theory professors, I have not one bad thing to say.”
Ultimately, Zeina reflects that her university experience would not have been successful without every person who supported her along the way. She expresses the sincerest of gratitude for all of her friends, peers, and professors who encouraged her along the way: you know who you are!
Zeina represents the University of Windsor as a student ambassador at a career fair in the Toldo Lancer Centre.
Advice from an Academic
“I want them to believe in themselves” is the first and foremost piece of advice Zeina offers to prospective students, future graduates, and anyone who resonates with it.
Unsurprisingly, Zeina also explains that it is so important to try and “be everywhere... to take advantage of [UWindsor’s] resources.” She says to “never stop asking questions” and “never stop researching,” even when you feel like your voice doesn’t matter.
A Graduate’s Goals
Taking her own advice, Zeina plans to gain some professional experience in her field to “network, network, network!”. She notes that she’s “not done with school” and later plans to go for her MBA (a Master of Business Administration) to further advance her career.
Zeina is eager to pursue greatness and hopes that students never stop advocating for their own greatness: “You have to work really hard for [good things], and eventually you’ll get to it.”
Congratulations to Zeina and the graduating Class of 2026 this spring convocation! Each and every UWindsor graduate (and graduate to-be) is destined for greatness, and like Zeina, will leave an impactful imprint on the University of Windsor’s legacy.