
Published on November 1, 2016 | by Christopher.Arnold Photography by Christopher Arnold
0Guelph-Humber student wins justice award
If the driving force behind democracy is justice, then awards help recognize those who uphold it.
Emma Kelly, a University of Guelph-Humber student, was the recipient of the Canadian Criminal Justice Association Student Award two weeks ago.
The CCJA is run by members of the criminal justice profession who hope to improve the system and also aim to educate people about what is wrong with it by holding seminars for the public.
Kelly’s passion, besides school, led to a summer job related to her education. She worked with Innocence Canada, which fights for wrongly convicted citizens.
She said Innocence Canada does great work and she’s pleased “to be recognized for the work that I’m doing now. The award was to recognize work, volunteer experience and education. How what I’ve done has contributed to the betterment of community justice issues.” said Kelly.
This is the first time that a Guelph-Humber student has won the CCJA Student Award. Glenn Hanna, Assistant Program Head of Justice Studies, said the award shows a lot about Kelly’s character and the university.
“It speaks volumes about two things. The student themselves, their skills, their work ethic. It speaks volumes about Emma as a person.” Hanna said “For the institution, it speaks to repetitional enhancement. When our students are recognized beyond our own walls . . . they all add to the institutional reputation. We’re providing them with an environment in which they can thrive.”
The award comes with a one-year membership to the CCJA, which Kelly said she will put to good use fighting for a better justice system for all Canadians and make connections in the justice field.
It also gives her access to the justice report, peer reviewed information about what is happening in the field.
Irving Kulik, executive director of the CCJA, said he hopes the award can be used as motivation for students to pursue the fight for a better system as they develop from students into having a full time career.