Our people are LEADERS Fighting genocide through education


Nipissing University, as an organization, aims to be a leader in the community and to build the qualities of leadership in all of our students. Our students and outstanding alumni, consistently impress us with their imagination and their meaningful initiatives to give back to their communities in a multitude of ways. It gives us tremendous pleasure to introduce some of the many leaders, students and graduates, who make Nipissing proud.


In 2010, History student Morgann Rymall travelled to Rwanda to conduct research for her Master’s thesis titled, Surviving Genocidal Rape: Women’s Experiences of the Rwandan Genocide. Her experiences there, witnessing the strength and determination of the survivors, made her resolve to join the battle against genocide.


Upon returning to Canada, and enrolling in the Schulich School of Education to earn her Bachelor of Education degree, Rymall began the groundwork to bring Yannick Tona, a survivor of the genocide, to speak at Nipissing and in the schools where she had teaching placements.


Tona escaped Rwanda as a four-year-old with his mother, fleeing the genocide on foot to the Congo. He returned to Rwanda when the genocide ended and currently works with AEGIS Students, an international organization committed to educating, campaigning and fundraising to end genocide and mass atrocities.


After months of planning and organizing, Tona arrived in Canada. Together, he and Rymall shared his story and his message with thousands of individuals throughout Ontario. Rymall was inspired by the work of her research supervisor, Dr. Hilary Earl to explore this challenging and raw area of historical and social research.


Leading community literacy


Two Nipissing students have shown tremendous initiative in taking on literacy issues in North Bay. NU Reads, a reading club that helps young people develop a love of literacy through reading groups, one-on-one discussions and activities, was created by Alayna Becker and Dana Wilson. Both are fourth-year English students in the concurrent education program who are actively involved as university mentors. As mentors, they were encouraged to create initiatives that build leadership skills and make a positive contribution to the community. With keen interests in literacy, Wilson and Becker developed NU Reads.


During sessions, Nipissing students work with young children to enhance their reading and literacy skills. It’s a win-win situation; children develop a love of reading and Nipissing students have opportunity to put into practice the theories discussed in class.


10 Right: Trina Prince


Below left: Morgann Rymall Below right: Lakers Maniacs Bottom left: Yannick Tona Bottom right: Alayna Becker (left), Dana Wilson (right)


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