Berry Genge named a 3M National Student Fellow

Berry Genge, a fourth-year UPEI Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) student from Lewes, PEI, has been named a 2024 3M National Student Fellow by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and 3M Canada.

The fellowship honours up to ten full-time college or undergraduate students across Canada who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their lives and at their postsecondary institution. These students embrace a vision of education that enhances their academic experience and beyond. 

Genge was nominated for the award by Dr. Libby Osgood, associate professor in the FSDE and a 2024 3M National Teaching Fellow, with letters of support from Dr. Wayne Peters, interim dean of the FSDE; Dr. Nadine Ibrahim, faculty steering committee member for the Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship, University of Waterloo; and Shannon Snow, work-integrated learning program officer, UPEI Experiential Education department. 

Osgood said that the selection of Genge as a 3M fellow recognizes the immense impact of her leadership and mentorship during her four years at UPEI. 

“I suspect she will fully embrace this opportunity to promote a broader understanding of engineering and advocate for an inclusive, expansive learning environment, now for a national audience. She is a change-maker, and I can't wait to see what she will do during the fellowship and in her final year of the engineering program.”

“We're so proud of Berry for receiving this award,” said Peters. “As a leader and an innovator, she has made many key contributions to our students’ success through the creation of vital opportunities for them to strengthen their academic and professional skills, to improve their work ethic, to build their confidence, to mature as young adults and aspiring engineers, and to engage in experiences that go well beyond the classroom. Berry has been an excellent role model on all of these fronts.” 

Early in her university career, Genge became involved in the engineering student help centre. Through this role, she worked to fill the gaps that engineering students find in their education. This includes the introduction of professional development opportunities, engineering-specific career days, and networking events that partner with local organizing bodies within the engineering profession. She has also been a leader within her engineering society executive team and has led advocacy efforts to improve the quality of life of marginalized groups within her faculty. 

Genge has been awarded several campus-wide distinctions, including the inaugural “Panther for Life” campus spirit award. Acknowledging that even small efforts can lead to lasting change, she works to create a spread of “small ripples” within UPEI in the hope that it leads to a greater change for all. She said she is honoured to be selected one of this year’s 3M National Student Fellows.  

“I feel this achievement is a true reflection of the meaningful work that I’ve been enabled to do within the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering; no matter how small I may feel the work I am doing is, what it really represents is the fostering of community and collective successes,” said Genge. “Whether it be organizing social events through the Engineering Society or facilitating professional development opportunities through the Engineering Success Centre—we are working towards this common goal. Everyone should be given the tools they need to thrive through this degree, and I feel so honoured to be part of this meaningful movement.”

Genge will graduate in the spring of 2025 after she completes her Bachelor of Sustainable Design Engineering degree and hopes to find a job in her field.

“On behalf of UPEI, I congratulate Berry on receiving this prestigious fellowship,” said Dr. Greg Naterer, Vice-President Academic and Research. “The award recognizes her academic excellence, outstanding leadership, and dedication to her community and fellow students. It is students like Berry who hold the key to the future of our society. We are very proud of her achievement.” 

Genge is looking forward to meeting her fellow 3M National Student Fellows next month at the 3M STLHE Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario.