Two BC Students Awarded Prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships

Two students from British Columbia have been awarded the highly regarded Schulich Leader Scholarships, enabling them to pursue their studies at the University of Victoria (UVic) this fall. Scarlett Steyn and Lottie Campbell are among the one hundred recipients of this prestigious scholarship, which recognizes outstanding high school graduates with a strong focus on entrepreneurship and community development.

Scarlett Steyn, designated as the 2025 Schulich Leader Scholar in engineering, graduated from Princess Margaret Secondary School in Penticton. She has shown exceptional academic performance and leadership skills, particularly in the field of robotics. Steyn’s passion for engineering is driven by her desire to combine problem-solving with teamwork. “I love engineering because I like optimizing things and immediately seeing the impact of my work,” she stated. Her ambition is to launch an engineering firm that prioritizes women’s involvement in the industry.

Steyn’s innovative spirit became evident during her second year on the Penticton Robotics Team. Faced with a shortage of materials, she successfully reached out to the local hockey team, the Penticton Vees, to obtain recycled carbon-fibre hockey sticks. These materials were creatively repurposed to build a mechanical lift system, earning the team the Creativity Award at the FIRST Robotics Canadian Pacific Regional Competition. In her final year, the team achieved first place at the same competition.

As she embarks on her university journey, Steyn looks forward to engaging with the UVic community. “Coming from a small town, I was looking for a university with a strong sense of community, which UVic has,” she remarked, expressing enthusiasm about joining various clubs and connecting with faculty.

Campbell’s Journey into Science and Research

Lottie Campbell, the 2025 Schulich Leader Scholar in sciences, is set to join UVic after graduating from Esquimalt High School in Victoria. Her fascination with science ignited at an early age, marked by a keen interest in notable scientists. “Three-year-old me was obsessed with [Michael Rampino],” she recalled, referring to the PBS NOVA program Mystery of the Megavolcano.

Campbell’s decision to attend UVic stems from its reputation for research and hands-on learning experiences. “I spoke with people in my faculty and learned about the research opportunities I can get involved with early on in my degree, which is exciting,” she explained. In the summer of 2023, she interned at the Molecular Cellular Immunology Core at BC Cancer’s Deeley Research Centre, solidifying her ambition to work as a chemical researcher.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Campbell has made significant contributions to her community by co-founding the Women in STEM club at Esquimalt High School. The club organized field trips to local research facilities and hosted prominent speakers, fostering a supportive environment for aspiring female scientists. “It’s been amazing to see the community we built together,” she said, indicating her desire to continue nurturing this group even after graduation.

Becoming a Schulich Leader is a pivotal achievement for Campbell, who sees it as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of women in STEM. “The Schulich Leaders program is an incredible network. I look forward to building connections and giving back to the next generation,” she remarked.

The Schulich Leader Scholarships, established by businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich in 2012, aim to support students with a strong academic record in STEM disciplines. This transformative fund, exceeding $100 million, encourages young innovators to pursue their education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at partner universities across Canada. Each year, high schools are invited to nominate one student based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need.

Steyn and Campbell’s achievements illustrate the impact of the Schulich Leader Scholarships and emphasize the importance of fostering future leaders in STEM fields. As they begin their studies at UVic, both students exemplify the qualities the program aims to promote: innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.