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2026 CMU Leadership Scholarship awarded
Elia Koslowsky-Wiebe, recipient of the 2026 CMU Leadership Scholarship, emphasizes listening, empowerment, and community in leadership
Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Leadership Scholarship: Elia Koslowsky-Wiebe (Westgate Mennonite Collegiate; Winnipeg, MB) and Gabriel Gray (Vancouver Technical Secondary School; Vancouver, BC).
The prestigious scholarship is granted annually to two high school graduates who demonstrate significant leadership ability, academic excellence, personal character, service, and vision. The award is worth up to $20,000 over four years of study, an increase in funds per recipient since last year.
CMU strives to make education affordable and accessible, offering over 300 scholarships, awards, and bursaries to new and returning students. The university distributed over $800,000 of aid to students in the 2024/25 academic year.
"At CMU, we know that finances can be a significant barrier to accessing a university education," says Sarah Klassen Bartel, Financial Aid and Awards Manager. "We are privileged to have financial support from donors who believe in the value of a CMU education—one that is academically strong and where students are supported by staff and faculty. Our awards, scholarships, and bursaries provide meaningful financial support that allows students to focus more on their academics and worry less about working to meet their financial needs. The time it takes to complete an application for funding is far less than the time it would take to earn a similar amount through employment. Taking the time to apply can make all the difference for a student."
The CMU Leadership Scholarship requires applicants to submit a resumé outlining their leadership achievements, two letters of recommendation from individuals who have worked closely with the student in their area of leadership, and an essay reflecting on their leadership values, experiences, challenges, and role models.
This year, both recipients emphasized service, humility, and attentive listening as vital qualities of good leadership and expressed their eagerness to grow as a leader in many ways at CMU.
Elia Koslowsky-Wiebe
Three skills Elia Koslowsky-Wiebe considers essential for every good leader to have are listening well, empowering people, and building community. Leadership is a skill that must continually be practiced and involves making mistakes and trying again. "Everyone has heard the phrase that leaders are born, not made, but throughout my life, I have learned that being a good leader is a choice you make every day," she wrote. Koslowsky-Wiebe has learned a lot about leadership from being a member of her high school's peer support group, a leader of the GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance), and on summer staff at Camps with Meaning. She has witnessed good models of leadership since a young age, such as her parents, fellow camp staff, and the ultimate example of Jesus. "Jesus teaches us that serving others is more important than showing that you have power over someone as a leader," she wrote, referencing the scripture that depicts Jesus washing his disciples' feet. She aspires to follow his example, being a leader who is compassionate, welcoming, and in service to others—and she's hoping to continue that as she begins her journey at CMU.
Gabriel Gray, recipient of the 2026 CMU Leadership Scholarship, values humility and service in leadership.
Gabriel Gray
Gabriel Gray began his essay by emphasizing the vital role that humility plays in leadership: "I have come to understand that expertise and knowledge alone, without humility, does not make you a great leader," he wrote. He believes that having an open mind and creating equality for all voices are also important values for leadership. Gray has gained experience as a leader through coaching rugby at his high school, leading a Bible study group for youth through his church, and working at Camp Squeah in the summers. Most importantly to Gray, leadership is about serving. "Leadership is above all else a service, more so than a power. Many leaders believe that the role of a leader is to wield power correctly, whereas I believe that a leader is called to service rather than lead with power," he wrote. Reflecting on the challenges of leadership, he made goals to improve at setting boundaries and delegating tasks and persevering even when passion for a project wanes. As he enters a new chapter at CMU, Gray is eager to grow within the context of communal living and implement his skills "in ways that benefit the CMU community."
CMU provides financial assistance to 50% of its student body every year across all programs, with options based on academic ability and financial need. 99% of qualified bursary applicants are offered the financial support they need. There are still more than a dozen CMU scholarships accepting applications until April 30 (visit cmu.ca/scholarships). Organizations beyond CMU, like high schools, unions, businesses, and more, offer further possibilities for financial support.
"We recognize that balancing time, studies, finances, and all the other responsibilities of life is complex, and students are overwhelmed," Klassen Bartel says. "The Financial Aid Office at CMU is accessible—we meet regularly with students to talk about their options and provide support, and we communicate directly with students through timely announcements about available financial opportunities."
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