Gillard is an accomplished student who takes on multiple academic and social leadership roles on and off campus. These roles include: outreach assistant for sexual violence prevention; president, social coordinator for the social welfare and social development club, and research assistant. Gillard is also an active community volunteer at One Kids Place, Community Living, and the Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre. In all of these roles, she is an outgoing and thoughtful student leader.

Dr. Paul Cook, Nipissing University’s Chancellor, has consistently demonstrated his belief in helping his community through leadership and volunteerism.