Mohawk employee wins 2025 Ontario College Counselling Practice Award
Congratulations to Mohawk College Intercultural Counsellor, Mona Fathieh-Chigangu, who recently received the 2025 Ontario College Counsellors (OCC) Award of Excellence for Counselling Practice!
The award honours counsellors who demonstrate excellence and innovation in the provision of counselling services and who have significantly contributed to student success at their college.
In her role at Mohawk, Mona works with international and Indigenous students, often addressing more complex trauma, intergenerational trauma and grief work than other college counsellors address in their practice. Working with international students specifically, Mona was quick to notice supports that new arrivals to Canada need and partnered with International Student Services to create workshops addressing mental health needs specific to international students.
Mona has helped to deliver workshops and talking circles on the Indigenous 7 Grandfather Teachings, Psychological/Traditional Understandings of Stress and Anxiety. Additionally, she has co-designed a curriculum for a global citizenship micro-credential module and a stepped model of care for counsellors, along with a document for faculty to understand the process for how to recognize concerns and refer effectively
In their nomination letter, her colleagues said this about Mona, “Ethically and principally driven, intellectually curious, warm and very personable, Mona puts everyone at ease. She is a well-connected colleague and relates well with everyone she meets across our post-secondary institution. Her connection with people is out of genuine interest in them and their lives.
“Mona Fathieh-Chigangu is a rare and multi-talented individual. Her commitment to professionalism, social justice, ethical conduct and life-long learning is outstanding even amongst individuals who embody these qualities. Mona had a truly global and inclusive perspective and does not shy away from the difficult work.”
Congratulations, Mona!