Rhodes Scholar

Liwei Liao didn’t put much thought into his outfit when he viewed his virtual convocation ceremony at �ؿ�ζSM at the height of the pandemic – but next week, he will be getting dressed up.

With an honours bachelor of science degree from U of T Scarborough, Liao is one of more than 7,700 grads expected to cross the stage at Convocation Hall as a part of a series of in-person celebrations for the classes of 2020 and 2021.

He says he’s looking forward to a signature U of T moment.

“It's going to be very special for me and probably one of the best days of my life,” Liao says. “I’ll be thinking about the respect I have for my home campus. This is the place that paved the way to where I am now.”

Alumni and their 24,000 guests will attend 28 special in-person graduation celebrations over 13 days. Cohorts are organized by campus and degree. Two celebrations were already held on Nov. 12 for Rotman School of Management and Rotman Commerce graduates.

Mariana Saraiva

“This graduation celebration was a special milestone for me,” says Mariana Saraiva, who earned an executive MBA degree in 2020. “It was my first experience in Canada graduating, so I am grateful to have been present and have my moment on stage with all my peers and fellow graduates.

“For me, it was extraordinary to return to campus and celebrate what we achieved in person.”

The celebrations include decades-old U of T traditions as well as a new role introduced to U of T convocations this spring – the Eagle Feather Bearer, a sign of the university’s profound respect for Indigenous communities and cultures.

“These in-person celebrations are part two of the initial, virtual convocation ceremonies held at the height of the pandemic,” says Bryn MacPherson, assistant vice-president in U of T’s Office of the President and chief of protocol. “This is the culmination of a multi-year effort to ensure our graduates have as many as possible of the experiences they would have enjoyed during their in-person Convocation ceremonies.”

Institutional leaders, deans and principals from the three campuses will deliver remarks. Each recent grad will then hear their name called and take the short but significant walk across Convocation Hall’s stage.

Ikran Jama, who graduated from the Faculty of Arts & Science last year and is now studying at Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship, says her thoughts will be with the people cheering her on in the audience.

“I’ll be thinking of my parents and the struggles they went through to give me an education and a fighting chance,” Jama says. “To finally see their daughter cross that stage is a big moment for the people I love and care about.”

Jama says she is flying back to Toronto to attend the celebration and is looking forward to visiting family and reconnecting with classmates she hasn’t seen in years, as well as those she only managed to connect with virtually.

“We haven’t seen each other in so long and people have gone across the world,” Jama says. “I'm so excited to come back and speak with them about what they're doing.”

13 days of celebrations – a huge undertaking

Behind the scenes, staff faced an array of logistical challenges when organizing the events – not the least of which was contacting graduates who might not have opened their U of T email in years.

Organizers are taking steps to give alumni from the classes of 2020 and 2021 every chance to attend. Since the initial deadline, more than 350 names have been gathered and added to convocation lists. Organizers said registration of latecomers would continue until the start of the ceremonies – and a limited supply of extra academic gowns will be available on site for those who missed the deadline to order ahead.

Those late entries present another logistical hurdle. Graduates had the ability to provide information about the pronunciation of their name in advance so that this would be captured in the recordings. To accommodate late additions, names will be on different types of cards and delivered live.

Yet, despite the challenges, organizers say they are committed to making these celebrations as special as possible.

“We recognize that the pandemic made reaching this academic achievement more challenging,” says Silvia Rosatone, director of the Office of Convocation. “In partnership with our Faculty and College partners, we are all committed to providing our graduates with the opportunity to celebrate this important milestone.”

Members of the Rotman Commerce Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 celebrate at Convocation Hall (photo by Tam Nguyen)

'I had to pave the path for myself': Iakoiehwáhtha Patton on being named a Rhodes Scholar

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 14:16:04 +0000

'I had to pave the path for myself': Iakoiehwáhtha Patton on being named a Rhodes Scholar

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 11/24/2022 - 09:16

Cutline

Iakoiehwáhtha Patton, a student at Victoria College, studies art history, anthropology and the Renaissance – and has a passion for Netherlandish art (photo courtesy of Iakoiehwáhtha Patton)

Topic

Faculty of Arts & Science

Indigenous

Rhodes Scholar

Undergraduate Students

Victoria College

Iakoiehwáhtha Patton, a fourth-year art history student at the �ؿ�ζSM and member of the Kanien'kehá:ka First Nations community in Quebec, was caught off guard when she found out she was headed to the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

“It’s completely unbelievable,” says Patton, who was notified of the scholarship via a phone call that was briefly disconnected as she walked through her apartment building.

The Victoria College student frantically ran through her hallway, waving her phone in an effort to find a signal.

“All I heard was, ‘You're on speakerphone … Congratulations, you've been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship.’ And the only words that I could say was, ‘Oh my God.’ Then I started crying.”

Patton – who is believed to be the first Indigenous, First Nations woman from Canada to receive the prestigious award – then called her mother in Kahnawake, the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community outside Montreal. “The first thing she asked was, ‘Are you kidding? This is a terrible joke.’”

Soon after, the well wishes and congratulations began pouring in from family, friends and from U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science community.

“On behalf of the Faculty I want to congratulate Iakoiehwáhtha for this historic achievement in becoming the first female First Nations Rhodes Scholar,” says Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “Driven by passion and her identity, she has blazed a trail of accomplishment inside and outside the classroom, worthy of one of the world’s most distinguished academic honours.”

Rhonda McEwen, president and vice-chancellor of Victoria University in the �ؿ�ζSM – which includes Victoria College – also offered her warm wishes.

“On behalf of the entire Vic community, I offer heartfelt congratulations,” says McEwen. “[Iakoiehwáhtha] continues to exemplify outstanding leadership and passion for making the world a better place, an important shared value at Vic. We all join in a sense of pride when our students achieve their goals and pursue their dreams, and I know that Iako will continue to achieve her big ambitions.”

Studying art history, anthropology and Renaissance studies, Patton has a passion for Netherlandish art – art produced by Dutch artists during the 15th- and 16th-century Northern Renaissance period.

She’s exploring the intersections of gender, colonialism and its artistic representations. And she says she can’t wait to continue her studies at the University of Oxford, focusing on the imaging of North American Indigenous peoples in Netherlandish art. She hopes to shed light on the deeply rooted inequalities of colonial and gender relations embedded within these works.

“I began studying Netherlandish art because I loved Rembrandt – I loved the Dutch Golden Age,” says Patton, who is president of the History of Art Students’ Association and a member of multiple Indigenous advisory committees.

“I took all the classes taught by Professor Ethan Matt Kavaler,” says Patton. “He's phenomenal, and he really cultivated my passion.”

There’s also a very personal connection to this period for Patton.

“The Dutch had one of the biggest colonial empires at the time,” she says. “They had a colony in the United States called New Netherland that extended from Albany all the way to Delaware. And that was where my people were situated in the 17th century. So there's this overlap of my discipline that I love and my community's history.”

She says more research is needed on the North American context of Netherlandish art and how depictions of Indigenous Peoples, culture and materials impacted European artists.

“That's what I want to study at the graduate level,” she says. “Art communicates values, communicates belief systems – and it's situated within its cultural context. And it can never be devoid from its colonial context. You can’t separate it. Our art history is history.”

What makes being invited to Oxford so surreal for Patton is that she never envisioned becoming a Rhodes Scholar. She thought these scholarships were meant for scientists, engineers, budding political leaders and CEOs, not arts students.

“I had a very narrow idea of what a Rhodes scholar was, I didn't think I fit that mould,” she says. “I didn't even know they looked for people in the humanities. It always seemed so untouchable, especially coming from my background.”

But through the support of her college and professors, the idea of studying at Oxford became attainable.

“The support from everyone at the university and Victoria College has been incredible,” says Patton. “I want to specifically thank the department of art history for the past three years. I have grown into the scholar and leader I am because of their guidance and encouragement.”

She says she approached the life-changing opportunity presented by the scholarship like every other academic challenge she has faced – creating her own road.

“My parents didn't go to university and I didn't really have Indigenous academic role models, especially in my field,” she says. “So, I've always felt I had to pave the path for myself. But in doing that, I always felt like I had a responsibility to do that for other Indigenous scholars as well.

“I know that I'm the first in a lot of the things that I'm doing, though it was unintentionally. But I know the weight and responsibility that I have as an Indigenous woman. It's not just about me anymore.”

Patton has been to England once as part of a student exchange in Grade 11. So, the idea of living on her own overseas is a little daunting. But that’s overshadowed by the excitement of getting to know her fellow students and instructors.

“The Rhodes community is so diverse – they come from so many different areas of life, different countries, different disciplines,” says Patton. “I've heard that it's so tight knit and once I announced on social media that I got the scholarship, I had so many people who are still at Oxford, or have gone to Oxford through the Rhodes Scholarship, reach out to me.”

She’s already connected with her newfound network, learning about what to expect. “It was just so comforting,” says Patton. “They responded immediately and are answering any questions I have.”

What does she want to do after finishing her next degree?

She sees herself completing a PhD in art history but how, when and where will likely be determined by her time as an Oxford student.

Says Patton, “Every person I've talked to has said the Rhodes Scholarship opens doors to opportunities I can't even fathom, so I want to be open to any opportunity that comes from this.”

Putting yourself out there: U of T scholarship recipients share their tips for success

mattimar — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 19:37:10 +0000

Putting yourself out there: U of T scholarship recipients share their tips for success

mattimar Thu, 03/31/2022 - 15:37

Cutline

From left to right: Nicole Mfoafo-M’Carthy, Fletcher Han and Mishika Mehrotra say scholarship applicants should strive to be honest and genuine – and that simply participating in the process can bring its own rewards.

Mariam Matti

Topic

Global Lens

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Alumni

English

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Rhodes Scholar

Schwarzman Scholar

U of T Mississauga

Applying for a scholarship is challenging, but it can be well worth the effort.

But how, exactly, should one go about it? And what sorts of things do selection committees look for?

U of T News spoke with Rhodes Scholar Nicole Mfoafo-M’Carthy, Schwarzman Scholar Fletcher Han, Gates Cambridge Scholar Mishika Mehrotra, and Robert McGill, a U of T professor of English who sits on the Rhodes Scholarship committee, to get their insights and tips on scholarship applications.

Not surprisingly, they say academic achievement, leadership qualities and extracurricular activities all figure prominently in a successful scholarship application.

But there are other elements to consider, too.

Here is their advice on what it takes to secure a scholarship, how to make the scholarship application process easier and why it’s worth completing – regardless of the outcome.

‘You absolutely can’t win if you don’t apply’

Mfoafo-M’Carthy’s advice to students who are hesitant about putting their application forward is to not sell yourself short.

“You absolutely can’t win if you don’t apply,” she said. “Do your best in presenting an application you are proud of and then recognize that the ultimate decision is out of your hands. Keep in mind, you have gifts to offer.”

Mfoafo-M’Carthy was one of the 11 Canadians selected last year to receive the Rhodes Scholarship, which covers expenses for a post-graduate degree at the University of Oxford. Over the past 21 years, there have been 26 students from U of T who have received the prestigious award.

Mehrotra, an alumna of U of T Mississauga who is completing her PhD in the department of psychology at the University of Cambridge, says she did not believe she was going to receive the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, which is awarded to future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.

“We all have a tendency to downplay our achievements and feel like people who go to top institutions with competitive scholarships are doing something that is unattainable, but that’s not the case,” she says.

“You can show your involvement in your local community and talk about future plans of how you want to use your degree to improve people’s lives.”

Mfoafo-M’Carthy completed her application when she was handling the workload of a full-time medical student.

But she says it was worth it because it helped her gain clarity.

“Life moves by so quickly,” she says. “We rarely have moments that invite us to slow down and think about who we are, how far we’ve come and where we want to go.”

Be true to yourself

The scholarship recipients say there is great value in being genuine and honest about who you are on a scholarship application.

“It’s important to just tell your story and embrace every aspect of who you are,” says Han, who is completing his masters in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

He is the first student from U of T’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering to receive the Schwarzman Scholarship, which is awarded by Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University to students with exemplary leadership and the ability to bridge international differences.

Robert McGill

Mfoafo-M’Carthy agrees.

“Being honest and genuine, that really shines through – not only in scholarship applications, but in any type of process, interview or situation where you have a limited time or word count to express yourself,” she says.

For five years, McGill has sat on the Rhodes Scholarship committee, reviewing applications and conducting mock interviews for students who are selected for the opportunity.

He says that having a “great amount of self-awareness” in a personal statement stands out to him – and that there is great advantage to being a good writer when it comes to the scholarship application.

“I would suggest to anyone considering applying to work on their writing skills,” he says.

‘Transformational leadership’ stands out

For students who are considering applying to scholarships, it’s helpful to beef up your experience with leadership opportunities.

McGill says that three valuable qualities that stand out to him in a scholar are “scholastic accomplishment, extra-curricular achievements and potential for leadership.”

“I think the successful candidates manage to look for and take on opportunities, commit themselves to them and take up leadership roles that emerge through those activities,” he says.

Han, too, says transformational leadership is a quality that stands out on an application.

“Challenging the status quo in a very practical and respectful manner is important,” says Han. “So is having that leadership to inspire people to follow you towards a better future.”

He encourages students to start a club if they think there’s a gap at their school.

“Definitely look at the opportunities that are available, but don’t be afraid to rally people and start your own club,” he says. “Having that entrepreneurship spirit is huge for any scholarship.

“Clubs are an opportunity for you to learn.”

Mehrotra, meanwhile, says that the definition of leadership potential is broad on the Gates Cambridge application so it shouldn’t deter students who don’t think they’ve done something “on a grand scale.”

“It’s a matter of restructuring and reframing your own experiences to make it fit with the specific criteria they have,” she says.

Be open to a global perspective

Han, who was born in New Zealand, says one of the things that drew him to the Schwarzman Scholarship is the opportunity to travel and strengthen his global outlook.

He learned about Tsinghua University during a trip with his girlfriend in China. Han says he’s never gotten the opportunity to explore that part of his identity.

“This is an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded people, international young leaders and leaders from across the world,” he says. “If you want to learn more about other societies and cultures and just get a better understanding of the world, I think this is great for you. Global curiosity is key.”

Mfoafo-M’Carthy wanted an experience that not only challenged her academically, but also culturally.

“Learning in a whole new country, being exposed to different ideas and perspectives … that global experience is a big factor for me,” she says.

Each recipient also say they are excited about the opportunity to connect with fellow scholars from around the world.

“It’s such a lively and diverse community of current scholars and alumni that we get to interact with,” says Mehrotra. “They are extremely passionate about their research, and they are very committed to making a difference in the world so it’s an incredible learning opportunity.

“You aren’t just given money to carry out your work, but you’re offered social support and development opportunities because they really want you to succeed.”

Why the lengthy application process is worth it – no matter what happens

Completing the application process can be an opportunity to pause for self-reflection, evaluate your goals and decide what you’d really like to accomplish in the future.

“It’s important that we recognize that there is so much value in the application process outside of winning,” says Mfoafo-M’Carthy. “The process of writing an application is your argument to convince a committee of why you’re worthy of this award.

“The process causes you to reflect on your journey and to identify and articulate the goals you have.”

McGill who has had the unique experience of being on both sides – he was a Rhodes Scholar in 1999 – takes a similar view.

“While the application does require work, it’s a great opportunity for self-reflection,” he says. “It’s asks you to think about the story of your life, who you are, what you have done – and what you might like to accomplish, especially in terms of looking beyond yourself to help other people and make the world a better place.”

Taking the long view is key

It’s also important to not “neglect the small awards on the way to the big ones,” according to Mfoafo-M’Carthy.

She says she has applied for several scholarships during her undergrad.

“Applying for scholarships is tedious work and there were a lot of rejections along the way, but the small ones prepared me for the Rhodes Scholarship.”

U of T medical student Nicole Mfoafo-M’Carthy named a Rhodes Scholar

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 19:41:51 +0000

U of T medical student Nicole Mfoafo-M’Carthy named a Rhodes Scholar

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 11/29/2021 - 14:41

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(Photo courtesy of Nicole Mfoafo M'Carthy)

Erin Howe

Topic

Global Lens

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Rhodes Scholar

Nicole Mfoafo-M’Carthy, a second-year medical student at the �ؿ�ζSM, is one of 11 Canadians selected this year to receive a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

The Rhodes Scholarship covers expenses for a postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and is awarded to exceptional, public-spirited leaders from around the world. It identifies and supports young people with potential to make a positive impact on the world.

One way Mfoafo-M’Carthy is seeking to make an impact is through research. She has a keen interest in workplace policy related to gender, disability and intersectionality.

“Work is such a large part of many people’s lives, but differences between the experiences of people of different genders are often overlooked – especially how gender interacts with our other social identities and positions such as disability,” she says. “There's a tremendous opportunity to explore what can make workplaces safer and better for everyone.”

Mfoafo-M’Carthy, an MD student in U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, began to explore this area during her undergraduate studies at the University of Calgary. Her thesis focused on mental health in gendered workplaces, and how employers can create more inclusive policies that account for diversity and individual needs.

At U of T, Mfoafo-M’Carthy is working on a qualitative assessment of moral injury – the cognitive and emotional response after events that go against a person’s own moral code – in long-term care workers. As part of the project, Mfoafo-M'Carthy looks at how people working in long-term care experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, and what could have been done to better support them. At the University of Oxford, she plans to pursue her interest in the intersection of health and policy.

Mfoafo-M’Carthy, who is also a junior fellow at Massey College, says she always intended to pursue a master’s degree or doctorate, but was unsure about timing. She never dreamed that one of the world’s most highly regarded scholarships would give her the opportunity.

As she prepares to join the network of more than 4,500 Rhodes Scholars worldwide, Mfoafo-M'Carthy says her story is one of community.

“If someone had told me when I arrived at U of T last fall that I would become a Rhodes Scholar, I’d never have imagined it,” she says. “But over time, and with more exposure to the opportunities here, I could see how this opportunity aligned with what I wanted for myself. And I was fortunate to receive so much support from people here at U of T.”

Among her supporters, Mfoafo-M'Carthy lists U of T faculty Ayelet Kuper, Marcus Law, Tony Pignatiello and Jennifer Bryan, who was her mentor through the diversity mentorship program. She also credits neurology resident Victoria Reedman, who encouraged her to apply to Rhodes, and notes that many faculty members extended their support throughout the application process, helping her prepare for the two-day long interview.

Mfoafo-M'Carthy says her experiences as a mentee helped cement her own commitment to mentoring others in the community. She received mentorship through Community of Support and, after she was accepted to the MD program, became a mentor herself.

Mfoafo-M'Carthy is heavily involved with the Black Medical Students Association as a mentor and as co-director of community outreach. As well, she is a committee member for the Ontario Medical Association’s OMA Women.

In 2015, she created Gurl, a mentorship program in Calgary for girls from immigrant families between the ages of nine and 13. Gurl continues to operate and provide participants with a sense of community.

Mfoafo-M'Carthy also founded a non-profit organization called Career Match, which ensures youth are provided with the tools and resources to make informed decisions about their careers. The organization provides networking opportunities along with career fair events to match students with mentors.

Within days of learning she is headed to Oxford, Mfoafo-M'Carthy began to connect with other Rhodes Scholars, including a few at U of T. She says she is excited to embark upon her next academic adventure at Rhodes House in Oxford, but is still taking in the big news.

Mfoafo-M'Carthy will begin her studies at the University of Oxford in September of 2022 and return to study in the MD program at U of T upon completion of her graduate degree.

A Rhodes Scholar and student leader, U of T grad Ikran Jama brought her community into the classroom

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:12:45 +0000

A Rhodes Scholar and student leader, U of T grad Ikran Jama brought her community into the classroom

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 06/21/2021 - 11:12

Cutline

Ikran Jama, a Rhodes Scholar, says "growing up in a multicultural community gave me the understanding to consider issues from perspectives that are not always recognized in academia" (photo courtesy of Ikran Jama)

Topic

Faculty of Arts & Science

Women and Gender Studies

When Ikran Jama took public transit home from school each day, the changes in landscape were a constant reminder of the stark differences between her two worlds.

As the bus careened forward, the glass buildings of downtown, the neo-Gothic residences and the vast green spaces of the �ؿ�ζSM were replaced by the modest houses, concrete apartment buildings and eclectic storefronts of the west-end Toronto neighbourhood that Jama called home.

Contrary to the headlines, which often equated her neighbourhood with crime, Jama’s community was a place where she and her six younger siblings played tag and grounders at the park, where Somali mothers gathered together for tea and where neighbours welcomed people into their apartments with open arms.

Her community was never far from her mind as she completed her undergraduate education at U of T, pursuing a double major in international relations and criminology and sociolegal studies, with a minor in African Studies. And she plans to keep her community close even as she graduates this week and embarks on a Rhodes Scholarship this fall at the University of Oxford.

“The community was in the classroom with me,” Jama says. “Growing up in a multicultural community gave me the understanding to consider issues from perspectives that are not always recognized in academia.

“A question I always ask myself is: ‘Why do I do the things that I do?’ One reason is that I don’t want other kids to continue to grow up with the same issues that I did.”

Jama arrived on campus as a �ؿ�ζSM Scholar, a distinction awarded upon admission for high academic achievement and outstanding performance. Still, in the beginning, she says she suffered from “imposter syndrome” and questioned her place in the classroom.

“My grades weren’t up to par with my expectations,” Jama says. “I started getting into my own head, thinking about how I looked different from everyone else and how my responses in seminar weren’t being met as positively as I thought they would be.”

She was also jarred by class discussions of crime rates and police responses in which her neighbourhood was cited as a case study, and she was disheartened by the narratives surrounding her community – a community that had inspired her to come to university in the first place.

As her community was analyzed via numbers and statistics, Jama noted a glaring lack of human perspectives. “The most important voices were absent from that room,” says Jama, who sought to provide those missing viewpoints.

“I know mothers whose sons were arrested, and I understand the heartaches that they faced,” Jama says. “I have community members who have lost their children. I know the people behind these issues and what is holding them back – the emotions and the sacrifices.

“These are people who can easily be siloed in society, when what is needed for real change is to understand them on a human level.”

As she spoke in class about the issues affecting her community, Jama became more confident in the value of her opinions. Through the Vic One program’s Lester B. Pearson stream, in which first-year students take part in intimate seminar discussions exploring the nature of public life and citizenship, Jama slowly found her voice in the classroom.

She credits many of the professors and friends she met through Vic One with helping her foster a sense of belonging on campus. Her tightknit group of friends has always been there to “hype each other up,” she says, and her professors constantly encouraged her to share her ideas in class.

Jama enjoyed her Vic One experience so much that she transferred to Victoria College, which she calls her “home base.” She is the recipient of Victoria College’s Margaret Slater Scholarship and Elizabeth Anne Sabiston Scholarship for high academic achievement.

Jama says she was initially nervous about being accepted as a valued member of the U of T community, but that she was also eager to get involved from the start.

Foti Vito, a member of Trinity College who went to high school with Jama, recalls her leading him to the Arts and Science Students’ Union (ASSU) office during their first week on campus. She would go on to serve on the ASSU executive for all four years, including the last two as president. Vito has also been an executive member for three years.

“Ikran always leads with empathy and compassion,” Vito says. “She makes you want to emulate the same goodness that she brings to the team. She is extremely dedicated to advocacy, especially for underrepresented students.”

In her first year, Jama launched Student Success Day, a conference that welcomed marginalized Toronto high school students onto campus for a day of workshops highlighting the opportunities offered by a post-secondary education.

“At the time, I was still in the mindset of asking, ‘Do I belong?’” Jama says. “So, I wanted others to look at the space and feel like they belonged before even enrolling here.”

As ASSU president, Jama oversaw a $500,000 budget and managed a team of more than 60 academic course unions, advocating for policies that affect 26,000 undergraduate students. At the onset of the pandemic last year, she and her team created the ASSU Student Emergency Fund for students requiring immediate financial relief.

“I have been truly impressed by Ikran’s sheer brilliance, social grace, generosity, leadership talents and humility,” says Marieme Lo, an associate professor in women and gender studies at U of T and the director of the African studies program.

“What struck me in Ikran are her unique work ethic, outstanding and impactful community citizenship, intellectual acumen and her ethics of care during the pandemic that all shine through her invaluable contributions to various student communities,” says Lo, who has taught and mentored Jama.

Last November, Jama was among just 11 Canadians to be awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford this coming fall. U of T graduate Jeffrey Fasegha also received the honour.

She plans to study criminology at Oxford before returning to U of T, where she has been accepted to the Faculty of Law.

Jama aims to one day work as a lawyer in the communities where she grew up – and has even considered entering politics as a way of achieving reforms for her community.

“I want to be someone who is able to provide legal services for my community at a lower cost, to speak the language and understand the people who are coming to seek help,” Jama says. “If someone comes into the office nervous because they don’t trust the system, I want to be that face for the community.”

The work would be a continuation of what Jama has been doing for years.

In high school, she worked at an immigration aid centre, where she helped Somali refugees translate documents, complete paperwork and navigate the system. In university, she volunteered at her local community centre to engage with Somali youth, whom she has tutored and mentored with the goal of empowering them to feel confident in their academic pursuits.

She says her work with Somali refugees often reminds her of her family’s own journey to Canada. It is a story that her mother has told her countless times: In the 1990s, amid civil war in Somalia, her grandmother told her mother to leave the country – and they had found a way to get her to Canada. On the plane ride to a new continent, her mother stared out the window and longed for her family.

“My mom found it very hard to feel like she belonged in the country,” Jama says. “To come to a world so unfamiliar to her, and to raise our family despite all these challenges – it makes me feel heartbroken and inspired at the same time.”

Jama says her mother has always pushed her to excel. When she stayed up until 3 a.m. writing a paper, her mother would bring her a hot cup of orange pekoe tea with a combination of spices and cinnamons that seemingly only her mother knew how to conjure.

As Jama prepares to exchange her daily bus rides across the city for a flight to the United Kingdom, she is determined to learn the recipe for the special drink.

“That’s my mom’s tea,” she says. “I need to take it with me.”

U of T students who crushed it in 2018

geoff.vendeville — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 18:15:14 +0000

U of T students who crushed it in 2018

geoff.vendeville Tue, 12/18/2018 - 13:15

Cutline

The Indigenous Studies Students' Union held a powwow in the Goldring Centre in March. Hundreds of people showed up to celebrate Indigenous communities, cultures and languages (photo by Laura Pedersen)

Topic

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Undergraduate Students

Victoria College

It would be difficult to overstate the hard work and achievement of �ؿ�ζSM students this year. They literally went to the ends of the Earth.

Matt Young, a PhD student in astronomy, returned from a two-month-long trip to Antarctica, where he helped upgrade a camera on a one-tonne telescope at a research station. The instrument observes the cosmic microwave background – electromagnetic radiation left by the Big Bang – that offers clues about the early universe.

Closer to home, the accomplishments of U of T students were equally impressive. They overcame difficulties to succeed in their studies, held events enriching life on campus and inspired others with their dedication to learning.

Here's just a small sample of what they were up to this year:

The U of T students who kept up the tradition of Black graduation

Students prepare to make a grand entrance at Black graduation in Hart House's Great Hall (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Black graduations, or commencements, have become a fixture of university calendars south of the border, including at Harvard and Stanford. In 2017, U of T students made history by organizing what was believed to be Canada's first Black graduation ceremony.

This year, Ayaan Abdulle, Matthew Campbell-Williams, Anyika Mark and a dedicated team of volunteers carried the torch. They invited Dionne Brand, a past Toronto poet laureate and winner of the Governor General’s Award who received an honorary degree from U of T, to deliver a guest lecture. And the class of '18 toasted their accomplishments in style, filing into Hart House's Great Hall to the tune of “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.”

From a Tibetan refugee camp to U of T Dentistry

The road to U of T was a tough one for Khamsum Wangdu. He and his brother grew up in Nepal in a Tibetan refugee camp. They were training to be dentists, but before they could take their licensing exams, the 2015 earthquake struck, killing 9,000 people and injuring 22,000.

Amid assisting with medical and relief efforts, they learned that Canadian authorities had fast-tracked their family’s sponsorship application. They were both accepted to dentistry schools in Canada – Khamsum at U of T and his brother Kunsang at Dalhousie University. Khamsum got into an accelerated program for internationally trained dentists and is due to graduate in 2020.

“Being accepted into the �ؿ�ζSM is not simply a dream come true, it is the chance of a lifetime,” he said.

The student who made his voice heard

Behzad Farkhari performed on the big Bollywood stage over the summer (photo via Facebook)

Behzad Farkhari, in neuroscience and psychology at U of T Scarborough, overcame his boyhood shyness to perform Bollywood songs. This summer, he got to perform on the biggest stage yet of his career on Dil Hai Hindustani, the Indian equivalent of American Idol. He placed ninth among the 21,000 musicians who auditioned for the reality show.

The undergraduate who made the most of university and inspired others to do the same

Allie Sinclair proved good grades don't have to come at the cost of everything else. She was involved in research from her very first week at U of T, landing a position in a psychology lab. As an undergraduate, she took the stage as part of the Victoria College Drama Society, went for hikes, mentored other students and even co-wrote a paper that was accepted for publication in a scholarly journal.

She graduated last year at the top of her class with a GPA of 4.0. But before leaving U of T for graduate school in the U.S., she and fellow top students from previous years shared some advice.

The student who was the picture of perseverance

Elspeth Arbow during a physiotherapy session at Toronto General Hospital after her double-lung transplant (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

There was no stopping Elspeth Arbow, even when she became so short of breath that she struggled to get to class. The cinema studies student at Innis College kept up with her studies and won a student leadership award despite cystic fibrosis, which sapped her energy and required her to undergo a double-lung transplant for the second time in 10 years. She recovered from the operation and began her final semester this fall.

The scholarship winner who was the first in her Kenyan village to study abroad

Emmanuela Alimlim grew up in a rural Kenyan village of about 100 people, in family of 12 kids. She was the first person from her village to study abroad when she came to U of T to take economics on a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.

In Toronto, she overcame the stresses of living thousands of kilometres away from home, in a place with a very different climate and customs, to contribute meaningfully to life on campus. She founded the Eastern African Students' Association and a non-profit that supports the education of girls and women back in Kenya.

U of T's newest Rhodes Scholar

Edil Ga'al made friends and found supportive staff at U of T's Victoria College (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

At U of T, students are encouraged to engage with the world. Edil Ga'al lived up to those expectations and then some.

African studies and political science were the subjects that spoke to her. The Victoria College student explored them in the classroom and beyond, completing an internship at a human-rights NGO in Uganda and making two trips to Rwanda.

In December, she was one of only 11 Canadian students to receive a Rhodes Scholarship to continue their education at Oxford. She hopes to contribute to discussions on peace, stability and justice as an academic or fieldworker. “I know it’s a lofty goal, but you kind of have to dream big,” she said.

The engineering student who had a hand in an Oscar-winning film

There are no small parts in a film. The same could be said for the work behind the scenes. Charlie Katrycz, in mechanical engineering, contributed to Guillermo del Toro's and The Shape of Water's Oscar glory in 2018 by helping to build the tank for the movie's amphibian man.

Outstanding Indigenous students who organized a powwow and gave back to their communities

Dancers at the 2018 powwow at the Goldring Centre organized by the Indigenous Studies Students' Union (photo by Laura Pedersen)

Indigenous students organized the first powwow on campus in 20 years in 2017. This year, the expected attendance was so great that the event was moved to the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.

Hundreds of people turned out, some hailing from northern Ontario, to celebrate Indigenous students, language and culture. Students, staff and faculty danced across the gym floor together.

Earlier this year, two Indigenous students with an impressive track record inside the classroom and beyond were recognized with the President's Award for Outstanding Indigenous Student of the Year. Julie Blair returned to school after a 20-year hiatus to earn a 3.9 GPA and lead Indigenous committees and clubs. Meanwhile, PhD student Rebecca Beaulne-Stuebing studied the untold histories of Anishinaabe-led schools in relation to Indigenous activist movements.

The quadruple threat

Abigail Whitney operates with the same 24 hours a day as the rest of us, but she’s found the time to be a student, actor, model and director. Whitney, a University College student, was the face of a national ad campaign for Sephora, she appeared in CoverGirl and Vogue Italia and made her directorial debut with the UC Follies' show, Les Frères (The Brothers) by Sandra A. Daley-Sharif.

The scientist who went to the bottom of the Earth

Matt Young took a selfie at the South Pole while on a research trip during his PhD studies at U of T (photo courtesy of Matt Young)

A research station at the South Pole bears the names of two legendary early 20^th-century explorers who ventured into the icy unknown. Matt Young's adventure to the South Pole began last winter. He took five flights over two weeks to reach a research station, where he helped upgrade a camera that surveys the sky at microwave frequencies to reveal the cosmic microwave background. The instrument produces a snapshot of the universe as it was less than 400,000 years after the Big Bang.

Young evidently didn't have his fill of fun – he returned to Antarctica this fall.

The serial-killer researcher who connected the dots and made headlines

Sasha Reid has an unusual academic interest: serial killers and their motivations. She has spreadsheets filled with the names of series killers and their modus operandi. After seeing a pattern in missing persons in Toronto, she came to suspect there was a serial killer at large in Toronto and shared her theory with the police. Her suspicions appeared to be confirmed when police later arrested a man in connection with the deaths of eight men with ties to the gay village. Reid made national and international news.

The Nigerian students wh o give African expats a taste of home

(photo courtesy of Paul Borkwood/CBC Licensing)

This was a big year for Stephen Ayeni and Naafiu Mohammed, U of T Mississauga students from Nigeria who met in math class in 2015. They missed the cuisine from home and figured that other African students did too. That was the impetus for their e-commerce site, Afrocart, which offers cereals, snacks, flour, spices and other items, including a batter dispenser to make Nigerian puff-puffs and rock buns.

'Dream big,' says Edil Ga'al, U of T's globe-trotting new Rhodes Scholar

geoff.vendeville — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 21:42:21 +0000

'Dream big,' says Edil Ga'al, U of T's globe-trotting new Rhodes Scholar

geoff.vendeville Wed, 11/28/2018 - 16:42

Cutline

“Seek out the experiences you think will be enriching to you,” says Edil Ga'al. “As with anything in life, don’t disqualify yourself” (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

City & Culture

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

African Studies

Alumni

Awards

Connaught Global Challenge

Faculty of Arts & Science

Edil Ga’al didn’t take a calculated approach to her studies at the �ؿ�ζSM. She followed her passions wherever they led, from the classroom to East Africa and back.

“Seek out the experiences you think will be enriching to you,” she says. “As with anything in life, don’t disqualify yourself.”

Ga’al, who graduated with high distinction over the summer, was one of only 11 Canadian students to be awarded a prestigious, all-expenses-paid Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University. She got the life-changing news in a phone call, while watching Bend It Like Beckham at home with her family.

Ga'al, a Manchester United fan, hopes to see her first Premier League match during her stay in England. The former African studies and political science student intends to pursue a master of science in African studies at Oxford followed by a doctor of philosophy in political science.

Ga’al grew up in Scarborough and Brampton, in a family with four kids, and chose U of T partly due to the sense of community fostered by the college system. Canada's largest university could be intimidating, but at U of T's Victoria University, she made friends and found supportive staff. The college endorsed Ga’al for the Rhodes.

“Her deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion speaks to values shared by Victoria College and its students,” says Principal Angela Esterhammer. “She is a wonderful example of the way Vic students apply their learning and research for the benefit of society.”

Ga’al’s eureka moment, one that influenced the direction of her studies, came while taking a seminar on migration, mobility and displacement in contemporary Africa. Her professor, Marieme Lo, the director of U of T's African studies program, became a mentor.

“Her persistent encouragement is the only reason I applied to the Rhodes,” Ga’al says.

Lo describes Ga’al as a bright, enthusiastic student and “feisty debater,” who often stopped by during office hours to weigh in on scholarly debates and current events. The seminar – a mix of upper-year undergraduate and graduate students – was heavy on coursework since it was meant to prepare students for the rigours of grad school. Ga’al appeared to have no difficulty keeping up.

“I wasn’t just impressed with her based on her intellect and academic commitment,” Lo says, “but I was [also] so impressed with her dedication, her altruism and her intellectual curiosity.”

Ga'al says Lo isn’t the only person at U of T who had a hand in her academic success. She cited staff and faculty Dickson Eyoh, Tara Goldstein, Melissa Levin, Aziza Virani and Aggrey Wasike as important influences, and also thanked Michael Burgess, her social sciences teacher at Chinguacousy Secondary School.

Some of Ga’al’s most inspirational experiences as a U of T student took place thousands of kilometres away from campus, on an internship, course abroad and scholarship in East Africa.

Edil Ga'al, fourth from left, on a trip to Rwanda in 2017 for a course on African systems of thought (photo courtesy of Chinezelum Azogu)

After her first year in the global-issues-focused Munk One program, she interned at an NGO that promotes human rights in Uganda.

In the winter semester of 2017, she was part of a class that went to Rwanda to study the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, which killed more than 800,000 people according to some estimates, primarily of the minority Tutsi ethnic group. The course took her south of the capital city Kigali to Nyamata Church, the site of a massacre that is now a memorial.

“I learned about the paramountcy of survivor participation [in truth and reconciliation], about the power of restorative justice, about the capacity for human resilience and also for compassion and forgiveness,” she says.

“It was at times a very heavy experience,” she adds, “but I’m fortunate it was a component of the African studies program.”

Ga’al returned to Rwanda in the summer of 2017, this time to Gisenyi, a lakeside town in the northwest. Funded through a Queen Elizabeth scholarship, her project centred on education and disability, community development and helping with curriculum development. “My time here has forced me to realize that no person is an island,” she wrote online about her experience. “Gisenyi has taught me to re-evaluate my place in my communities.”

Ga'al joins the ranks of past Rhodes Scholars from U of T, notably former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, University President Emeritus David Naylor and, more recently, Kofi Hope, who works in public policy and is a Bousfield Distinguished Visitor in Planning at U of T.

“Edil has an outstanding record of academic achievement and engagement,” says U of T President Meric Gertler. “She is also clearly eager to travel and learn about the world first-hand. In these ways she exemplifies the comprehensive excellence and global outlook that we seek to encourage in our students. I look forward to hearing about her accomplishments in the years ahead.”

Ga’al expects to begin her studies at Oxford in the fall of next year. Beyond that, she isn’t sure what the future holds. “I really hope that I can use my future research and experiences to contribute to larger global discussions about peace, about stability and about justice,” she says. “I know it’s a lofty goal, but you kind of have to dream big.”

As for her U of T mentor, Lo, she's confident her former student will excel in whichever field she chooses.

“This is just the first chapter of a long book we’re going to write about Edil,” she says.

Rhodes scholar Kofi Hope – a U of T alumnus – helps young black Torontonians find success

Romi Levine — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 21:45:37 +0000

Rhodes scholar Kofi Hope – a U of T alumnus – helps young black Torontonians find success

Romi Levine Tue, 01/17/2017 - 16:45

Cutline

U of T alumnus Kofi Hope runs the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals (photo by Romi Levine)

Romi Levine

Author legacy

Romi Levine

Topic

Subheadline

“We actually have to get off our butts and get engaged to build the future we want”

Kofi Hope has watched the lives of many young Torontonians change for the better, often in small but meaningful ways.

The �ؿ�ζSM alumnus and Rhodes scholar is the founder of the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals, an organization that helps create economic opportunities for the city’s black youth.

“Black youth in Toronto have the highest rate of unemployment of any group in the city. In a variety of areas, they're facing really depressing statistics that show that systemic anti-black racism still exists and manifests in different places from education to the legal system to children's aid,” says Hope.

As political and racial tensions rise around the world, he wants to make sure Toronto continues to be a place where young people can find a way out of economic insecurity.

CEE offers six and nine month programs to young people from priority neighbourhoods, helping them with career development, community building, skills training and job placements in a wide range of industries from culinary to trades and social services.

“Within that we weave identity based stuff, health and wellness, and we have a team with social workers and case workers that help with all the different pieces to bring people forward in that journey,” says Hope.

For Darren Brown, participating in a CEE program gave him the chance to perfect his entrepreneurial skills and brush shoulders with Toronto community leaders.

“I met a lot of great people who have great ideas. I was able to go into the program with zero network, and now I have people I built relationships with,” he says.

These kinds of opportunities are hard to find if you don’t know where to look, says Brown, who is currently a member of the CEE board of directors and runs a basketball program on the side.

“Knowing where to go, how to get there, who to talk to, is probably one of the hardest things to do,” he says.

Hope says CEE is doing its part to provide the kind of access needed to black youth, but more large-scale initiatives are needed to really address unemployment in the community.

“We do amazing work at a very micro scale, and we're able to transform 35 to 40 young people a year. That costs quite a bit of money and takes a lot of time,” he says. “We can all do part of it, but there's systemic change and macro change, especially dealing with the economy.”

The dramatic shifts in the global political landscape in the past year have taught people that any kind of change has to be fought for, says Hope.

“It comes on the backs of struggle, of engagement, of hard work, of building community, of advocating, of sometimes radical action. But, it doesn't just happen through osmosis, and it doesn't just happen through tweeting,” he says. “We actually have to get off our butts and get engaged to build the future we want.”

Real change also means a serious long-term investment in Canada’s black communities, says Hope.

“Even if you're spending $15,000 or $20,000 on that young person, to incarcerate someone provincially is $75,000 a year. Federally, it's over $100,000,” he says. “If you do put the right investment upfront and engage folks, you can see tremendous transformation, and that has huge benefits for all of us from public safety to the innovation they add to the economy to all the government services that don't have to be accessed throughout that person's life.”

While investing in young people has big societal benefits, it’s the changes to individuals’ lives that really inspire Hope.

“Sometimes it's the simple everyday transformations we see, when somebody says, 'I never realized how important networking was until we did that session or did that trip,’ or you travel with them downtown to an office space or university environment, and they say, ‘I've never thought I could be in a space like this, but now I realize this could actually be a part of my future,’” he says.

Apart from his work at CEE, Hope is on the board of the Toronto Environment Alliance, an advocacy group that looks to find solutions to urban climate issues.

He also keeps close ties with U of T – working closely with Innis College and co-teaching the occasional lecture. Fellow U of T alumnus Anthony Morgan is also on the board of directors at CEE.

U of T undergrad wins Rhodes Scholarship

ullahnor — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 17:32:01 +0000

U of T undergrad wins Rhodes Scholarship

ullahnor Mon, 11/21/2016 - 12:32

Cutline

U of T's latest Rhodes scholar is Stephanie Gaglione (photos courtesy of Stephanie Gaglione)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Author legacy

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

Global Lens

Rhodes Scholar

University of Oxford

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Scholarship

Subheadline

The Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering student, who loves to rock climb and canoe, wins scholarship to Oxford

Stephanie Gaglione, who is majoring in chemical engineering at the �ؿ�ζSM, has been selected as a 2017 Rhodes Scholar, a prestigious annual scholarship to the University of Oxford.

The 22-year-old student, who is in her final year and minoring in bioengineering, was caught by surprise when she got the good news over the phone Saturday evening.

“When they called, I went into a little bit of a shock – more of a speechless response than anything – and thoughts rushed through my head about what was going to happen over the next two years,” she said.

Gaglione, who loves to rock climb, run and canoe, celebrated by going out to dinner with friends and watching the new Harry Potter movie. But not before she finished working on an engineering design project to produce a chemical compound that could be used on a mission to Mars.

She wants to use the all-expenses scholarship that covers up to three years to continue postgraduate study in engineering. She hopes one day to advance biomaterial platforms for vaccines and drug delivery as an academic.

“Stephanie embodies the competencies of a 21st-century engineer: curiosity, creativity, intellect and leadership, built upon a strong technical foundation,” said Cristina Amon, dean of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “To be named a Rhodes Scholar is a remarkable recognition of her accomplishments and contributions to our Faculty, the University and our society, and I cannot wait to see her realize her potential at Oxford and beyond. My heartfelt congratulations to Stephanie on this tremendous achievement.”

Stephanie Gaglione rock climbing in Milton, Ont.

Gaglione fell in love with science early on. While she was still in high school, she wanted to work with researchers.

So, she made a list of U of T professors and emailed them, one by one, asking about research opportunities.

“I had some kind notes from some professors and some other ones who thought I was probably a little bit crazy,” she recalled.

She ended up with a research position at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) with senior scientist and U of T biochemistry professor, Khosrow Adeli.

She made a lasting impression on Adeli with her research on the ways insulin affects the amount of a protein in cholesterol. He was not surprised to hear she was awarded a scholarship to Oxford.

“I have a lot of students coming and going, but I haven’t forgotten her,” he told U of T News.

“She was involved in studying the genetic code, the RNA for a protein that we’re interested in,” he said, adding that Gaglione wrote detailed research proposals on par with work by senior undergraduate and graduate students.

When she graduated from high school, Gaglione was featured in The Toronto Star for having a nearly perfect average – 99.67 percent, to be exact.

Read The Toronto Star story

Last summer, she interned at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, studying challenges to vaccination and immunization programs in middle-income countries. In 2014, she worked in customer development at Procter & Gamble in Toronto.

Last year, she won a Fulbright Canada undergraduate scholarship and spent 10 months studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There, her work focused on drug delivery to cells in the immune system.

At U of T, Gaglione was a student member of the Academic Board and the Committee on Academic Policy and Programs in 2014-15.

Of the 95 Rhodes Scholarships awarded to the class of 2017, 11 students are Canadian. The winners were chosen on the basis of “intellect, character, leadership and commitment to service.”