York-affiliated athletes competing for gold at 2024 Olympic Games

July 24, 2024

Athletes and medical team members with ties to York University are set to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, beginning July 26, representing a spectrum of sports such as volleyball, judo, rugby and more.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will host several York-affiliated athletes who have competed at previous games, including Tokyo 2020, as well as several new faces making their Olympic debut.

The Olympic-bound people are:

Amandev Aulakh: Team Canada Medical Team
Aulakh, a sports medicine physician at York University, has been a member of the Lions team since July 2022 and has previous experience serving on the medical staff for Team Canada at the 2022 Under-17 (U17) FIFA Women’s World Cup. She will travel to Paris to be part of the core medical team for Team Canada.

She served in a similar role for the 2019 Winter Universiade, the 2019 Parapan American Games and the 2020 Summer Paralympics, and she was the chief medical officer at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games.

Charlotte Bolton: Para Athletics
A member of the Lions track and field team from 2021 to 2022, Bolton is an athlete who won gold medals in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) para shot-put and para weight throw, as well as the U Sports para shot-put gold medal.

Since then, Bolton has earned several Canadian throwing records in women’s F41 – a classification for field athletes with short stature – and currently ranks in the top 10 in the world in shot-put and discuss.

Bolton previously represented Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. In Tokyo, Bolton placed sixth in both the shotput and discus.

Dan Dearing: Beach Volleyball
Dearing played with the Lion’s men’s volleyball team from 2011 to 2013 following a successful high-school career, having won the under-18 national championship in 2008 as a tournament all-star. While at York U, he captured the gold medal at the Ontario provincial beach volleyball championships in 2012.

Paris 2024 marks Dearing’s Olympic debut, after winning the North, Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Olympic Qualification Tournament in June, building on previous wins of silver at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and winning the NORCECA Beach Tour Final in 2022.

Shady Elnahas: Judo
Elnahas competed as a wrestler at York U in 2017. That year, he was nominated for rookie of the year (based on a near-perfect 23-1 record in OUA competition) and was named the men’s wrestling most valuable player.

Since then, Elnahas has earned several prestigious medals as he shifted from wrestling to judo, including two golds at the Pan American Judo Championships in 2019 and 2020; gold at the 2021 International Judo Federation (IJF) Judo Grand Slam; gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games; gold at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games; five back-to-back golds at the Pan American Championships; and silver at the 2024 IJF World Championships.

Elnahas made his Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympics, where he finished with a fifth-place ranking after playing his way to the bronze medal match. He is headed into the Paris 2024 games as the third-ranked man in the world in his weight class.

Melissa Humana-Parades: Beach Volleyball
Humana-Parades played with the Lion’s women’s volleyball team from 2010 to 2014 – winning back-to-back OUA Championships – and was recognized as York U’s 2011-12 female athlete of the year and a three-time OUA all-star.

Since then, Humana-Parades has become a six-time International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) gold medallist, a 12-time FIVB medallist, a five-time Canadian champion, a two-time Association of Volleyball Professionals champion, a Commonwealth Games champion and, most recently, a world champion, earning the first-ever gold for Canada at the 2019 Beach Volleyball World Championships.

Humana-Parades previously represented Canada at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

Asia Hogan-Rochester: Rugby
Hogan-Rochester played with the York Lions women’s rugby team in 2018, while at the same time competing on the track and field team. Afterwards, they went on to represent Canada’s women’s rugby sevens senior squad at the Lima 2019 and Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

During their career, Hogan-Rochester also earned the women’s rugby rookie of the year award and the women’s track and field rookie of the year award for their efforts in the 2019 U Sports season.

Arthur Szwarc: Volleyball
Szwarc played with the Lions men’s volleyball team from 2014 to 2016, earning an OUA bronze medal with the team in the 2014-15 season.

While at York University, Szwarc was already representing Canada competitively – at the 2015 Universiade and FIVB Junior World Championship, and winning bronze at the 2015 U21 Pan Am Cup. He debuted with the senior national team at the 2017 FIVB World League, helping Canada win a bronze medal – the team’s first podium finish at a FIVB international event.

Szwarc made his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where Canada finished eighth after making it to the quarterfinals.

Syed Muhammad Haseeb Tariq: Swimming
Tariq was a member of the York University Lions competitive swim team before going on to compete for Pakistan at the South Asian Games in 2016, earning four gold medals during the trials in 2015. He won the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle events and also broke two national records while winning the 50-metre and 100-metre backstroke events.

In 2018, he participated in the Commonwealth Games and made his Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 competition, where he finished 62nd in the men’s 100-metre freestyle.

Katie Vincent: Canoe-Kayak Sprint
Vincent, a student in York U’s Faculty of Health, first represented Canada in rowing at the 2013 World Junior Championships, making a quick impact by earning the team two gold medals the following year at the same competition.

Vincent has since added to that accomplishment, having earned over 10 medals – almost half of them gold – at the Canoe Sprint World Cup before going into the 2024 Paris games. She has also earned several World Championship medals.

She made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2020, finishing in eighth place in her solo competition and earning bronze for Canada in the team competition.

Brandie Wilkerson: Beach Volleyball
Wilkerson played with the Lion’s women’s volleyball team from 2010 to 2014. During that time, she was York U’s female rookie of the year in 2010-11, an OUA rookie of the year award winner and a four-time OUA all-star.

After York U, Wilkerson went on to represent Canada at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she and her partner Heather Bansley made it to the quarterfinals, matching Canada’s best-ever Olympic result in women’s beach volleyball.

Wilkerson will compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a new partner, fellow York U alumna and teammate Humana-Paredes.

The pair have been competing as partners since October 2022, and have earned several notable wins, including top-five placements at FIVB world events and silver at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

Shannon Westlake: Shooting
Westlake, an alumna of York University, won bronze medals in the women’s 50-metre rifle three positions events at both the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games and the 2024 Continental Championships of the Americas in early April.

Paris 2024 marks Westlake’s first Olympic Games, but she is no stranger to the competitive arena. With three Pan Am Games – including her debut at Toronto 2015 – under her belt, she brings a wealth of experience and unwavering determination to the Olympic stage.

Doctoral graduate wins two national awards

July 17, 2024

Tossing colorful paper confetti from the hands of young people.

Isaac Garcia-Sitton, a recent PhD graduate from the Faculty of Education, has been honoured with two prestigious national awards for his doctoral dissertation in the field of international higher education.

Garcia-Sitton received the Michel Laferrière Research Award by the Comparative & International Education Society of Canada and the George Geiss Award by the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education for his dissertation titled “Policy Making in Times of Crisis: The Case of Immigration and International Students in Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Informed through analysis of policy documents and interviews with policy actors, the study examines how immigration policy measures introduced in Canada during the pandemic affected international student recruitment and retention in the nation’s post-secondary education institutions.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive these awards from national academic societies that have significantly contributed to the fields of higher education and international education,” says Garcia-Sitton, who has over 20 years of experience in international relations and business development as a former diplomat and within the higher education sector. He currently serves as the inaugural executive director of international student enrolment, education and inclusion at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Professor Roopa Desai Trilokekar, Garcia-Sitton’s dissertation supervisor whom he credits for her guidance on his work, commended his achievement, noting: “Isaac’s work and its recognition through two national awards is a reflection of the fruits of humility, hard work and dedication.”

Exploring the various immigration policy measures introduced in Canada from March 2020 to December 2022 to ensure the continued recruitment and retention of international students, Garcia-Sitton’s dissertation highlights how the pandemic acted as a catalyst for policy change, leading to significant adaptations in travel regulations, study provisions, work-related measures and pathways to permanent residency.

The research illustrates, too, the interplay between federal and provincial jurisdictions and how lack of co-ordination can further complicate policy making in uncertain conditions. By identifying and investigating the role of institutional constraints and the alignment of policy actors in decision-making processes, the dissertation provides insights that can inform high-impact and rapid-response policy changes to support the international education sector in Canada.

Garcia-Sitton’s research identifies key factors that facilitated policy changes during the pandemic and highlights the significance of policy entrepreneurs, clear communication and the widespread collaboration in shaping effective policy responses. In addition, by identifying the interconnectedness between global geopolitical shifts and internal policy decisions, the study illustrates how external factors can shape a country’s attractiveness in the international education arena, and advocates for a more comprehensive and holistic approach in policy analysis.

The forward-looking nature of Garcia-Sitton’s disseration are something both awards singled out.

“Isaac’s dissertation presents a compelling case for the significance of analyzing policy changes during times of crisis,” noted the 2024 committee for the Michel Laferrière Research Award, which recognizes outstanding research in the field of comparative and international education. The committee for the George Geiss Award, which has the same goal as the Michel Laferrière Award, echoed that, noting that Garcia-Sitton’s work provides “a valuable case study to guide future analyses and practices.”

“As an immigrant and a scholar-practitioner, this recognition underscores the importance of my journey and the impact of dedicated research on shaping inclusive and supportive policies for international students,” says Garcia-Sitton.

Six York community members named to the Order of Canada

July 3, 2024

Order of canada medal laid out on black background

Six York University community members are among the 83 new appointments to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours that recognizes individuals whose contributions, achievements and innovations have made a positive impact on communities throughout Canada. 

The newly appointed York University individuals include one officer and five members.

Officer

Vaira Vike-Freiberga (LLD ’08), honorary degree recipient

Vike-Freiberga was the sixth president of Latvia and the first woman to serve as president of the country. She was instrumental in Latvia’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. She was also appointed special envoy on United Nations (UN) reform in 2005 and an official candidate for the post of UN secretary general in 2006. She continues to advocate for human rights, protecting democracy and empowering female leaders around the world. 

Members

Bruce A. Lourie (MES ’87, PhD ’19), alumnus

Lourie is an entrepreneur, president of the Ivey Foundation and an influential leader in climate change and sustainability. Throughout his career, he has founded several organizations dedicated to climate change and environmental health. He also initiated the campaign to shut down coal-fired power plants in Ontario, which was considered the largest climate action in North America. In 2015, Lourie received a York University Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement.

E. Michael Perley (BA ’70), alumnus

Perley has dedicated his past 40 years to addressing environmental and health challenges. As director of the Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco, he advocated for legislation that would limit second-hand smoke and support the decrease of tobacco use. He was also a driving force behind significant legislative changes in Canada and the U.S., thanks to his leadership in coalitions on acid rain and air pollution.

Michael Creal, professor emeritus 

Creal is an educator, activist and faith leader. In 1965, he was appointed a professor of humanities at York University and he has since played a crucial role in the development of the University and its programs, including the Centre for Refugee Studies. He is also a founder and leader of the sanctuary movement in Canada and has contributed to several journals and newspapers. His dedication to supporting historically marginalized people and refugees is evident through the various initiatives he has participated in throughout his career.

Susan Elizabeth Lang (LLB ’74), alumna 

Lang was the first woman to become president of the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association and is the co-founder of an all-woman law firm. She has served as a judge in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice from 1989 to 2004 and Court of Appeal from 2004 to 2013. As the leader of the Motherisk Hair Analysis Independent Review, she has influenced how scientific evidence is handled and inspired the Ontario Forensic Laboratories Act, the first legislation of its kind in Canada.

Wiliam James Gordon Kirby, former visiting professor

Kirby is the founder and executive director of the Centre for Contemporary Canadian Art. He is also recognized for developing the Canadian Art Database and for his archival work, which has contributed to the recognition of contemporary Canadian art and artists. 

For more information about the Order of Canada program, visit gg.ca/en/honours/canadian-honours/order-canada.

Barbara Neis urges graduands to embrace change

June 11, 2024

During the June 7 convocation for York University’s Glendon College, award-winning researcher and social scientist Barbara Neis received an honorary degree and shared stories from her studies, career and life.

When University Secretariat Pascal Robichaud introduced Neis, she noted that the social scientist is “one of Glendon College’s most inspired and inspiring early graduates,” and can count herself as a member of the Order of Canada, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Once Neis began addressing graduands, however, she recounted that before she was any of those things, she was a young student from a family farm in northern Ontario, arriving at Glendon College and experiencing urban and academic life for the first time.

As she pursued a joint undergraduate degree in sociology and psychology, Neis was introduced to disciplines and streams of thought she didn’t even know existed. The researcher admitted to graduands in her address that she was initially overwhelmed by the breadth of thinking she was exposed to, and how exactly to integrate any of into her life, career and academic pursuits. She worried about becoming a jack of all trades and master of none. “I was struggling with whether I could acquire even minimum expertise in philosophy, the humanities, sociology, psychology,” she said.

Kathleen Taylor, Barbara Neiss, Rhonda Lenton — Pictured, from left to right: Chancellor Kathleen Taylor, Barbara Neis and President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton

In time, however, an approach became clear to her. “I learned that I did not need to be an expert in everything,” she said. “It was enough to be able to read and respectfully engage with researchers in other disciplines who had a shared interest in answering relevant and important questions that could not be answered by drawing on the resources of a single discipline.”

That realization became the interdisciplinary bedrock of her career as a researcher and social scientist who has participated in research projects that total at least $150 million and whose work has been published in more than 120 books, book chapters, journal articles and working papers. It led to work promoting a greater understanding of the interactions between work environment, health and communities – especially within marine and coastal contexts.

Neis focused on the latter, especially while speaking to the graduands, recalling how that work began somewhat unexpectedly with a kitchen conversation in a home on the East Coast that she was visiting. There, she was told about trawlermen who were being severely injured as they tried to fish in ice in vessels not designed for that purpose. Neis wanted to know why, and in the process of getting answers developed an approach that would serve her well in understanding the roots of circumstances she wanted to research.

“The best way I’ve found to understand these forces is by starting with their lived experience and then using the resources available to researchers to work backwards to disentangle the various threads [that cause them],” she said.

In the case of the trawlermen, the source of the challenges they faced became clear. “I soon realized that for fishermen and others, the forces that threaten their lives, livelihoods and communities frequently come from the ways environmental, institutional, policy and other processes intersect to affect what they do and how they do it,” she said.

It became important to Neis then – and moving forward – to keep the people in mind while conducting her research. “It led me to begin designing my research, assessing the findings and developing related recommendations for change in collaboration with those who must, in the end, live with the results.”

She would go on to approach her other work with that same type of thinking – notably, her research around the collapse of the Atlantic cod stocks in the 1990s. As Robichaud noted in his introduction, that work “made [Neis’s] reputation as a research activist … [and] … led to significant social change.”

Neis credits the success of that project to remembering the personal, and listening to lived experiences when doing research. “I was privileged to work with a team of social and natural scientists, interviewing Trinity Bay fishermen about their intimate knowledge of life under and on the water,” she said. “Their collective observations, from headland to the bottom of the bay and across generations, helped us document the insights underlying their prescient questioning of the overly optimistic scientific assessments that contributed to the collapse.”

That experience – which she noted proudly was some of the earliest research globally on commercial fisheries, ecological knowledge and science – gave her the tools to “lead interdisciplinary programs of research that sought to explore key knowledge gaps at the boundaries not only between the social sciences but also between the social, natural and health sciences.”

Neis shared that her interest in the interdisciplinary also extends beyond the academic. She recalled that after moving on from an early love of creative pursuits, when she later in life moved to Newfoundland, she had access to a vibrant artistic community that was both socially and politically engaged. There, she began collaborating with that community to create projects that address climate change in the coastal regions. “These effects are already part of the lived experience of those living on islands and along coasts – including, particularly, in the Arctic. Our objective … is to explore how to use the arts to emotionally engage new audiences and empower essential movements for social change,” she said.

It is perhaps no surprise, given her career built on being open to unexpected sources of direction, that Neis shared a critical piece of advice drawn from her experiences – many of which she had never anticipated. “This reminds us how important it is to look for opportunities and to embrace change that takes us outside of our comfort zone,” she told the graduands, summing up both her own life and inspiring the ones ahead for those graduating.

Over 20 York-affiliated creatives win Canadian Screen Awards

June 4, 2024

Long red carpet between rope barriers on entrance.

Canadian Screen Week, which ran from May 28 to 31, is the most esteemed event for recognizing Canadian media talent. The celebration includes the Canadian Screen Awards, which this year honoured nearly two dozen York University alumni in a diverse range of categories, including Best Motion Picture and Best Drama Series.

2024 Canadian Screen Awards - Television & Digital Media Rules &

Thanks, in part, to the strength of York’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, each year brings a list of dozens of former York U community members being nominated for Canadian Screen Awards and walking away with golden statues. This year was no exception, with almost two dozen alumni earning recognition for their work in film, television and digital media.

In the film world, Matthew Miller (BFA ’03, MFA ’16) and Matt Johnson (BFA ’06, MFA ’16) received multiple awards for Blackberry, a biographical comedy drama about the smartphone that was eventually replaced in popularity by the iPhone. Miller earned an award for Best Motion Picture, Johnson won for Best Direction and both were recognized for Best Adapted Screenplay.

They weren’t the only York-affiliated winners associated with Blackberry, as Jared Raab (BFA ’07) also earned an award for Achievement in Cinematography.

Among other film categories, Michelle van Beusekom (MA ’93) was recognized for contributions to the movie Coming Home | Wanna Icipus Kupi which, which won the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary Program for its exploration of the aftermath of the Sixties Scoop. Amrit Kaur (BFA ’15) – known for her breakout work in the television series “The Sex Lives of College Girls” – was also recognized in the Performance in a Leading Role, Drama category for her role in the film The Queen Of My Dreams, a coming of age story of two girls with a shared obsession with Bollywood fantasy.

Beyond movies, York U alumni showed a strong presence in the television industry. Producer Kim Todd (BA ’77) was recognized with others for the show “Little Bird” – about an Indigenous woman searching for her birth family – which won Best Drama Series. Producer Tania Thompson (BFA ’00) saw a win for her contributions to “Bria Mack Gets a Life,” about a young Black Canadian woman entering the workforce, which won Best Comedy Series. Another success in comedy was Stacey McGunnigle (BFA ’08), who earned Best Writing and Best Performance, Variety or Sketch Comedy for her work on “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.”

Frequent multi-nominee and composer Ari Posner (BFA ’92) was also recognized for Best Original Music in the scripted television show “Sullivan’s Crossing,” about a successful neurosurgeon who has to return to her small hometown after a scandal.

York U representation in scripted children and youth programming was also significant, notably with a modern interpretation of “The Hardy Boys,” which won Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series, netting awards for producers Pam Westman (BAS ’97), Ramona Barckert (BA ’01), Suzanne Wilson (MBA ’01) and executive producer/writer Chris Pozzebon (BFA ’07). Pozzebon also received an award in Best Writing, Children’s or Youth for his work on one particular episode of the show.

In animation, Vince Commissio (BA ’86, BAS ’88, MBA ’92) was part of the team recognized in the Best Animated Program or Series category for the show “Wild Kratts,” and Richard Young (MBA ’03) earned a win in the Best Writing, Pre-School category for his work on an episode of “Dino Ranch.”

The popularity of non-scripted television also netted awards for those affiliated with York. Producer Laura Michalchyshyn (MBA ’93) and Justin Stockman (BFA ’96), vice-president of content development and programming at Bell Media, earned awards for “Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs. The World” in the Best Reality/Competition Program or Series category. Andrea Bain (BA ’96), Cynthia Loyst (BFA ’98) and Melissa Grelo (BA, BEd ’02) all received Best Host awards for their work on lifestyle talk show “The Social.” Elsewhere in talk-show world, writer Seta Kalousdian-Tanner (BA ’92) received a Best Talk Series award for her efforts on “The Marilyn Denis Show.”

Because the Canadian Screen Awards recognize not just film and television but digital media content, there were several York alumni winners in that area, too. The CBC Gem series “How to Fail as a Popstar” – following a queer brown boy from Edmonton as he tries (and fails) to achieve pop stardom, from the perspective of the now 40-something trans femme artist that boy became – walked away with a win for Best Web Program or Series, Fiction, and earned award for the show’s star, Vivek Shraya (MA ’16), and producer, Elise Cousneau (BFA ’04). Shraya also received a Best Writing, Web Program or Series award for an episode.

“Baroness von Sketch” star Aurora Browne (BFA ’95) was recognized for Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or Series for “The Drop.” The show about two young women who launch a professional line-waiter business for the wealthy also saw its star, Aisha Evelyna (BA ’17), win Best Lead Performance.

Lastly, Ronald Ruslim (MBA ’10) won for Best Production, Interactive for Dino Dana World – an educational games app – and Jen Pogue (BA ’12) won Best Host, Web Program or Series for the online lifestyle series focused on flowers, called “County Blooms.”

For a full list of winners and nominees, visit the Canadian Screen Awards website.

Lions Cup raises record proceeds for varsity student-athletes

June 4, 2024

Members of York Athletics & Recreation pose with Lions Cup Tournament cheque

Members of York University Athletics & Recreation pose with Lions mascot, Yeo, at the annual Lions Cup golf tournament.

It was a successful day on the links on May 28, as York University Athletics & Recreation hosted the 21st annual Lions Cup Golf Tournament, presented by TD Insurance, in support of bursaries for York Lions varsity student-athletes. $160,500 was raised through pre-event registration, while another donation of $5,000 was made on the day of the event, bringing the total to $165,500 – a new Lions Cup record.

This year’s event saw 104 golfers take to the greens at King’s Riding Golf Club in King City, Ont., with the common goal to provide financial assistance to York Lions student-athletes. As has been the case in previous years, the event featured several competitions along the course, including driving, chipping and putting accuracy challenges, the longest drive competition, closest to the pin and a beat-the-pro contest.

A number of York’s student-athletes – reaping the benefits of the funds raised – were on site to actively engage with golfers, fostering valuable relationships with professionals in their fields of study as they prepare for careers of their own.

Originally dubbed the Chair’s Cup in 2001, the Lions Cup carries a rich history. Its creators – Marshall Cohen, the former Chair of the York University Board of Governors, his wife Judi and Guy Burry, current Chair of the York University Pension Fund Investment Committee and longtime men’s hockey coach – had a visionary goal: to establish an event that not only raised much-needed funds but also forged bonds among friends, alumni and community partners. In recent years, under Burry’s leadership, the event has centred on bolstering varsity student-athletes by committing all money raised to athletic bursaries.

“These bursaries are possible thanks to the generous contributions of donors and sponsors of our long-standing tournament,” said Bart Zemanek, director of development at York University Athletics & Recreation. “Their support is crucial in cultivating a culture of excellence in Athletics & Recreation, providing Lions student-athletes with the resources to achieve their goals, both in the classroom and within their given sport.”

For a complete list of this year’s tournament sponsors and donors, visit the Lions Cup Golf Tournament web page.

York U to confer eight honorary degrees during Spring Convocation

May 31, 2024

Throughout the 2024 Spring Convocation ceremonies, running from June 7 to 21, York University will confer honorary degrees to eight individuals in recognition of their contributions to community building, advocacy for social justice and philanthropy.

This year’s honorary degree recipients represent a variety of fields. Each of them will, per custom, offer words of encouragement, motivation and congratulations to graduands.

Below are the honorary degree recipients in order of the Faculty ceremonies at which they will be honoured:

Barbara Neis
Friday, June 7 at 2 p.m. – Glendon College

A graduate of York University’s Glendon College, Neis is a member of Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she is an honorary research professor in the Department of Sociology and a John Lewis Paton Distinguished University Professor.

Over her career, Neis’s research has focused on interactions between work, environment, health, and communities in marine and coastal contexts.

Notably, since the 1980s, she has been involved with collaborative research initiatives examining Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries, studying fishermen’s knowledge, maritime occupational health and safety, rebuilding collapsed fisheries, and gender and fisheries.

Between 2012 and 2023, Neis also directed the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada-funded On the Move Partnership, a multidisciplinary research program exploring the dynamics of employment-related geographical mobility in Canada and its impact on workers and their families, employers and communities.

Mike Wessinger
Friday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. – Faculty of Science

Wessinger is the current executive Chair of the board for PointClickCare – a software provider helping long-term and post-acute care providers – which he co-founded and served as chief executive officer of from 1995 to 2021. Throughout his leadership, he led the company to become the first cloud-based health information system for the senior care industry, and North America’s largest care collaboration network.

In his role as executive Chair, Wessinger continues to champion corporate culture, enhance governance, recruit diverse talent, and partner with internal and external boards and teams to solve critical health-care challenges. Outside of PointClickCare, he is also co-chair of the C100 board of directors, where he actively leverages his years of experience to coach and mentor leaders at the helm of rapidly scaling tech companies.

Reeta Roy
Monday, June 17 at 10:30 a.m. – Faculty of Education

Roy has been the president and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation since 2008, transforming the international non-governmental organization focused on Africa from a startup into a global force with assets exceeding $40 billion. A seasoned leader in global health and policy, under her leadership the foundation has committed $8 billion to programs benefiting millions in Africa.

One program spearheaded by Roy – the Young Africa Works Strategy – aims to empower 30 million young Africans with secure employment by 2030. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Roy also initiated the Saving Lives and Livelihood partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control & Prevention, a $1.5-billion effort lauded for addressing global inequities.

Roy contributes to various leadership panels and advisory boards, including the African Transformation Leadership Panel and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology & Society at the University of Toronto.

John Ralston Saul
Wednesday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m. – Faculty of Liberal Art & Professional Studies I

Saul is an award-winning essayist and novelist whose works have been translated into 28 languages in 37 countries. Widely acclaimed as one of Canada’s leading thinkers, Saul’s philosophical works have impacted political thought across the world.

Saul also serves as president emeritus of PEN International, the world’s leading freedom of expression organization, as well as the co-founder of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the founder and honourary Chair of French for the Future, which looks to inspire passion for bilingualism among Canada’s youth.

He is a companion of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario as well as an officer in Germany’s Order of Merit and a chevalier in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France. His many literary awards include Chile’s Pablo Neruda Medal, South Korea’s Manhae Grand Prize for Literature, Italy’s Premio Letterario Internazionale and the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction.

Arnold Auguste
Thursday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m. – Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies III

Born and raised in Trinidad, Auguste arrived in Toronto from the Caribbean in 1978, when he was 23. Upon discovering the invisibility of Black issues in white mainstream press, he felt the Black community needed a publication of their own.

In 1978, Auguste launched Share, a weekly newspaper dedicated to the Black and Caribbean community, looking to provide a forum where important issues affecting the community could be discussed and debated, while providing both informative and entertaining content.

Nearly 50 years later, Share news is now recognized as a modern trailblazer in facilitating public dialogue on minority issues. As a result of his service to community and contributions to the enrichment of or society, Auguste has been the recipient of several awards, including the Black Business & Professional Association’s Harry Jerome Business Award; the Ethnic Press Council of Canada’s Excellence in Journalism Award; and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the African Canadian Achievement Awards of Excellence.

Jason “Kardinal Offishall” Harrow CROP — Jason Harrow

Jason Harrow
Thursday, June 20 at 3:30 p.m. – Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies/School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design

Harrow – whose artist name is Kardinal Offishall – has become a leader in the global music scene, having collaborated with the world’s biggest artists, including Rihanna, Drake, Lady Gaga, Akon and many others. In 2007, his quadruple-platinum single “Dangerous” climbed to the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making him the first rapper from Canada to achieve that feat.

Currently, Harrow is responsible for scouting and overseeing artistic development of musical talent for the influential Def Jam Recordings. He has also pursued philanthropist work, notably as a founding member of Advance, a non-profit Canadian Black music business collective that advocates, mentors, supports and provides tangible opportunities for Black community members working in the music industry.

Harrow was recently named the Canada’s Walk Of Fame Allan Slaight Music Impact honouree and a Canadian Music Week Social Justice Impact Award recipient, and he is now starring as the lead judge on the television show “Canada’s Got Talent.”

Carol Hansell
Friday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. – Schulich School of Business

A graduate of York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business, Hansell is an internationally recognized expert in corporate governance who has been a key influencer on the development of public policy for more than three decades. She is the founder of the Hansell McLaughlin Advisory Group, which provides integrated, seasoned advice on complex legal and business issues in law and governance as well as government and regulatory affairs.

Hansell publishes widely and speaks extensively on a range of governance topics and has been recognized for her work with several awards from prestigious organizations like the Governance Professionals of Canada, the Hennick Centre for Business & Law, and the Canadian Investor Relations Institute. She is also the Chair of the Dean’s Global Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Business.

Dale Lastman
Friday, June 21 at 3:30 p.m. – Osgoode Hall Law School

Lastman is the Chair of Goodmans LLP, a leading Canadian law firm specializing in corporate, commercial and securities law. He advises on public offerings, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings. Heavily involved in professional sports, Lastman is also a director of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and is currently the governor representing the Toronto Argonauts. He has also served as Chair of the board of governors of the Canadian Football League.

Lastman is deeply engaged in charitable work, notably with Baycrest Health Sciences and the Hospital for Sick Children as a director and former Chair. He holds prominent honorary titles, including Order of Canada and Order of Ontario memberships, and was appointed an honorary captain of the Royal Canadian Navy. He has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts with awards like the Israel Cancer Research Fund’s 2010 Men of Distinction award and the Canada Top 40 Under 40 and its Best of the Best Canadian Leadership Award.

For over 30 years, Lastman was one of Osgoode Hall Law School’s longest serving lecturers in securities law. He received the Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence as well as the Alumni Gold Key Award for outstanding professional achievement and contribution to the legal community.

The convocation website includes a full schedule of all ceremonies.

Graduands to cross stage for 2024 Spring Convocation in June

May 29, 2024

Between June 7 and 21, more than 7,000 graduating students will put on their finest regalia and participate in the time-honoured tradition of celebrating years of academic hard work when York University’s 2024 Spring Convocation gets underway.

This year’s Spring Convocation will feature 13 ceremonies at both the Keele and Glendon campuses and see thousands of students take a big step forward into their futures. Once again, York alumna Kathleen Taylor – who was installed as the University’s first woman chancellor in 2023 – will confer degrees on new graduands as part of her third convocation season.

An emphasis on community will remain a touchstone of the events. Each ceremony will be accompanied by student performers providing music during the academic procession, as well as before and after the events begin. Furthermore, alumni speakers will also take the stage during each ceremony to deliver a welcome message to graduands and their guests. This year’s eight honorary degree recipients will be welcomed into the York fold, sharing their stories and advice with graduands as they embark on new journeys.

The ceremonies throughout June will embody the principles of decolonizing, equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as respect for Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and the institutional value of sustainability. These elements were recommended by a working group assembled in 2022 by York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton to ensure convocations are welcoming to all within the University’s community.

Beyond the ceremonies, community will be fostered through celebrations (launched last year) for 2SLGBTQIA+ and Black graduands – in addition to the existing Indigenous grad event organized by the Centre for Indigenous Student Services – which celebrate and recognize the achievements of the Class of 2024 and those who have supported their journey.

Graduands and their guests can expect a shorter ceremony than in past years, after feedback from the community. In addition, this year diplomas will be mailed to graduates rather than picked up on site.

All convocation ceremonies will be webcast live and a link to the feed, as well as a schedule of ceremonies, will be available on the Convocation website. That way, even those who can’t attend can feel they are a part of the occasion.

York to launch new graduate verification process

May 29, 2024

York University will be implementing a new process change for conducting verification checks of degrees and graduation status.

Beginning May 31, verification checks will be completed though a portal on MyCreds Verify, an online graduate verification service (GVS) that provides a secure way to confirm and verify whether a learner received a degree from York U.

The current process for degree verification requires a third-party user who is external to York University, such as an employer, to access YU Verify and search for a student by their name or student number. The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) currently oversees and assists with this process.

The new process will enable verifiers to access information directly through the GVS portal. It will also require a fee to be paid by the party requesting the verification. YU Verify will continue to be accessible internally for staff and students via Passport York, while external users will use the GVS to complete a graduate verification check.

“This updated process will align with both the University’s and industry best practices,” says Frankie Billingsley, interim deputy university registrar. “We are very pleased.”

For more information, York U staff and faculty are encouraged to visit the OUR’s degree verification web page. University community members who interact with employers or external verifiers can direct them there as well for instructions regarding the updated process.

York alumnus helps Ghana farmers flourish

May 21, 2024

By Elaine Smith

Moustapha Seck, an electrical and electronic engineering graduate from York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, has created a company in Ghana that provides loans, market access and guidance to small-scale farmers in Ghana.

One of every two adult Ghanaians work as smallholder farmers, and many of them merely subsist, struggling to achieve profitably year after year. Seck created a company called Fluid Finance Technologies after identifying the need for those farmers to be able to obtain loans, despite their lack of collateral, to improve their businesses with more modern equipment and the latest agricultural knowledge, thus creating wealth for them. “There was a lot of education needed and lots of people have taken advantage of them, so their work was often a zero-sum game,” Seck says. “We wanted to turn that into a win-win situation.”

Fluid Finance Technologies looks to create those scenarios by offering aid to smallholding farmers in Ghana and creating a bridge between them and the banking community so they can obtain business loans. Seck had no contacts in the banking industry as he was starting out, so it required a lot of cold calls and a lot of research and attending conferences to convince people that his company could be trusted. One bank got on board in 2022, and now Fluid Finance works with nine financial institutions in Ghana and about 6,000 farmers.

The company and its success is driven, in part, by Seck’s time at York University.

Seck was born in Canada and split his childhood between Senegal, his parents’ birthplace, and Canada, where his father taught finance at the University of Windsor. As he enrolled at York, Seck had a firm goal. “For me, it was all about studying something that would help me be an asset to the African continent,” he says.

Initially, that ambition took Seck on a different path than where he has ended up today. “In Senegal, there used to be a lot of power outages, so I thought an electrical engineering degree would help me fix that problem,” he says. Seck did pursue opportunities in that direction, like an internship at Hydro One and jobs with a startup venture and a technology company. That is, until an experience with a lender that helped e-commerce businesses get started got the wheels in his brain spinning with ideas.

“I see everything through the lens of creating opportunities in Africa,” he says. He saw value in how he might be able to help business in Africa get off the ground or achieve greater profitability. “So, I transitioned to finance and learned on the job.”

Now four years into existence, Fluid Finance Technologies assists banks with collecting and digitizing the information about farming they need to make decisions about providing loans to individual farmers. The company also brings in agronomy experts to teach farmers about appropriate fertilizers and new harvest methods and how to troubleshoot problems. In addition, Fluid has worked to ensure that farmers have fair and available markets for their crops.

The result? Banks understand the needs of the local farmers and a willingness to work with them means new banking customers. Meanwhile, farmers get the financial, marketing and agricultural assistance they need to succeed and earn a living wage.

Ghana Broadcasting Corp. featuring (l to r) Amir Asif, Prof. Solomon Boakye-Yiado and Moustapha Seck. — A Ghana Broadcasting Corp. segment featuring, from left to right, Amir Asif, Solomon Boakye-Yiado and Moustapha Seck.

Looking ahead, Seck hopes to expand the business to other African countries in the Global South. He is also thinking about how to provide farmers with markets on a global scale and trying to be proactive about climate change, “giving farmers access to resources ahead of time so they can withstand shocks.”

For Seck, it’s all about advancing a singular passion, one readily found on his LinkedIn page like a motto: “Creating opportunities for people in the Global South is my calling.”

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