Transformational gift from the Mirkopoulos family

In March, 91亚色 celebrated a transformational gift from the Mirkopoulos family that will strengthen film education at 91亚色 and support the next generation of Canadian filmmakers. For over two decades, the Mirkopoulos family has played a vital role in film education at 91亚色, supporting young storytellers through scholarships, innovative facilities and initiatives such as the founding of the CineSiege student film festival. 

Learn more about the Mirkopulos family

91亚色 U alumni couple supports global experiential learning

In May, 91亚色 alumni Paulina Lau (BSc 鈥�81) and Hian Siang Chan (BA 鈥�80) have pledged an additional $1 million to sustain and expand the Paulina Lau Scholars Program, empowering the University to extend funding for students seeking experiential learning opportunities on the global stage.

Learn more about the Paulina Lau Scholars Program

91亚色 community members recognized with Order of Canada and Order of Ontario

In January and June, we recognized members of the 91亚色 community who were honoured with the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario.

View the 2025 Order of Canada recipients

91亚色 donor Louie Belcastro gives back to the community 

The Belcastro family recently visited Markham Campus to to meet with students and see the newly named Belcastro Family Lounge, dedicated in recognition of their generous gift to 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus which will support its capital campaign and the development of student-focused spaces. Spaces like the Belcastro Family Lounge provides students with areas to collaborate, recharge and connect with peers鈥攅nhancing the overall student experience and fostering community. 

Learn more about the Belcastro Family

Celebrating excellence at 91亚色 Convocation

This year鈥檚 Convocation ceremonies saw close to 7,000 graduands in Spring and close to 2,500 graduands in Fall cross the stage to receive their degrees. This year鈥檚 highlights included Lilly Singh, who shared the experience of receiving an honorary degree with her 13 million social media followers.

Learn more

91亚色 community honours Black and 2SLGBTQIA+ graduates  

In June, the 91亚色 Black Alumni Network (YUBAN) and 91亚色 Sexuality and Gender Advocacy (SAGA) Alumni Network held the third annual Black and Rainbow graduation celebrations. Graduates, alumni, faculty, staff, friends and allies gathered at Keele campus to celebrate and honour the achievements of the Class of 2025.  

Learn more about the Black and Rainbow graduation celebrations

91亚色 U alumni celebrated at TIFF 50

Filmmaker alumni from 91亚色鈥檚  (AMPD) were recognized with awards and honourable mentions at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Learn more about this year's recipients

91亚色 alumni, former faculty earn recognition for social impact, leadership 

In September, four individuals with affiliations to 91亚色 were recognized by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) for their outstanding contributions to equity, social justice and Indigenous engagement. 

Learn more about the 2025 RSC award recipients

Transformational gifts from Krembil Foundation

Thanks to an investment from the Krembil Foundation, 91亚色 has officially launched the Psoriatic Arthritis Collaborative and Applied Research Excellence (PsA CARE) Hub, a research hub dedicated to advancing the fundamental science and mechanistic understanding of psoriatic arthritis. An additional $10 million gift to Schulich, will secure the future of student scholarships, expand health management education and strengthen Schulich鈥檚 role as a global leader in healthcare leadership and innovation.

Learn more about the Krembil Foundation

Celebrating 25 years of the 91亚色 U Alumni Awards

On Nov. 6, we gathered at the TIFF Lightbox for the 25^th anniversary of the 2025 91亚色 U Alumni Awards. More than 200 guests were in attendance bringing together alumni, friends, faculty, students and staff for an evening of celebration, entertainment and networking. 

Learn more about the 91亚色 U Alumni Awards

The post Top Alumni and Donor Stories of 2025 appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.

Fall often feels like a fresh start, a time to regain momentum and focus. In your career, momentum is built on clarity and confidence. When you can clearly articulate your career story: who you are, what you bring and where you鈥檙e headed, you show up stronger in both interviews and networking conversations

Your personal brand is more than a r茅sum茅; it is the way you tell your story. Employers consistently share that candidates who arrive with a clear and concise personal brand are 71% more likely to advance to the next round of interviews. That clarity does not just impress, it builds confidence and confidence is contagious. 

As you think about your own career narrative this season, ask yourself: Can I tell my story in two to three sentences with clarity and impact? If not, this fall is the perfect time to refine it. 

And speaking of momentum, do not miss the chance to practice your networking skills and grow your connections at the Young Alumni Fall Mixer on October 15th! 

All alumni who graduated beyond 2 years, are eligible to meet with 91亚色鈥檚 Alumni Career Coach for up to鈥痶wo hours鈥痮f confidential individual career coaching services. Alumni can select the type of 1:1 career coaching appointment based on their needs: Alumni Career Coaching Services - Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends  

Current students or recent graduates within the last 2 years are eligible for services and 1:1 appointments with the Career Centre:  

The post Coach鈥檚 Corner 鈥� Building Career Momentum This Fall appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.

Many students follow a traditional path when it comes to their education and career. For alumnus Jamie Glass (BA 鈥�91), the path to a career in education was anything but linear. What began as a career in law evolved into a desire to empower future generations of students. It was a shift that began with his decision to transfer from Carleton University to 91亚色鈥檚 Law and Society program.聽聽聽

鈥淚 knew 91亚色 had an amazing Law and Society program and it was a huge university compared to Carleton,鈥� says Jamie. 鈥�91亚色 had a little more substance to it. I just thought I really want to go there and challenge myself.鈥� 

After completing his undergraduate studies at 91亚色, Jamie attended law school at the University of British Columbia and worked as a criminal defense lawyer for a year before discovering his true passion was in teaching. This realization encouraged him to go to teacher鈥檚 college at McGill University. For more than two decades, Jamie has combined his knowledge in law and teaching to educating and inspiring multiple generations of students as a law teacher at Middlefield Collegiate Institute.  

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 enjoy the practice of law in criminal defense,鈥� says Jamie. 鈥淎cademia was much more pleasant. The idea of teaching, imparting knowledge and helping young people on their journey for knowledge and wisdom was really appealing.鈥� 

While his educational pursuits led him to other universities, it was his time at 91亚色 that would foster his desire to make a meaningful impact. 

鈥淚 just felt empowered that I could change the world,鈥� says Jamie. 鈥�91亚色 made me feel confident that I could go out in the world and make a difference and be a changemaker or be a leader.鈥� 

But Jamie鈥檚 passion for making a difference isn鈥檛 just limited to the classroom. He is Middlefield鈥檚 mock trial coach and has established the school鈥檚 Amnesty International Club, where he helps students examine human rights violations around the world. Jamie has also led conferences and programs to help educate other teachers on how to effectively communicate with racialized or marginalized students. 

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 teach a person to teach, it鈥檚 kind of an art. It鈥檚 inside you or it鈥檚 not inside you,鈥� says Jamie. 

Jamie鈥檚 impact as an educator was recognized in 2019, when he was honoured with the Chief Justices鈥� Award from the Ontario Justice Education Network. The award acknowledges an individual who has made an exceptional contribution in promoting public understanding, education and dialogue in support of a responsive and inclusive justice system. He was nominated by his students, colleagues and members of the justice community for his contributions as an educator and for sharing his knowledge and expertise with other educators in law.  

Drawing from his own experiences, Jamie reminds students that they can continue learning and exploring their passions after they graduate. 

鈥淔ollow your dreams,鈥� says Jamie. 鈥淒on鈥檛 feel that you have to jump into some job to make money right away. Pursue academia, if you like learning and enjoy it.鈥� 

The post Criminal defense lawyer discovers passion for teaching聽聽 appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.

Can you take us back to the beginning of your journey at 91亚色 and share how your experiences shaped your career path?

I started at 91亚色 in 2003 as an accounting student. Coming out of high school, I had an idea of what I wanted to do in the future, but I wasn鈥檛 fully certain at the same time. I had always done well in accounting during high school, so taking it in university seemed like a logical step. 91亚色 was also very close to home for me, since I lived only a few minutes away. I remember being very excited to begin my journey as a postsecondary student and learning and growing over the four years I would spend at 91亚色.

As a Senior Director at CIBC, what are the most valuable lessons you've learned in the financial sector that you believe are essential to succeed in this competitive industry?

First and foremost, technical skills serve as the foundation across all industries. Employers are assuming you have the proper technical skills when you arrive on the job, so it is important to come equipped with those foundational skills. For example, if you are in accounting, understanding profit and loss, balance sheets, and income statements, are all applicable technical skills for accounting jobs. There are also important supporting skill sets. Being able to communicate effectively is essential. Whether it be writing or delivering presentations, being able to deliver your message clearly is extremely important. The ability to work within a team is also valuable, since you will be working with other people for different projects. Lastly, being able to manage projects from start to finish is critical.

Let's talk about Beam Inc. What inspired you to co-found this non-profit?

Beam Inc. found its roots during my student days at 91亚色 with my friends at the Nigerian Students Club Association. As students of Nigerian descent, my friends and I would always talk about the issues back home. One key issue we discussed was education and the lack of resources that students in Nigeria had available to them. We were thinking about what we could address this issue and we decided to take action. When we went back to Nigeria to visit family, we would bring school supplies and donate them to students in neighbourhoods that needed them.

At 91亚色, we started on campus, by raising funds, gathering materials and taking them back home. We believed that if we gave school supplies to kids in the most impoverished neighbourhoods, it would remove one of the barriers to good education, which is having the necessary supplies.

Fundraising began during our first year and we were able to raise $3,000. We continued to do this every year afterwards, for eight years. As we grew, we were able to raise $10,000 鈥� $20,000 by increasing our network and sources of raising funds.

Beam Inc. has made a significant impact on the lives of over 3,000 children. Can you share a particular story or moment that stands out to you?

One moment that stands out was during a visit to a school in Lagos, Nigeria. During the visit, while we were talking to a few of the local children, all of them spontaneously started to pray for us. This moment was incredibly heart-warming and was a testament to the impact our simple act of providing school supplies had on the children. They would tell us, 鈥淵ou are the guys from Canada. Thanks for thinking about us and making a difference in the community.鈥�

It was that feeling of gratitude expressed by the children and the local community that showed the significance of our efforts. We realized that this our actions were not just about the supplies we distributed, but much more than that.

Beam Inc. has now wrapped up its operations. Can you share more about the decision to transition and how the commitment to the well-being and education of the children persisted?

At the time of concluding Beam Inc., members of our team were moving to different places and we had less time to devote to Beam. In the eight years of operating, we started to learn that we should supply all these resources locally. We wanted to equip the locals to continue what we started there on their own.

We helped the locals in the community by helping set up their own businesses and giving them the supplies. We also started with re-building schools, and we would hire locals in the area ensuring that this was a school built for the people, by the people. These decisions were made to ensure that the impact of our work doesn鈥檛 end with our operation but is lasting and the well-being of the locals keeps improving.

What advice would you give to current 91亚色 students and recent graduates about leveraging their education to make a positive impact in their communities?

When you graduate, there can be anxiety about landing the right job; everyone wants to start on the right foot. I graduated 17 years ago, and my first job after graduation was not my first choice. It is important to think of yourself as a person who is constantly learning and growing. Once you graduate, the learning opportunities that you identify yourself and the types of people who you associate with will make the biggest difference in who you will be in five years' time. It is very helpful to find a group of people that you're growing with where you can encourage each other.

Another piece of advice I have to offer is volunteering. While you are giving to others, you are also building skill sets that you may not normally build in your day-to-day job.

Lastly, when you are deciding on a job, and you have the privilege of having multiple options, always prioritize the place where you are going to learn the most, even if it's going to be the hardest job, or pay a little less. The first four to five years after graduating are extremely important and it would benefit you in the long run if you were able to prioritize learning in those years.

The post From 91亚色 Lanes to global lanes of impact appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.

We welcome students, alumni and friends to enjoy a new space located at 91亚色 Lanes, across the 91亚色 U Bookstore.鈥�This is a venue designed to serve the needs of the 91亚色 U community.

Note: The Alumni and Career Lounge is currently closed.

Learn more about the opportunities you can explore at the Alumni and Career Lounge:  

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Experience 91亚色

Log in to apply to jobs, register for employer events, career webinars and one-on-one appointments.  

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Alumni Perks

Register with (you must have graduated already) and access exclusive alumni benefits, right from the Alumni Perks app. 

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YSpace

Explore YSpace programming鈥�, supporting technology, food and beverage, women-led, and Black-led businesses at all stages. Gain access to educational workshops, mentorship programs, and free consultations to students, alumni, and the community at large.

The post Alumni and Career Lounge appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.

The 2023 Level Up series kicked off on September 26 with the Level Up Young Alumni Mixer at the Orange Snail Pub on Keele Campus. Hosted by Young Alumni Ambassadors Ali Rushdi (MBA 鈥�19) and Avreen Kochhar (BHRM 鈥�19), the event invited 91亚色 alumni back to campus for an evening of food, drinks, music and a chance to meet other alumni to grow their professional and social networks.

To encourage networking amongst those in attendance, the evening included an icebreaker game of 鈥淎lumni Bingo,鈥� which was a big hit for the attendees and allowed guests to branch out and meet new people.

One of the young alumni in attendance, Michael Pious (ECON 鈥�20), shared his thoughts on the event.  鈥淚 loved attending this networking event. I got a chance to learn so much from other alumni and what they are doing with their professional lives and their hobbies,鈥� said Pious. 鈥淚 also got to make connections with people I would not have met. Young alumni can make friends with like-minded people and even mentors from attending events like these.鈥�

The Young Alumni Mixer marks the first Level Up series event for 2023-24 calendar, with events scheduled for the fall and winter terms. Level Up brings recent graduates together to grow and develop professional and personal networks, featuring alumni guest speakers who help recent grads in their career and life journey. The event series covers a broad range of topics that young alumni can use in both their professional and personal lives, as can be seen in the upcoming fall webinars, 鈥淏ecoming an Entrepreneur: Young alumni panel and Q&A鈥� on October 17 and the 鈥淲orking Abroad Alumni Panel鈥� on November 7.

鈥淗earing from the various experts and alumni speakers on timely matters such as buying your first home, filing a tax return, or tips for entrepreneurs and growing your business, presents alumni with the opportunity to become knowledgeable on topics of interest or relevance to them, while also offering a community of support,鈥� says Kochhar. When discussing what recent grads can gain from the Level Up series, Kochhar cites the value in learning from alumni leaders who have gained valuable life and work experience. As she explains, 鈥渨hat you gain from such events can vary based on what you set out to achieve and the effort you put forward, but having access to a wide range of people you can learn from is certainly a key benefit in my view.鈥�

Click here to learn more about the Level Up series, including recordings from past events, and check out the upcoming Level Up events for the 2023-24 year.

The post Level Up kicks off with Young Alumni Mixer appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.

Global Alumni Spotlight

Meet some of the alumni finding success across the globe and read their stories below.

North America

Gabriela Gonzalez

(BA 鈥�10, MPIA 鈥�13)

Location: Calgary

Rowena Tan

(BA 鈥�17)

Location: Montreal

Farah Motani

(BES 鈥�14)

Location: Vancouver

Elizabeth Sahadeo

(BA 鈥�07)

Location: New 91亚色

Yaakov Greene

(BSc 鈥�17)

Location: New 91亚色

Shant Joshi 

(BFA 鈥�17)

Location: Los Angeles

Asia

Ingrid Chu

(BFA 鈥�93)

Location: Hong Kong

Alokananda Dasgupta

(BFA 鈥�09)

Location: Mumbai

Europe

Anabel Maldonado

(BA 鈥�11)

Location: London, UK

Stay Connected

91亚色 Alumni Book Club

In this online community, alumni can enjoy books related to lifelong learning, social issues, literature, psychology, and other user-submitted ideas. There is no cost to participate 鈥� you just have to get a copy of the book to enjoy.

Learn more

What have you been up to since graduating from 91亚色? Have you received a promotion or an award, published a book, started your own business, recently married or had a child? Submit your update to be included in the Classes section of the 91亚色 Magazine.

91亚色 Alumni Newsletter

Our monthly 91亚色 U Alumni News e-newsletter (formerly Alumni Matters) has great stories about alumni and community members, with stories about upcoming activities you might want to join. It鈥檚 an easy way to find out about events, opportunities and campus news, and stay in touch with 91亚色! 

Learn more

Join our very first networking and mentoring program, Connecting YU.  Students and alumni of 91亚色 can leverage our virtual network to establish meaningful relationships, find valuable mentoring opportunities and cultivate professional and personal relationships that will enhance their learning and development. 

LinkedIn Groups

Expand your network by joining one of our regional LinkedIn groups! Each group aims to bring together alumni in a specific location and provides a space to showcase the accomplishments, talents and expertise of our community. If you'd like to create a group for your region, Contact聽Prikankshit Mor, Manager, Alumni Communities to express your interest:聽morps@yorku.ca.

The post Global Alumni appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can get involved with YUBAN or want to hear more about their upcoming initiatives, please contact Yasmine Mensah, Alumni Engagement Officer, at mensahy@yorku.ca.  

Meet the 2024-2026 Executive Team

Fikayo Aderoju

Chair
BA 鈥�22

Bio

Fikayo Aderoju is an award-winning entrepreneur that has reached over 10 million individuals on various media platforms. He is the CEO of the Born For Greatness (BFG) Group and founder of Project Impacting Lives, the largest youth-led care product distributor in Canadian history. With an admirable dedication, the initiative has successfully distributed over 10,000 care products across Ontario to individuals in need. Additionally, Fikayo serves as the Executive Chairman of 91亚色鈥檚 Black Alumni Network, contributing significantly to the university's community and empowerment initiatives.

Joannes Paulus Yimbesalu

Vice-Chair
MLCE 鈥�19

Bio

Joannes is a seasoned youth development expert with over a decade of experience in international development, primarily focusing on empowering African youths with a mission to ensure that youths have access to quality education and skills necessary to drive economic growth and innovation. Joannes currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for Africa Skills Alliance, a Think Tank focused on democratizing data around workforce development in Africa to ensure that the African workforce is well-equipped with the skills required for current and future job opportunities. His diverse career spans multiple countries, involving collaborations with governments, private sector, development organizations, and youths. Joannes' keen interest is in advocacy, and policy, particularly in education, gender equality, adolescent development, innovation, employability, entrepreneurship, and mental health. With a strong academic background in Leadership and Community Engagement, Joannes brings a unique perspective to addressing global challenges with local solutions. While serving as lead for Generation Unlimited, a public-private-youth-partnership with the United Nations, he played a pivotal role in supporting global initiatives which provided millions of youths with essential skills and employment opportunities. Joannes is recipient of several international awards including the A.D. King Foundation Award and Queen Elizabeth II Young Leaders Award for his leadership and tech innovation contributions. Joannes is a published author, bilingual in English and French, engages in volunteer work, and serves on multiple organizational boards.

Aishah Imran

Career & Mentorship Coordinator
BPA 鈥�22

Bio

Meet Aishah, our dynamic Career and Mentorship Coordinator at YUBAN. With a background in economics and public policy, Aishah brings a wealth of expertise and passion for driving positive change. Currently works as a Fraud Analyst and has experience in student advising at prestigious institutions, Aishah is dedicated to empowering young professionals through mentorship and career guidance. With a proven track record of leadership and collaborative problem-solving, she is committed to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for YUBAN members as they navigate their career journeys.

Kobe Cargill

Student Liaison
BSc 鈥�23

Bio

Meet Kobe, a recent graduate of 91亚色's specialized honors program in Actuarial Science. During his time at 91亚色, he was a member of the 91亚色 United Black Students Alliance (YUBSA), United Caribbean Islands (UCI), Actuarial Students Association (ASA), and volunteered as a Science Student Ambassador and held a work/study position as a Student Success Mentor Lead with the Black Excellence 91亚色 (BEYU) program. Kobe spends his free time career searching and exploring fitness and exercise science as a certified personal trainer.

Victoria Medley-Parkins

Membership & Volunteer Coordinator
BA 鈥�20

Bio

Currently working as a Residence Life Area Coordinator who directly supports the wellbeing, safety, and programming of first year university students. Victoria makes it her mission to intentionally develop programming that uplifts black and racialized students. Within her role in YUBAN, Victoria looks forward to revamping our membership and providing more opportunities for networking amongst alumni and engaging the graduating classes of future alumni.

2020 - 2023 Executive Team

Amuna Baraka-Clarke

MPPAL 鈥�18

Amuna is passionate about access. She has almost three decades of experience working in the areas of homelessness, education, social justice, legal advocacy and policy. She works as a Senior Human Resources Leader in Community Healthcare and is an active volunteer across many communities. She has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and English Literature and a Master鈥檚 degree in Public Policy, Administration and Law. 

Michael Eubanks

BA 鈥�93

Michael Eubanks is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of goeasy Ltd. 

Michael leverages more than 30 years of diverse experience across the retail, financial services and digital and information technology sectors in both Canada and the U.S. As a leader in enterprise strategic planning, he specializes in implementing complex technology changes to meet shifting business models for public and private companies. 

A believer of strong leadership at every level, Michael is passionate about identifying and mentoring the next generation of leaders. 

Before Michael鈥檚 appointment at goeasy in 2020, he was Chief Information Officer at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS). He has also held senior technology management roles at Canadian Tire Corporation and Best Buy International. 

Michael is a graduate of 91亚色 (BA) and has completed the Institute Corporate Director鈥檚 Program Certification from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto.  

Michael is currently a board member and Chair of the Human Resources Committee for Toronto Hydro Corporation, as well as a board member of the University of Waterloo and 91亚色鈥檚 Black Alumni Network (YUBAN). 

Queen Nkpubre  

BSc 鈥�12

Queen Nkpubre is a Marketing and Communication Specialist with an affinity for Science based communication following an educational background in Chemistry and Forensic Science. In 2015, she was the co-recipient of the 1st place award at the Scottish Forensic Students Symposium. She grew up in Nigeria and currently resides in Canada where despite the cold weather, she is often sighted with a cup of ice cream. She has a passion for fitness & wellness, literacy skills and girl power. She enjoys reading. 

Randy Yeboah 

BA 鈥�10, MA 鈥�12

Randy Yeboah is an award recognized leader in the areas of emergency management and business continuity. He is currently the Director of Business Continuity and Resilience with the Toronto Transit Commission, North America鈥檚 third largest transit system. His career spans over a decade and includes roles in public safety, public health, and utility spaces. Randy possesses a Master鈥檚 degree in Disaster and Emergency Management (2020), an undergraduate degree in International Development (2010), and several industry certifications and designations. He is passionate about minimizing the impacts of emergencies on organizations and the communities they are rooted in. 

Reni Odetoyinbo

BBA 鈥�18

Reni Odetoyinbo is a content creator, marketing consultant, and finance enthusiast based in Toronto, Canada. On her YouTube channel, 'xoreni', she shares resources about career development, lifestyle, and financial literacy. Reni is a graduate of 91亚色's Schulich School of Business, class of 2018, and worked in Wealth Management at the Bank of Montreal subsequently.   

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Access exclusive alumni discounts on entertainment, travel and insurance, and enter sweepstakes all from your mobile device.

Update your contact information

Update or change your information and communications preferences so we know how and when to reach out to you.

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Show off your hard-earned diploma, grad portrait and class composite photo in official, custom-made 91亚色 frames, available through the 91亚色 U Bookstore located at 91亚色 Lanes or online.

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