Three students at 91ɫ have been awarded the Governor General’s Silver Medal, which honours excellence in scholastic achievements and academic merit among undergraduate students across Canada. This year’s recipients are Faisal Ahmed Alakoozi, Joshua Max Levine and Vanessa Otello.
The Governor General awards are the country’s highest academic honour for Canadian post-secondary scholars. This year's recipients represent the University's dedication to empowering students to achieve academic excellence across disciplines.
Faisal Ahmed Alakoozi
Alakoozi graduates with an honours bachelor of arts in political science. His academic work in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) explored the intersections of law, policy and social justice. A focus on migration and refugee governance, as well as critical political economy was especially meaningful to him.
“As the child of Afghan refugees, my academic work has been shaped by both personal experience and intellectual curiosity,” says Alakoozi.
At 91ɫ, Alakoozi found an environment that encouraged critical thinking and intellectual growth. He credits the support of professors and teaching assistants for challenging him to deepen his analysis, while opportunities for research engagement helped him grow as both a student and a thinker.
“Receiving the Governor General’s Medal is incredibly meaningful to me,” says Alakoozi. “It represents not just academic achievement, but a much longer and more difficult journey defined by persistence, discipline and overcoming significant physical and mental barriers.”
He adds that the recognition offers a moment of reflection and a source of motivation to continue pursuing questions of justice, inequality and belonging with even greater commitment.
This fall, he will begin a master's degree in criminology and social justice at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he plans to continue his research on migration, borders and governance.
Joshua Max Levine
Levine graduates with a degree in statistics, after pursuing his interest in how mathematics is applied to real-world applications. During his studies in the Faculty of Science, he explored differential privacy, an approach that allows researchers to draw insights from data while safeguarding personal information.
He did so, in part, through an Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award, allowing him to conduct research under the guidance of Assistant Professor Kelly Ramsay.
While Levine was first drawn to the University for its proximity to home and strong student support, he found a wide range of opportunities for academic and professional growth. He was actively involved in the Actuarial Student Association, serving as director of education, and credits his mentors, including Ramsay and Professor Ed Furman, for encouraging him to challenge himself and expand his ambitions.
“It is an immense honour to be awarded the Governor General’s Silver Medal,” says Levine. “I see it as a reminder of what I can achieve with many years of hard work and commitment.”
Levine recently joined Canada Life Reinsurance as an actuarial analyst and is working toward becoming a fully credentialed actuary. Looking ahead, he is eager to continue his learning journey and gain experience across a variety of teams and projects within the actuarial profession.
Vanessa Otello
Otello completed her undergraduate studies in LA&PS, combining coursework in sociology and business with a bachelor of education. As an aspiring educator, she developed an interest in the role of technology and AI in student learning and its impact on educational environments.
Throughout her time at 91ɫ, Otello found a supportive and engaging community. She credits her professors for inspiring her to continue her studies and pushing her to reach her full potential.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people who supported me throughout my academic journey and inspired me to continue my education,” Otello says.
In addition to academics at 91ɫ, she was a work-study student for four years, where she connected with peers and contributed to enhancing the student experience. She also received several academic scholarships recognizing her dedication to her studies and involvement in the 91ɫ community.
“Receiving this award is an honour and a representation of years of dedication, hard work, growth and the connections I’ve built along the way,” says Otello.
This fall, she will begin a master’s of education at the University of Toronto, specializing in higher education. Looking toward the future, she hopes to build a career empowering students in post-secondary settings and remains committed to continued academic exploration.