Over the course of two weeks, several athletes with connections to York University took part in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and walked away notable contributions that added to the collective success of Canada winning a country-best 27 medals this summer.

In the Women’s Canoe Single 200m event, York U Faculty of Health student Katie Vincent became the first Canadian to ever win Olympic gold in any women’s canoe or kayak event. She did so while setting a new world record for best time. Vincent also won a bronze medal in the Women’s Canoe Doubles 500m for the second Olympics in a row.

Alumnae Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Parades earned a silver medal in Women’s Beach Volleyball, representing Canada’s first medal in the women’s event and the country’s best result in the sport overall. It was an even more impressive accomplishment given the pair have only been competing as partners since October 2022, and this marked their first Olympics together as a team.

As a member of Canada’s women's rugby sevens team, Asia Hogan-Rochester – who played with the York Lions women’s rugby team in 2018 – captured a silver medal during the Olympics, marking the country’s best Olympic result in the sport to date. 

Among other York-affiliated competitors at the 2024 Olympics, shooting athlete Shannon Westlake – a York U alumna – ranked 32 in the qualification round of the women’s 5m rifle three positions; accomplished judo athlete Shady Elnahas, who competed as a wrestler at York U in 2017, made it to the round of 16; and beach volleyball player Dan Dearing, who played with the Lion’s men’s volleyball team from 2011 to 2013, nearly made it to the round of 16 with his partner.

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W. Andy Knight, alumni

Knight, who received his PhD in political science from York University, is a renowned and award-winning University of Alberta Distinguished Professor in the Political Science Department specializing in global governance, the United Nations and more. In addition to being a prolific author – with over 16 books, 80 chapters in edited volumes and 68 journal articles – he is a Fulbright Distinguished Chair in International and Area Studies at Yale University, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, as well as the inaugural provost fellow in Black excellence and leadership at his university.

Andre Smith, alumni

Smith, who completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting from York University, is the founder and CEO of Flip & Floss, a digital platform that teaches and empowers today’s youth with financial literacy and money management skills. The company – founded in 2020 – already has over 5,000 users and 1,000 workshops.

Previously, Smith has received the CBC Toronto Community Champions award (in 2020) and was the BMO Black Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Technology Industry.

Nadine Williams, alumni

Poet, author and arts educator Nadine Williams has published four collections of poetry, two children’s books and 16 volumes of literature for Black History Month that are part of Canadian school curriculums. She is frequently called upon as a speaker and presenter, having shared her work at Citizenship & Immigrants Canada ceremonies and at events with prestigious attendees like former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, Jamaica’s former prime minister Portia Simpson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She is also using an art installation project called The Fabric of Our Being to raise awareness about the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent project.

Other recognitions Williams has received include being named on a list of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women in 2022, being given the 2024 Women Who Inspire Change Award from the Jamaican Canadian Association and earning a parliamentary mention for contributions to Black history in Canada.

Gervan Fearon, former faculty

Fearon, who once served as a York University associate professor and associate dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, is the current president of George Brown College in Toronto.

Fearon was recognized for his contributions as a prominent education advocate, driving and leveraging the transformative power of learning to improve social and economic mobility.

His career’s work has previously earned him the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum and Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Michaëlle Jean Foundation Influencer Award and an appointment to the Order of Ontario.

Visit the the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards website to find out more about the winners.

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The six-story, 9,012-square-metre, 50-classroom building, which achieved LEED Gold certification earlier this year for its sustainability and occupant wellness features, opened in the spring of 2023 on York U’s Keele Campus. Its twisted appearance is meant to symbolize the school’s twist on the traditional mission of continuing studies – that is, to solve Canada’s most pressing labour challenges by connecting employers to a highly skilled talent pool through its unique program offerings.

"Our new building has been purpose-built to give our learners and instructors what they need to thrive," said Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies, "whether that’s excellent teaching and learning spaces, a place to feed your baby, a prayer room, gathering spaces or, most critically, community that welcomes and celebrates your growth."

For the third annual Architecture & Interiors Awards, a three-person jury of U.S. industry experts spent hours reviewing the nearly 200 submissions received from commercial architecture and design firms around the world to determine the 34 winning projects. The School of Continuing Studies Building emerged a standout, with one juror noting its "subtle singularity" and "understanding of the site and relationships."

"This award is a recognition that this is good design for both the physical environment but also in career-focused education," said Brooks-Cappadocia. "We are thrilled to celebrate this win with Perkins&Will and our community of learners and employers."

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Ricci's book was awarded the Canadian Committee on Women’s & Gender History's English Language Book Prize – given to the best book in the field every two years – for its new approach to women’s and gender history and its findings that have the potential to shape future research and advocacy.

Countercurrents was also shortlisted for the Canadian Historical Association's Best Scholarly Book in Canadian History prize, an annual book prize awarded by the Canadian Historical Association to a non-fiction work of Canadian history believed to have made the most significant contribution to an understanding of the Canadian past.

In recognition of its focus on Quebec, the book was also named a finalist for the Prix de la présidence de l’Assemblée nationale, a literary contest celebrating authors of published works relating to the province's political landscape.

Countercurrents looks to write a new history of feminism that incorporates parallel social movements into the overarching narrative of the women’s movement. Case studies compare and reflect on the histories of the Quebec Native Women’s Association, the Congress of Black Women, the Front de libération des femmes du Québec, various Haitian women’s organizations and the Collectif des femmes immigrantes du Québec – and the political work they did.

“Amanda Ricci's history of diverse Montreal feminist groups gives us a new perspective on contemporary feminist activism," wrote reviewer Denyse Baillargeon from the Université de Montréal. "Clear and complex, Countercurrents shows that the roots to this vast social movement run deeper than we thought, and that its aspirations and struggles go well beyond the borders of Quebec.”

Bringing to light previously overlooked archival and oral sources, Ricci introduces a new cast of characters to the history of feminism in Quebec. The book presents a portrait of the resurgence of feminist activism, demonstrating its deep roots in Indigenous and Black communities, its transnational scope, and its wide-ranging inspirations and preoccupations.

For more information about the book and where to purchase it, visit the publisher's website.

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CBSA to use facial recognition app for people facing deportation: documents
Petra Molnar, associate director of York University’s Refugee Law Lab, was quoted in CityNews Aug. 16.

Where are all the Black astronomers and physicists? Racism, isolation keeping many away
York University Professor Carl James was quoted on BlackHotFireNetwork.com Aug. 14.

Kaitlyn Bristowe says she's 'struggling' with her use of apps like Instagram and TikTok: Here's how to take a social media break if you feel the same
York University was mentioned in Yahoo! Style Aug. 14.

Top five scholarships in Canada for international students
York University was mentioned in Vocal Media Aug. 14.

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York University Biology Professor Kohitij Kar, in the Faculty of Science, will host the recipient of a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Global Fellowship in his lab for two years starting this November to advance cutting-edge work in artificial intelligence and visual tracking.  

The recipient, Matteo Dunnhofer from the University of Udine in Italy, received a fellowship valued at C$340,000 from MSCA, which empowers researchers wishing to carry out their work abroad.

Dunnhofer is an award-winning researcher at the Machine Learning & Perception Lab in the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, & Physics of the University of Udine.

His fellowship project, titled “Towards primate-like artificial neural networks for visual object tracking,” will focus on studying algorithms at the intersection of artificial intelligence and neuroscience in the field of visual object tracking. Visual object tracking is the use of algorithms in continuously recognizing objects, such as people and vehicles, and has applications in fields like autonomous driving, robotics and medicine.

The project will draw on Kar’s expertise as a Canada Research Chair in Visual Neuroscience and his experience leading the Visual Intelligence & Technological Advances Laboratory, which is a core part of the Vision: Science to Technology Application Program, the Centre for Integrative & Applied Neuroscience, and the Centre for Vision Research at York University. His research lies at the intersection of neurophysiological investigations of visual intelligence in non-human primates and artificial intelligence systems. He is using his findings to develop artificial intelligence systems that mimic the primate brain in hopes of developing treatment strategies for neurological disorders.

As typically encouraged by the Marie Curie fellowships, Dunnhofer will augment his expertise in computer vision with Kar’s lab’s expertise in studying computations within biological vision systems like non-human primates.

For more information about the fellowship program, visit the MSCA website.

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York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) is gaining recognition for its Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs), designed to assist newcomers to the country in navigating the complexities of the Canadian job market.

Within the Bridging Program, there are two options on offer: the Foundations Program, which includes courses created exclusively for IEPs, focusing on professional communication, leadership, internet technology (IT), as well as law and management skills in the Canadian context; and certificate programs focusing on either Canadian business or information technology, which allow students to gain a Canadian university credential and take courses toward professional accreditation. Both routes offer part-time and evening study options, along with flexible course selection, access to fee waivers, experiential education and career support.

Offering a comprehensive educational experience tailored specifically for IEPs seeking to enhance their career prospects in Canada, the programs benefit from financial supports from both the government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development, and the federal government, through Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada. Government funding goes toward supporting newcomers to access language development, career coaching and professional-level courses.

Art Noordeh is the academic director of the Bridging Program that, since its inception in 2010, has been instrumental in facilitating the career transitions of countless IEPs from diverse backgrounds and industries. “Our aim,” Noordeh says, “is to empower individuals to unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields in Canada.”

Over 1,400 newcomers have participated in the programs since they started, says Monica Brennan, the Bridging Program’s associate director. Currently, a new intake of over 80 students are beginning their IEP journey and adding to those numbers.

Brennan says participants have an option to continue at York University following the completion of the Foundations Program, where they can take additional university-level credit courses as visiting students in their chosen field or apply to join the certificate programs. To date, approximately 40 per cent of participants have gone this route.

Among the Foundation Program graduates is Neha Aggarwal, who completed the program in December 2023. Despite having professional experience and expertise in her native India, she faced challenges securing interviews for a data analyst position after coming to Canada. After enrolling in York’s Bridging Program for IEPs in 2023, she participated in networking seminars, technology summits, and career fairs that exposed her to industry professionals and peers with similar aspirations. She also participated in drop-in language classes on weekends.

With enhanced language and communication skills, Aggarwal secured a data analyst internship within just one month of enrolment, a testament to the program’s effectiveness in facilitating career transitions for IEPs. She has now joined the IEP Professional Certificate in Information Technology.

“My journey with the IEP program at York University has been a personal odyssey of growth and success,” says Aggarwal, in a Foundations Program testimonial on the LA&PS website. “This program has not just been a professional journey; it has been the best personal chapter since I arrived in Canada, setting the stage for continuous success and growth.”

The professional certificate programs in both Canadian Business and IT have a long track record of success. The recently created Big Data & Data Analytics stream has been designed to quickly transition established IT professionals into the highest-demand skills of today’s workplace. The required course work includes deep theoretical knowledge, practical skills with current software packages and immersive project work in team environments. “These specialized IT skills can help relaunch the careers of IEP students on a new path well-aligned with the future of the Canadian economy,” says Professor Stephen Chen of the School of Information Technology at York U.

At a ceremony last month – attended by Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Phillips and Interim Dean of LA&PS Michele Johnson  – recognizing newcomers who have graduated from the certificate programs or achieved career success, several attendees spoke – like Aggarwal – about the impact of York’s IEP programs.

“The program provided insights into the Canadian labour market, enhancing my understanding of industry trends and employer expectations. It equipped me with job search strategies, including resumé writing and interview preparation, to effectively compete in the job market,” said IT graduate Dawit Gulta, who is currently working toward a graduate degree in big data and data analytics at York U and is a Mitacs graduate student intern at the Sunnybrook Research Institute.

“I learned essential knowledge and methodologies through the specialized courses in public administration. The practicum course allowed me to practise in a real public sector work setting, which led to my current job,” said student Eva Yuanyuan Han at the event. She joined the Ontario Ministry of Health as a resource analyst in May, graduating with a Certificate in Canadian Business in the Public Administration stream.

The graduates’ words spoke not only to how the Bridging Program for IEPs benefits individuals but also how it enriches Canada’s workforce with diverse talents and perspectives.

“At York University, we are dedicated to empowering IEPs with the resources required to unlock their potential to excel and fulfil their dreams in Canada,” says Noordeh. “The transformative impact of the program helps them to overcome barriers and achieve significant career growth in the job market.”

For more stories about graduates of the programs – including Dawit Gulta, who won a Dean’s Award for Research Excellence during his studies – visit the Bridging Program for IEPs website.

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York University's Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion (CHREI) is kick-starting the Fall 2024 term by offering staff, faculty and students a new REDDI (Respect, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization and Inclusion) Mini-Series: Promoting Accessibility and Proactive Accommodations. In this four-workshop series, which will run from Oct. 3 to 22, participants will learn important concepts and skills to challenge the various forms of ableism.

The workshops on accommodation provide participants with a deeper understanding of the key principles that guide the accommodation process, and insights into universal design approaches.

CHREI’s accommodation sessions are offered in partnership with Student Accessibility Services and the Teaching Commons. Register now to earn a REDDI Mini-Series Certificate.

As promised, CHREI is offering more REDDI Core Series sessions throughout November. This fall’s sessions include:

• Employment Equity Principles towards Inclusion;
• Understanding Freedom of Expression at York; and
• Advancing Organizational Change to Foster a Culture of Belonging.

Register for all three and earn your REDDI Core Series Certificate. Learn more about our REDDI series certificates on the REDDI Workshop Series web page.

Registration for these REDDI sessions is now available on YU Learn.

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The Nursing Simulation Centre (NSC) in York University's School of Nursing hosted two community engagement events this summer to help local youth gain knowledge and interest in the health-care profession. The first event – part of the NSC’s collaboration with the Faculty of Science’s Science Engagement Programs – brought close to 70 elementary school students, in Grades 7 and 8, to the centre for an experiential learning opportunity aligned with their summer camp curriculum. The second event welcomed members of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance, who led a hands-on workshop for high-school students.

"The School of Nursing’s Simulation Centre is excited to work with nursing students to support future health-care professionals," said Laura Nicholson, a professor in the School of Nursing and director of the NSC. "Annually, since 2018, the Nursing Simulation Centre has been working with high-school student groups and various camps to showcase elements of nursing to prospective students."

As part of the Science Engagement Programs visit to the NSC – a collaboration celebrating a decade of inspiring the next generation of health-care professionals – students from York U's Mini-Med School 1.0 and 2.0 summer camps were treated to a morning full of engaging experiences complementing their camp curriculum focused on exploring the science behind the health-care system. The objective for the Mini-Med School 1.0 workshop participants was to learn how to take a pulse, while the Mini-Med School 2.0 students learned how to measure blood pressure.

The NSC was able to host these prospective future health-care leaders because of the support provided by the enthusiastic team of facilitators made up of York U graduates and current students from direct-entry, collaborative and second-degree undergraduate nursing programs. The facilitators were organized by Igor Kabanov, director of the Nursing Student Tutoring, Ambassadorship & Mentorship Programs (NSTAMP), a student-led peer support organization that provides services to help ensure nursing students have a positive experience at York U.

For the other NSC community outreach initiative this summer, the centre worked closely with James Ehiagwina, president of the York University chapter of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA-YU), and the wider CBNA team to plan and implement a three-hour workshop for high-school students from the Greater Toronto Area.

Outreach and planning for the workshop were supported by the York U-TD Community Engagement Centre (CEC), which seeks to support Faculties in community engagement initiatives. The CEC also provided bus tickets for student attendees, in an effort to reduce barriers to participation. Facilitated by members of CBNA and NSTAMP, the workshop taught participants how to put on personal protective equipment and assess a patient, among other practical skills.

"This summer, the sessions were facilitated by record numbers of nursing graduates and current students," said Nicholson. "The professionalism, knowledge and skill displayed by the facilitators was outstanding. They displayed not only passion for the nursing profession but a commitment to educating the next generation."

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