Alumni Update – 2024 TFHA Graduates
2020, Victoria Liu
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
University:
University of Toronto
During Victoria’s time at University of Toronto, she was elected as the Vice President of Public and University Affairs of the University of Toronto Student Union—advocating on behalf of 40,000+ students, founded the Community Housing and Employment Services Centre, co-directed the undergraduate mooting program, and was selected as a 2020 Laidlaw Scholar. After graduation, Victoria was selected as one of 16 Canadians for the Aga Khan Foundation Canada International Youth Fellowship! In July, she’ll be heading across the world to join an AKDN Initiative in Tanzania to advance gender equality projects for 8 months. This is driven by her passion for international development. During last summer, she made her way to work as a legal intern at the Institute of Human Rights and Development in the Gambia–the leading Pan-African litigation NGO. Click here to read Victoria’s 2023 Summer Story!
2020, Isabella MacKay
Degree:
Bachelor’s of Health Science
University:
University of Ottawa
Isabella MacKay is a recent graduate of the Bachelor’s of Health Science program at the University of Ottawa. Having cerebral palsy and growing up with a disability, much of her volunteer work has centered on disability advocacy, striving to make society accessible for everyone. The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award changed her life, allowing her to continue these volunteering activities during her degree. Additionally, the award facilitated the establishment of important connections and friendships. Unable to decide between pursuing a Master’s focusing on sexual and reproductive health and disability or applying for medical school, Isabella will be taking a year off to gain experience in both potential career paths.
2020, Sarah Gingles
Degree:
Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science and Global Development
University:
Queen’s University
Sarah Gingles is an active environmentalist and deeply passionate about community engagement. As a delegate for COP28 UAE, a guest speaker at climate strike rallies, city council meetings and maritime conferences, she advocates for climate justice as an interconnected issue, for people and the planet.
Sarah’s commitment to community service dates back to her humanitarian initiatives in high school. Since then, she has contributed to organizations such as the Peter McKee Community Food Centre, the Shoebox Project Queen’s Chapter, and Queen’s Best Buddies. Additionally, Sarah thoroughly enjoyed volunteering her time to organize and lead trips for the Queen’s University Outdoors Club and, co-producing a podcast as well as creating social media content for Sustainable Kingston. Her eagerness to encourage environmental awareness ushered her and her peers, in 2021, to create Kingston Youth Climate Action, promoting climate justice in the Kingston community. They act on values of caring for the environment and social change by organizing events, helping raise $50,000 to save local wetlands, engaging with other groups in the Kingston community, and upcycling garbage to create art displays.
In addition to her community engagements, she worked as a supervisor at a local coffee shop while completing the final three years of her degree, where she made great friends and practiced latte art.
Sarah now holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) from Queen’s University, where she majored in Environmental Sciences and minored in Global Development Studies. She feels grateful for the opportunity to have combined her love of earth sciences, global sustainability efforts and human rights issues.
Beyond academia, Sarah hopes to bring her community-minded thinking and humanitarian efforts with her wherever she goes. This summer she will be starting an internship with the government’s Student Leadership Program (SLP) with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
2020, Vessa MacNeil
Degree:
Bachelor’s Degree, Community Development
University:
Acadia University
Vessa MacNeil graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor’s degree in Community Development, where she played club rugby and held positions as Teaching and Resident Assistants. She is extremely active in her school and community and plans to pursue a Bachelor’s of Education at Cape Breton University.
2020, Wing Tse
Degree:
Associate of Arts – AA, Psychology
University:
University of Guelph
Throughout the year, Wing Tse’s primary focus lies in advancing research and practical support for firefighter well-being. Engaged in his honours thesis, he is conducting essential work for a community and government organization, tasked with compiling a comprehensive report on the challenges encountered by firefighters. This report endeavors to explore the intricacies of their experiences, identifying areas for enhancement while emphasizing organizational factors critical to their well-being and behavioral health nationwide.
Wing’s investigation goes beyond surface-level scrutiny. He delves into the nuanced landscape of firefighter experiences, considering variables such as job demands, available resources, and diverse group dynamics, including differences in tenure, rank, and marginalized group status. By pinpointing both areas of concern and organizational strengths, he aims to offer actionable insights for frontline responders and decision-makers alike.
Upon completing the educational report, Wing’s dedication persists. He intends to disseminate his findings through academic publications, fostering learning and development within the firefighting community. Simultaneously, he remains actively involved as a peer supporter and member of the critical incident stress management team, providing direct assistance to trauma-exposed firefighters.
2019, Kylie Dennis
Degree:
Bachelor of Child and Youth Studies
University:
Trent University
Kylie Dennis has graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Studies and a minor in psychology from Trent University. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Kylie’s volunteer work has centered around working with children. She has been a dedicated mentor with the program Big Brother Big Sister and sat on the Board of Rebound Child and Youth Services Northumberland. Receiving the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award truly impacted Kylie’s studies, providing time to engage in the volunteer work she loves. Throughout her undergraduate studies, Kylie became focused on research, particularly looking to understand what children’s right to play looks like around the world. As a result of her passion for education and changing the world, Kylie is pursuing her Masters of Arts in Child and Youth Studies at Brock University where she will continue to conduct research on children’s right to play.
2019, Coleton Myers
Degree:
Bachelor of Applied Science – BASc, Mechanical Engineering
University:
University of Waterloo