Vanessa Bart-Plange

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Facet	Description
Graduation Year	HBA 2017 New College
Inside the Classroom	Major: International Relations Major: Political Science Minor: African Studies
Alongside the Classroom	Community-engaged learning course: NEW 498H: completed while interning at the Ward 15: Eglinton-Lawrence Constituency Office, Toronto City Hall, summer 2015 International exchange: Sciences Po Reims campus, France, fall 2016
Outside the Classroom	Social convener, New College Residence, 8th Floor Secretary, MasterCard Foundation Scholars Council After-school tutor, On Your Mark, St. Nicholas of Bari School, Toronto Tutor, From 3 to 3, Firgrove Public School, Toronto Volunteer, Conference services, North American Model United Nations Leadership Certificate Program graduate, New College Member, Association of Political Science Students, University of Toronto Member, Caribbean and African Studies Writing Group, University of Toronto
Further Education	MA, Development Studies, York University (expected graduation 2019)
Career Accomplishments	Intern, MasterCard Foundation, Toronto (10 months post-graduation) Graduate assistant, GenUrb Research Project, City Institute, York University
New College Impact	The minor in African Studies offered at New College complemented my International Relations and Political Science majors perfectly, thus allowing me to have the African focus that was absent in both of my majors. In retrospect, this has contributed to my interest in public policy and education in Africa during my master’s program. The New College Writing Centre was also key in my academic development, as it helped me learn how to write academic essays, which led to A-grade averages throughout the four years. Being a part of this multicultural college also allowed me to fit in and make friends from both home and other countries, thus allowing me to settle in better and faster in Toronto within my first year, and to create long-lasting relationships till today.

“Strive to be among the best, if not the best, in everything that you do. Do not compete with any other person but yourself. And while you are at it, make sure to enjoy yourself and your relationships, because time flies by.“

Michael White

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I am also known by the name Mahkwa of the Anishinaabe Bear Clan (nindoodem).

Facet	Description
Graduation Year	HBA 2005 University College
Inside the Classroom	Specialist: General Anthropology Minor: Aboriginal Studies
Alongside the Classroom	Archaeology fieldwork with Professor Coupland, Prince Rupert, BC
Outside the Classroom	Cinema Studies Student Union Native Students Association
Further Education	MEd, Urban Indigenous Issues, York University, 2019
Career Description	Special Projects Officer, Indigenous Initiatives, University of Toronto Urban Aboriginal Community Activator, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres Executive Board Member, Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training
In the Media	Linkedin profile “Michael White joins U of T as special projects officer to support the university’s Truth and Reconciliation efforts,” U of T News

Michelle Poon

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Facet	Description
Graduation Year	HBSc 2005 New College
Inside the Classroom	Major: Environmental and Resource Management Major: Psychology Switched programs from Biology and Geography
Further Education	Credits completed in Human Resource Management
Career Accomplishments	Associate Director, Asia-Pacific Advancement Office, University of Toronto: Focus on alumni relations and development for the University, including engaging with our alumni in the Asia-Pacific region, fundraising, managing volunteers and boards and running a Foundation Admissions Assessor, Enrolment Services, University of Toronto
New College Impact	My residence experience allowed me to develop friendships and networks. I was new to Toronto (having lived most of my life in Hong Kong) and New College Residence gave me a sense of community. I got a chance to volunteer for various positions/roles. I’m indebted by the services and resources provided by New College, including the writing lab, the registrar’s office, residence dons, etc.

“Enjoy and immerse yourself in the U of T and Toronto experience.

Know that you don’t have to have the answers for everything, and be open minded to new ideas and new opportunities.

Listen and trust your instincts.

Make mistakes – it’s how i learnt.”

Nana Yaa Abrafi Boa-Amponsem

Facet	Description
Graduation Year	HBA 2017 New College
Inside the Classroom	Major: Economics Major: Equity Studies
Outside the Classroom	Peer mentor, Economics Peer mentor, New College Residence Presented speech on behalf of the student body, Nelson Mandela Memorial Service, University of Toronto Student panelist, University of Toronto yearbook redesign Student representative and Gonfalon Bearer, Installation Ceremony of President Meric Gertler Tutor and mentor for a secondary school female student living with a learning disability Tutor, Math and English, Centre for Community Partnerships
Further Education	MSc in Public Policy, Development Economics and International Development, University of Bristol, 2018
Career Accomplishments	Analyst, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Economics Intern, Tax Unit, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ghana—performed administrative roles, worked on team projects, and embarked on field projects in banks and financial institutions. Economics Intern, Impact Infrastructure (AutoCASE), Toronto Program Assistant Intern, Zawadi Africa Education Fund, Ghana—assisted academically gifted, but financially disadvantaged, girls in Ghana to apply for university scholarships in North America and parts of Africa. That was my give-back project as I learned about U of T MasterCard Scholarship as a Zawadi Scholar.
New College Impact	New College played an instrumental role in my academic and leadership excellence. Firstly, my New College Registrars immensely supported me through course selection, deciding on my majors, and post-graduation plans. Moreover, the Equity Studies program of New College was the best option as a second major since it gave me a real-world perspective on Economics. Through this course, I was able to identify my interest in public policy and social justice. In my final year, New College awarded me with a scholarship for academic excellence, and also afforded me the opportunity to meet President Meric Gertler at a special New College Dinner. Furthermore, New College organized various leadership training programs which were very essential to my success as a student leader at U of T. I partook in various floor and house activities that improved my teamwork skills. In my final year, I was given a priceless opportunity to serve as a Residence Peer Mentor where I provided assistance to residents in areas such as Academic Success, Career Preparedness, Mental Health and Wellness. I acquired a lot of great skills and knowledge in this position.

“Balance is extremely important. Get involved in the things you love. Take care of your mental health. Study hard but don’t forget to also learn. And keep God first in all you do.“

Navi Dhanota

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Facet	Description
Graduation Year	HBA 2003 Innis College
Inside the Classroom	Major, Socio-Cultural Anthropology Minor, Philosophy Minor, Political Science Switched programs from: Psychology
Outside the Classroom	Registered with Accessibility Services and developed the lived experience of being a student receiving accommodations while struggling with mental health. These became useful credentials.
Further Education	PhD, Critical Disability Studies, York University (in progress) MA, Critical Disability Studies, York University, 2015
Career Description	Accessibility consultant, George Brown College Accessibility consultant (varying roles, incl. institutional policy review) Successful in personal activism, which involved changing the requirements to disclose a diagnosis when registering with post-secondary accommodation offices.
In the Media	LinkedIn profile York University student wins mental-health fight, The Toronto Star New Academic Accomodations Adopted by York’s CDS (Full interview with Navi Dhanota), YouTube

“My advice, for current students, would be to stop trying to find your calling/passion. I realize this may sound counter-intuitive— I used my lived experience to identify small projects I wanted to work on and things I wanted to change. I used these small initiatives as a platform to springboard my career.

Follow what interest you (this could be a class you are good at, subject matter that is easy to read, or even the the issues that you find most difficult). With that, will come passion. Showing genuine motivation in your field is what will distinguish you from the pack.“

Chris Woodford

Facet	Description
Graduation Year	HBA 2006 New College
Inside the Classroom	Specialist: Philosophy Minor: Classical Civilization Switched programs from Computer Science and Math
Outside the Classroom	President, New College Student Council, 2003 – 2004 Co-Founder, New College Spirit Squad Actively involved in NCSC and New College Orientation, 2001-06
Career Description	Lead Software Developer, Web Development Agency, Toronto, ON Professional Touring Musician Software Consultant Head of Engineering, Startup, Palo Alto, California

“Follow your passions and trust yourself. Don’t let other people’s expectations throw you off your path.“

Amy Chen

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Facet	Description
Graduation Year	BCom 2011 Innis College
Inside the Classroom	Specialist: Finance, Rotman Commerce Major: Economics
Alongside the Classroom	Summer intern, Big Four accounting firm
Outside the Classroom	President, Innis Residence Council Student Representative, Innis College Council (and RAAC, Bursary Sub-Commmittee) Front Desk Staff, Innis Residence Rotman Commerce Finance Association Rotman Commerce Law Association
Career Description	Chartered Accountant Technical consultant in accounting and finance

“Be involved, meet people, have fun! Undergrad is a time to take good risks – explore what you like and don’t like. Don’t be afraid to work hard to do the things you want to do!“

Lakshmi Sadhu

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Facet	Description
Graduation Year	HBA 2017 New College
Inside the Classroom	Specialist: Philosophy Minor: East Asian Studies
Outside the Classroom	First-Year Representative, Philosophy Course Union Vice President, Initiatives, Inquire Publication, U of T Chapter President, Inquire Publication, U of T Chapter Student Blogger, New College Intern, investment firms in Dubai and Toronto
Further Education	Master of Journalism Candidate, UBC, 2019
In the Media	LinkedIn profile Twitter
New College Impact	The student blogger position at The New was one of the reasons that I chose to pursue journalism.

“Jump.

No matter how scared you are. No matter how unprepared you think you are. No matter if you think you’re not good enough.

Jump into whatever opportunity and experience catches your eye. It’ll only change you for the better.“

Geeta Yadav

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Facet	Description
Graduation Year	HBSc 2003 University College
Inside the Classroom	International Public Health
Outside the Classroom	Academic Appeals Committee Governor, the Governing Council Member, University Affairs Board University College Literary & Athletic Society (UC Lit)
Further Education	Dermatology Residency—Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC), University of Toronto, 2015 MD, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 2010 MHS, International Public Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2005
Career Description	Dermatologist Programme Analyst, UNDP, Malawi Policy Advisor, Health Canada
In the Media

“Take advantage of every opportunity U of T has to offer – there are so many special corners of the university where you can meet people who have your same interests. It’s great to connect with them and to those places so you can develop even stronger support networks and bonds with people whom you may keep in your life for a long time. Take time to enjoy Toronto as well – we are lucky to live in the heart of this great city. Lastly, find good mentors. The university has tons of folks who are willing to give back to an eager learner. Ask lots of questions and figure out what it is you want to do with your life!”

Kenneth B. Godevenos

Facet	Description
Graduation Year	BA 1969 University College
Inside the Classroom	Psychology English
Outside the Classroom	Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
Further Education	BEd, 1971 MBA, 1981 Postgraduate education: Guidance and human resources
Career Description	Teacher, English, Journalism, Guidance Counseling (3 years) Human Resources, Ontario Hydro: recruitment, labour relations, strategic planning, compensation and benefits, organization development, etc. at various structural levels (first) Director, Policy & Research, Pay Equity Commission, Ontario Ministry of Labour (secondment) Director, Compensation & Benefits, Rogers Communications Inc

“Join appropriate and relevant associations related to your choice of field(s). Become a member, volunteer, get on committees, work your way up the ladder as far as possible in those organizations. Take advantage of the opportunity to speak or present at their conferences, etc. Become well known. Write articles for their magazines. Teach their courses. Then when you’re ready, stop working for others and work for yourself.”

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Search hundreds of alumni by a range of facets to find out what they did as students and what they are doing now.

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Vanessa Bart-Plange

Michael White

Michelle Poon

Nana Yaa Abrafi Boa-Amponsem

Navi Dhanota

Chris Woodford

Amy Chen

Lakshmi Sadhu

Geeta Yadav

Kenneth B. Godevenos