At Yorkville University, we believe that the journey to success is shaped by the strength, passion, and determination of those who lead the way. That’s why, on this International Women’s Day, we will be taking the time to proudly celebrate the incredible women who make up our vibrant community of faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Over the past year, we’ve seen many of these inspiring women break barriers, achieve remarkable milestones, and make a lasting impact within their fields. Their dedication not only serves as an inspiration to us all but also reinforces the values of empowerment and excellence that define Yorkville University.
From ground-breaking awards and accolades to innovative projects and publications, the women of Yorkville continue to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and elevate those around them. As we reflect on their journeys, we invite you to read more about these remarkable individuals and their contributions to their respective fields below.
STLHE Names Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes Winner of 2024 Christopher Knapper Lifetime Achievement Award
In June, Yorkville University President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes was named the 2024 recipient of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE)’s Christopher Knapper Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award, which is bestowed every two years, honours individuals who have “made significant contributions to teaching, learning and educational development in Canadian higher education” over their careers.
“I am truly honoured to receive this award,” she said. “I have so much admiration for Christopher Knapper, and each of the previous award recipients, many of whom I had the great privilege and pleasure of working alongside during my time on STLHE’s board, as we endeavoured to change Canada’s higher education landscape. What united us was a passion for students and their learning, and a desire to challenge the system and ‘make teaching count.’”
Learn more about Christensen Hughes’ long and distinguished career in education HERE.
Dr. Oluchi Oti Named One of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch of 2024
Dr. Oluchi Oti, Program Chair of Yorkville’s Project Management program at Algoma, was selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch of 2024.
Organized by Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE), the prestigious recognition honours the outstanding achievements and rise of Black women across various fields, including entrepreneurship, community leadership, sports, corporate sectors, media, entertainment, and politics.
Oti likened being recognized with the award to “standing on the shoulders of giants, honouring their legacy, while forging new paths for future generations.”
“It’s a celebration of individual and collective excellence and a call to continue shaping a more inclusive and empowered future,” she said. “This award is a collective step towards amplifying diverse voices and breaking barriers. It’s also a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and the impact of unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Read on about Oti’s nomination for her “visionary approach and transformative impact” on the corporate landscape in Canada HERE.
Dr. Mary Drinkwater Launches ‘The Bloomsbury Handbooks of Crises and Transformative Leadership in Higher Education’
Master of Education professor Dr. Mary Drinkwater celebrated the publication of her new book series, The Bloomsbury Handbooks of Crises and Transformative Leadership in Higher Education, in April 2024.
Co-edited by Yusef Waghid of Stellenbosch University, and Patrick Deane of Queen’s University, the four-volume international handbook series tackles the global crises, unrelenting change, and disruptions that have induced both challenges and opportunities for institutions of higher education globally, while threatening the sustainability of many.
With over 120-chapter authors from six continents, the books deepen readers’ understanding of the multiple and intersecting crises and change issues, within diverse local and global geopolitical, social, economic and cultural contexts, that leaders in higher education institutions (HEIs) needed to handle.
Learn more about the series, its many contributors from Yorkville University, and its launch at the University of Oxford HERE.
Bachelor of Interior Design Alumnus Cindy Torreiro Featured in Azure Magazine
BID grad Cindy Torreiro was featured in the June 2024 edition of AZURE Magazine – an award-winning, international magazine focusing on contemporary architecture and design.
In the article, the Class of 2023 online alumnus discusses her decision to pivot from a series of successful stints as a costume designer, set decorator, graphic designer and production manager to ultimately fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming an interior designer.
She also talks about the role her studies at Yorkville University – which boasts Canada’s only fully online CIDA-accredited program of its kind – played in helping to pave the way to her landing a dream job she otherwise never would have imagined possible: as an aircraft interior designer for Bombardier.
Learn more about Torreiro’s story HERE.
Nicole Rampersaud Nominated for East Coast Music Award, Named Guggenheim Fellow & Receives Pair of ArtsNB Grants
Yorkville University’s Associate Director of Admissions had a lot to celebrate in 2024 – not only was she nominated for an East Coast Music Award, but she was also named a Guggenheim fellow and received two grants from the New Brunswick Arts Board (ArtsNB).
Nicole Rampersaud, a multi-talented trumpet player and composer, received her ECMA nod in the Instrumental Recoding of the Year category for her debut solo album, Saudade, which was released November 2023 by Ansible Editions.
She was also named one of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation’s 2024 fellows in the area of Music Composition in, and also received the support of ArtsNB to launch her new project, Pathways – a long-term project that adapts her solo trumpet compositional approach to large ensembles comprised of music-makers from a wide range of backgrounds, locations, and communities.
Read more about Rampersaud’s creative achievements HERE.
BCA grads Rojin Hamid and Krista Barr Publish Innovative Colouring Book
Class of 2024 Bachelor of Creative Arts alumni Rojin Hamid and Krista Barr published their joint Yorkville University thesis project, Creative Catharsis: A Colouring Book Inspired by Art Therapy in August.
Described as a tool to promote healing through art therapy, the 43-page contemporary adult colouring book allows readers to “let go, take a pause, and focus on something very different from their daily stresses and responsibilities.”
“It is so incredible to share something that we are so passionate about with the world,” Barr said of Creative Catharsis, which comes complete with 30 illustrations, as well as a number of different wellness activities and original interviews with registered psychotherapists.
Learn more about the Hamid’s inspiration behind the book, and her collaboration with Barr on the project, HERE.
BID Students Andrea Clayton and Irina Alturmessova shine at Interior Designers of Canada Awards
Two students in Yorkville University’s Bachelor of Interior Design program were recognized with the Interior Designers of Canada’s (IDC) Innovation in Design Thinking: Student Competition Award in November.
Andrea Clayton received an Award of Excellence for her thesis project, ‘Esse – Celebrating Stories and the Circularity of Life’, while Irina Alturmessova received an Honorable Mention for ‘The Tree of Life: Post-Disaster Shelter’, a project she completed in her Studio Moving Spaces class.
“Andrea and Irina’s winning projects feature innovative design solutions that focus on human-centered design and address significant societal and environmental challenges,” said Reem Habib, Chair of the Bachelor of Interior program. “Being recognized by IDC is a testament to the high standards we hold and maintain in our BID program.”
Read Q&As with Clayton and Alturmessova discussing their award-winning projects HERE.
Female Speakers Chosen to Represent Classmates at Yorkville’s 2024 Graduation Ceremonies in New Brunswick and BC
Yorkville University’s Class of 2024 graduates were treated to a quartet of female speakers between its four convocation ceremonies in Fredericton, NB and New Westminster, BC this year.
Taking to the stage to represent their fellow graduates during Yorkville’s 2024 ceremonies were Master of Education in Educational Leadership grad Lyndsay Tuplin, Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology alumni Maimoona Batool and Amreen Saini, and Bachelor of Business Administration grad Kristina Hawkins.
Read each woman’s inspiring story at the links to their Q&As below:
