Recent Graduate

Dima Aldera transformed a college capstone project into findsuri.org, the world’s first and only independent digital platform dedicated to reuniting families separated by the Syrian conflict. The non-profit organization has grown significantly, helping many families find closure. Aldera also supports the mental health of Syrian families in Ontario with art therapy workshops and provides opportunities for volunteers and students to develop their creative skills.

Sameer Aljabawi exemplifies resilience and dedication. Fleeing conflict in Syria, Aljabawi immigrated to Canada alone, where he thrived academically and volunteered extensively. His hands-on experience at the Innovation Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Production (ICAMP) at Canadore College and leadership in social justice initiatives showcase his technical skills and commitment to community service. Now a production engineer at Miller Technology Inc., Aljabawi’s journey reflects his determination and potential to make significant contributions to the mechanical engineering sector.

Eunice Chow was one of four young designers to represent Toronto at Fashion Graduate Italia in Milan in 2023, after winning the Avant-Garde Award for her “Tied With Denim” collection. She was also nominated for the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards’ Fashion Design Student Award in 2023. Chow now has her own brand and collaborates with three fashion graduates under the label MACEL. They presented their first collection at Fashion Art Toronto during Fashion Week in 2023.

Andrés Coimbra Castedo's passion for digital creativity culminated in an Academy Award. He co-created a globally published video game and developed a love for lighting characters, VFX and set pieces in movies and games. His lighting expertise contributed to Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio winning the 2023 Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Castedo now works for a Toronto VFX studio producing films for high-profile Hollywood clients. At 26, his remarkable journey highlights his significant impact on the industry at such a young age.

Caitlin Cosgrove is a passionate nursing leader, advocate for nursing education and community volunteer. She specializes in forensic psychiatric care and rehabilitation at CAMH and is also a research assistant in the nursing innovation program at Michael Garron Hospital. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing, Cosgrove aims to continue her teaching and research career in nursing, making a significant impact on the field and in patients’ lives.

Leah den Bok is a fashion and portrait photographer documenting people affected by homelessness for her project, Humanizing The Homeless, and her book series, Nowhere to Call Home. She donates all profits from her books and exhibitions to homeless shelters. den Bok’s exhibitions have been showcased in Ontario and internationally. She is also an advocate for people experiencing homelessness, speaking at events like ARTWALK New York and WE Day. den Bok has received several awards, including the BMFA’s Murray Clerkson Award and an International Photography Awards honourable mention.

Ariel Dougan exemplifies resilience and determination. Facing challenges associated with special needs, including short and long-term memory deficits, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and epilepsy, Dougan accomplished big dreams by successfully graduating from the animal grooming program. She purchased a mobile grooming unit, allowing her to deliver grooming and care for golden retrievers in remote areas. Her college education provided grooming skills and a passion for animal care, demonstrating resilience and determination despite life's challenges.

Amanda Felske was tasked with building a quality control program from scratch for cannabis-infused beverages at Truss Beverages, a highly regulated industry that had just become legal. As senior chemist, her job was to ensure accurate THC levels and document every process. Felske’s work was critical to the industry's credibility, ensuring that every step was meticulously tested and documented.

Joy Cardinal Flores is a compassionate program therapist who views long-term care clients as family members. Flores found her calling in college while studying recreational management and gerontology. Since joining the O’Neill Centre, she has earned recognition for her outstanding contributions, winning the inaugural Person-Centred Language Award from the Ontario Centres for Learning & Research Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI).

Jacques Graveline, a student ambassador for Fleming Indigenous Student Services and Fleming Student Administrative Council, graduated with an advanced diploma in marketing in 2022 and has been involved with the college ever since. Elected as board chair in 2023, he passionately advocates for students, ensuring an exceptional college experience. Graveline is a leader in the Peterborough community, supporting various initiatives and implementing marketing strategies as the marketing assistant at Bridges Peterborough.

Adil Khalqi serves as a police constable in Brantford and as a town councillor in Milton, making him the youngest person ever elected in the Town of Milton. Born in Pakistan before moving to Canada in 2000, Khalqi has been dedicated to public service from a young age, amassing over 1000 hours of volunteerism. He aims to be a role model and inspire young, diverse individuals to join politics and policing.

Alexander Leonard is a creative entrepreneur focused on making the world a better place. AL Media, his content creation and video production company, helps environmental organizations and social enterprises build their marketing presence. Through public speaking and media engagement, Leonard raises awareness and advocates for climate change and animal welfare. He has filmed and edited an award-winning documentary called Humans for Elephants, co-founded a Pollinator Pathways initiative and created an art exhibit fundraiser for Ukraine relief efforts.

Tracy MacDonald is an advocate for social welfare. After completing her social service worker program, she spearheaded two programs focused on empowering at-risk youth to live independent lives. In addition to working full-time as a housing support worker, she established United We Stand, raising funds for social services within her community. MacDonald’s commitment to helping others makes her a thought-leader in her sector.

Jama Maxie is an Indigenous and Afro-Canadian man who overcame intergenerational trauma and addiction to become a role model. He works in child welfare and addictions organizations, including his current role at Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiyag Child and Family Services. Maxie is a sought-after motivational speaker and advocates for child welfare reform. His college education paved the way for continued learning at York University and Toronto Metropolitan University, shaping policies for youth in foster care through his lived experiences.

Ariane Morin is a welder, pilot and farmer who combines her diverse skill sets for a unique and fulfilling career. An advocate for women in trades, she gives back to her community at every opportunity and inspires young people to get involved. One year after graduating from the welding and fabrication program, Morin developed a unique annual work cycle that spans agricultural and forestry flights across the country, teaches welding in secondary school, provides contract welding services in the agriculture and construction industries, manages her own farm and acts as a CWB Women of Steel ambassador.

As co-founder and CEO of Education Consultants Canada (ECC Hive) and SSR Immigration Service Inc., Sanchari Sen Rai has earned a Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award, which speaks to her exemplary efforts in helping international student clients and young BIPOC entrepreneurial mentees. ECC Hive has supported over 50,000 aspiring international students and collaborates with 70 learning institutions globally. As a newcomer from India, Sen Rai navigated the immigration system and became a licensed immigration consultant and celebrated champion for immigrant women and students.

Bhupinder Singh is an international graduate from Punjab, India who combines his wrestling talent and college education to impact the wrestling industry. Achieving success with TNA Impact Wrestling, he mentors young wrestlers at the Can Am Wrestling School, applying his HR and event management skills behind the scenes and in broadcasting matches on TNA Euro Sports TV India. Singh inspires youth to pursue their goals and emphasizes fitness and healthy lifestyles.

At 18, Paula Sojo was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, resulting in numerous surgeries and a permanent ostomy. Determined to help others, Sojo and her brother founded Ostome Fashion, providing fashionable options for ostomy users. She applies her video production skills to promote her business and utilizes her college’s entrepreneurial supports. With help from family, friends and mentors, Sojo has changed her life and promoted representation and acceptance for the ostomy community.

Bhawana Subedi epitomizes the success story of international students in Ontario. After graduating from computer engineering in Nepal, she pursued digital marketing in Ontario, specializing in e-commerce. During COVID, she helped 17 small companies pivot to e-commerce which saved their business. Now, as e-commerce and marketing manager for Trade Development Strategies, Subedi plans to start her own e-commerce business to bring traditional Nepali food to Canada.