Student Award Recipients
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 student award and bursary recipients in the School of Social Work.
Bachelor of Social Work Awards
Khadija Hassan
Khadija is a driven individual who is passionate about people, belonging, and building caring communities. As a Program Facilitator, she supports individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and works alongside immigrant seniors, youth, and people navigating crises. These experiences have shaped her understanding of care as something rooted in love, dignity, and genuine connection. She is especially dedicated to creating accessible, affirming support shaped by what communities truly need. Across all her endeavours, she is guided by a desire to remove barriers to care and to create spaces where people feel truly seen, valued, and supported.Khadija centres her social work practice on love, making her journey so far a resilient one.
Rebecca Smith
Rebecca is in her final year of the advanced-standing program, and is also completing a double minor in Psychology and Disability Studies. She joined the Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) Student Advisory Committee (SAC) in 2024, was the Directing Chair of the inaugural Student-Led Accessibility Conference in May 2025 and returned as Director of TMU’s second annual student-led Accessibility Conference in March 2026. Deeply committed to disability justice, Rebecca advocates for accessible education and equitable access to support and services. Her volunteer experience with the Toronto Distress Centre and Step Stones for Youth reflects a strong commitment to mental health and community well-being. Her leadership centres inclusion and accessibility, reflecting the School of Social Work’s core values. Rebecca centres her social work practice on advocacy, making her journey so far a tenacious one.
Cedar Wolf
Cedar is a third-year, advanced-standing student. They have been working in the field of social work for almost seven years, supporting 2SLBTQIA+ youth with mental health and housing support. They also volunteer time to support Indigenous Elders and the broader Indigenous community.
Cedar centres their social work practice on compassion, making their journey so far an impactful one.
Chanise Austin
Chanise is a fourth-year student with over a decade of field experience. Her background spans across children's mental health and child protective services, where she supports diverse communities through direct practice and advocacy. Chanise is committed to addressing systemic gaps impacting racialized populations using anti-oppressive, trauma-informed approaches. Dedicated to advancing equity within social service systems and improving outcomes for marginalized communities, she plans to pursue a Master of Social Work to strengthen her capacity for systems-level change. Chanise centres her social work practice on equity making her journey so far a transformative one.
Hibanoor Hamad
Hibanoor is a dedicated social work student and practitioner deeply committed to community engagement. She supports newcomer seniors, marginalized youth and underserved populations through advocacy, health literacy, and trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. Her work centres on challenging systemic inequities and reducing barriers within healthcare, education, and social service systems. Ultimately, Hibanoor aspires to advance transformative, community-driven social work that upholds dignity, equity and long-term empowerment for those most impacted by social injustice.
Hibanoor centres her social work practice on advocacy, making her journey so far a transformative one.
Latisha Kwabiah
Latisha is an advanced-standing student and is also completing a Certificate in Indigenous Knowledge and Experience. Her practicum and community work reflect a deep commitment to child and family well-being, trauma-informed counselling and crisis intervention. Her practice is grounded in mentorship and support for women, children and families experiencing abuse. It’s also informed by anti-oppressive and Indigenous ways of knowing. Latisha’s work consistently exceeds curriculum expectations through leadership, reflective practice and a commitment to fostering hope, safety, and healing within communities. Latisha centres her social work practice on compassion, making her journey so far a healing one.
Moha Jire
Moha is a fourth-year student with extensive international and local experience in humanitarian, community and settlement work. Her global initiatives span supporting orphaned children in Ghana, girls' rights advocacy in Ethiopia, youth peace-building in South Sudan, and HIV/AIDS advocacy in East Africa. In Toronto and Denmark, she has provided settlement support to newcomer families and single mothers of colour through organizations like Bangladeshi Canadian Community Services, Catholic Cross-Cultural Services, and the Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre. Grounded in an anti-oppressive, intersectional framework, Moha is dedicated to advancing social justice for underserved communities. Moha is committed to advancing social justice and improving the lives of marginalized and underserved communities. Moha centres her social work practice on empowerment, making her journey so far a transformative one.
Safiya Keita
Safiya is a fourth-year student pursuing a minor in Disability Studies. She is recognized for her strong commitment to community-based work and advocacy. Her involvement in youth mentorship, culturally grounded programming, and initiatives supporting Black Muslim communities reflects her dedication to equity, leadership, and empowerment. Safiya aims to pursue a career in clinical social work, focusing on supporting children, families, and marginalized communities through strengths-based and justice-oriented practice. Safiya centres her social work practice on care, making her journey so far a purposeful one.
Laurence Price
Laurence is a fourth-year student who is committed to building a career grounded in empathy, advocacy and person-centred practice. Through his studies and community involvement, Laurence has developed a strong understanding of core social work values and approaches to supporting individuals and communities. He has volunteered with several organizations, including the Reena Foundation, where he supported individuals with developmental disabilities. These experiences have reinforced his dedication to inclusive and respectful social work practice. Laurence centres his social work practice on empathy, making his journey so far an evolving one.
Mackenzie Pollock
Mackenzie is a third-year student with over five years of experience supporting seniors in retirement homes and assisted living settings. Her work has focused on addressing the social, mental, physical and emotional needs of older adults, particularly those living with dementia, through compassionate personal care and support with activities of daily living. Mackenzie completed her third-year placement with the Crisis Outreach for Seniors (COFS) program at LOFT Community Services, providing frontline crisis support to seniors facing complex challenges across Toronto. She is deeply committed to advancing her work with older adults, with a particular interest in end-of-life and palliative care. Mackenzie centres her social work practice on empathy, making her journey so far a transformative one.
Nichole Konschuh
Nichole is a third-year, advanced-standing student. She credits her substantial lived experience with forming in her a foundation of empathy, compassion and practical application within her work and studies. She currently works full-time as a Life Skills Case Manager in supportive housing. There, she serves a diverse population, and holds a relief position in shelter support serving youth and adult women. Upon graduation, Nichole plans to pursue her Master’s degree to carve out her niche in social work. A leader inside and outside the classroom, she pours her heart and soul into her practice. Her work is guided by love, care, compassion, empathy and a staunch belief in client dignity. Nichole centres her social work practice on love, making her journey so far a progressive one.
Teagan Soubolsky
Teagan is a fourth-year student who is passionate about maternal health advocacy and research. She serves as a long-time residence advisor and School of Social Work student representative. She has logged thousands of hours volunteering with organizations including Best Buddies, YWCA, various harm reduction sites, and the June Callwood Centre for Young Women, where she cares for the children of mothers under the age of twenty-one. Currently, she supports the Thrive Together Project at Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Clinic, a health initiative reducing healthcare disparities faced by African, Caribbean, and Black youth. She aims to earn her Master of Social Work specializing in women’s health, to work with under-resourced mothers in the community. Teagan centres her social work practice on love, making her journey so far a community-driven one.
Feven Zewdu
Feven Zewdu is a passionate young woman who is dedicated to making a difference in her community. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand the strength within her neighbourhood, as well as the challenges many women faced because of limited access to resources. Inspired by her mother’s strength and sacrifices, Feven made it her mission to bridge the gap. She went on to co-found Coming to Fruition. This nonprofit supports women from Toronto Community Housing neighborhoods through free workshops on mental health, self-confidence, and building community. In completing her BSW, Feven continues to deepen her knowledge and expand her impact, creating supportive spaces for women to thrive. Feven centres her social work practice on sacrifice, making her journey so far a fulfilling one.
Jasmin Allen
Jasmin is a fourth-year social work student pursuing a minor in psychology and first generation in her family to attend university. Passionate about community engagement, she is committed to creating accessible, identity-affirming spaces for children and youth. Jasmin has supported diverse communities through her work at BGC Toronto Kiwanis, Participation House, Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, the Abilities Centre, and the Ifarada Centre for Excellence. Across these organizations, she facilitates recreational activities, delivers inclusive programming, and develops youth-centered initiatives that prioritize self-expression. Jasmin’s social work practice is guided by her dedication to cultural humility, lifelong learning and disability inclusion. Jasmin centres her social work practice on holistic care, making her journey so far a resilient one.
Natalia Karina Ruiz Pizarro
Natalia is a fourth-year student who has spent years supporting marginalized communities through non-profit roles grounded in compassion and dignity. Her frontline work at Wesley empowered families, youth and women navigating systemic hardships. Currently, her role at Thrive Counselling provides accessible, affirming mental health support to individuals underserved due to age, gender, sexuality and financial barriers. As Director of Social Media for the Ted Rogers Pride Alliance, Natalia strengthens visibility and connection for queer and gender-diverse communities. She remains deeply committed to providing equitable, empowering care for marginalized and low-income populations. Natalia centres her social work practice on empowerment, making her journey so far an empathetic one.
Luke Bowden
Luke is a fourth-year, advanced-standing student known for his deep commitment to excellence in social work education through governance. Previously, he was appointed to the Ontario Association of Social Workers Student Advisory Group, where he served on the Academic Research Subcommittee and Events Advisory Group. He currently serves on the Canadian Association for Social Work Education’s Student Committee. Additionally, Luke was elected as the Student Senator for the Faculty of Community Services. There, he serves on the Nominations and Elections Committee and Senate Priorities Committee, working closely with senior university leadership to set the agenda for Senate meetings by identifying emerging academic issues. Luke centres his social work practice on perseverance, making his journey so far a dynamic one.
Clara Leach
Clara is a second-year student interested in understanding the mind-body connection through arts and sports-based practices. She is committed to exploring how creativity and self-expression can be utilized as tools for healing, advocacy and resistance within social work. Prior to her studies, she spent two years volunteering internationally, where she developed a passion for supporting and mentoring youth. She now coaches basketball to children in Parkdale, where she focuses on nurturing the confidence and resilience of young people in her community. Clara centres her social work practice on embodiment, making her journey so far a reflective one.
Valentina Saavedra-Barrera
Valentina is a second-year student whose academic achievements and leadership contributions exemplify the values of the School of Social Work. With extensive experience in community organizing, including co-founding the Caremongering mutual aid initiative, Valentina has supported equity-driven responses to social crises and systemic inequities. Her academic and community work focus on advancing social justice through community development and anti-oppressive practice. Valentina centres her social work practice on an anti-oppressive lens, making her journey so far a resilient one.
Everton Scully
Everton is a father of two and a homeowner. Raised in a single-parent household by his mother who immigrated from Jamaica, Everton has navigated a learning disability and has been blind in his right eye since the age of three. For the last 14 years, he has been employed at Covenant House Toronto, supporting youth experiencing homelessness. He also worked at SickKids Hospital for a decade, providing critical support to children and families within complex care systems. His leadership is defined by educational perseverance, a deep commitment to equity, and long-standing involvement in community-based social work practice with marginalized populations. Everton centres his social work practice on resilience, making his journey so far a persevering one.
Marisa Davids
Marisa is a fourth-year student recognized for her strong commitment to volunteerism, including her work with Kids Help Phone and other community initiatives supporting diverse populations. Through these experiences, she provides empathetic, client-centred support, particularly in youth mental health and crisis response. Her volunteer work reflects her dedication to pursuing a career in mental health counselling and expanding accessible support for those in need. Marisa centres her social work practice on humanity, making her journey so far a reflective one.
Lynaea Fraser-Moore
Lynaea is a Black woman, a mother, and a second-year student pursuing a double minor in Child and Youth Care and Family Supports in Community Practice. Lynaea is passionately dedicated to social justice work and advocating for young people, especially Black youth from her community. Her advocacy includes guest speaking at TMU’s Chang School and participating in the Children’s Aid Youth Council, where she shares her experiences within Canada’s child welfare system and calls for systemic reform. Lynaea aims to reform child welfare systems to better serve all youth by emphasizing youth voices, equity and community-led change. Lynaea centres her social work practice on liberation making her journey so far a transformative one.
Saba Abay
Saba is a first-year social work student dedicated to supporting immigrants and refugees through community engagement and advocacy. Her experience in low-income community services reflects a strong commitment to improving access to housing, resources and settlement support for newcomers. She is passionate about advancing equitable immigration and settlement systems that promote inclusion, dignity, and long-term stability for diverse communities. Saba centres her social work practice on empowerment making her journey so far a resilient one.
Master of Social Work Awards
Zoe Robichaud
Zoe is a Master of Social Work student who is passionate about clinical social work, and she seeks to support individuals and families who are navigating and healing from adversity and trauma. Drawing on lived experience, Zoe’s research centres donor-conceived people, reflecting a commitment to supporting this community, advocating for greater regulation within the fertility industry, and advancing social justice for marginalized populations. Zoe centres her social work practice on relationality, making her journey so far a transformative one.