More Than a Teacher: Tanya Khan’s Legacy of Love, Generosity, and Leadership

When Tanya Khan’s family was asked to describe her, every memory was tied together by the same thread: Tanya treated her community like family. Even if it meant unclasping a bracelet from her own wrist to place in another's hand. 

Whether it was through her tireless support for students or her fierce advocacy for equity—Tanya embodied the kind of nurturing strength that defines motherhood at its best. A proud graduate from a family of TMU alumni, Tanya drew on the values she carried as a student to build a life rooted in service, leadership, and connection.

Tanya was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1975 and later moved to Georgetown at the age of nine. Her role as a leader started as early, she was valedictorian of her high school class before. Tanya graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in 1988 where she took on many roles at the university; working in Pitman Hall and Arts Dean’s Office, and contributing to student groups such as the Arab Association and DECA. Right after graduating, Tanya married Asif Khan, ‘96 Bachelor of Applied Arts in Administration & Information Management from TMU. Soon after, Tanya worked as a Consultant at Deloitte before returning to school to pursue teachers' college. In 2001, she began teaching at Kleinburg Public School—a career shift that allowed her to spend more time with her family.

In 2013, Tanya tragically passed away at the age of 38. She had recently been made a Vice Principal and was soon to be appointed. It was Tanya’s desire to become the first Ahmadi Muslim Principal in the York Region District School Board (YRDSB). Tanya was an award winning teacher and passionately taught humanity, faith, values, and honesty. 

Zena Alrawdah, sister of Tanya, also graduated from TMU in 2009 with a Bachelor of Health Administration. She has spent over a decade working at TMU, now serving as an Academic Success and Promotions Coordinator.

“[Tanya] was the foundation of everything for me in this professional and personal world,” Zena shares. “She brought me into this business world.” Zena notes that Tanya embodied the values of TMU, particularly its commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) a core part of the culture at the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM). “We’re a polytechnic experiential place. That's what makes us unique,” Zena says. “When I look at Tanya, she represented those things: in her actions to the community, and to her work. It's not just your expertise in your program; it's the transferable skills that an undergrad degree gives you to succeed in the world.”

Tanya was deeply committed to human rights, religious tolerance, and social justice—values she lived out by staying engaged, building strong networks, and showing up for others. Her children continue to carry those lessons forward. Thus, in honor of her legacy and commitment to these values, the Tanya Khan Academic & Leadership Scholarship Award (external link)  has been established in her memory. This annual award recognizes a Muslim woman entering Teachers college. Tanya’s scholarship has awarded over $50,000 to date. 

Alia Khan is the eldest of three daughters carrying Tanya’s torch forward. A 2023 alumni of TRSM, Alia graduated with a BComm in Global Management—the same program as her mother. Like her mother before her, Alia embraced every opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while studying at TMU. 

“I served as the president for two years on Enactus and then also during my time I created the Shepreneur Project, which was essentially teaching women who had no access to education about entrepreneurship and financial literacy—to help them get out of tough situations and use their skills to create businesses,” recalls Alia. “We worked with women in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.”

Alia credits much of her academic success and drive to her mother’s influence. “My mom was really involved in our mosque community, in her school, and in our city. She always took the opportunity to connect with people and make a positive impact,” she says. For Alia, her mom’s most lasting impact was how she built and nurtured a sense of community—a value Alia now strives to embody herself.