Alumni Portraits
Get to know our OISE alumni and see how they stand out in professions across the globe. Would you like to be featured? Email us at alumni.oise@utoronto.ca and we will help tell your story.
August 27, 2025
The Honourable Jean Augustine – revered educator, politician, social activist and OISE alum – receives this year’s prestigious Rose Wolfe Distinguished Alumni Award. She has devoted her extraordinary career to expanding opportunity, advancing equity and sharing knowledge.
July 31, 2025
'Forging ahead': The 2025 OISE Leaders & Legends awards winners are bridging gaps in education
Through their creative efforts to improve education, this year’s six alumni winners – Justin Patrick, Maria Rogers, Shijing Xu, John Dias, Cindy Sinclair and Erin Finley – have been recognized for their excellence and leadership in teaching, research and advocacy.
May 20, 2025
Born in Tanzania and now rooted in Richmond Hill, Dr. Shelly Khushal recently completed her PhD at OISE, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA.
March 4, 2025
Drawing Disco time! OISE alumna, OCADU faculty readies materials for March art session
OISE alumna and OCADU faculty Erin Finley is hosting her latest Drawing Disco event on March 12.
February 20, 2025
Championing Black excellence in education: A conversation with Dr. ABC
Dr. Andrew B. Campbell — better known as Dr. ABC — is a U of T legend. In this interview, the OISE professor reflects on his personal journey, the importance of racial justice in education and how he engages with Black History Month.
February 3, 2025
‘Igniting the coach within’: Alum empowers education professionals to serve their students, and themselves, better
From Ethiopia to Australia and back to Canada, alum Sonja Pullen shares how OISE has shaped her global education journey and the steps it took to enter a rewarding career in professional program design and coaching.
October 17, 2024
Dr. Peter Liu donates substantial gift to take growing OISE Mentorship Program further
Dr. Peter Liu, a past Arbor Award winner, has donated a substantial gift to the OISE Mentorship Program, creating the OISE Mentorship Award.
August 12, 2024
‘A bridge between two worlds:’ An OISE alumna's path to enhancing access and understanding in healthcare and education
Jacqui Getfield’s experiences as a Black mother of twins with autism exposed gaps between marginalized communities and experts. Today, this experience has led to her work as an equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion consultant and an adjunct professor.
August 5, 2024
Her impact on the field: Suzanne Hidi’s award-winning educational research
In this three-story series, we look at the research and impact of Dr. Suzanne Hidi’s academic focus.
August 5, 2024
Exploring interest in education: Understanding the core of Dr. Suzanne Hidi’s psychological research
In this three-story series, we look at the research and impact of Dr. Suzanne Hidi’s academic focus.
August 5, 2024
The application of interest: Suzanne Hidi’s educational research sparks questions of motivation
In this three-story series, we look at the research and impact of Dr. Suzanne Hidi’s academic focus.
June 24, 2024
On the way to Paraguay: Alumni's Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award kicks off Technology and Pedagogy placement
David Dodick, an alum and former OISE adjunct faculty, has been selected as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for the 2024-2025 academic year.
June 3, 2024
‘A more fulsome sense of Canadian history’: OISE alumna Rosemary Sadlier receives U of T honorary degree
Rosemary Sadlier – a U of T alumna, author, historian, educator, and social justice advocate – is to receive a U of T honorary degree this spring.
March 28, 2024
Cindy Sinclair, OISE PhD, has spent decades supporting and empowering International Medical Graduates coming to U of T for postgraduate education, first as administrative staff and now as academic faculty.
March 5, 2024
Helping others find their way: Dr. Caroline Cole Power establishes OISE endowed scholarship
The newly established Dr. Caroline Power Scholarship will support under-represented students at OISE in perpetuity.
March 4, 2024
OISE celebrates the retirement of esteemed Professors Clare Brett and Antoinette Gagné
OISE honours distinguished alumni, OISE Professors Clare Brett and Antoinette Gagné on their retirement day. The entire community extends its heartfelt congratulations to our two educators, researchers and leaders for their impactful careers in education.
March 4, 2024
OISE alumni giving back: Meet three recipients of the 2023 Arbor Award
OISE alumni Ashleigh Molloy, Jamie Philip, and Shahidul Islam are recipients of the U of T Arbor Award, recognizing exceptional volunteer service.
November 8, 2023
OISE graduate Christina Tjandra connects with kids, in classrooms and on the page
Doctoral student Christina Tjandra arrives at Fall Convocation with a second OISE degree, new research questions, and a self-published children’s novel.
October 30, 2023
Sights and sounds: Alumni and friends gather for the 2023 Transitional Year Programme Gala
On Oct. 4, the Transitional Year Programme (TYP) hosted a celebratory gala to celebrate its over 50 years of successes.
October 18, 2023
From Classrooms to Stories: Alumna reflects on how OISE shaped her career as a teacher and children's book author
Stephanie Duff reflects on pursuing a Master of Education in Developmental Psychology Education while teaching full-time, highlighting the impact on her career.
September 11, 2023
The value of volunteering: a conversation with OISE alumni association president Nikoletta Papadopoulos
OISE Alumni Association president Nikoletta Papadopoulos discusses the value of volunteering as an OISE student.
September 8, 2023
OISE alum Jennifer Johnson's work helps children find their inner compass
Inspired by her 8-year-old, Jennifer co-founded Captains & Poets, a social emotional learning initiative that helps kids develop their best, authentic selves.
August 8, 2023
A celebrated six: Meet the 2023 Leaders & Legends Award winners
Six women have been awarded a 2023 Leaders and Legends award, which celebrates the impact of OISE's alumni and friends.
June 27, 2023
Alum, community champion and trailblazing politician Jean Augustine recalls that her OISE, U of T education gave her possibilities and an expanded horizon.
April 12, 2022
'I turn coffee into education': Vince De Freitas on ed tech, mentorship and thinking bigger
Vince's story from OISE to the world of enterprise education and back again – this time as a mentor to grad students.
March 9, 2022
Alum Gina Valle’s stories cut across cultures, languages to illuminate the human condition
Valle’s professional and creative initiatives highlight the road Canada must take to make education equitable, Indigenous communities whole, and gender more just.
August 3, 2021
Bon élève! Teacher Chrystal Smith's passion for language leads her to STEM class
Smith realized her community at the Boys and Girls Club needed help in math, she quickly completed an additional qualification to start teaching them.
August 2, 2021
OISE clinical psychology grad discusses her work with marginalized communities and a new self-help resource
Jennifer Barbera (MA '09, PhD '13) decided to become a psychologist after working in homeless shelters and community organizations.
February 12, 2021
Mental health practitioner on OISE, the future of the field and treating patients during COVID-19
Meet Robert Roopa, MEd, Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Counselling Services for York Region.
December 12, 2020
'It's my life's work to help students access education': Cindy Gouveia shares path from farmhand to foundation president
Meet Cindy Gouveia, PhD, President, George Brown College Foundation