Celebrating the Woodsworth College Class of 2021!

Q & A with just some of our exceptional graduating students.

Michael Samakayi
Michael is a member of the U of T Mastercard Foundation Scholars cohort.  

Tell us about a memorable experience you had at Woodsworth College/UofT?

As I conclude my undergraduate studies with a world-class education, about to be released into the world, all I can say is “Thank You”. The Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program and U of T have enabled me to have one of the most accessible educations that many deaf people around the world would not have been able to experience. The most memorable experience I had at U of T was during the Woodsworth College Orientation - I got the chance to meet countless people who share similar mindsets and have a passion to be future leaders of the world.

B) What are your plans after graduation?

I’m planning to take a gap year and then go to law school for further studies.

C) What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about attending UofT?

U of T has endless opportunities and resources which help you to navigate your university life. Do not be afraid to take these opportunities or seek any help you may need. These opportunities and resources are there to ensure you have a rewarding and positive experience!

Natasha Djuric

Natasha was the 2021 recipient of the Brookfield Peter F. Bronfman Gold Scholarship

Tell us about a memorable experience you had at Woodsworth College/UofT?

Woodsworth's Summer Abroad program in Ecuador was absolutely my favourite experience at U of T. I made some of my best friends there and learned so much about myself and my relationship with the environment. I will always treasure my time catching bats and handling cool frogs, swimming with sea lions, and getting caught in an Amazonian downpour in the company of wonderful people.

What are your plans after graduation?

I'm planning to get applied experience in the Agroecology sector over the next year. I'm excited about finding new ways to engage in sustainable agriculture that supports conservation efforts and healthy communities. After that, I'm hoping to go back to grad school for a PhD in Ecology. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about attending UofT?

People always say that U of T is a big school full of opportunities for any future career - and that's true. But those opportunities are only possibilities unless you put in the effort, passion, and flexibility needed to really benefit from them. So, my advice would be to build relationships with faculty and students, use your time outside classes wisely to develop other skills, and make the most of what you have access to! Many of my most important lessons here haven't been in a lecture hall. 

Andrew Gallant
Andrew is the outgoing president of the Woodsworth College Students' Association and a recipient of the 2021 Brookfield Peter F. Bronfman Leadership Scholarship

Tell us about a memorable experience you had at Woodsworth College/UofT?

Some memorable experiences at UofT were: finishing a semester-long project, an independent research paper on Police Authority in Canada at the Department of Criminology; successfully managing to pass a vote that cemented the biggest project I took on as President of the Woodsworth College Students' Association - the creation of a new scholarship fund at the college to support BIPOC and LGBT student leaders;  and thirdly, I got a call from Principal Chin informing me that I had been selected as a recipient of the Brookfield Bronfman Leadership Scholarship for all of my efforts over the years at the college. Recognition for my efforts was never really the main motivation behind my volunteer work, but to be recognized for it with such a prestigious award in my community really meant a lot to me.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I will be studying law at Osgoode Hall. I was fortunate enough to have been accepted there in January and am very excited to have the opportunity to continue to grow the breadth of my knowledge and my character. My education thus far has focused primarily on criminal law. It is an area that I have devoted a lot of time to understanding on a deeper level and am very passionate about, but I am also very open to the possibility that I may decide to go in a completely different direction. What I do know is that I am passionate about being able to be of service to others, think innovatively, and have a positive impact on the world around me.  
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about attending UofT? 

The best piece of advice I can give to someone thinking about coming to UofT is to understand that the University provides a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for students to work on themselves and really grow as people - don't waste it. The day-to-day grind of UofT can be overwhelming, exhausting, and all-consuming which can make it very hard to think holistically about the specific and more abstract goals that you may want to accomplish in your time here. But ultimately, the deadlines and exams that will feel like they are all that matter in that moment, are the things that you will often forget a week later. What lasts are the opportunities you choose for yourself, the bounds of your comfort zone that you challenge, and the attributes and virtues that you will develop in doing so. In sum, the best advice I can give is to take University as an opportunity to grow and explore what matters to you both in and outside of the classroom.

Brad Dalgleish

Brad was a recipient of the 2021 Brookfield Peter F. Bronfman Leadership Scholarship

Tell us about a memorable experience you had at Woodsworth College/UofT?

My most memorable experience was entering the Academic Bridging Program. After dropping out of high school and working nearly a decade in the grocery industry, coming back to an educational environment seemed intimidating. My course instructor Barrie Walker who taught Canadian History made sure I had the skills necessary to succeed in my undergraduate education.

What are your plans after graduation?

I have been admitted to Dalla Lana School of Public Health where I will complete a Masters of Science in Community Health in Addictions and Mental Health. My passion is communicating scientific findings with the public at large in a way that is accessible. Ultimately, I hope to attend medical school to practice psychiatry with children and adolescents.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking about attending UofT?

Reach out in the beginning for help. There are many amazing resources available that can connect you with the support that can help you succeed. I worked with and for Accessibility Services at the university. My success would have not been possible without the vast array of resources and supports they offered and I counted it a privilege to contribute back as a mentor for students who were registered with Accessibility Services.