Valedictorians & Award Winners

Ella Agostino

When Ella Agostino wants to accomplish something, she throws her whole self into it – whether that means accepting the demanding lifestyle of a competitive figure skater, inspiring her classmates with her enthusiasm for learning or finding the ideal entry point to her chosen career while still juggling full-time studies. Ella enrolled in Seneca Polytechnic’s Honours Bachelor of Healthcare Management program (now known as Honours Bachelor of Health Administration) after high school because she was impressed by its combination of health and business subject matters and the work-integrated learning opportunities it offered. Embracing her program’s combination of academic rigour and practical experience, Ella stood out among peers for her energy and leadership abilities. That enthusiasm helped her land a job as a patient co-ordinator at a wellness clinic in her third year, where she has since been promoted to a management role.

Jonathan Alter

Already having a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree to his credit, Jonathan Alter believed Seneca’s Public Administration program would be the ideal educational piece to help him achieve his career goals. Jonathan’s peers and professors quickly came to appreciate his leadership abilities, positive attitude and deep commitment to the Seneca community. He demonstrated academic excellence by maintaining a 4.0 GPA and took on every hands-on learning opportunity that came his way. As part of his program, Jonathan completed a work term at Seneca with Faculty of Arts leadership on strategic priority projects. Jonathan credits his success to engaging with his classmates and faculty as much as possible and learning the power of saying yes. He currently works as a policy consultant for a public affairs and strategic communications firm.

Alex Miller

Whether he’s in the classroom or the hospital, Alex Miller stands out to his peers as someone who builds a strong rapport with everyone around him. That quality will serve him well as a graduate of Seneca’s Practical Nursing program. Drawn to nursing by a passion for helping others and an appreciation of the varied career paths within the profession, Alex selected Seneca because of its flexible program options. He achieved high marks and is praised by his professors for demonstrating outstanding compassion and critical thinking skills. Alex credits his time at Seneca for helping him gain confidence in himself and his abilities. He will soon write the College of Nurses of Ontario licensing exam, after which he plans to bridge to studies that will enable him to become a registered nurse.

Riddhi Sawant

Working in human resources in her hometown of Mumbai, India, Riddhi Sawant often found herself dealing with clients in North America. Wanting to grow her career and curious about the opportunities that might be available to her on the other side of the world, she took what she calls a “leap of faith” and enrolled in Seneca’s Human Resources Management program. She immersed herself in life at Seneca, attending and supporting countless events, being part of the team that won first place at the Human Resources Professionals Association Provincial Case Competition and joining the Student Advisory Committee – all while serving as a peer mentor and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Riddhi is now furthering her education at Seneca as a student in the Business Analytics program and hopes to one day work in a leadership position incorporating human resources and technology.

Jhonatan Souza

Eight years into what he had originally expected to be a six-month stay in Canada, Jhonatan Souza enrolled in Seneca’s Building Environmental Systems Operator Class II certificate program, which helps internationally-trained professionals advance their career prospects in the Canadian building operations sector. Jhonatan, who had previously worked in that industry in Brazil, describes his time at Seneca as a valuable journey through which he learned the human and technical skills that allow him to excel in his field. While also working a demanding full-time job, he maintained a high level of academic performance, standing out among his peers for his confidence and ability to inspire others. Jhonatan is now further building on his skills and knowledge as a student in Seneca’s Building Environmental Systems Operator Class I program and continuing to work full-time as a Maintenance Supervisor.

Neo-Aldwin Torres

An avid visual communicator who believes graphic design can be a vehicle for storytelling and cultural shift, Neo-Aldwin Torres enrolled in Seneca’s Graphic Design program after completing a bachelor’s degree in communications in his home country of the Philippines. Neo views visual communication as a canvas for powerful narratives, showcasing this ethos through a diverse portfolio that ranges from thought-provoking magazine layouts to compelling brand campaigns. His professors describe him as a dedicated and exemplary student, as demonstrated by his 4.0 GPA and work as a teaching assistant. He has been certified as an Associated Registered Graphic Designer and his work has received awards from Applied Arts magazine. Neo works as a freelance graphic designer and enjoys exploring everything Toronto has to offer.

Brooklyn Van Der Valk

Brooklyn Van Der Valk’s love for cosmetic science is evident from the first moments of any conversation with her. After completing a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical chemistry and working in that field, Brooklyn enrolled in Seneca’s Cosmetic Science program to get closer to her true passion. She immediately impressed professors with her dedication to learning and work ethic. A 4.0 GPA soon followed, as did a commitment to volunteering at campus events to demonstrate what her program offers. In her final term, Brooklyn further showcased her skills by leading formulation efforts for her team’s award-winning capstone project. Brooklyn enjoys combining raw materials in unique ways to create new products and plans to continue pushing the boundaries of the cosmetics industry.

Ashley Simoneau

Motivation played a significant role in Ashley Simoneau’s success. The Honours Bachelor of Crime & Intelligence Analysis graduate, credits her success to her four-year-old daughter who served as a powerful inspiration throughout her studies. Among the highlights of Ashley’s experience are maintaining an impressive 4.0 GPA throughout all four years of study, completing a noteworthy capstone project slated for publication and presenting her research findings at an international conference in Washington, D.C. Looking ahead, Ashley plans to continue her journey at Seneca supporting various on-campus projects that help improve the student experience, and continuing her academic journey through the pursuit of a master’s degree.

Adrianna Campagna

Adrianna Campagna, a graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Child Development program. With a consistent 4.0 GPA throughout her studies, Adrianna was recognized on the President’s Honours List. Not only was she committed to her own successes, but Adrianna also actively assisted her professors in sharing knowledge about disability studies and early childhood education. While completing her studies, she volunteered at children’s hospitals to gain hands-on expertise in therapeutic practice and child development, fueling her passion for helping children overcome adversity within health-care settings. Adrianna is the first-ever Seneca graduate from her program to be accepted into the Master of Science in Child Life program at McMaster University.

Kar Yee (Erica) Tang

Erica Tang is a graduate of the Business — International Business program. As someone whose first language is not English, Erica was committed to improving her language skills through her education and motivating her children to follow in her footsteps. Not only did she accomplish that, but Erica excelled academically and engaged in meaningful extracurriculars like facilitating youth activities through Scouts Canada. With a passion to pay forward the knowledge she has gained, Erica hopes to pursue a career in international trade.

Michelle Ugursoy

Michelle Ugursoy is a graduate of the Child & Youth Care program. During her time at Seneca, she was involved in many facets of student life: mentoring her peers, serving as vice-president of the Child & Youth Care Club and volunteering at campus events. Michelle cherishes the strong relationships she has created with her professors and fellow students. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work at York University, ultimately working with vulnerable children and their families.

Thea Weaver

Thea Weaver is a graduate of the Liberal Arts University Transfer program. A diligent student who is always quick to take the lead in the classroom, Thea appreciates all the work her professors put into making Seneca feel like home. Next up, Thea is continuing her studies at the University of Toronto, where she will work toward a degree in English. She dreams of one day completing a master’s degree, working at a publishing firm and opening her own bookstore.