Valedictorians & Award Winners

Andrea Cousins (Faculty of Continuing Education)

Andrea Cousins wasn’t sure what path to follow after high school, but she liked the idea of working in medicine and enrolled in Seneca Polytechnic’s Medical Devices Reprocessing certificate program. Even as one of the youngest students in her classes, Andrea thrived, impressing professors with her ambition and academic performance. She was also inspired by her peers and how they took time out of their busy lives to realize their ambitions. Andrea credits her time at Seneca for teaching her that she enjoys the process of learning — which led her to start studying Japanese and Spanish. She also plans to pursue further studies in medical radiation services.

Barbod Forghani (Faculty of Applied Sciences & Engineering Technology)

On his first day at Seneca Polytechnic, Barbod Forghani was impressed by the state-of-the-art labs he’d be learning in and thrilled to meet students with similar interests to his. These features would define his next three years as he completed Seneca’s Computer Engineering Technology diploma program. Barbod was a fixture in the electronics labs where he learned how to perform the skills of his trade under pressure. He made an impression outside of the lab too. Barbod received an award for his showcase project and represented Seneca at Skills Ontario. He also contributed to the campus experience by working for the School of Electronics & Mechanical Engineering Technology, volunteering to help support school events and running a Discord server for his fellow students.

Eema Kagoma (Faculty of Communication, Art & Design)

Eema Kagoma arrived at Seneca Polytechnic with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and her sights set on media design. She enrolled in Seneca’s Interactive Media Design diploma program to achieve the career success she sought. Highlights of Eema’s Seneca experience include leading a team at Housing Hackathon 2024 and completing a field placement with a non-profit organization in downtown Toronto, where she was able to see the real-world impact of her work. Eema’s commitment to inclusivity in design led her to serve her fellow students as a peer mentor and active member of the Black Society at Seneca. Now collaborating on community projects and volunteering in the design industry, Eema wants to use her career to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Tristan Kelly (Faculty of Arts)

Tristan Kelly’s professors praise his outstanding academic achievement and exceptional perseverance and strength of character. Tristan lives with a physical disability that causes note-taking and homework to be lengthier and more difficult tasks for him than they are for other students. Nonetheless, he maintained a nearly full course load and high marks while completing Seneca Polytechnic’s Liberal Arts University Transfer program. Outside of the classroom, Tristan is a co-founder of the Beyond Barriers Disabilities Foundation, which advocates for people with disabilities and helps them access the supports they need. Tristan is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and hopes to one day achieve a master’s degree in theological studies.

Nathan Palubski (Seneca Nanji Foundation School of Nursing)

Nathan Palubski is living proof that no two educational journeys are alike. Having studied Art Fundamentals at Seneca Polytechnic more than a decade ago, Nathan returned in 2024 to enrol in the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program. Nathan is driven by a desire to care for others, which he demonstrated in lab courses and clinical placements and by mentoring his peers in both English and Mandarin. Professors and supervisors laud his communication skills, professionalism and drive to achieve personal growth. Nathan plans to keep studying at Seneca with the goal of becoming a Registered Practical Nurse. He currently works as a PSW, volunteers in the emergency room at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto and enjoys reading and writing about addiction, mental health and politics.

Sheryl Stoppenbrink (Faculty of Community & Health)

Sheryl Stoppenbrink came to Seneca Polytechnic with a clear goal: to build a better future for her family. A mature student and single parent of four children, she enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program before transitioning into the Honours Bachelor of Child Development degree program. Through her studies, Sheryl embraced a spirit of collaboration and leadership. Now, as she pursues a master's degree in counselling psychology, Sheryl reflects on her time at Seneca with gratitude. The education and experience she gained allowed her to support her family and laid the foundation for her future work as a psychotherapist, through which she hopes to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Trisha Virdee (Seneca Business)

During her time at Seneca Polytechnic, Trisha Virdee has shown a relentless determination to achieve academic excellence, improve the student experience and deepen ties between her peers and industry professionals. A graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology degree program, she co-founded the Seneca Aviation Student Council and created a mentorship program. Trisha is deeply committed to service and advocacy. She is dedicated to serving Canada as a reservist with the Canadian Armed Forces in the Royal Canadian Navy, while actively supporting the next aviation generation. She fosters diversity and mentorship and empowers women to pursue careers in aviation through her service with industry advocacy groups Elevate Aviation, the Ninety-Nines and the Northern Lights Aero Foundation.

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.