Celebrating Excellence: The Inaugural Department of Sociology Student Awards Evening
On October 21, 2024, the Department of Sociology held its first ever Student Awards Evening, a special event to recognize the achievements of students completing courses and programs in Sociology, and Criminology, Law & Society at UTM. Our student award recipients, their family and friends, and Department of Sociology faculty and staff gathered in the Collaborative Digital Research Space in Maanjiwe nendamowinan to celebrate their hard work and outstanding accomplishments.
Each of these students were among the best of our department this past year; they are a select group from over a thousand students in our programs and courses. This makes their accomplishments especially noteworthy. Read on to learn more about our amazing award recipients, including some of their strategies for success!
Outstanding First Year Performance in SOC100H5
2023-24 Winner - Sophia Lezhanska
This is awarded to the student who received the highest grade in our first-year course, Introduction to Sociology. In the 2023-24 academic session, Sophia was in her first year in the Computer Science, Math and Stats stream, and achieved the highest final grade in SOC100H5. We hope Sophia will join us for more Sociology courses in the future!
Outstanding First Year Performance in SOC109H5
2023-24 Winner - Mehar Fatima
This is awarded to the student who received the highest grade in our first-year course, Introduction to Criminology, Law & Society. In the 2023-24 academic session, Mehar was in her first year in the Social Sciences stream, achieved the highest final grade in SOC109H5. We’re excited that Mehar has joined our department, and is now pursuing a Criminology, Law & Society major!
SOC221H5 Prize
2023-24 Winner - Marina Wilson
This is awarded to the student who received the highest grade in our second-year course, The Logic of Social Inquiry. Marina is pursuing Sociology and Psychology double majors, and in the 2023-24 academic session, achieved the highest final grade in SOC221H5. Congratulations to Marina on your excellent performance in SOC221H5!
SOC222H5 Prize
2023-24 Winner - Ayma Raheel
This is awarded to the student who received the highest grade in our second-year course, Measuring the Social World. Ayma is pursuing Criminology, Law & Society and Psychology double majors, and in the 2023-24 academic session, achieved the highest final grade in SOC222H5. Congratulations to Ayma on your outstanding performance in this challenging course!
Research Paper Prize
2023-24 Winner - Tomiris Frants
This is awarded to the student with the best paper from either SOC439Y5 Research Paper in Sociology, or SOC440Y5 Research Paper in Criminology, Law & Society; it is nominated by the course instructor, who this year was Professor Julius Haag. Tomiris completed SOC439Y5 in the 2023-24 session as part of the Sociology specialist program, and was selected for their paper, “The Russian War on Music: Blacklists and Cultural Luminaries”. Tomiris went on to graduate from UTM in June 2024, completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts, with High Distinction, and is now pursuing an MA in Sociology at the University of Toronto. Congratulations Tomiris, and best of luck with your graduate studies here at UofT!
Internship Prize
2023-24 Winner - Tychelle Johnson
This is awarded to the student with the most outstanding performance in SOC480Y5, Internship in Sociology, Criminology, Law & Society, and is nominated by the course instructor, Professor Nathan Innocente. Tychelle completed SOC480Y5 in the 2023-24 session while pursuing Sociology and Political Science double majors, and did her placement at Power To Girls Foundation. Tychelle went on to graduate from UTM in June 2024, completing an Honours Bachelor of Arts, with Distinction, and has continued to work with Power to Girls in her current roles as Project Coordinator and Social Media Manager. We extend our warmest congratulations to Tychelle on this excellent work!
Highest CGPA Prize for a Graduating Student
2023-24 Winner - Laura Nemi
This is awarded to the student with the highest overall CGPA upon graduation, among those completing one of our major or specialist programs. Laura graduated from UTM in June 2024, earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction, having completed both a specialist in Psychology, and a major in Sociology. Drawing on both her programs, Laura now works with Trillium Health Partners on a community-based study exploring the role of mentorship for youth with Type 1 Diabetes, which she lives with. She is also hoping to pursue graduate studies in public health next year. Congratulations to Laura on her outstanding achievement and best of luck with your future studies!
Student Leadership Prize
2023-24 Winner - Jasmine Sodhi
This is awarded to the student who has demonstrated outstanding student engagement efforts and leadership accomplishments; the winner is nominated by the department. Jasmine graduated from UTM in June 2024, earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction, having completed both a specialist in Criminology, Law & Society, and a minor in Forensic Science. Jasmine is currently preparing for law school, while working at UTM, and volunteering with the Correctional Service of Canada. Congratulations to Jasmine, and thank you for your excellent contribution to student life and the department!
Tips for Success from our Award Winners!
“In my experience, the key to achievement is to pick a subject that you are really passionate about and let that passion guide the work you do. My sociology degree helped guide the way I see the world and inspired me to think deeply about topics that have become extremely meaningful to me. When you are passionate, it becomes fulfilling to set a goal and strive to achieve it.”
-Laura Nemi, Highest CGPA Prize for a Graduating Student Winner
“My best tip for would be to go to participate in the lectures, as relating course material to your own experiences makes those concepts stick.”
-Mehar Fatima, Outstanding First Year Performance in SOC109H5 Winner
“Your internship is an opportunity to show your employer that you are the right candidate for the position. Treat every moment as a chance to learn and demonstrate your growth in the role. Always strive to add value to the position and the company by bringing fresh ideas and innovative approaches to your tasks. Take pride in your role, treating it as if it's a permanent position, not a temporary one.”
-Tychelle Johnson, Internship Prize Winner
“In measuring success as a student leader at UTM, I found that when I sought out ways to participate in initiatives that interested me, doors opened along the way. When you participate in clubs, more opportunities always open themselves up, and can lead you to new places, as it did with me. I only expected to have two leadership roles in my 4th year, but I ended with four because I saw opportunities along the way through my participation.”
-Jasmine Sodhi, Student Leadership Prize Winner
The UTM Department of Sociology extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who made the inaugural Student Awards Evening a success, including staff, faculty, our award winners, and their family and friends who joined us in celebrating these incredible accomplishments.
As a department, we are excited to continue to recognize the efforts of our students each year. To learn more about the student awards available within the UTM Department of Sociology, please click here.
