Meet Victoria College’s Class of 2024

^{Iman Hussain (L) and Emily Dumais (R) are two of Victoria College’s newest graduates.}

Words and photos by Minh Truong

More than 700 Vic students, the largest graduating class in three years, celebrated the emotional culmination of their academic journey on June 17, 2024. Vic has one of the most generous awards, scholarship and bursary programs in Canada thanks to the generosity of donors, most of whom are Vic alumni. Here are two of Vic’s many remarkable graduates from the Class of 2024:

Iman Hussain

Iman Hussain received the Sheila and David Cook Award this year, recognizing a graduate who has demonstrated excellent leadership skills in pursuing a teaching career. She graduated with a Political Science major, minors in Environmental Studies and Education and Society, and a certificate in Sustainability. Hussain’s strong leadership shines through her work as chair of the Ismaili Students Association at the University of Toronto. Her team supports more than 100 Ismaili Muslim students and alumni, fostering faith engagement and an inclusive community.

For Iman, her time at Vic was instrumental in her growth academically and personally. “This award affirms my commitment to leadership and motivates me to continue striving for excellence and equity in the field of education,” said Iman. “The college’s mentorship, especially the Transition Mentor Program, has been pivotal in preparing me for the future.” After graduation, she plans to join PwC as an associate consultant, hoping to address education-related challenges in the Middle East.

Emily Dumais

Emily Dumais aspires to continue in academia and become a professor, aiming to build a world with more empathy, co-operation, peace and equality. She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations in the ancient stream, and minoring in History and Religion. Emily is the recipient of the Mary Coyne Rowell Jackman Graduate Scholarship, awarded to a female graduate of Victoria College for postgraduate study in Art, Literature, or Religion, and the William Ewart Staples Gold Medal, awarded to a graduate with a high overall A standing in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations. Her senior research thesis on disability in ancient Egypt will be published in the 2024 Undergraduate Journal of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations. She also completed 120 hours of crisis response as a volunteer with THRIVE, a text-based crisis line staffed by and for marginalized people.

“My time at Victoria College has taught me to be a more thoughtful and resilient scholar,” said Emily. “My postgraduate scholarship also gave me the financial freedom to pursue my MA without worry.” She is grateful for the alumni donors for their generosity and hopes to give back to Vic in the future. 

Vic’s extensive awards programs play a significant role in ensuring student success. By supporting Defy Gravity: The Campaign for Victoria University, you help train the next generation of graduates who will make the world a better place. Learn more about how your gift can make a difference.