Amidst the thousands of volunteers we celebrate this month, York University is excited to spotlight just a few of our dedicated alumni volunteers as part of this year's National Volunteer Week. The theme for 2025 is "celebrating service", by showcasing their stories, we aim to inspire and acknowledge the commitment of our entire volunteer community.
What are the programs in which you volunteer with York U?
Young Alumni Ambassador Program
What led you to volunteer as an alum with York University?
Having engaged with the York community since undergrad, it only felt right to continue contributing to the community in an alumni capacity.
What has been the most rewarding experience of your alumni engagement volunteer work? Meeting other driven and ambitious alumni, as well as hosting and facilitating events in which attendees are truly engaged and curious is the most rewarding experience.
What advice would you give to prospective alumni volunteers? Dive right into it! You never know what opportunities await you by getting involved and meeting like-minded people!
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your time volunteering with York University?
A memorable achievement would have to be hosting one of the Level Up sessions where I was able to exercise my public speaking skills by setting up the agenda of the event, introducing a guest speaker and facilitating the Q&A period.
How has volunteering at York U enriched your life or provided opportunities?
Volunteering at York and this program has allowed me to connect with some very driven people with diverse backgrounds and has provided valuable resources through networking opportunities, events and engagements and channels to learn more about furthering my career and education.
What are the programs in which you volunteer with York U?
Global Ambassador
What led you to volunteer as an alum with York University?
I am very passionate about giving back to my favourite post-secondary institution. I feel a strong sense of pride of utilizing my passion for York University through this work. I will never forget the scholarship opportunities I received from York University for my four years of undergrad as a receipt to the Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Tuition Scholarship and my academic fees were all covered.
What has been the most rewarding experience of your alumni engagement volunteer work? Hearing consistent feedback from other alumni on the need to ensure we remain connected in the alumni diaspora of York University. Nothing feels more rewarding in being away from home than connecting with esteemed York University like-minded alumni professionals.
What advice would you give to prospective alumni volunteers?
Be brave and build your confidence. Start with something small, a reply to a LinkedIn message by a prospective student interested to join York University or a meet up for only a few York University alumni in a patio under the stars. You will never know where these connections take you and how quickly these connections snowball.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your time volunteering with York University?
Being anecdotally told as the ambassador and queen of alumni relations. Also, nothing feels more fulfilling than connecting to phenomenal York University alumni shaping a better future.
How has volunteering at York U enriched your life or provided opportunities?
I have built more appreciation to listen and hear all about the exciting ventures York University alumni are partaking in and massively raising the profile of our University abroad.
What are the programs in which you volunteer with York U? Alumni Relations: Hosting the Mid-Career Conversations Speaker Series and mentoring students.
What led you to volunteer as an alum with York University? Going to an alumni event in Montreal reminded me how strong and supportive the York community really is. After over 10 years of benefiting from that network, volunteering felt like the natural way to give back and stay connected.
What has been the most rewarding experience of your alumni engagement volunteer work? Meeting amazing people, both speakers and guests and listening to the speakers.
What advice would you give to prospective alumni volunteers? Just reach out and offer whatever you're passionate about or good at. You don’t need to fit a specific mould, there’s real value in bringing your own strengths to the community.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your time volunteering with York University? It might sound a bit like hubris, but honestly, every time a student asks me for mentorship or advice, it feels momentous. I'm always honoured (and humbled) that my journey can be a source of learning or inspiration for someone else.
How has volunteering at York U enriched your life or provided opportunities? It’s honestly become a key to the world. Every time I host a speaker event, I get to meet and connect with alumni from different cities, provinces, even countries! It’s opened up so many unexpected friendships and opportunities.
What are the programs in which you volunteer with York U? Mentor Circles: Emerging Careers in Sales and Marketing
What led you to volunteer as an alum with Mentor Circles and York University? I was first reached out to by someone within my network, Sonia, who had connections with York University. Her colleague, Issa, had stumbled upon my LinkedIn profile and noticed we were already connected. From this point, he decided to connect with me about an opportunity coming up at York University for the Mentor Circles program. I was eager to come back to campus and to walk down memory lane, but even more excited about the chance to help out fellow Yorkies.
What has been the most rewarding experience of your alumni engagement volunteer work? Sharing the stage with other alumni and seeing the passion they found in their careers, as I have found in my own. Also, seeing confused faces that later found clarity by the end of the session.
What advice would you give to prospective alumni volunteers? Keep your doors open for opportunity. You never know whose knocking behind that closed door.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your time volunteering with York University? My most memorable moment was the eagerness of questions from students. Keep being curious, and keep asking questions, you'll never learn if you don't even begin trying.
How has volunteering at York U enriched your life or provided opportunities? It was a full circle moment, I've always loved helping people, especially students. It was also nice to connect with other alumni who walked the same halls that I did, and see how their career unfolded post-graduation.
What are the programs in which you volunteer with York U?
I serve as a member of the York University Alumni Board, chair the Alumni Board Scholarships and Awards Committee and I am the founder and chair of the York University Sustainability Alumni Network (YUSAN).
What led you to volunteer as an alum with York University?
Shortly after completing my degree, I was in the process of launching my business Urban Minerals and documenting my journey through daily blog posts. Jennifer Ferdinands from the Faculty of Environmental Studies (now the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change) came across my blog, read it in its entirety and reached out to connect. That conversation opened doors to numerous opportunities, including volunteering with the Take a Student to Eat (TASTE) program, facilitating workshops at the Change Your World Summit, speaking at the Dean’s Brunch, hosting a pop-up market, and engaging with the Dean’s Welcome Reception. Over time, my involvement deepened, and I now work closely with the Alumni Board, Scholarships and Awards Committee, and Sustainability Alumni Network.
What has been the most rewarding experience of your alumni engagement volunteer work?
One of the most rewarding aspects has been my work with the Alumni Board and Scholarships and Awards Committee. Reviewing and recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding students and alumni is incredibly inspiring and fuels my own growth in unexpected ways. Additionally, leading the Sustainability Alumni Network aligns with my passion for sustainability and community-building. Engaging with like-minded professionals in this space has been deeply fulfilling.
What advice would you give to prospective alumni volunteers?
Get involved! Once you identify an area that excites and motivates you, reach out to the university, explore alumni networks and volunteer your time. You never know where that journey will take you—it might lead to experiences and connections that profoundly shape your personal and professional growth. York is a dynamic space for learning, collaboration and innovation, making it the perfect place to expand your horizons.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your time volunteering with York University?
One of my most memorable experiences has been serving as an alumni greeter during convocation ceremonies. Welcoming new graduates into the alumni community and witnessing their transition from student to professional has been incredibly meaningful. Standing on that stage and celebrating their accomplishments is a privilege that reminds me of the power of education and the lifelong connection we share as York alumni.
How has volunteering at York U enriched your life or provided opportunities?
Volunteering at York has expanded my professional network, strengthened my leadership skills and given me a sense of purpose beyond my career. The opportunities I’ve had to connect with students, faculty and fellow alumni have been invaluable, reinforcing my belief in lifelong learning and community engagement. It has been a truly rewarding journey and I’m grateful for the impact it has had on my personal and professional life.
If you're an alumni interested in volunteering in one of our programs, visit the Connect page to explore how you can get involved.