Our Social Science Alumni | Department of Social Science

Meet our passionate and accomplished alumni. We are proud of the positive impact our Department of Social Science graduates are making in their communities and around the world. Find out all the ways our alumni are providing inspiration, bringing about change and providing mentorship for students.

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Top 30 Under 30 - 2025

York University has announced its Top 30 Alumni Under 30 for 2025, and this year features four Department of Social Science graduates.

Samir Janmohamed

Public policy leader and community volunteer
BA ’18, Department of Economics, Department of Social Science

Samir is a community volunteer and leader who aims to shape public policy, particularly in development across the Global South. For the past three years, Samir has worked at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce supporting policy initiatives on files including infrastructure, housing and workforce development and developing the organization's federal and provincial election campaigns. After graduating, he volunteered with the Ontario Council for International Cooperation before taking on a leadership role in a federal election campaign, focusing on communications and marketing. This experience led him to work in his MP’s office, where he managed casework and communications. During the pandemic, Samir played a key role in informing constituents about government benefits, vaccine availability, and business support programs. In September 2024, he began a Double Master’s in Public Administration and Global Affairs at the London School of Economics and the University of Toronto. A recipient of York University’s Global Leader of Tomorrow Award.

Read about Samir's time at York.

Blessing Owusu

Educator and children's book author
BA ’17 , Department of Social Science
BEd ’19, Faculty of Education
MEd ’24, Faculty of Education

Blessing is a dedicated educator, author and advocate for equity and inclusivity in education. As a proud three-time York University alumna, she holds multiple degrees, including a master of education with a research focus on intersectionality within schools. Her master’s research project focused on the experiences of Black students in schools, exploring themes of identity, belonging and representation. This research led to the creation of Abena’s Adventures: A Taste of Home, a children’s book inspired by her childhood as a Ghanaian-Canadian growing up in Vaughan, Ontario. The book is now used in classrooms and school boards as a teaching tool, celebrating cultural representation and belonging. She also extends her impact through Lessons With Blessing, a social media platform that provides educators with resources to create equitable and affirming learning spaces. Through her teaching, research and advocacy, Blessing remains committed to bringing inclusivity and equity to the forefront in education, inspiring both educators and readers alike.

Read about Blessing's time at York.

Nilufer Walimohamed

Lawyer and community advocate
BA ’17, Department of Social Science
JD ’21, Osgoode Hall Law School

Nilufer is an employment lawyer and workplace investigator dedicated to advocacy and community engagement. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Community Legal Clinic of York Region and volunteers with the Aga Khan Council for Canada on legal matters. She is also the co-founder of Empower Speaks, a platform fostering community-building, knowledge-sharing and authenticity. Previously, she served as in-house legal counsel for a national company advising on consumer protection, contracts, privacy and employment law. Nilufer has contributed to several pro-bono initiatives, including serving on the Aga Khan Education Board for Ontario and conducting research for the “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the Justice System” website refresh. She has supported individuals at the Toronto Small Claims Court Pro Bono Ontario Help Centre, fought for workers’ rights at the Toronto Workers’ Action Centre and assisted low-income populations with employment and administrative law matters at Parkdale Community Legal Services and the Community Legal Aid Services Programme.

Read about Nilufer's time at York.

Nathan Yiu

Disaster management expert and community leader
BA ’19, Department of Social Science
MDEM ’21, School of Administrative Studies

Nathan is a passionate, community-focused leader dedicated to humanitarian action and disaster management. As the Emergency Planning Advisor for the City of Vaughan, he has developed local preparedness efforts while contributing globally through his volunteer work with the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). Nathan has worked on various initiatives, including ensuring the safety of over 40,000 participants at the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea. He has helped WOSM navigate challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the European Region’s response to the invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, Nathan has assisted countries in the Inter-American Region as they laid the groundwork for their humanitarian action programs. As a strong advocate for grassroots emergency preparedness, Nathan firmly believes in empowering communities to build resilience in the face of disasters. His passion extends to inspiring young people through his roles as a scout leader and advocate for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, where he encourages them to realize their potential. Nathan emphasizes individual responsibility and service, promoting the idea of leaving the world better than we found it.

Read about Nathan's time at York.