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“It helped clarify my professional direction and provided the confidence and credibility to pursue opportunities aligned with my interests and strengths.” – Nikhil Kulhalli, SCS learner

From Learner to Leader: How SCS Helped Safayat Moahamad Build a Cybersecurity Career

Safayet Mohamad

“For me, SCS wasn’t just a place to learn, it was the launchpad for everything that came next.” – SCS learner, Safayat Moahamad

From an early age, Safayat Moahamad was intrigued by AI and cybersecurity. As he grew up and explored these areas, privacy emerged as a natural fit for his interests and legal background, but he struggled to find a program that delved into the skills and knowledge he wanted to develop. 

“When the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) launched the Privacy Management in Digital Enterprise certificate, it was exactly what I’d been looking for,” he says. 

“When I started the program, I wanted to understand the day-to-day reality of a privacy professional, something I didn't have full visibility into. That insight proved invaluable, allowing me to hit the ground running in my first role. But the most important lesson I took away was the need for a constant learning mindset. Privacy, and the disciplines it touches like AI and Cyber, are evolving at an incredible pace. Staying relevant means embracing continuous learning as part of the job.”

Moahamad’s course instructors brought the industry into the classroom, sharing real-world examples, current events, and regulatory updates.

“Their approach was highly practical. Assignments mirrored real work, from strategy hypotheses to PIAs, and even preparing board-level executive presentations. In fact, I still apply each of these concepts in my day-to-day work,” he says. “They were also exceptionally accessible, both during and after the program. We’ve collaborated on special projects since graduating, and intend to keep working for the privacy cause, closely.”

This practical approach to teaching ensured learners like Moahamad could immediately apply the new skills and knowledge gained in class to help them start or advance their careers. 

“The SCS courses were pivotal in launching my career. I started as a Privacy Analyst at BMW Canada immediately after completing the program, and the skills I gained were critical in demonstrating my technical abilities during the interview and executing my mandates with confidence from day one,” Moahamad explains. 

Beyond what he learned in class, Moahamad also had the opportunity to build a strong professional network with the help of his instructors. Amalia Barthel introduced him to fellow SCS instructor Carlos Chalico. Together they went on to develop a Privacy Mentoring Program at ISACA Toronto. That collaboration later opened the door to a privacy consulting role on his team at EY Canada.

Encouraged by his instructors, Moahamad remains deeply engaged with professional communities. Since completing his SCS courses, he has gone on to earn the CIPM and AIGP designations from the IAPP. 

“These milestones have been possible with the support and mentorship I received from Amalia, Constantine Karbaliotis, and Carlos,” he says. 

Currently a Research & Advisory Director at Info-Tech Research Group, where he works closely with C-suite executives, senior leaders, and technical teams to advance privacy, cybersecurity, data and AI governance programs, Moahamad says the skills he learned at SCS are embedded in almost every engagement he leads. 

“The strategy hypothesis methodology, in particular, has been invaluable. I have applied the methodology to design an AI Compliance Strategy Framework, which I later co-presented with Amalia and Carlos at the IAPP Canada Privacy Symposium 2025. The program didn’t just give me tools, it gave me a structured way of thinking that I use daily,” he adds. 

For anyone hoping to get into the field of cybersecurity and privacy, Moahamad says that in addition to being fluent in governance, risk, and compliance, having a learning mindset is key to thriving. He adds that contributing to community initiatives can set you apart and that IAPP, ISACA, and DAMA are excellent places to start.

“New beginnings rely on strong support systems, and UofT SCS gave me exactly that. The instructors brought deep expertise and genuine mentorship, guiding me through a curriculum that mirrored real-world challenges. That foundation gave me the capability to step into my first privacy role and build a career at the intersection of data, cybersecurity, and AI governance.” Moahamad says. 

“For me, SCS wasn’t just a place to learn, it was the launchpad for everything that came next.”

Visit our Privacy Management in the Digital Enterprise page to learn more about this certificate and its related courses. 

Visit our Cyber Security Management page to learn more about our cybersecurity certificate and courses.

 

Safayet Mohamad

SCS Strategic PR and Communications Learner Prepares to Take on a Leadership Role

Karan Saraf

“This program isn’t just about learning PR tactics, it’s about growing into the kind of communicator who leads with confidence.” – SCS Learner, Karan Saraf

Karan Saraf has a clear vision for his career. He sees his future self as a Chief Communications Officer, and he’s not just dreaming about it; he’s working towards it at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS). 

A natural communicator and problem-solver, it was only after moving to Canada and taking a professional writing course in 2021 that Saraf realized he could hone his gift for communication into a sought-after skill, and a career. 

Now, he’s stacking the deck further in his favour by attending Strategic Public Relations courses at SCS. 

“I got my first role as a Communications Coordinator at Humber College, mostly working in internal comms. It was a great start, but I knew I wanted to grow into a strategic leadership role — one where I could shape stories, build trust, and lead,” he shares. 

“That’s why I took this course. I want to become a Chief Communications Officer someday, and this program is helping me get there. Honestly, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Taking these classes has challenged Saraf’s previous understanding of the role of Public Relations (PR) and communications, from the fact that the best crisis communication starts long before the crisis, to the importance of understanding how to use emerging AI tools effectively and ethically.

“In our Public Relations: Advanced Practices and Case Studies class, we had a discussion about reputation management. One line really stuck with me: ‘If you manage your reputation well, you won’t have to manage a crisis.’ That hit home,” he says.

“It made me realize that great PR isn’t just about reacting, it’s about being consistent and intentional every day. If you’ve built trust with your audience, they’ll give you the benefit of the doubt when something goes wrong. Reputation isn’t just what you say, it’s what you’ve already shown people through your actions. That’s been a big shift in my thinking. That mindset will stay with me throughout my career.”

Saraf says his SCS instructors have gone above and beyond to ensure he and his classmates are able to put into practice what they’re learning in the classroom. 

“The instructors have been amazing — they don’t just teach theory, they make sure we understand how to apply it in the real world. The feedback I’ve received has helped me grow, especially when it comes to thinking more strategically and seeing the big picture,” he explains.

In addition to his SCS instructors’ wealth of knowledge, for Saraf connecting with his peers in the classroom was one of the most rewarding parts of attending class.

“Everyone comes from different industries and backgrounds, which brings so many fresh perspectives,” he explains.

“We’ve shared ideas, job leads, and lots of encouragement. It feels like a real community, not just a class.”

For anyone on the fence about taking Strategic Public Relations courses or working towards the Strategic Public Relations Certificate at SCS, Saraf has some words of encouragement: “If you’re on the fence — go for it,” he says. 

“This program isn’t just about learning PR tactics, it’s about growing into the kind of communicator who leads with confidence. Whether you’re switching careers or levelling up, it gives you the skills and support to move forward.”

To learn more about SCS Strategic Public Relations certificate and courses, please visit our program page.

 

Karan Saraf

Announcing the 2025 Penguin Random House Canada Student Award for Fiction Winner and Runners-up

Bookshelves

This year’s first place prize has been awarded to Laura Reznick for her work, The Therapist.

Each year, the Penguin Random House Canada Student Award for Fiction is awarded to an SCS creative writing learner whose work and commitment to creative expression inspires us. This year’s first place prize has been awarded to Laura Reznick.

Two prizes have also been awarded to this year's runners-up: Zhirong Chen and Joanne Lam.

 

WINNER ($2,500 PRIZE):

Laura Reznick, The Therapist

Laura Reznick is a social worker and has a private therapy practice in Toronto. She spent most of her life in New York and holds a BA from Kenyon College in English literature, and an MFA in poetry from Hunter College. She began a PhD program in English literature at the CUNY Graduate Center before deciding to leave academia to become a therapist. She lives with her husband, three children, and a very loud puppy. She is currently working on her first novel. 

 

HONOURABLE MENTIONS ($1,000 PRIZE EACH):

Zhirong Chen, 4096

Zhirong Chen moved to Canada from South China at eighteen and now lives in Toronto. She spent her childhood buried in books and scribbling stories of her own. At ten, she declared—on national children’s television, no less— that she wanted to be a writer. She hasn’t stopped since. With a background in engineering and science, Zhirong works in data and regulatory roles for the Government of Canada. She writes fiction in the quiet hours between careers, languages, and time zones. 

Joanne Lam, Queen Mother

Joanne Lam was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada with her parents when she was eleven. Since she was a child, she has loved using her imagination. She is a registered architect and co-founder of Picnic Design, an architecture and interior design firm based in Toronto. In both her design work and her writing, she is interested in weaving the past and present into the creation of future stories.
 

Announcing the 2025 Penguin Random House Canada Student Award for Fiction Finalists

Open books

These emerging writers have demonstrated an impressive talent and passion for storytelling. 

The Penguin Random House Canada Student Award for Fiction is an endowed award open to all learners who have taken a creative writing course at SCS in the previous year.

Established in 2002, this award is valued at $2,500, plus two finalist awards of $1,000 each annually.

Congratulations to this year’s finalists, who have demonstrated impressive talent, creativity and hard work. Winners and Honourable Mentions will be announced soon!

FINALISTS

Jan Allen, Winter Grasses
David Chau, The Boy and the Vending Machine
Zhirong Chen, 4096
Stephen Joanes, Somewhere Inside 
Joanne Lam, The Queen Mother
Sarah Moses, Cecilia
Laura Reznick, The Therapist
Oriana Schwartzentruber, A Steep Becoming 
Dan Tamblyn, Old Friends 
Ruth Taylor, Halfway

 

SCS Learner puts Business Analysis Skills to Work on a Potential Glucose Monitoring Solution for Diabetes Patients

Deepti Gupta's portrait

"Whether you're starting a new career or looking to strengthen your existing skills, business analysis gives you a strong foundation to grow, lead, and create value." - Deepti Gupta, SCS learner.

As a recent newcomer to Canada seeking professional opportunities, business analyst Deepti Gupta wanted to ensure her skills remained sharp and aligned with current Canadian industry standards. 

This desire brought her to the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, where she registered for courses in the school’s Business Analysis program

“My primary goal was to bridge the gap between my prior experience as a Business Analyst and the expectations of the Canadian job market. I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of local business practices, methodologies, and tools commonly used in Canada,” she explains. 

When one of her courses included a group project, Gupta saw an opportunity to take a deep dive into a topic close to her heart. 

“My husband has been living with diabetes for over 15 years and relies on a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) device to manage his condition. I have observed how he frequently has to check his phone to monitor his glucose levels, which can be inconvenient, especially in the middle of daily tasks,” she says.

“I saw an opportunity to explore how wearable technology could integrate the CGM functionality in a more seamless, user-friendly way. This idea was not only inspired by real-life experience but also driven by the desire to create a solution that improves quality of life for people like my husband.”

So, the group got to work, conducting research and applying business analysis techniques and frameworks like context diagrams, process models, gap analysis, key performance indicators and SWOT analysis to structure the problem, identify opportunities, and propose a viable solution. 

“One of the main challenges we encountered during the project was navigating the complexity of healthcare technology, particularly the feasibility of integrating no-invasive glucose monitoring into wearable device like the Apple Watch,” Gupta shares. 

“Since none of us came from a medical or engineering background, we had to invest significant time researching scientific studies, patent filings, and emerging tech trends to ensure our proposal was both innovative and realistic.”

Gupta happily reports that she and her group received positive and encouraging feedback from both peers and instructors about the project. She also says that taking Business Analysis courses at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies provided her with the foundational knowledge and practical tools she needed to confidently approach such a future-focused and tech-driven topic. 

“Through courses like Foundations of Business Analysis, and Business Analysis Tools and Techniques, I gained hands-on experience with frameworks such as context diagram, process model, user stories and gap analysis. These tools allowed me to break down complex systems like healthcare wearables and translate high level concepts into actionable insights,” she explains.

“The structured approach of the program, combined with real-world assignments and collaborative projects, helped me feel more confident tackling emerging technology topics, even those outside my core background. It encouraged me to be curious, do in-depth research, and think strategically, qualities that are essential for any business analyst working in a fast-evolving tech landscape.”

In addition to bolstering her confidence and expanding her skill set, the program, and her wearable tech project have changed the way Gupta sees business analysis and its potential to help shape the world we live in. It plays a critical role in identifying innovation opportunities, aligning business goals with technology, and delivering customer-centric solutions.

“I saw how a business analyst can bridge technical possibilities (like health integrations and wearable tech) with market demands and user needs. It taught me that business analysis can drive not only operational efficiency but also strategic growth, innovation, and meaningful customer engagement,” she adds.

“This project also emphasized the importance of systems thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and the use of data and KPIs to validate business decisions. It has inspired me to see business analysis as a change enabler, not just a support function.”

Gupta says she’s already been able to apply her newly updated skills acquired through the SCS program in her current role as an administrative assistant at SIM Toronto. 

“I am using various BA techniques to understand the organization’s structure, stakeholder responsibilities, and current state operations. My focus has been on helping the team define their future state and offering potential solutions to improve internal processes and strategic alignment,” she explains.  

“By analyzing gaps and facilitating discussions, I’ve been supporting SIM Toronto in clarifying their goals and moving toward a more structured and efficient framework.”

Having completed Business Analysis Foundations and Tools and Techniques of Business Analysis, Gupta is currently enrolled in Leadership in Business Analysis in an effort to strengthen her strategic and leadership capabilities in the field. Looking ahead, she also plans to pursue Project Management courses to complement her business analysis skills and broaden her professional opportunities. 

Learning business analysis skills has been a transformative journey for Gupta, who stresses that the role is about more than tools and techniques. 

“It’s about thinking strategically, solving real problems, and making a meaningful impact. Whether you're starting a new career or looking to strengthen your existing skills, business analysis gives you a strong foundation to grow, lead, and create value. Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities,” she suggests. 

And for fellow newcomers to Canada, Gupta recommends taking advantage of the networking opportunities that come about through SCS courses as well. “Engaging with peers, attending events, and having personal conversations with professionals has helped me understand the local work culture, expand my network, and gain confidence,” she says. 

“These genuine connections have guided and supported me in my journey, and I encourage others, especially newcomers, to actively seek out these opportunities. It truly makes a difference.”

To learn more about SCS Business Analysis courses and certificates, please visit our program page

 

Deepti Gupta's portrait


 

Announcing the 2025 Pal Saqi and Catherine B. Fogarty Creative Writing Award Winners

Baloons

Celebrating excellence in creative writing at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.

We are pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Pal Saqi and Catherine B. Fogarty awards.

The Pal Saqi Award for Fiction supports emerging writers by providing $2000 annually to a Creative Writing Certificate learner with the most outstanding final project. 

The $2000 Catherine B. Fogarty Award celebrates excellence in creative non-fiction and aims to inspire emerging writers to share powerful true stories that deepen our understanding of the world around us. 

Meet the talented winners of this year’s awards, Diana Catargiu and Nancy O’Rourke:

Diana Catargiu

The Pal Saqi Award winner Diana Catargiu was born and raised in Romania and moved to Canada in 2003. She lives in Mississauga, where she teaches at Sheridan College. In 2020, Diana was longlisted for the CBC Nonfiction Award, and in 2019, she won the $1000 Penguin Random House Student Award for Fiction. She was shortlisted for the same award in 2017 and 2018. 

The short stories in Catargiu’s collection, Confiscated, are set in the bleak years of communist Romania or shortly after 1989, when communism collapsed. Despite being scarred by living under a totalitarian regime, the characters in these stories navigate life with grit and, often, with a sense of humour. 

The award jury shared the following about Confiscated: "Diana Catargiu's linked short story collection shows great judgement in creating connections between its individual pieces, making the most of the form through richly explored vignettes of Romania, a memorable cast of characters, and beneficial creative risks. In a stylish and ultra-contemporary voice, Catargiu paints a uniquely complex world where joy and hope shine through immense struggle, without sacrificing the entertainment that comes from a brief story well-told. Catargiu's use of tension and emotion make for a deeply affecting read; it was a delight sitting with these characters to each piece's satisfying end."
 

Nancy O’Rourke

The Catherine B. Fogarty Award winner Nancy O’Rourke is a writer of essays and memoirs. With a PhD in sociology, specializing in human rights and social justice, she has written widely on issues affecting the rights of women and children. An emerging creative writer, she has won several awards for her essays, and is published in carte blanche, Prairie Fire and Dreamers Creative Writing, among others. In her spare time Nancy paints—abstracts and portraits—sometimes of the characters she writes about.

What the Heart Remembers When the Brain Forgets is a memoir concerning the multifaceted relationship between Nancy and her mother, Barb; one that focuses on identity and the intersection of self. In her later years, afflicted by Alzheimer’s, Barb began speaking of Nancy’s past—Nancy’s career and travels—as those of her own. This confusion was not just a quirk of her illness, but a reflection of the enmeshment that defined their connection as a whole. This memoir examines the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship, and how Nancy came to better understand her mother at a point in her life when she was seemingly no longer understandable.

The award jury shared the following about What the Heart Remembers When the Brain Forgets:

“In this sensitively crafted memoir in vignettes, Nancy O’Rourke transports the reader to her turbulent childhood in the 1950s and ‘60s and conjures the terror and confusion of growing up in an unpredictably violent household. With remarkable precision and empathy, she offers a nuanced portrait of her parents and overturns our expectations of how her relationship with them evolved over time. What the Heart Remembers When the Brain Forgets is a beautiful exploration of complex familial relationships and the limits and possibilities of love.”

We extend our thanks to the juries for their time and thoughtful consideration:

Pal Saqi Award Jury:

Karen Brochu, Publisher, House of Anansi Press

Hilary Lo, Assistant Editor, Knopf Canada and Alchemy

Leah Mol, Associate Editor, Park Row Books, Harper Collins Canada.

Catherine B. Fogarty Award Jury:

Amanda Betts, Executive Editor, Simon & Schuster, Canada

Meghan Macdonald, Publisher, Dundurn Press

Jancie Zawerbny, Editor, Harper Collins Canada
 

2024 Excellence in Teaching Award Winners Announced

Award ceremony

“These educators do more than share knowledge; they spark curiosity, inspire confidence, and empower learners to reach their full potential.” - SCS Dean Catherine Chandler-Crichlow

Each year, the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies honours exceptional instructors who exemplify the highest standards of teaching in adult education. The SCS Excellence in Teaching Awards are inspired by nominations from learners who recognize instructors that have gone above and beyond to create engaging, meaningful, and supportive learning experiences.

“These educators do more than share knowledge; they spark curiosity, inspire confidence, and empower learners to reach their full potential,” says SCS Dean Catherine Chandler-Crichlow. “Their unwavering dedication to student success and passion for lifelong learning is truly inspiring. We are proud to recognize and celebrate their remarkable contributions to our community.”

The Excellence in Teaching Award winners for the 2023–2024 academic year are:

Hamideh Bastani-Parizi – Business and Professional Studies 
Learners praise Bastani-Parizi for her patience in sharing her wealth of engineering knowledge and her willingness to go above and beyond to help them meet their goals of finding Canadian employment through the successful completion of a Professional Engineering Exam. Their one complaint? They wish they had even more time with her.  

Jim Lewis – Business and Professional Studies
Jim Lewis is described by learners as an exceptionally dedicated instructor who creates an engaging and supportive learning environment in his Records & Information Management Strategies classroom. His ability to bring real-life examples into the classroom, drawn from his many years of professional experience, helps learners to bridge the gap between theory and practical application, and his passion for his subject is contagious.

Marcia O’Connor – Business and Professional Studies
Learners say that Marcia O’Connor’s teaching has a profound impact on both their personal and professional growth. While sharing her vast experience in Facilities Management, she takes a kind, caring, and humour-filled approach to teaching, and instills in learners the importance of perseverance, curiosity, and integrity.

Kevin Temple - Arts and Science
Kevin Temple is described as a passionate, knowledgeable, and open-minded instructor by learners in his Philosophy courses. He encourages respectful, lively discussion, and challenges learners to see the deep issues in politics in a way that allows them to understand the news and to participate in civic life more thoughtfully.

Patricia Westerhof – Creative Writing
Learners describe Patricia Westerhof as a kind, positive, and dedicated instructor and mentor with a gift for putting her Creative Writing class participants at ease in what can be a vulnerable space for emerging writers. She fosters a sense of community in her classroom, and challenges learners to step out of their comfort zones to create meaningful work.

Soonae Bac – Languages and Translation
Soonae Bac has an infectious enthusiasm for the Korean language that her learners pick up on immediately. In addition to sharing her impressive knowledge in an engaging manner, they share that she also models integrity, empathy, and respect, creating a classroom atmosphere where learners feel valued and motivated.

Michelle McAdorey – Outstanding New Instructor 
With impressive knowledge and experience, Michelle McAdorey leads her Songwriting classes with a style and passion all her own, say learners. She creates a classroom environment that is safe, connective, and brimming with creativity, ensuring her learners feel worthy, respected and eager to share.

Tiziano Vanola – Online Teaching
Tiziano Vanola is described by learners as a patient, humorous and passionate Italian Language instructor. He is engaging, clear, and thorough when explaining concepts and answering questions. Learners who initially had reservations about online learning find that they are progressing faster than they thought possible in his classes. 

Shafi Bhuiyan – Career Impact
Learners from Shafi Bhuiyan’s Healthcare classes describe him as a passionate and dedicated instructor who goes above and beyond to help them reach their goals. He is innovative, adaptable, and keeps current with the latest skills and knowledge his learners need to succeed in their careers.

Congratulations to all of this year’s inspiring winners!

Announcing the 2025 Marina Nemat Award Winners

Disco balls

Celebrating excellence in poetry and fantasy writing at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the final Marina Nemat Award, honouring the most promising learners to complete the Creative Writing Certificate at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.

This year’s award spotlighted poetry and fantasy writing, two genres that exemplify the depth and imagination of our program’s vibrant creative community. From lyrical meditations on memory and identity to richly imagined journeys across time and worlds, the shortlisted projects demonstrated the exceptional talent nurtured by our learners.

Congratulations to the 2025 Marina Nemat Award recipients:

Kathe Gray

Poetry: Kathe Gray
Car Radio At Night Nearly Home

Kathe Gray is a doctoral candidate in Theatre and Performance Studies at York University in Toronto. She holds a certificate in creative writing from the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, where she was the 2021 recipient of the Penguin Random House of Canada Student Fiction award. Her creative writing has appeared in Carousel, Great Lakes Review, Room, and Versal, and on stage at the Toronto Fringe Festival. She and her family live on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit in Guelph, Ontario.

Car Radio At Night Nearly Home tunes into the quiet frequencies of everyday life—absence, memory, and tenderness—flickering between voices, moods, and landscapes. This collection hums with grit, longing, and the uncanny shimmer of the ordinary.

The jury shared the following about Gray’s collection: “With incisive imagery, tenderness, and a wide-ranging sensibility, Kathe Gray’s poetry collection, Car Radio at Night Nearly Home, introduces readers to an original new talent. Gray's lines are keenly measured; her poetics both subtle and highly evolved. It's poetry that at once surprises with its insight (‘you're a boxcar’) and makes perfect sense of an imperfect world: ‘Cirrus sky, a contrail, trace of a traveller gone.’”
 

Maude Abouche

Fantasy: Maude Abouche 
Where Spider Lilies Bloom

Maude Abouche, writing as Madi Haab, is a queer and neurodivergent writer of Moroccan descent from Tiohtià:ke/Montréal. She has lived and studied in Japan, and draws inspiration from her mixed cultural heritage and identities to explore the liminal and interstitial. Her work has received honourable mentions from the 2023 Penguin Random House Student Award for Fiction and 2024 Janice Colbert Poetry Award, and has appeared in Augur Magazine, Haven Speculative, and more. 

Where Spider Lilies Bloom: After a nasty breakup leaves her stranded in the Japanese countryside, Montrealer-turned-Tokyoite Lily has an ill-advised hookup with a mysterious stranger named Tadao in an abandoned temple. Unable to put him out of her mind, she returns to the temple to look for him, but slips into a liminal realm during her search and ends up in feudal Japan. There she crosses his path again, defying time itself. Faced with betrayal, revenge, and the very real ghosts of the samurai family they’re both bound to protect, Lily and Tadao try to make sense of their fateful bond, while their choices not only affect their present, but ripple across centuries.

The jury shared the following: “From the first pages of Where the Spider Lilies Bloom I knew I was in the hands of a confident and gifted craftsperson—the dialogue (internal and external) is sharp and energetic, the characters beautifully drawn and alive on the page, and the setting/world building rich and atmospheric. The emotional connection is strong from the start, and it was painful to leave these people behind, I was already so invested in their lives! Not to mention the very intriguing storylines that have been so elegantly set in motion.”
 

We extend our thanks to the juries for their time and thoughtful consideration:

Poetry Jury:
Michael Holmes, Executive Editor, ECW Press
Elizabeth Philips, Editorial Director, Thistledown Press
Vanessa Stauffer, Managing Editor, Biblioasis

Fantasy Jury:
Lara Hinchberger, Executive Editor, Penguin Canada
M.C. Joudrey, Writer and Publisher, At Bay Press
A.G.A. Wilmot, Writer and Editor

 

5 Ways SCS Makes Learning Accessible

Hands holding tree

“We are here to help our learners reach their goals, by ensuring everyone has what they need to succeed.” – Amanda Weaver, SCS Director of EDI

At the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS), accessibility isn’t just a checkbox. It is a core value that guides our approach to education. We believe learning should be inclusive, supportive, and empowering for everyone who comes through our virtual or physical doors. That’s why we’ve taken intentional steps to remove barriers and foster environments where everyone can thrive. 

SCS Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Amanda Weaver shares five ways SCS is making learning more accessible for all: 

  1. Embedding Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Principles

    We design our courses with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in mind, which means building flexibility into the learning experience from the start. This includes offering multiple ways to engage with content, demonstrate understanding, and stay motivated. UDL helps us support a wide range of learning needs and preferences, creating an inclusive and effective learning experience for everyone

  2. Fostering Inclusive and Respectful Learning Environments

    We are committed to creating spaces that are free from discrimination and harassment. This includes the way we design course content, how we onboard and work with instructors, and how we facilitate interaction among learners. Our goal is to remove barriers and cultivate a sense of belonging so that all learners feel welcome and supported.

  3. Encouraging Dialogue and Respect for Lived Experiences

    Learning at SCS is a shared journey, and we believe it is our collective responsibility to engage with one another with inclusivity and respect. We create opportunities for learners to share their perspectives and experiences, striving to ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. This helps us build a stronger, more connected learning community.

  4. Providing Personalized Support and Academic Accommodations

    Every learner is different, and we recognize that success looks different for each individual. That is why we offer a variety of support services and academic accommodations, including accessibility services. We are here to help our learners meet their goals, by ensuring everyone has what they need to succeed.

  5. Advancing Access Through Our New Accessibility Plan

    Our accessibility plan reflects our commitment to continuous improvement in access and learner success. The plan outlines how we are implementing the latest Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) postsecondary guidelines, from inclusive teaching practices to proactive programs and services. It aligns with our purpose: to strengthen human potential one individual, one organization, one community at a time.

Explore how SCS can support your goals and help you thrive in an inclusive learning environment by visiting our EDI page.

 

Pal Saqi Creative Writing Award Finalists Announced

Baloons

This new award celebrates SCS learners writing outstanding fiction. 

The finalists of the inaugural University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Pal Saqi Award for Fiction have been announced. Established by author and SCS learner Rajinderpal S. Pal, and named in honour of his father, the Pal Saqi Award for Fiction provides $2000 annually to a Creative Writing Certificate learner with the most outstanding final project. The award’s recipients are selected by a panel of Canadian publishing industry professionals.

This year’s Pal Saqi Award for Fiction finalists are: 
 

Diana Catargiu

Diana Catargiu was born and raised in Romania and moved to Canada in 2003. She lives in Mississauga, where she teaches at Sheridan College. In 2020, Diana was longlisted for the CBC Nonfiction Award, and in 2019, she won the $1000 Penguin Random House Student Award for Fiction. She was shortlisted for the same award in 2017 and 2018. 

The short stories in Catargiu’s collection, Confiscated, are set in the bleak years of communist Romania or shortly after 1989, when communism collapsed. Despite being scarred by living under a totalitarian regime, the characters in these stories navigate life with grit and, often, with a sense of humour. 
 

T.M.B. Park grew up in Saskatchewan and wrote her first short story at the age of 8 on a cutting edge electric typewriter. She happily pursued her U of T creative writing certificate while defending journalists and other creatives as a media and entertainment lawyer and travelling the world. She now balances motherhood and writing in rural Ontario.

She sums up her collection this way: "These stories mostly focus on youngish women who believe they are complicated but who actually take simple comfort in delusion as an antidote to solitude. They have familiar small town Canadian backgrounds but also a worldliness and appreciation for poetic gestures which informs the mini acts of rebellion they often engage in. They are not likeable or sensible, but I hope they are interesting."
 

Noa Raanan

Noa Raanan (she/her) is an Israeli Canadian writer. She has published short stories and nonfiction in Hebrew, English, and German. Her writing was displayed in Granta Hebrew Edition, Jewish Women of Words, Frankfurter Rundschau and Emerging Writers Reading Series. Currently, she is studying toward an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Guelph and writing a novel.

Set in the summer of 2005, Jerusalem Syndrome tells the story of a young Israeli woman who arrives in Jerusalem to study Literature and Philosophy and find love. Naomi possesses a romantic view of Jerusalem, which had emerged from reading well-known Israeli novels, but Jerusalem confronts her with an intensity she was not prepared to face.
 

Alison Stevenson

Alison Stevenson’s stories have appeared in PRISM international, The New Quarterly, Prairie Fire, Pulp Literature and elsewhere, as finalists in the Alice Munro Festival, Penguin Random House Student Fiction, and Raven Contests, and on the CBC and TNQ/Hinchcliffe longlists. She attended the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, the Humber writers’ school, and Iowa Writers’ Workshop summer workshop. She is completing a short story collection. Find her at alisonstevensonwriter.ca

In Groundwork we find characters on the cusp of change, remembering, loving, aspiring, grieving, searching, journeying. These stories span the Victorian era through the 1970s to the present and range from Ireland to London, Thunder Bay to Nova Scotia to Toronto, in worlds realistic and magical and... just weird.
 

This year’s jury is comprised of: Karen Brochu, Publisher, House of Anansi Press; Hilary Lo, Assistant Editor, Knopf Canada and Alchemy; and Leah Mol, Associate Editor, Park Row Books, Harper Collins Canada.

For more information about the Pal Saqi Award for Fiction, please visit the SCS CuriousU Blog. 
 

SCS Course Helps Learner Transform His Networking Strategy

Handshake

How one learner rebuilt his network, and his confidence.

When Owen Zheng enrolled in the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) course, Networking: An Intelligent Approach to Levelling Up Your Leadership Skills, he expected to pick up some helpful tips. What he didn’t anticipate was how profoundly the course would transform his entire approach to building and maintaining professional, and even personal, relationships. 

Since completing the course, Owen’s confidence in networking has grown tremendously. Previously, he would have hesitated to reconnect with people after extended periods, fearing they might have lost interest, but the course helped him to understand that even with time gaps, a genuine effort to reconnect can be well-received. 

“For example, despite a two-year gap with my former mentor, he was open to meeting up, which showed me that meaningful connections can be revived,” he explains. “Now I’m more willing to take chances on re-establishing old connections or reaching out to new ones, knowing that time isn’t necessarily a barrier.” 

Since the end of the course, Owen has had opportunities to apply the strategies he learned in class to strengthen his professional circle. 

“I’ve been more proactive about nurturing relationships with mentors and close professional contacts,” he says. “This intentional approach has made my network feel more supportive and beneficial.”

The course also helped Owen understand that networking isn’t limited to career advancement, with the skills he learned in the course extending beyond his career and into his personal life. 

“Now, I’m more intentional about understanding how people around me can play various roles in different areas of my life. The course taught me that my network isn’t limited to career growth; it can also include friends or acquaintances who support personal development,” he says. “This perspective has helped me cultivate a more well-rounded and balanced network, benefitting both my professional and personal life.”

Zheng’s mindset about networking in social environments has also evolved. He says his approach to networking in social settings has become more purposeful. Whereas previously, he felt pressure to continuously meet new people, now he’s more focused on strengthening meaningful connections within his current network. 

“Instead of spreading myself thin by attending every networking event, I now prioritize opportunities to reconnect with valuable contacts, aiming to move those relationships deeper within my network,” he says. 

Zheng credits the success of the course largely to instructor Jean Chow’s supportive teaching approach creating a safe, encouraging learning environment. 

“I’m a huge fan of classroom discussion,” he says. “Jean encouraged us to share our own stories and experiences to the class and let classmates give feedback. By doing so, the storyteller could have other people’s advice and suggestions that could apply to his or her own networking strategy. In addition, Jean always emphasizes there are no right or wrong answers, which boosts people’s willingness to give real opinions.” 

To learn more about Networking: An Intelligent Approach to Levelling Up Your Leadership Skills, please visit our course page
 

Meet the Finalists for the Inaugural Catherine B. Fogarty Creative Non-Fiction Award

Books on a shelve

Celebrating bold, true stories and emerging voices from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Creative Writing Program.

We’re excited to announce the inaugural finalists for the Catherine B. Fogarty Creative Non-Fiction Award at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. 

Created by SCS learner and award-winning author Catherine B. Fogarty, the award celebrates excellence in creative non-fiction and aims to inspire emerging writers to share powerful true stories that deepen our understanding of the world around us. With a $2000 prize and a jury of publishing industry experts, the award recognizes outstanding final project manuscripts from learners in the SCS creative writing program. 

Meet the talented finalists whose work embodies the spirit and purpose of this exciting new award:  

Andrew Boyd

Andrew W. Boyd is a graduate of Trinity College at the University of Toronto and UofT’s School of Continuing Studies Creative Writing Program. Andrew holds a master’s in Canadian social history from UofT and a doctorate in Computing from Pace University in New York. Winner of Briarpatch’s 2021 Writing in the Margins contest, he works for a global cloud services provider. Andrew resides in Western New York, in a ruinous century home with his demented rescue cat Lynx.

The Kingdom of the Dead: A senior executive tumbles into addiction and homelessness, losing his family and friends, and winding up on the streets of Toronto. Bouncing between homeless shelters, alleyways and psychiatric wards, he spends two winters on the streets fighting mid-level predators and his own mind.  
 

Michelle Mungall

Elected in 2009 as the first woman and youngest person to represent her provincial rural riding, Michelle Mungall then stepped into BC’s Cabinet in 2017 as the second woman in British Columbia's history to be minister for energy and mining. Known as a go-getter, Michelle led critical files that increased energy production, enabled climate action and supported reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. She did all of this while becoming a new mom and blazing trails for a more family friendly Parliamentary system. Since leaving public office in 2020, Michelle has completed her Creative Writing Certificate from the University of Toronto, wrote her memoir Minister Mom, and started a monthly column in The Vancouver Sun. Michelle works as a Senior Advisor for both the energy storage industry and major projects’ gender safety programs. She and her family enjoy life in Nelson, BC and all that the mountains have to offer.

“Life as a new Cabinet minister and a new mom was a never-ending quadruple loop rollercoaster. I was a pioneer – 11th of only 14 in Canadian history to give birth while a government minister, and the second woman to be a British Columbia minister of energy and mines. I wasn’t just making big decisions. I was blazing trails just by showing up.” Bringing readers behind the cameras and into the lives of the people on their election ballots, this memoir not only tells the story of B.C.’s historic minority government under John Horgan, but dives into the gendered workplace politics where the workplace is politics. Double-standards, glass ceilings, the proverbial hurdles and the old boys’ club are as real as the marble urinals found in the women’s washroom of the BC Legislature – and they only got more challenging once a baby arrived on the scene. This is undoubtedly a unique perspective on politics by someone in the middle of it all and doing things differently. 
 

Nancy O’Rourke

Based in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, Nancy O’Rourke is a writer of essays and memoirs. With a PhD in sociology, specializing in human rights and social justice, she has written widely on issues affecting the rights of women and children. An emerging creative writer, she has won several awards for her essays, and is published in carte blanche, Prairie Fire and Dreamers Creative Writing, among others. In her spare time Nancy paints—abstracts and portraits—sometimes of the characters she writes about.

What the Heart Remembers When the Brain Forgets is a memoir concerning the multifaceted relationship between Nancy and her mother, Barb; one that focuses on identity and the intersection of self. In her later years, afflicted by Alzheimer’s, Barb began speaking of Nancy’s past—Nancy’s career and travels—as those of her own. This confusion was not just a quirk of her illness, but a reflection of the enmeshment that defined their connection as a whole. This memoir examines the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship, and how Nancy came to better understand her mother at a point in her life when she was seemingly no longer understandable.
 

Jury:

Amanda Betts, Executive Editor, Simon & Schuster, Canada

Meghan Macdonald, Publisher, Dundurn Press

Jancie Zawerbny, Editor, Harper Collins Canada

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