What sets them apart isn’t just their impressive academic achievements — it’s their ability to inspire, uplift, and bring people together. Through their stories, their applications, and their reflections, a common thread emerges: a generation determined to weave knowledge, justice, and action into everything they do.
Each of them found their own way to turn university into a place of purpose and real-world impact.
Delphine Robitaille stood out for her exceptional student leadership. After getting involved in student clubs, she made history as the first woman elected President of the University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU). Her time in office focused on revitalizing campus life, supporting activism, and championing food justice.
Yacout El Abboubi, who moved from Morocco at 18, is a strong voice for social justice. A social work student, research assistant, public speaker, and community volunteer. Her quiet strength, thoughtfulness, and drive have left a mark on everyone around her.
Sasha Mathieu, class president in International Studies, has woven together public speaking, event planning, co-op experience, research, and health advocacy — all while maintaining a 9.72 GPA. Her philosophy? Learn from your mistakes. Stay curious. Keep moving forward.
Behind every GPA, every scholarship, and every speech is a story of resilience — and courage in the face of challenge.
Rachel Fayter, PhD in Criminology, overcame incarceration, stigma, and systemic barriers. Through the Walls to Bridges program, she reconnected with education, published from prison, and earned a national SSHRC fellowship for her research on resilience among incarcerated women. Her journey is a testament to the life-changing power of education.
Laurie Rochon, who graduates in Psychology, balanced two jobs, a thesis, volunteer work, a humanitarian trip, and her mental health.
Greg Coleman, originally from the U.S., chose to study economics in French — in a new country. A finalist in the prestigious Governor’s Challenge at the Bank of Canada, he also served as a student commissioner and now works in Montréal as a project manager for a community-based nonprofit. For him, economics is a tool for meaningful change.
What unites these six valedictorians is not just where they come from, but how they see the world — and how boldly they choose to shape it.
Whether advocating for incarcerated communities, rethinking migration policy, promoting mental health, supporting equity, or imagining Arctic security strategies, they’ve all chosen to use their voices, skills, and empathy to move the needle.
This moment doesn’t mark the end — it marks a new beginning. Some are headed to grad school, others to public service, research, activism, or the nonprofit sector.
In the days ahead, we’ll be sharing their individual spotlights to dive deeper into their stories — and what drives them.
But today, the Faculty of Social Sciences offers its warmest congratulations — and deepest thanks — for everything they’ve already brought to the University of Ottawa, and everything they’re about to bring to the world.