The York University Alumni Board has recognized four distinguished York students with 2024 alumni awards and scholarships for their academic excellence and leadership.
Alumni Silver Jubilee Scholarship
The Alumni Silver Jubilee Scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence both in and out of the classroom. This year’s recipient, Elizaveta Yakubovskaya, has been recognized for her significant contributions within the healthcare industry and the considerable leadership she displayed during her time as a student in the Faculty of Science.
Elizaveta demonstrated a dedicated involvement with the York Women in White Coats (WiWC) society and the York Science Scholars Award, which provided her with research opportunities from her first year.
Her roles in leadership as a Peer-Assistant Study Sessions (PASS) leader and coordinator at Bethune College have been instrumental in shaping her holistic approach to education and research. Her passion for visual neuroscience led to her impactful research and the completion of a Capstone Project at ViTA-Lab. Elizaveta plans to pursue a master’s and eventually a PhD in neuroscience at York University.
As a science student ambassador, Elizaveta engaged with prospective and current students through various roles, from volunteering at events to leading campus tours. Her role as a girls STEMpowered mentor and coordinator for WiWC was particularly meaningful.
Reflecting on the Alumni Silver Jubilee Award, Elizaveta expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am very grateful, happy, and honored to receive this award. The resources will fund my continuing research career at York and encourage me to stay involved with the community.”
Elizaveta Yakubovskaya’s journey is marked by academic excellence, impactful research, and a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community.
Alumni Golden GRADitude Award
The Alumni Golden GRADitude Award recognizes graduating students who leave York University a better place thanks to the significant leadership they demonstrated during their time on campus. This year, we are recognizing two recipients: Julia Kondratieva (BBA ’24) and Natalia Tovilla-Batiz (BA ’24).
Julia Kondratieva’s work at the Schulich School of Business epitomizes a dedication to academic excellence, community engagement, and impactful leadership.
At Schulich, Julia held crucial roles within the Undergraduate Business Society (UBS), managing sponsorships and partnerships to enhance student conferences and events. Her passion for event planning was evident in organizing Schulich’s inaugural Cultural Crawl and other initiatives fostering student connections.
Looking ahead as an alum, Julia plans to stay engaged with Schulich through mentorship roles and participating in workshops, aiming to pursue a master’s program at York’s Markham campus focused on data-driven strategies and artificial intelligence (AI) development.
Throughout her tenure, Natalia Tovilla-Batiz (BA ’24) maintained academic excellence while playing crucial roles at Glendon. Natalia provided invaluable guidance as a frosh leader and as a peer mentor at GL Zone to fellow students, sharing insights on academic opportunities and support systems, actively helping to rebuild the on-campus community post-COVID. In her role as outreach director at the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS), she assisted with event planning and expanded the club’s community involvement at Glendon. At Glendon Faculty Council, she reviewed professorial files and helped ensure procedures for Tenure and Promotions were properly followed.
With an Honours Bilingual Bachelor’s Degree and four professional certificates, Natalia is looking forward to starting her Master’s in Political Science at Keele this Fall, while remaining engaged as a leader in the Glendon community as french editor at its bilingual student newspaper, Pro Tem. She feels honoured to have received the Golden GRADitude Award this year.
Harry Arthurs Alumni Families Entrance Scholarship
The Harry Arthurs Alumni Families Entrance Scholarship is awarded to an incoming undergraduate student who is the child, sibling, or grandchild of a York University graduate and who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and accomplishments in community service, volunteerism or other endeavours.
The recipient of this year’s scholarship is Grace De Pasqua who is preparing to embark on her studies at York University, focusing on human rights and equity.
Grace has been actively involved with organizations like Hospice Vaughan and served as co-president of her high school’s Drama Council. These experiences shaped her into a detail-oriented and community-focused individual, instilling in her a deep appreciation for collaboration and empathy.
As co-president of the Period Project Initiative, Grace excelled in inspiring participation and re-energizing the committee’s impact within her school community. Her leadership skills were crucial in transforming perceptions and fostering a supportive environment for drama enthusiasts.
Reflecting on receiving the Harry Arthurs Alumni Families Entrance Scholarship, Grace expressed gratitude, “I felt honored and thrilled when I learned about the scholarship,” said Grace. “It’s a testament to the support and opportunities York provides, and I’m eager to make a positive impact here.”