Alumni Videos

Since graduating from the program, SASAH alumni are making their mark on society, culture and education. 

During the COVID-19 lockdown, then-second year SASAH student Matthew Dawkins sought to reconnect with SASAH alum to find out about their experiences putting the learning they did at SASAH to post-undergraduate use. Please note: these videos were made in 2020 and reflect where our students were at that time. Check our Alumni Profile page for more updates!

Matthew Dawkins graduated in 2023 with a double major in SASAH and English Language and Literature, as well as a certificate in Practical Spanish and a Module in Scholar’s Electives. Matthew served on the University Students’ Council as the Ethnocultural Support Services’ Coordinator, and on the Arts and Humanities Student’s Council as Equity Commissioner as well as SASAH Department Representative.

Matthew was the 2022-2023 Student Writer in Residence. His acclaimed first novel, Until We Break (2022), was written during his time as a student at Western.

Learn more about Matthew via his website.

Hear a one-on-one conversation between Matthew and Western President Alan Shephard.

Misha Apel (Class of 2019) - During her SASAH program experience, Misha also Majored in English Language and English Literature with a Minor in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction. She worked as an Intern with the Ontario Legislature, and entered Law School at Western in Fall 2020. Currently, Misha is an Associate with Cassells, Brock & Blackwell LLP.


Jasia Carroll-Woolery (Class of 2019) - Jasia graduated from Western with a Double Major in SASAH and an Honours Specialization in French Studies. She then pursued her Bachelor of Education with a specialization in French immersion at University of British Colombia (Vancouver). Jasia is currently a secondary school teacher.


Rachael DiMenna (Class of 2018) pursued a dual degree, Majoring in SASAH and English Language and English Literature while also attending Ivey for her HBA. Combining her arts and business learning, Rachael worked as a Consultant at Monitor Deloitte, Toronto. She is currently working for YouTube UK in Strategy and Operations.

Haley Everitt (Class of 2017) pursued an Honours Specialization in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature along with SASAH as an undergraduate at Western. She then pursued a Master's Degree in Science, followed by a PhD in Geography at Western. Haley put her passion for teaching to use as a part-time faculty at Fanshawe College. Haley is now a food waste expert, educator, and storyteller.

Maryam Golafshani (Class of 2017) - While at Western, Maryam pursued a double major in SASAH and English Language and Literature as well as a module in Scholars Electives. She went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Theory and Criticism at Western. She then studied Medicine at the University of Toronto. Maryam is currently a resident doctor in Psychiatry.

Cassandra Haley (Class of 2020) completed a Bachelor of Science with an Honours Specialization in Genetics and a Major in SASAH. She is currently a Master of Science student from the Department of Experimental Medicine and the Biomedical Ethics Unit at McGill University, with a concentration in Bioethics.


Levi Hord (Class of 2018) - Along with their completion of the SASAH program, Levi also majored in Sexuality Studies with a module in Scholar’s Electives. Levi is a Rhodes Scholar who finished two MA's while at the University of Oxford: the first was in Women’s Studies, and the second in History of Science. Levi is currently completing their PhD in English & Comp Lit at Columbia University.


Mickey Juranka (Class of 2019) - As an undergraduate student at Western, Mickey pursued a Double Major in Political Science and SASAH as well as a Minor in Linguistics. Mickey returned to Western as a Law student, furthering his passion for global studies and international relations. He is currently a Real Estate Associate at Loopstra Nixon LLP.

Avery Lafortune (Class of 2017) graduated from Western with a double major in SASAH and Art History. She recently completed her Masters in Art History and Curatorial Studies, where her research interests spannedfashion history, medieval art and the intersections of film, art and history. Avery is an arts, culture and heritage events specialist.

Prem Sai Ramani (Class of 2018) - Alongside his completion of the SASAH Program, Prem also pursued a major in Chemistry. He has since gone on to work as a writer for the Lainey Gossip blog, and as a Marketing Co-ordinator for WELL Health Technologies Corporations, out of Vancouver. He is currently a Senior Project Strategist at WillowTree.


Natalie Scola (Class of 2020) graduated from Western with a Double Major in SASAH and an Honours Specialization Art History Museum Studies. During her tenure at Western, Natalie also functioned as the Residence Don for the SASAH Living and Learning Community in Ontario Hall for 3 consecutive years. Natalie completed her Master’s in Museum Studies at University of Toronto. She is currently a PhD candidate in Art and Visual Culture at Western, and is an Event Coordinator for CreativeHub 1352.

Betty Wang (Class of 2020) graduated from Western University with a double major in SASAH and English Language and Literature as well as an HBA from the Ivey Business School. Betty previously worked at Deloitte as a Management Consultant, and is currently an Associate Innovation Officer for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.