Glendon Political Science Graduates Speak

Our graduates work in government and politics, the diplomatic service, international relations, journalism, writing, publishing, policy analysis, law, business, and industry. High-profile alumni include Greg Sorbara, Minister of Finance for the Government of Ontario; David Collenette, long-standing Member of Parliament; Chantal Hébert, political commentator for the Toronto Star; and F.W. Russel, United Nations. Here is what some of our alumni had to say about their experiences at Glendon.

Carmela Gonzales

First-Class Honours International BA Hons. Political Science (2015); recipient of the Certificate of Trilingual Excellence and Certificate of Bilingualism; Member of the Dean’s List

Carmela Gonzales (2015) is a policy, communications, and marine sustainability professional. She worked in the financial services industry in insurance regulation and insolvency before transitioning to environmental and marine sustainability issues. She most recently advised the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Habitat on where to invest multi-million USD to advance a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 11: “Sustainable Cities & Communities”). Prior to this, she helped establish international standards for insurance resolution (now applicable in over 200 jurisdictions covering 97% of insurance premiums worldwide). Carmela selected Glendon as her undergraduate institution for its international and multilingual degrees. Her iBA Hons Political Science was integral to her career success. Conducted jointly between Glendon and l’Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Carmela was able to explore international law, UNCLOS, economics, and even renewable energy technologies in English, French, and Spanish — in both Toronto and Nice, France. Given the choice, Carmela would 100% select Glendon again, and she wholeheartedly recommends Glendon POLS to anyone hoping for a career in international relations, policy, and/or business.

Robert McCreight

BA 2011, Political Science and International Studies, Glendon College, York University MA 2013, Public and International Affairs, Glendon College, York University

For Robert, what started as a general interest in politics coming out of high school quickly evolved into a passion during his time at Glendon; where he completed both his undergraduate (Political Science) and graduate (Glendon School of Public and International Affairs) studies. Upon graduation, Robert was driven to pursue a career in politics, and got his start working for a Member of Parliament in Ottawa. Now, as an experienced government relations specialist, Robert develops and implements robust advocacy strategies for clients. This involves engaging with multiple government departments and Ministers’ Offices to raise clients’ profiles; providing guidance on how to navigate party and parliamentary dynamics; and positioning clients to contribute to the policy-making process.

“The foundation of knowledge provided by POLS and GSPIA equipped me for a successful career in government relations. The tools I acquired in my time at Glendon continue to serve me well to this day.

Kailey Vokes (2011) 

 

 

 

Sara Singh (2008)

Sara Singh currently serves as the Member of Provincial Parliament in the riding of Brampton Centre and as a deputy leader of Ontario’s New Democratic Party. She is the former critic to the Attorney General and currently the critic for Housing. Prior to politics, she was a PhD candidate at Ryerson University and a teaching assistant in the department of Politics and Public Administration. She completed a Master of Arts in International Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University, in Halifax, NS, after her BA in Political Science at Glendon. “Glendon was instrumental to my personal and professional journey. During my time in Glendon Political Science, I was able to develop a passion for social justice, research, and international development.”

Alexander Lofthouse

B.A. (Hons.), Glendon (2005) Senior Policy Analyst Canadian Chamber of Commerce/Canadian Council for International Business

“I really enjoyed the small class sizes at Glendon – in fact, many of my classes at Glendon were smaller than the graduate seminars that I later took at Carleton! This means that you can not only interact with your professor in a much more meaningful way, but you also learn a lot from your fellow students because you are able to get to know them.”

Ahmed Loita

B.A. (Hons.), Glendon (2002) M.A. in Public Administration, Carleton University (2004)

“The Political Science professors at Glendon are the most dedicated, knowledgeable, approachable, enthusiastic, world class, and super supportive professors I have ever met. They planted the seeds of knowledge in me.”

Janice Leung

B.A. (Hons.), Glendon (2002)

“I would recommend the Political Science program at Glendon College to anyone who is looking to build a solid foundation of knowledge in the subject, to have the experience of smaller classes with greater personal interaction with professors, and is interested in joining a diverse, multicultural campus community.”

Sunita V. Mahant

B.A., Glendon (2002)

“Choosing to study Political Science at Glendon College was one of the best decisions of my academic experience. The Political Science program at Glendon provided me with the fundamentals necessary for a complete and well-rounded undergraduate education.”

Cameron Branston

B.A. (Hons.), Glendon (2001) Investment Officer, British Consulate-General

“I chose York University and in particular Glendon because its Political Science program is considered to be one of the best in Canada. Glendon complemented my interest in Canadian history and politics and it was an ideal location to observe the two solitudes. This duality at a micro level enabled me to appreciate the larger bilingual environment in other parts of the country.”

Chantal Fry (1998)

 

 

 

 

F.W. (Russ) Russell

B.A. (Hons.), Glendon (1993) M.Sc., University of Southampton

“Glendon’s attraction, for me, was multifacetted. I wanted a school with an excellent professor/student ratio; urban/metropolitan attitude; good student background mix – locally, provincially, nationally and internationally – and the possibility to study in both official languages.”

Terrie-Lynne Devonish

B.A. (Hons.), Glendon (1992) LL.B Osgoode Hall Law School (1995)

Terrie-Lynne Devonish is an experienced business, legal and compliance leader with expertise in anticipating, understanding and managing of local and global risk. Currently, Terrie-Lynne is General Counsel with Staples Canada ULC and is responsible for developing and overseeing the legal function for the national organization in support of the company’s transformation strategy. Prior to this role, Terrie-Lynne served in successively senior roles at Aon plc. She was most recently the Canadian Chief Operating Officer and led the design and implementation of an operating model to increase the business’s efficiency and production. She has also held positions as Chief Compliance Officer – North America and Chief Counsel in Canada, where she partnered with Aon’s Canadian and US management to successfully navigate the complex legal and regulatory regimes that apply to the business. Terrie-Lynne is a Director of the École nationale de théâtre du Canada/National Theatre School of Canada and spent 8 years on the Board of Governors for York University. She has experience serving on board Pension, Audit and Finance, Human Resources, and Diversity Committees. After her BA in Glendon Political Science, Terrie-Lynne received her LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School.