![A blue, white and yellow vector illustration of some of Ryerson's buildings with the text Elevation](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/1-elevation.jpg)
Elevation: 2019-20 Year in Review
Graduate education is rising to new heights with more PhD programs, a global focus and enhancement of Ryerson’s reputation as a comprehensive innovation university for the modern world.
Message from Dr. Cory Searcy, Vice-Provost and Dean
This is an exciting juncture for graduate education. We are expanding our doctoral programming to meet the need for critical thinkers and complex problem solvers. Fourth-year funding and multiple admission dates are planned to better serve graduate students. Associate deans of programs and student affairs have been appointed. And we continue to prepare graduate students for meaningful futures as thoughtful global citizens.
![Together, our graduate community is rising to the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/2-dean-quote.jpg)
Student Engagement
![award recipients posing with the dean](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/3-sharing-stories.jpg)
Sharing your stories and mottos
GRAD Contest winners showcase their talent and perspectives
![Twitter](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/4-twitter.jpg)
Tweet all about it (external link)
New Twitter account garners 1,400+ likes since fall launch
![grad students interacting during a session](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/5-GRADtalks.jpg)
GRADTalks inspire positive change
Interactive sessions focus on developing resilience and career vision
![speaker at a podium](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/6-scholars.jpg)
From scholars to influencers
Graduate Leadership Institute workshops guide and empower grad students
Profiles
![Ryerson is woke and very supportive of students in special situations like mine. - Dominic Akena, Documentary Media MFA alumnus](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/7-profile-quote.jpg)
Changing his story
Former child soldier Dominic Akena harnesses the power of visual storytelling
Shooting for the moon
Aerospace Engineering PhD student Emily Shepherdson researches autonomous robotic technologies for space exploration
Recipe for sweet success
Molecular Science PhD student Jessica Phulchand explores food business ideas through Science Discovery Zone
Envisioning a better world
Child and Youth Care MA graduate Shay Erlich empowers disabled youth through dance and circus arts
Preparing for impact
Psychology PhD alumna Jenny Liu co-develops app based on groundbreaking doctoral research
Helping students thrive
Dr. Karen Spalding leads Master of Health Administration (Community Care) program
Learning from all angles
Dr. Mehrab Mehrvar uses interdisciplinarity to solve complex problems like climate change
Celebrating Success
![Dr. Yashodhan Athavale posing with university leadership](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/9-topdoc.jpg)
Top doc
Dr. Yashodhan Athavale receives Dr. C. Ravi and Shanti Ravindran Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis
![Gold Medalists](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/8-goldmedalists.jpg)
Golden grads
Ryerson Gold Medallists honoured for outstanding academic achievement and involvement
![leadership award recipients](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/10-leaders.jpg)
Lauding our leaders
Recognizing the recipients of the Jennifer Mactavish Graduate Student Leadership Awards
![fellowship recipients](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/11-waterresearch.jpg)
New wave of water research
Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellowship in Canadian Freshwater Policy awarded to Caroline John and Evan Miller
![Dennis Mock Student Leadership Awards](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/12-dennismock.jpg)
Making a difference
Dennis Mock Student Leadership Awards honour exemplary graduate students
![a blue trophy icon](/content/dam/ysgs-year-in-review-2019/13-studentsuccess.jpg)
Supporting student success
Congratulations to faculty recipients of the YSGS Outstanding Contribution to Graduate Education Award
For more information, (PDF file) download the Year in Review print publication.
Graduate education is a collaborative responsibility between the Yeates School of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Communication and Design, Faculty of Community Services, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Faculty of Science and Ted Rogers School of Management.