Alumni Awards
Celebrating Aspiration, Resilience, and Impact
The UCW Alumni Awards recognize outstanding graduates who exemplify the university’s values through leadership, service, and perseverance. These awards celebrate the transformative impact of a UCW education and the bold achievements of alumni who continue to inspire others in their communities and professions.
They are part of our ongoing commitment to honour alumni who are making a difference. Whether through innovation in their fields, support for others, or by navigating and overcoming challenges with courage and vision, these stories reflect the strength of our community. Nominations are open to the entire UCW network and invite diverse perspectives on what success and leadership look like.
Through the awards, we aim to deepen alumni engagement, strengthen our sense of community, and shine a light on the lasting contributions our graduates make in the world. These recognitions are one of the many ways we continue to build pride in the UCW alumni experience.
Award Types
Each year, we honour recipients in two distinct categories
Emerging Leader Award
This award recognizes emerging leaders who have shown notable achievements in their profession and community within the last 5 years.
Overcoming Adversity
The recognition of individuals who have overcome difficult circumstances and demonstrated a commitment to positively impact one or more of these four categories: history of adversity, human displacement, human rights, or personal/professional adversity.
2025 Alumni Awards Recipients
Overcoming Adversity Award: Anju Varghese
Anju Varghese represents the resilience and determination at the heart of the Overcoming Adversity Award. While completing her MBA in 2023, she faced severe personal challenges, including threats to her safety from a former partner. With police involvement and the support of the UCW community, Anju navigated trauma, unstable housing and extended periods of isolation—often completing coursework in 24-hour cafés when she had nowhere else to study. Despite these extraordinary obstacles, Anju remained steadfast in her pursuit of education and stability. Her perseverance carried her into a successful career in banking, where she is now advancing at a leading Canadian financial institution.
Emerging Leader Award: Xavier Varghese
Xavier Varghese exemplifies the forward-looking vision celebrated by the Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes alumni who, within five years of graduation, demonstrate exceptional initiative, innovation and leadership. Since completing his MBA in 2022, Xavier has become an influential figure in Canada’s sustainability and energy sectors. Leveraging more than two decades of experience in lighting and energy systems, Xavier founded SX Energy Efficiency Solutions Inc., a company dedicated to helping organizations reduce emissions and improve energy performance. His work combines practical innovation with a passion for empowering others to make informed, sustainable decisions. He has already guided several organizations through major energy transition projects, helping them adopt more efficient practices with long-term environmental benefits.
Nomination Details
Before submitting, please review the information below:
Nomination Guidelines
Includes eligibility, selection criteria, and tips for submitting a strong nomination.
Nomination Checklist
before you begin, to ensure your submission meets all required elements.
Sample Nomination
a helpful preview of the form and sample answers will be available shortly.
Need Support?
Submitting early may allow time for informal feedback—reach out to the Alumni Team to learn more.
