Higher Education Alumni
Our graduates are leaders in various types of postsecondary institutions. They pursue administrative, research, teaching and policy careers in colleges and universities, work in student services and student development; and in the professional sector, such as: health engineering, law, law enforcement and more.
Master of Arts (MA) Alumni
Analise Anderson, Master of Arts 2016
Program Manager, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Analise Anderson is a two-time OISE graduate, having completed an MA in Higher Education and an MEd in Adult Education. She is currently a Program Manager at Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto, and previously worked in the Division of Student Life in Career Exploration and Education.
In her spare time Analise loves working on projects – and is currently diving into another home renovation! Analise also volunteers as a Mentor with the OISE Mentorship Program.
Andrew M. Boggs, Master of Arts 2007
Director of Strategic Planning, St. Mary's University
Andrew M. Boggs currently lives in the UK and is the Director of Strategic Planning at St. Mary's University. In 1999, Andrew joined the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, during which he earned an MA in higher education studies from OISE.
He is an honorary lifetime member of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) for his ongoing contributions to higher education issues and a visiting fellow of the Oxford Centre for Higher Education Policy Studies (OxCHEPS). Andrew continued his doctoral studies in higher education policy and history at Oxford University in October 2008 and is published in areas relating to higher education policy, higher education in the UK, and the history of universities.
Deanne Fisher, Master of Arts 2007
Vice-Provost, Students & International, OCAD University
Deanne Fisher is a writer and editor, and former Director, Student Life at University of Toronto. She is currently Vice-Provost, Students & International at OCAD University.
An experienced facilitator and writer, she specialize in helping groups come to a sense of common purpose and in synthesizing and communicating complex issues, ideas and plans through things such as proposals, strategic and project plans, articles and monographs.
Aisha Khaja, Master of Arts 2013
Senior Policy Analyst (Government) and TV Host (Let the Quran Speak)
Aisha Khaja works for the Government of Ontario and was a former professor at Seneca College in Toronto. In addition to her professional positions Aisha has been extensively involved in the Toronto Muslim community, having founded Canada’s chapter of CharityWeek, a global initiative that helps the public learn more about their fellow Muslims while raising funds for needy children in the world.
She is also a former Research Fellow with the Tessellate Institute. Aisha is passionate about social justice issues and public speaking.
Master of Education (MEd) Alumni
Ghayas Sham, Master of Education 2019
Associate Director of Welcome Services - Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto
Ghayas Shams, Associate Director of Welcome Services at UofT's Faculty of Arts and Science, is dedicated to exceptional student advising and service excellence. Ghayas leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance student support, ensuring every student feels welcomed and supported throughout their academic journey.
Cassidy Gong, Master of Education 2015
Project Manager, AVIC International (Fujian)
Cassidy Gong has worked at Brock University and the Rotman School of Management for 10 years. She has also started her own business that tries to help international students and new immigrants to design their academic and professional pathways and provide necessary supports for them to succeed.
Chris Lea, Master of Education 2011
Founding Partner, Allen & Lea, Inc.
Chris Lea is the developer of Master6ix app that allows users to explore Toronto, its architectural landscape and various events across the city. In 2007, he came to OISE as a part-time student in the Leadership Development in Higher Education offered to University of Toronto employees.
Chris has had an eclectic history of professional engagements, including serving as the leader for the Green party of Canada, the President for the Toronto City Opera and more currently co-owning an architectural firm Allen & Lea Inc. which is focused on housing and pharmacies.
Doctor of Philosophy Alumni
Shingo Hanada, Doctor of Philosophy 2015
Associate Professor, Department of Global Innovation Studies, Toyo University
Shingo Hanada has had academic positions in various Japanese universities. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Global and Regional Studies at Toyo University. His research is mainly related to international education policy through comparative perspectives. He is interested in the impact of higher education exchange at regional, national and institutional levels.
Dale Kirby, Doctor of Philosophy 2003
Politician and Professor
Dale Kirby is a professor, researcher, and consultant on student access and participation in college and university and in the area of online learning. He is a former Canadian politician and academic who served in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 2011 to 2019.
Dale also served as Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development in the Ball government from 2015 to 2018.
Wendy Kubasik, Doctor of Philosophy 2017
Dean of the School of Community and Health Studies, Centennial College
Wendy Kubasik is the Dean of the School of Community and Health Studies at Centennial College in Toronto, Canada. Her research focuses on putting behavioral economics to work in the real world, where theory can meet application.
Wendy is interested in theoretical and applied approaches to topics including academic leadership, motivation, performance, student achievement, and the effect of incentives on performance. She is particularly passionate about the use of data and people analytics to support effective decision-making.
Arleen Morrin, Doctor of Philosophy 2018
Chief Administrative Officer, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto
Arleen Morrin is a former MEd and PhD student in the higher education program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). She is currently the Chief Administrative Officer at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto.
