Congratulations to Sara Fruchtman, the 2020 winner of the John Edwards Award!
The award is presented to a graduating MA student with the most outstanding overall academic performance.
Sara is now in the process of applying for PhDs and working as a freelance consultant and researcher supporting various non-profit organizations across Canada.
“Even though most of my work and educational experience is in the justice sector, my clients work across a range of sectors. I'm currently working with a mental health organization that is providing much needed support to individuals struggling with the mental health impacts of COVID and an organization that runs court-diversion programs and provides educational support to Black and racialized youth in Brampton. I'm also working on report for a First Nation seeking to improve communications with band members living on- and off-reserve. (As it turns out, Tony Doob's essential training on SPSS got me the last gig!).”
Reflecting on her time at the Centre, Sara says she “really enjoyed the many opportunities I had to collaborate and work with other students in the program.” She describes study sessions with classmates in the Centre lounge preparing for the final exam in Assistant Professor Ayo Laniyonu's Methodological Issues in Criminology course.
She also describes the fun of working on assignments for Professor Emeritus Tony Doob’s Data Analysis course: “Every student in the class was crammed in the computer room trying to figure out how to use SPSS together. Plus, Tony always brought us chocolate to keep us motivated at the final hour.”
To students just beginning their time in the MA program, Sara says she really encourages students to reach out to their professors for advice and support. “The faculty at the Centre are incredibly helpful and generous. Many professors helped me with research even when it wasn't for their class.”
Next story: Ikran Jama, Rhodes Scholarship Winner