Prince Khan and Fiona Mahadeo were lauded at the University of Guelph-Humber’s Annual Alumni Reunion
It was a night of lively celebration at the University of Guelph-Humber (U of GH)’s Annual Alumni Reunion, which brought together alumni of all graduating years, with a focus on the five and 10-year anniversaries of the classes of 2019 and 2014. This evening also recognized a pair of extraordinary alumni – Prince Khan (Business, class of 2015) and Fiona Mahadeo (Justice Studies, class of 2023) – as our 2024 Alumni Award recipients.
At U of GH, our alumni are making waves in their chosen industries and tend to be our most passionate advocates – a testament to the success U of GH sets in motion for students. Khan was honoured with the Alumni Award of Achievement and Mahadeo was honoured with the Distinguished Alum Award.
University of Guelph-Humber Alumni Award of Achievement: Prince Khan
This award is presented to an alum who has made outstanding contributions in their field and whose integrity and ability has inspired other alumni, staff, and students, which Khan embodies.
Khan is no stranger to the alumni awards; he was the recipient of the Distinguished Alum Award in 2017. Since then, he said he’s mastered his personal brand and built a personality within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Now, he’s an Adjunct Professor at U of GH teaching Entrepreneurial Studies, an instructor at Algonquin College teaching classes Emerging Technology for Business and Marketing Research, and a Supervisor at Invest Brampton. He also earned his Master of Economic Development and Innovation degree from the University of Waterloo in October 2023.
When he’s not hard at work teaching students or uplifting aspiring entrepreneurs, Khan was formerly a VP of membership at the Halton Hills Toastmasters (a chapter of the public speaking and leadership club), and is currently a Director and Treasurer of the Brampton Arts Organization and a business coach and trainer for two not-for-profits: Rise Asset Development and ACCESS Community Capital Fund.
“I love giving back. I love mentoring, and my job involves mentorship and guidance and supporting entrepreneurs. But I've also been on the back end where I've supported students as well,” Khan said.
Khan’s former Entrepreneurial Studies student Esha nominated him for the award, with co-contributors Shaun Ghulam and Rosana Fernandez. When he received the email informing him that he won the award, he was sitting at his desk at work.
“It just came out of nowhere and really made my day!” he said.
But Khan wasn’t simply an overnight success. He came from a family of immigrants and didn’t have access to the “best resources.” Khan, as he puts it, climbed high from nothing through hard work.
“I was in elementary school and middle school and was a C and D [grade] student. Now I’m a professor. I’m a supervisor. It took me time and it took a lot of grit and a lot of determination to really overcome those obstacles,” he said.
Khan lives by a mantra he calls “dream, do, achieve, fail, learn, succeed.” He wants current students to know they shouldn’t be afraid to take risks that may help foster future growth.
“Don’t take the easy way out,” Khan said. “Always look to dream about something big. If you don’t achieve it and you fail, you learn from it and then you try to succeed from there.”
University of Guelph-Humber Distinguished Alum Award: Fiona Mahadeo
Mahadeo was recognized for this award as an alum who has demonstrated loyalty and commitment to U of GH through significant volunteer leadership, making a positive difference to our school community.
Currently a graduate student studying to earn her Master of Arts (MA) degree in Criminology at Ontario Tech University, she maintains ties to U of GH through working as a Student Recruitment Officer. She began this role upon her graduation in 2023 until this past April, but she returned part-time to work in the role as she continues to study for her MA. Mahadeo is an aspiring law professor, adding that she hopes to one day teach at U of GH.
“After your academic journey comes to an end, you know what they say: Once you're part of Guelph-Humber, you're a Guelph-Humber alumni for life,” Mahadeo said, as she donned a U of GH hoodie.
Her passion for U of GH led her to be nominated for this award by her good friend, Anna-Lisa Barrett (who is also a U of GH alum – Justice Studies, class of 2023). Mahadeo found out she won the award when she checked her email while walking to a graduate school class.
“I went in the corner, I opened it, and my jaw hit the ground. I was trying to contain my excitement so everybody around me does not think that this girl is not okay,” she said, laughing.
Mahadeo believes she has earned this award because of her community involvement. She firmly believes an educational journey doesn’t have to stop at graduation; it can continue beyond.
Her message to current students is to put themselves out there and ask as many questions as possible. Mahadeo urged students to take any opportunity that comes their way as further opportunities are often found within. Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith.
To learn more about the Alumni Awards criteria, click here.
