Sara Asalya
Founder, Newcomer Students' Association & Executive Director, Newcomer Women's Services Toronto
Sara is an award-winning leader and immigrant rights advocate. Her work and research are focused on exploring the systemic and structural barriers faced by immigrants, particularly immigrant students and women in accessing education and employment. She led many projects and initiatives that focused on building solidarity and allyship between immigrants and indigenous communities, as well as building leadership capacity and civic engagement for immigrant women.
Media
Top 25 Canadian Immigrant
Canadian Immigrant MagazinePrint
URL: https://canadianimmigrant.ca/canadas-top-25-immigrants/canadas-top-25-immigrants-2018/sara-asalya
How social media influencers are trying to get the U.S. youth vote
The Ryersonian , November 2, 2020Online
URL: https://ryersonian.ca/how-social-media-influencers-are-trying-to-get-the-u-s-youth-vote/
Canada’s election campaign has revealed a deeply fractured country
The Globe and Mail, October 20, 2019Online
This Thanksgiving, more than any other, gratitude is precious – but warm feelings are only the first step to living well
The Globe and Mail, October 11, 2020Online
At Canada’s universities, institutional racism more than a case of a few bad apples
The Hill Times , January 4, 2021Online
URL: https://www.hilltimes.com/2021/01/04/open-letter/277214
Immigrant families cannot afford a return to business-as-usual
Toronto StarOnline
Doug Ford government cuts are hurting immigrant and refugee communities
Canada Under the Same Roof
Ryerson Today- Ryerson UniversityOnline
URL: https://www.ryerson.ca/news-events/news/2018/10/canada-under-one-roof/
Creating a space on campus for Canadian newcomers
Ryerson Today- Ryerson UniversityOnline
URL: https://www.ryerson.ca/news-events/news/2018/08/creating-a-space-on-campus-for-canadian-newcomers/
Canada Day: OISE-bound award winner aims to improve university experience for new immigrants
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education - University of TorontoOnline
Going Back to School: My Story as an Adult Immigrant Student
New Canadian MediaOnline
URL: https://newcanadianmedia.ca/going-back-to-school-my-story-as-an-adult-immigrant-student/
Pay phones still ringing up profits
The RyersonianOnline
URL: http://ryersonian.ca/pay-phones-still-ringing-up-profits/
Integrating our Voices: Centring Stories of Migration conference
Ryerson Today, November 23, 2017Online
Going back to School: My story as an adult immigrant student
by Sara Asalya
Published by New Canadian Media
January 10, 2018
Biography
Sara Asalya is a Palestinian immigrant and community organizer. She was born and raised in a war-torn country. She witnessed first-hand the impact of violence, displacement, and trauma on the lives of war refugees and was extensively exposed to the lived experiences of these vulnerable communities. This has shaped her understanding of social justice and human rights by instilling her with a passion to effect change by helping others. Since moving to Canada, she has encountered various challenges and barriers that newcomers and immigrants typically face when trying to access education and employment. However, these personal struggles helped her connect and ease the transition process with many fellow newcomers during her work in the Settlement Sector in Toronto.
Prior to joining Newcomer Women's Services Toronto (NEW), Asalya was the Founder and Executive Director of The Newcomer Students’ Association, a national not for profit organization working at the intersection of migration, education, and social justice, and a platform committed to promoting inclusion and equity for post-secondary immigrant and refugee students.
Asalya is an award-winning leader who brings more than 13 years of experience working internationally and in Canada in various sectors including not-for-profit, NGOs, think tank and higher education institutions. Asalya received many awards for being a champion for immigrants' rights and for her leadership and dedication to advancing their economic resilience and civic, and political engagement. She was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants in 2018, and one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence in 2021.
Recognition/Reconnaissance
Top 25 Women of influence | Professional
This is a national prestigious award given to remarkable leaders and change agents who reached impressive heights and broken barriers to leave a defining impact on the communities they serve.
Top 25 Canadian Immigrant | Professional
This coveted award recognizes and celebrates the untold inspiring stories of Canadian immigrants who have made a significant contribution to Canada , and honors them with the most esteemed national award celebrating immigrant success.
Immigrants who have been honoured with this prestigious national award in the past include well-known Canadians like restaurateur/TV host Vikram Vij, acclaimed ballerina Chan Hon Goh, former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson, Senator Ratna Omidvar and Minister Ahmed Hussen.
Leaders in Learning Award | Professional
Sara was awarded the Leaders in Learning award from Ryerson University for two executive years. This award is given to one student for their academic excellence, leadership and outstanding contribution to the Ryerson community.
Additional Titles and Affiliations
Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA)
Sara sits on the board of directors of ACSA
FOCUS Media Arts Centre
Sara sits on the board of directors of FOCUS
Non-Status Women Network
Sara is a member and organizer with the Non-status Women Network.
The Migration Initiative
Sara is a board advisor at the Migration Initiative
Newcomer Women's Services Toronto
Sara is the Sister2Sister Program Manager at Newcomer Womens' Services Toronto. The program aims to reduce social isolation and gender violence by building leadership skills, self-sufficiency, and mutual support among at-risk multicultural/multi-ethnic immigrant and refugee women.
Past Talks
Framing our Future
Framing our Future #CDNVote2019
YWCA Toronto, September 13, 2019
Investing in Inclusion: Burn out and Work Life Balance
Investing in Inclusion
Ryerson University, October 9, 2020
Living in Colour Show at Global TV
Living in Colour: Migration & Integration with host Farah Nasser
Global TV Toronto, July 9, 2019
Integrating our Voices: Centering Stories of Migration Conference MC
Integrating our Voices: Centering Stories of Migration
Ryerson University
Community Sustainable Development and Social Planning
Community Sustainable Development and Social Planning
Ryerson University
Essential Skills for Student Services
Essential Skills for Student Services
George Brown College
Rethinking Education and Migration Panel discussion- panelist
Knowledge, Culture & Urban Affairs Conference
Ryerson University
Migration and Democratic Engagement Panel Discussion - panelist
Knowledge, Culture & Urban Affairs Conference
Ryerson University
Annual General Meeting & Team Retreat Keynote speaker
Pearson Annual General Meeting
Toronto
Migrant Dreams Panel Discussion - panelist
Migrant Dreams Panel Discussion
Hart House- University of Toronto
Leaders in Learning Awards Ceremony Keynote Speaker
Leaders in Learning Annual Awards Ceremony
Ryerson University
Fire side Chat with Senator Ratna Omidvar
Integrating our Voices: Centering Stories of Migration Conference
Ryerson University
The Crossing- Documentary on Syrian Refugees
Ryerson University, January 24, 2017
Global Refugee Crisis Lunch & Learn
Ryerson University, February 6, 2018
Migration & Social Justice: Supporting Refugee Communties
Ryerson University, October 24, 2017
Migration and Student Life
Ryerson University, November 26, 2017
Integrating our Voices: Centring Stories of Migration
Ryerson University, November 26, 2017
Celebrating our Voices
An International Women Day Event
Ryerson University, March 8, 2017