Dear GDipICL graduates,
Congratulations on completing the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law program, and reaching this significant milestone in your academic journey!
You have invested in your education and future growth, and demonstrated the power of perseverance and dedication.
As the next generation of immigration practitioners, policymakers, and leaders, you will play a vital role in enhancing Canada’s economic growth and social vibrancy, supporting our human rights and family reunification priorities, and ensuring shared access to prosperity.
You are joining the proud tradition of Queen’s graduates and alum who are the long-term stewards of the ideals of this institution, its principles, and its commitment to advancing public and community service.
Below you will find a message from our senior program administrators, congratulatory messages from faculty, staff, students, and more.
We encourage you to share this content with your friends and family as we celebrate YOU and give you the recognition and appreciation that you deserve.
Congratulations!
Message from Dean Colleen Flood
Message from Sharry Aiken, Academic Director
Message from Don Ames, Manager, Admissions and Recruitment
Message from Jan Edward, Manager, Academic Operations and Administration
Congratulations on this momentous achievement! Your journey to this point has been filled with challenges, but your unwavering dedication and hard work have brought you to this incredible milestone. As you stand here on the threshold of a new chapter, remember the immense potential within you.
This is not just a graduation; it's a launchpad for the positive impact you're destined to make in the immigration and citizenship sector. Your commitment to excellence and the pursuit of knowledge has set you apart, and I have no doubt that you will continue to shine.
As you transition to becoming a part of our GDipICL Alumni Family, envision the endless possibilities ahead. You're not just graduates; you're champions ready to shape the future. Your unique talents and perspectives will contribute to the betterment of the world around you.
I am genuinely excited to witness the transformative influence you will have on the lives of those you serve. So, go forth with confidence, embrace the challenges, and let your passion drive you towards making a lasting, positive difference. The world is ready for the incredible contributions only you can bring. Congratulations once again!
Jan Edward, Manager, Academic Operations and Administration
Messages from Faculty, Staff and Students
Corey Clamp, Student Council Member
Tracey Dowdeswell, Instructor
Oluwakemi Oduwole, Instructor
Arian Sultafa, Instructor
Rhonda Williams, Instructor
Anita Boscariol, Instructor
Congratulations on reaching this amazing milestone ! It was a great pleasure being one of your instructors, to see you engaging with and learning the course material. All of your hard work and dedication has led to this wonderful achievement in your lives. May you take what you have learned to carve out a future in the immigration field which is both rewarding and meaningful.
All the best !
Joanne Lau, Adjunct Instructor, ICL 850
Congratulations!!! you guys did it!!!
Wishing you all the best for the next steps you take in this journey...
Muhammad Wajahat Faizan, J.D. LL.M, Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public, RCIC, Adjunct Professor
Dear Graduates,
What an accomplishment! Congratulations one and all!
Today, you are basking the rewards of hard work and dedication to your studies. May you enjoy the moment, relish your success and see opportunities ahead for rewarding work in this field. I truly hope you will find a niche in the world of immigration that allows you to continue to expand on the foundation of knowledge and skills you have just begun here, while contributing to making the dreams of others come true.
Welcome to the next generation of immigration consultants and the world of professional practice. May you go forth and serve the public in ways we can all be proud of. Good luck and stay in touch!
Lynn Gaudet, Instructor
Congratulations to all my classmates! We did it! It was an honour to embark on this journey with you with all its highs and lows. All the best in your future endeavours.
Veronica Sepehr, Graduate
Congratulations to my fellow graduates. It was my pleasure to share this wonderful GdipICL journey with you all. Good luck with all your future endeavours as we all become RCIC’s in the near future. Cheers!
TJ Singh, Graduate
Congratulations to all my fellow mates on successfully completing the GdipICL. Hoping for a bright future filled with opportunities and accomplishments for each one of you.
Opinder Kaur (Tozy), Graduate
Dear graduates and my extended family members, Yes, I call GDipICL my extended family. Therefore, you are surely my extended family members. I feel excited to see you all making to the end of the journey. Hey, you just overcome the first stage of your real journey which is yet to begin as RCIC. But I am super sure that as you could come up to this far, you will be able to achieve the next milestones as well. Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can be of any help. Wishing you all the very best.
Sid Rahman, Graduate
Amazing accomplishment! Be proud of achieving this milestone. It took much effort, dedication, and hours of study but you made it through. I'm honoured to have been part of your learning and I look forward to working with you as fellow colleagues.
Laurie Parris, Instructor
My fellow graduates, my heartfelt congratulations. We made it! Graduating from the program is a remarkable accomplishment, and I am very proud of all of us for reaching this significant milestone. We could not have made it through without dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Most importantly, our journey would have been more difficult without each other’s friendship and support. Along the way, we've forged invaluable friendships and professional connections—true gems that complement the knowledge and skills we acquired in the program. I hope that we continue to connect and grow together as we embark on this new journey as future RCICs.
Marichu Lacson, Graduate
It is impossible to complete a program like GDipICL without hard work and dedication. Congratulations to all of you on this accomplishment. To those who took my course, I sincerely thank you (and Queen's) for the opportunity to be part of your journey.
My favourite part about higher learning is the opportunity to think critically about matters, without having to be positional. As you start representing clients, this will change, as it is our duty to advocate for the best interests of our clients. This transition is going to be exciting, challenging and rewarding.
As you move into this next chapter, I urge you to move slowly, pay attention to detail, communicate with your clients and take time for yourselves. You are never alone - as the faculty at GDipICL will always be here for you if you require anything, so please do not hesitate to reach out to for support.
Best of luck everyone - and welcome to this amazing field of work.
Joshua Slayen, Instructor
Dear GDipICL Graduates,
Warmest congratulations to each and every one of you on reaching this remarkable milestone in your academic journey. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment have brought you to this moment, and it is a privilege to share in your joy as you embark on this new chapter in your lives.
As you graduate from the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law (GDipICL) program, you are not just closing the door on your academic pursuits but opening a world of opportunities. The knowledge you have gained, the challenges you have overcome, and the connections you have forged during your time here will serve as a foundation for the adventures that lie ahead. Remember that learning is a lifelong journey, and your graduation from the GDipICL program is not the end but the beginning of a new and exciting phase.
Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to the GDipICL Class of 2024. You have not only demonstrated your academic prowess but also your ability to dream big and work diligently to realize those dreams. I have no doubt that you will continue to achieve remarkable things in your future endeavors.
Warm regards and best wishes,
Jolene McLean, Program Coordinator
Congratulations on reaching this academic milestone! Live, soar and thrive. You have endless possibilities ahead of you. Take a moment and give yourselves the credit that you deserve for this achievement. Wishing you success in all your endeavors. We are all proud of you.
Christina Asperilla, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Please take some time to reflect on the many accomplishments you achieved during your memorable time doing the GDipICL program.
Working with the GDipICL students is a memorable experience. The team takes such pleasure and pride in our efforts to support you through your journey. We are genuinely invested in your successes as students and your broader achievements in life beyond the classroom. Working with intelligent, engaged, and committed students who move toward personal and team success makes our work behind the scenes worthwhile and enjoyable.
Now that the GDipICL experience has wrapped up, each of you has moved on to new careers, new paths of study, new growing families and new challenges and opportunities.
Your cohort deserves to come together to celebrate your milestone achievement.
Thank you for choosing Queen’s University for your GDIPICL education. As the years progress, you will look back and remember the skills you enhanced, the lessons you learned and the relationships cultivated. We are honoured to have been a part of this memorable time in your life.
Amanda Higgins-O’Donnell, Program Coordinator
To all graduates of the GDiplCL program, congratulations! I am proud of the Class of 2024 and cannot wait to see all your accomplishments in the next chapter. All of your hard work and perseverance have led you to this proud moment in your lives. For those of you who attended my classes, please remember the Three Cs. The world of immigration is now at your fingertips, and I wish everyone the very best in your next adventure!
Fred Y-F Li, Adjunct Instructor
Congratulations GDipICL graduates! You have successfully completed a challenging and rigorous graduate level legal studies program. As you look back on your learning journey in this program you will certainly see how far you have come since those first few weeks in ICL810. You have survived and you have thrived! Take a moment to recognize the personal and professional sacrifices that you and your loved ones have made in order to reach this stage! Savour and relish this moment knowing that you are empowered with the skills, values and knowledge that you have gained in this program and will continue to develop throughout your professional career. Best wishes in all your endeavours, whatever path they may lead you towards!
Harini Sivalingam, ICL810 Instructor
Our industry is constantly evolving. Consequently, you must be very flexible and energetic to stay on top of the never-ending changes in Canadian immigration and citizenship law. However, if you embrace your opportunities, you will find your new career to be the most rewarding experience.
Take on the world! Collect many memories. So, you will inspire your juniors with amazing stories when it is your turn to teach.
Adventures await you.
Katharina Kontaxis, Instructor
I’m so glad that another cohort of GDipICL students successfully completed the program and will have an exciting different future! It’s an honor to be part of your academic journey and the teaching is also an invaluable learning experience for me. Thank you for your dedication to the program and your experiences sharing, questions, inspiration to me, and all I have learned from you. Warmest congratulations on your graduation! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors no matter be a RCIC, a Visa officer, a RISIA, an immigrant settlement worker or in seeking other related career! Whatever you do and wherever you go, I hope what you learned from the program can always support you, strengthen you, guide you, and inspire you!
Ivy Li, Instructor
Wishing you all a wonderful career, as you embark in this exciting field. I know you will assist many individuals and families, seeking a better life and opportunities here in Canada. Remember that reputation is very important and to always do right by your clients; ask for help when necessary; and make your mark as competent and knowledgeable practitioners in this field. You all have the tools to be successful and I know you will make every one of us proud, having graduated from this excellent program. All the best!
Prathima Prashad, Instructor
Congratulations class of 2024!
You have accomplished so much throughout this program. Wishing you continued success and an exciting career ahead.
Mia Loebach-Readings, Instructor
Congratulations and best wishes on your new and very rewarding journey!
Razmeen Joya, Instructor
From me to you all, congratulations on graduating from the GDipICL. It was a pleasure instructing so many of you. I am grateful to you for sharing with me your dreams and aspirations.
You are entering into an exciting industry. Remember to respect the license, offer top notch professional representation while remembering you will change many lives for the better around the world.
Looking forward to seeing many of you at upcoming conventions and seminars.
Marty Baram, Instructor
Congratulations on your achievement!! Be proud of this accomplishment. I hope your knowledge and experiences provide you with great opportunities and much success. We will always be here to support you in your future endeavours.
Catharine Baier, Instructor
A huge shoutout to my fellow classmates on reaching the end of an incredible journey (and the beginning of a new one)!
I feel so blessed to have shared this experience with all of you. Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without all of the support, knowledge and encouragement we shared with each other. I hope we carry that into our careers in immigration.
Be proud of all the hard work and dedication and sacrifices you made to achieve this goal. Congratulations to everyone! Wishing you all the best with your future career plans!
Diandra Whymns, Graduate
Congratulations fellow graduates! As one of the proud graduates of the GDipICL, I’m thrilled to celebrate this significant achievement with all of you. Although I am unable to attend the graduation ceremony due to work commitments, I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for everyone involved in our rigorous and rewarding journey.
The program challenged us in countless ways, yet we persevered, honed our skills, and emerged equipped to make a real difference in the world. The knowledge and skills we've gained are not just academic; they are tools for change. As we step forward into our careers, I am excited to see how we will apply our learnings creatively and productively to impact lives positively.
To my fellow graduates, I wish you all the success as you deploy your talents and newly acquired skills into your professional endeavours. Let's go forth and transform our learnings into meaningful actions that change lives.
Here's to new beginnings and the incredible journey that lies ahead!
Emmanuel Omudu, Graduate
Congratulations to all of us! We are almost at the start of this important event, and I am filled with a deep sense of pride and thankfulness. Today marks the end of our journey through the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law program at Quen's University. It has been a journey of hard work, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to greatness.
During our time together, we've learned much about the complicated world of immigration & citizenship law, including its subtleties and how to navigate its ever-changing terrain. We have pushed ourselves to think critically, to question what we think we know, and to look for new ways to solve the most important problems our world is facing.
However, beyond how hard we work in school, what makes our class stand out is how well we get along and help each other. We've made lasting bonds, helped people feel like they belong, and grown a community based on respect and understanding for each other. We've found friends, confidants, and guides in each other, which has made our lives so much better.
Let us carry forward the lessons we have learned and the relationships we have formed as we prepare to embark on the next phase of our journey. For the difficulties that lie ahead, let us face them with bravery and strength, knowing that we have the knowledge, skills, and drive to make the world a better place.
I want to send my deepest congratulations on this amazing accomplishment to my fellow graduates. May the future be full of endless chances to grow, be happy, and be successful. May the shared experiences and treasured memories that have made us into the unique people we are today always keep us linked.
As we start this new part of our lives, let's all continue to support the values of honesty, efficiency, and kindness.
Here's to the Class of 2024! May the light of opportunity guide our steps, and may our minds be full of hope, purpose, and endless options.
Oluwaseye Yusuf, Graduate
Many congratulations to the wonderful graduates of GDipICL program. Although there were many difficult moments but we made it to the finish. This assures us that With love and patience, nothing is impossible. Best wishes for a new beginning and hope to meet you all someday. Many congratulations again.
Richa Jaiswal, Graduate
Congratulations to everyone! I feel lucky to have experienced this journey alongside such an incredible group. Our achievements wouldn't have been possible without the support we have provided one another. Thank you all, and I wish you the very best in all your future endeavors!
Rocio Doña, Graduate
Congratulations to all my fellow W23 graduating classmates. I hope you all are as excited as I am in not only reaching this milestone, but also for the incredible journey ahead. Thank you for making the classes engaging and meaningful! A special shoutout to the instructors and the administration of the GDipICL for putting forward a comprehensive program, getting us ready to achieve our professional goals.
I look forward to seeing all of you at the convocation and please stay in touch. Let’s Celebrate!!
Sanjeev Verma, Graduate
I am very proud to stand alongside you all as we celebrate the culmination of our hard work and dedication in completing the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law program. Congratulations to each and every one of us!
This journey has been nothing short of transformative. Navigating this online course while managing our personal and professional lives demanded resilience and commitment, and yet, here we are, ready to embark on new adventures armed with knowledge and passion. Despite the virtual nature of our interactions, we've formed a tight-knit community bound by a shared pursuit of excellence.
I am grateful to have journeyed alongside such talented and inspiring individuals. Let's celebrate our achievements today and embrace the limitless possibilities that await us tomorrow. Congratulations once again, my fellow graduates of the GDipICL!
Yve Camae Biriaei Najafabadi, Graduate
Your diligent work over the course of this program has equipped you with the tools and understanding that you need to facilitate life-changing opportunities for those who dream of coming to Canada. Go forward with a mixture of humility and confidence as you step into the meaningful work that this exciting field has to offer!
Rob Hughes, Graduate
Congratulations to all the graduates for completing the Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law!
Your journey to becoming successful Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) is a testament to your dedication and expertise. I look forward to meeting you all at our graduation ceremony in June, where we can celebrate this remarkable achievement together.
This program was challenging, but we proudly persevered, knowing that our dedication would lead us to this moment. Wishing you all the best as you embark on this impactful journey! May your careers be filled with meaningful opportunities to advocate for justice and empower those navigating immigration processes.
Bavneet Kaur, Graduate
Congratulations, fellow graduates and future RCICs! It's been an honor sharing this journey at Queen's University. As we step into the immigration world, let's carry the lessons learned here with pride and determination. Our futures are bright, and our potential is limitless. Here's to the next chapter and all the successes it holds. Cheers to us!!!
Yukti, Graduate
Congratulations to my fellow graduates! While this photo may appear to be sarcastic, it is a reflection of my journey of becoming even more Canadian since I became a citizen nearly two decades ago.
My forthcoming career is the result of diligent study of GDICL, as it undoubtedly is for fellow graduates.
Given how I am due to hear about my EPE result the next day after virtual convocation, I will wait until then before I engage in a happy dance.
Peter Mitchelmore, Graduate