Three University of Toronto Students and Two Graduates Headed to Montreal as McCall MacBain Scholarship Finalists
Three University of Toronto students and two alumni have been selected as national finalists for the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill.
Established with a landmark $200-million gift in 2019, the McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies. More than 700 Canadians applied, and 151 advanced to a first round of interviews in November. The top 53 Canadians will attend the final round of interviews in Montreal, joined by 38 finalists from other countries. Travel and accommodation costs are covered for the final interviews.
McCall MacBain Scholars receive substantial funding to pursue an eligible degree at McGill University, including full tuition coverage, a $2,300 monthly living stipend during academic terms, and summer funding options. Scholars are paired with mentors and coaches, participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program, and have access to the McCall MacBain House on campus. A relocation grant is also available for those moving to Montreal.
Applicants are endorsed by their universities of origin and assessed by volunteer leaders based on evidence of character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.
We aim to support emerging leaders who demonstrate integrity, kindness, curiosity, and courage. These students have already shown remarkable promise in their communities, and we’re grateful to the universities that encouraged and supported them in pursuing this opportunity.– Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, Chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill
While in Montreal, the finalists will interview with leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector. Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. Canadian finalists not selected for the cohort will be eligible to receive $10,000 towards their studies at McGill.
In addition to the finalists, four University of Toronto candidates earned McCall MacBain Regional Awards of $5,000 or $10,000 each as top candidates in their region.
“We are also deeply thankful to the more than 300 leaders who lend their time to help us select these exceptional students and graduates,” added Natasha Sawh, CEO of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “The interviews provide candidates with a space for meaningful reflection, and we hope they leave with a stronger sense of their leadership potential and the impact they can have in strengthening communities.”
Applications will open in June 2026 for the 2027 cohort. More information about the McCall MacBain Scholarships can be found at mccallmacbainscholars.org.
University of Toronto Finalists
Caitlin Arizala
University of Toronto Scarborough (BSc'24)
Honours Bachelor of Science in Population Health graduate Caitlin Arizala works in communications for YouthREX, a research and evaluation exchange centre at York University. She also runs scholaRLY, a grassroots youth research incubator she co-founded in Rexdale, Toronto.
From 2021 to 2024, Caitlin served as the community manager at The Flaunt-It Movement, co-creating a creative internship program and co-working studio as a local economic empowerment initiative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as principal investigator for a COVID-19 vaccine equity project, leading a team of researchers to understand health inequity in northwest Toronto. Building on her research experience, she volunteered to evaluate undergraduate research papers at UTSC’s annual symposium. She recently completed a 10-month internship at the Ontario Legislature.
Caitlin is applying for the Master of Public Policy program at McGill.
“I grew up in Northwest Toronto’s low-income, racialized neighbourhoods, where access to education and opportunity is scarce. I have dedicated my career to investing in young people’s innate talents, curiosity, and dreams that serve transformative for themselves and their communities.”
Sean Coomey
University of Toronto, Trinity (BA'25)
Sean Coomey graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), English Specialist. He completed a two-year program at Deep Springs, a small liberal arts college on a cattle ranch in California, before starting his bachelor’s degree. Having followed a non-traditional path to university, he is keen to share the uplifting impact of education with others.
Sean co-leads a prison book club in Toronto and worked as a program coordinator for Book Clubs for Inmates, leading a discussion-based program for an at-risk community in Scarborough. He also volunteered for nearly two years at the Kensington Hospice and mentored peers on campus. During his summers, he worked as a research assistant and tree planter.
Sean is applying to master’s programs in Classics and English at McGill.
Rhea Raghunauth
University of Toronto, St. Michael's College (BSc'25)
Rhea Raghunauth graduated in 2025 with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and Neuroscience. As a Pathy Foundation Fellow, she is co-creating an initiative offering intimate partner violence prevention workshops for youth in the Peel Region.
During her studies, Rhea co-led the U of T Mental Health Association and co-founded the downtown campus chapter of the Canadian Courage Project, supporting youth experiencing homelessness. Rhea also facilitated art therapy sessions at Mount Sinai Hospital, tutored students, and spent a summer working at the SickKids Research Institute. She has co-authored two research papers, and she volunteers at an animal shelter.
Rhea is applying for master’s programs in health sciences at McGill.
“The scholarship application process invites meaningful, reflective practices that are centred on your values and purpose. Going through this process is a fantastic opportunity to pause, reflect, and articulate the work that matters most to you.”
Diery-Leandro Saint-Vil
University of Toronto Mississauga (BSc'24)
Diery-Leando Saint-Vil completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus (UTM). He was vice-president of community outreach and engagement for a Caribbean student group, study group leader with the academic skills centre, mentor with the student union, and a science communicator with the undergraduate student research association. Outside of his community service, he worked part-time as a research assistant.
Today, Diery-Leandro is studying bladder disease biomarkers in a Master of Science in Surgical and Interventional Science at McGill University. He leads research and science communication training with Youreka Canada as their president, and, for the past two years, has volunteered to teach STEM to students in primary and secondary schools in Quebec.
Diery-Leando is applying to medical school at McGill.
Amir Samadi
University of Toronto, Trinity (BSc'26)
Amir Samadi is completing an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He volunteers at Camp Erin, a bereavement camp for children, and leads mental health and wellness initiatives on campus. These experiences have helped him develop stronger empathy and communication skills, while fuelling his curiosity about the neural basis of cognition and emotion. Amir also took on a leadership role as tour program coordinator at Trinity, supervising student tour guides, and serves as treasurer of the U of T BioEntrepreneurship Network.
Having worked on several research projects related to the neurobiology of learning and memory, Amir is applying for master’s programs in neuroscience and experimental psychology at McGill.
“I feel recognized for what matters to me, and I’m excited to grow into a leader who makes space, shares credit, and brings others along. The University of Toronto has helped me connect the dots between theory and real life. I’ve learned how to think critically, communicate clearly, and stay grounded in purpose, even when the workload is intense.”
University of Toronto Regional Award Recipients
Regional Awards are tenable at any public university in Canada.
Canadian Regional Awards ($5,000 each)
- Dylan Silver, University of Toronto (BKin’26)
- Sharini Sam Chee, University of Toronto (MASc’26)
International Regional Awards ($10,000 each)
- Benjamin Koshy Jacob, University of Toronto Mississauga (BSc’26)
- Iman Lalani, University of Toronto Mississauga (BA’23)
