Ontario Tech has the absolute best students. There, we said it. And you know why? Because of people like Khushi Dhalla. This summer, the City of Oshawa awarded her the City’s first ever Youth Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Award!

This award is given to people who make meaningful change through personal commitment to equity and social justice. They are people who embody leadership, creating inclusive spaces where everyone can participate, and use their own lived experiences to strengthen the community.

And now, one of those people is an Ontario Tech student! 🙌

Of course we wanted to know more and share this awesome story with you, so we sat down with Khushi to get the play-by-play.

OTSU: First off, huge congratulations! How did it feel sitting in City Hall as the youngest person in the room when they called your name?

KHUSHI DHALLA: Thank you so much! I felt immensely honoured and incredibly grateful to be the youngest person invited into a space with long-term leaders within the city. Knowing that I was becoming the very first recipient of this award in Oshawa’s history was truly overwhelming, and as a young woman of colour, that recognition carried an even deeper significance.

As I stood up to shake hands with Mayor Dan Carter and all the other wonderful Councillors and heard multiple cameras rolling, I was surely nervous, hahaha. But more importantly, I was so excited and grateful that the City felt I deserved such recognition. What made the moment even more special was having my parents beside me to witness it all.

OTSU: You mentioned that Oshawa isn't your original hometown. What was your first impression of the city, and how did you figure out where you wanted to make your mark?

KD: When I was choosing a university, I knew I wasn't just choosing where I wanted to earn my degree—I was choosing the community I wanted to invest in. I knew I could have earned a degree almost anywhere, but I was looking for an opportunity to contribute, grow as a leader and make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom.

I believe what stood out to me about Oshawa was its potential. It's a city that's constantly growing, evolving, it’s diverse and with that come incredible opportunities to build stronger communities. Once I moved to the city and began university, I very quickly began searching for opportunities to make a difference.

OTSU: Your post says your passion for community work started way back in elementary school. What did that look like back then, and how did it turn into the work you’re doing these days that won you the award?

KD: Looking back, I have always had a passion for philanthropy. It all started when I was eight years old, bringing not only my school community, but corporations in York Region together to donate over 900 plush toys for children at Sick Kids Hospital. Soon after I became involved in Welcome and Training Workshops for newcomers in Canada, various councils and committees, medical campaigns, advocacy groups and more throughout my elementary and high school years.

I am truly grateful that I’ve been able to expand the scope of my projects to have larger impacts each time. In my university career, this passion has translated into leading initiatives regarding social advocacy, global education equity, refugee resettlement in Oshawa, mental health advocacy for youth in the city, and bringing members of the Oshawa community–both on and off campus– together to learn and promote inclusion, education, and equity.

Creating opportunities for the Oshawa community to learn about global inequities and build meaningful connections has enabled us to make a significant impact in areas far beyond Oshawa.

I'm incredibly grateful that what first started as simply wanting to bring joy to others has grown into a lifelong passion and helped me discover purpose. Through these experiences, the greatest thing I learned was that service is most impactful when it engages an entire community and inspires intentional collective action. This is why I strive to include emerging leaders in all my initiatives, giving everyone an equal opportunity to spread their wings in the world of leadership!

OTSU: You came to Ontario Tech wanting "more than just a degree." What advice do you have for students who want to break out of the "study-sleep-repeat" cycle and actually connect with and support their community?

KD: This is probably my favourite question, hahaha. I always tell students that your education doesn't only happen in the classroom. Some of the most valuable lessons I've learned about leadership, empathy, communication, and resilience didn't come from a textbook, but rather from working alongside people whose experiences were very different from my own.

My advice is to stop waiting until you feel "qualified" to get involved, because I know many students are afraid to take the first step in their communities. Start by attending an event, starting an initiative, introducing yourself to one new person, or saying yes to a new opportunity that pushes you outside your comfort zone. Time truly won't come back. The opportunities, resources, and ability you have as a student right now are incredibly invaluable, and I wouldn't want anyone to miss them. Don’t be afraid to seek new opportunities, because you never know where one "yes" can lead you.

Looking back, every opportunity I said yes to has given me something valuable, whether that's knowledge, lifelong memories, meaningful friendships, or professional growth. Years from now, you probably won't remember every lecture you attended, but you'll remember the people whose lives intersected with yours and the impact you made together.

OTSU: If you could wave a magic wand and instantly dismantle one systemic barrier that students or youth in Oshawa face right now, what would it be?

KD: If I could remove one barrier it would definitely be the difficulty of accessing opportunities. There are so many talented young people in the city with incredible ideas and aspirations, but factors such as limited professional networks, a lack of knowledge regarding available resources, or a lack of mentorship can hinder their success. Oshawa has an incredible ecosystem of organizations, educational institutions, and community partners who genuinely want to support young people. So the opportunity is definitely there, it’s just that we need to make sure youth know it exists and feel empowered to take that first step. When we invest in young people early and remove unnecessary barriers, we're strengthening the future of the entire community.

OTSU: What is next for you? Now that your name is officially in Oshawa’s history books, what kind of trouble (the good, change-making kind!) are you looking to stir up next?

KD: I am definitely looking forward to what is ahead! There are a few initiatives in the works right now that I will leave as a surprise, but I can surely share that they will continue to build on some of the values that brought me here today: celebrating diversity, championing equity, fostering inclusion, lowering barriers and empowering youth to recognize the impact they're capable of making.

Side note: I believe that some of the greatest growth happens through the people you meet, the communities you serve, the challenges you embrace, and the experiences you never expected to have.