Trent University will confer honorary degrees—the University’s highest honour—on four trailblazers, celebrating their leadership in filmmaking, technology and cybersecurity, Indigenous art and advocacy, and workforce equity and inclusion, during Convocation ceremonies this summer. The ceremonies are to be held from June 3-6, and June 9-11 in Peterborough and from June 12-13 in Durham.

Trent’s 2025 honorary degree recipients are: Deepa Mehta, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning filmmaker who has made extraordinary contributions to global social justice; Claudette McGowan, a globally recognized technology and cybersecurity leader who advocates for diverse leaders in the field; Alice Olsen Williams ’69 (Otonabee College), an internationally acclaimed Indigenous artist who uses her artform to educate audiences on Indigenous history and rights; and Zabeen Hirji, the first South Asian woman to reach the C-Suite of a TSX-100 company who is a national advocate for increased equity, diversion, and inclusion (EDI) in the workforce.

“Trent University is proud to honour these four extraordinary leaders whose remarkable achievements not only represent success in their fields but also provide powerful examples of empowerment, resilience, and determination for our Trent community,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, president and vice chancellor of Trent University. “We look forward to celebrating their legacies and the momentous impact they continue to make locally and globally."

The following individuals will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Science degree at the Peterborough campus:

Claudette McGowan – Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 2:00 p.m. ceremony, Peterborough

Claudette McGowan is a globally recognized technology and cybersecurity leader with more than 25 years of experience driving digital and cybersecurity transformation at major institutions such as the Bank of Montreal and TD Bank. As CEO and Founder of Protexxa, she is pioneering innovative AI-powered cybersecurity solutions and blazing new trails in start-up fundraising. Her groundbreaking career has earned numerous accolades, including being named in the Top 20 Canadian Women in Cybersecurity and the Women’s Executive Network’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada. As co-founder of Phoenix Fire and The Firehood, she also advocates for new founders by creating meaningful opportunities for angel funding, mentorship, and technical leadership.

The following individuals will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree at the Peterborough campus:

Alice Olsen Williams/Minaajimokwe '69 - Monday, June 9, 2025, 2:00 p.m. ceremony, Peterborough

Alice Olsen Williams/Minaajimokwe ’69 (Otonabee College) is an acclaimed textile artist who is celebrated for her passionate advocacy for Indigenous rights. Her award-winning quilts, displayed in international museums, powerfully convey the deep cultural history of Indigenous communities and educate audiences on the history of institutional racism and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. With more than 450 quilted pieces to her name, Olsen Williams’ work includes quilted blankets, wall hangings, and table runners that are exhibited in galleries across Canada and the U.S. including the Royal Ontario Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian). A proud Trent graduate, Olsen Williams was honoured with the 2023 Spirit of Trent Award through the Trent University Alumni Association and has also received the City of Peterborough Arts Award. 

Deepa Mehta OC, OOnt  

Deepa Mehta OC, OOnt, is a celebrated Canadian film director and screenwriter renowned for her contributions to the film industry, particularly in the realms of gender equality, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and social justice. Mehta’s internationally recognized work includes her critically acclaimed Elements Trilogy - Fire (1996), Earth (1996), and Water (2005). Born in India, her films have been selected for Academy Award submissions by both Canada and India, with Water earning a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Among her numerous accolades, Mehta is an Officer of the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario. She has also received the prestigious Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts. 

*Please note that Deepa Mehta is unfortunately unable to attend this year’s Convocation ceremony and will accept this prestigious honour in 2026.

The following individual will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in Durham:  

Zabeen Hirji – Friday, June 13, 2025, 2:00 p.m. ceremony, Tribute Communities Centre, Oshawa

Zabeen Hirji is a woman of ‘firsts’ in corporate Canada and a respected community leader, renowned for her exceptional advocacy for enhanced EDI in the Canadian workforce. Three years after immigrating to Canada, Hirji began her career as a teller at the Royal Bank of Canada, eventually rising to the position of Chief Human Resources (HR) Officer, overseeing 80,000 employees globally. She is the first South Asian woman to reach the C-suite of a TSX100 company. Currently, Hirji advises leaders across various sectors on AI and work, leadership, talent, values, and EDI. Her roles include senior advisor to Deloitte and Canada’s Clerk of the Privy Council, and Governor of Junior Achievement Worldwide. Hirji has received numerous awards for leadership in business, HR, and diversity.

Further details of Trent’s in-person convocation ceremonies, including full profiles of all 2025 honorary degree recipients, can be found at trentu.ca/convocation.