Meet Gina Cody, a foreign-student-turned-engineering-superhero of Concordia

Gina Cody’s mother, who married young, wanted her daughters to continue their education, and be independent. Gina, who came to Canada in 1979 during the revolution in Iran, not only carried on the mission that was given to her by her mother, but became the first woman in her program at Concordia University to finish a Ph.D. in building engineering, and went on to make a $15-million gift for her alma mater’s next generation. 

Concordia’s engineering faculty is now known as Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. While Gina’s success continues to inspire young women in the field, she humbly sees her contribution as a “way of giving back” and hopes that the circle continues.