Mentor navigator appointments and drop-ins

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Mentor navigators are caring upper-year students from the African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian & First Generation Student Engagement programs.

They are African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian and first generation students with intersectional identities that include: Racialized, international, English as a second language, religious or spiritual, 2SLGBTQIA+, mature, students with disabilities, Transitional Year Programme students (current & former), and other lived identities.

Mentor navigators provide connections to academic, career, wellness, engagement and many other services to foster a sense of belonging and community. They also help students navigate barriers to access and inclusion, and connect students to each other and the broader U of T community.

Register to make an appointment
or attend a drop-in

Mentor navigator appointments and drop-ins are available to all undergraduate students who identify as African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian & First Generation students with intersectional identities.

Mentor Navigators are available for individual appointments and drop-ins from October to March.

Visit the appropriate Student Engagement program page to register:

Meet the mentor navigators

Khalid (he/him)

Mentor Navigator
African Black Caribbean
Undergraduate, 3rd year

Country You Were Born In:
Canada

Countries Your Parents Were Born In:
Somalia

Additional Intersectional Identities:
Muslim

Program of Study:
Life Sciences, Pathobiology

Some Other Positions You’ve Held:

  • Equity Director, Black Students’ Association 2025 – 2026
  • Events Team, Black Doctors of Tomorrow 2024 – 2025

Best Thing About This Program:
I have the chance to support Black students on campus through sharing my journey and resources that I took advantage of.

Interests:
Stem cell research, soccer, manga

Makuach (he/him)

Mentor Navigator
African Black Caribbean, First Generation
Undergraduate, 5th year

Country You Were Born In:
South Sudan

Countries Your Parents Were Born In:
South Sudan

Additional Intersectional Identities:
Immigrant, Christian, speaks Kiswahili fluently and a little Arabic

Program of Study:
Life Sciences, Biochemistry Specialist, Immunology Minor

Some Other Positions You’ve Held:

  • Program Assistant, African Studies Department 2022 – 2023
  • Mentor, Medical Science Student Union 2024 – 2025

Best Thing About This Program:
This program opens doors to studies and avenues that need a mentor to guide the way.

Interests:
Chess, soccer, reading

Daniel (he/him)

Mentor Navigator
Latin American, First Generation
Undergraduate, 4th year

Country You Were Born In:
Mexico

Countries Your Parents Were Born In:
Mexico

Additional Intersectional Identities:
International student, immigrant, Catholic, speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently, and a little German

Program of Study:
Statistics Major, Economics and Math Minor

Some Other Positions You’ve Held:

  • President, Organization of Latin American Students St. George 2025 – 2026
  • Outgoing Exchange Coordinator, AIESEC 2023 – 2025

Best Thing About This Program:
I am able to connect, mentor, and support students, especially those from diverse backgrounds like mine, so they feel seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.

Interests:
Running, gym, history

Salomé (she/her)

Mentor Navigator
Latin American, First Generation
Undergraduate, 3rd year

Country You Were Born In:
Colombia

Countries Your Parents Were Born In:
Colombia

Additional Intersectional Identities:
Queer, immigrant and invisibly disabled. Speaks Spanish fluently, and a bit of Portuguese and French

Program of Study:
Social Sciences, Double major in Women and Gender Studies Institute and Sociocultural Anthropology

Some Other Positions You’ve Held:

  • Co-Editor-in-Chief, The Women & Gender Studies Institute Journal “Generations” 2025 – 2026
  • Outreach Coordinator, PEARS (Prevention, Empowerment, Advocacy, Response for Survivors) Project 2024 – 2025

Best Thing About This Program:
I wanted to give back and be part of a program that was so helpful for me as I arrived as a Newcomer to Canada.

Interests:
Swimming, reading, cooking

Prima (she/her)

Mentor Navigator
Southeast Asian, First Generation
Undergraduate, 3rd year

Country You Were Born In:
Thailand

Countries Your Parents Were Born In:
Thailand

Additional Intersectional Identities:
International student, Buddhist, speaks Thai fluently

Program of Study:
Rotman Commerce, Finance and Economics Specialist, with a focus in Data Science

Some Other Positions You’ve Held:

  • Vice President of Marketing, U of T Thai Student Association 2025 – 2026
  • E-Mentor, Woodsworth College E-Mentorship Program 2024

Best Thing About This Program:
I want to help other students find their own welcoming community and navigate their way through university life without any barriers.

Interests:
Music, karaoke, reading webcomics

Serenity (she/her)

Mentor Navigator
Southeast Asian, First Generation
Undergraduate, 4th year

Country You Were Born In:
Canada

Countries Your Parents Were Born In:
Vietnam

Additional Intersectional Identities:
Speaks Vietnamese fluently

Program of Study:
Social Sciences, Criminology & Socio-Legal Studies Major, Sociology Minor, Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health Minor

Some Other Positions You’ve Held:

  • Co-President, U of T Vietnamese Students’ Association 2024 – 2025
  • President, U of T Pre-Law Society 2025 – 2026

Best Thing About This Program:
Connecting with students through identity and providing mentorship to those in similar situations.

Interests:
Concerts, cafes, shopping

Gabriella (she/her)

Programs Assistant
Latin American, First Generation
Undergraduate, 4th year

Country You Were Born In:
Ecuador

Countries Your Parents Were Born In:
Ecuador and Brazil

Additional Intersectional Identities:
International student, speaks Spanish and Portuguese fluently

Program of Study:
Social and Mathematical Sciences, Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics

Some Other Positions You’ve Held:

  • Program Mentor, Organization of Latin American Students St. George 2023 – 2024
  • Conference Assistant, Temerty Faculty of Medicine 2024 – 2025

Best Thing About This Program:
How it creates a space where students like me can see themselves represented and supported: to share my experiences and help others feel less alone.

Interests:
Baking, painting, music

Upcoming Events

Registration is required. Register using the Folio links on this page.

Financial Aid Drop-Ins with Mentor Navigators

African Black Caribbean Mentor Navigator Drop-Ins on Financial Aid

Register on Folio.

Latin American Mentor Navigator Drop-Ins on Financial Aid

Register on Folio.

Southeast Asian Mentor Navigator Drop-Ins on Financial Aid

Register on Folio.

First Generation Mentor Navigator Drop-Ins on Financial Aid

Register on Folio.