Access & Inclusion Peer Programs
Access & Inclusion Peer Programs is a mentorship program for students from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities. We offer academic, career, wellness and social supports that foster a sense of belonging and community. We also help students navigate barriers to access, inclusion and success at U of T.
Our mentor navigators are caring upper-year students who identify as being from underrepresented communities. This includes, but is not limited to, students who are: Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), African/Black/Caribbean, racialized, LGBTTI2SQQ+, first generation (parents/guardians did not complete post-secondary in Canada), religious/spiritual, currently or formerly enrolled in the Transitional Year Programme, mature, and/or transfer students.
Students attend one-to-one appointments with a mentor navigator of their choice. We also offer a series of events and workshops to connect students to each other and the U of T community.
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Program Eligibility
Access and Inclusion Peer Programs is for:- Indigenous students
- African, Black, Caribbean students
- racialized students
- mature students
- 2SLGBTTIQQ+ students
- Transitional Year Programme students
- first generation students
- religious and spiritual students
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How The Program Works
1. Find a mentor navigator. Read about the six mentor navigators below, under Program Student Team.
2. Book an appointment with a mentor navigator.
3. Attend weekly drop-ins for undergraduate students from all disciplines to address questions, discuss ideas and connect with other students. Each drop-in is hosted by mentor navigators from your community.
Winter 2021 schedule:
- Mondays 2 – 3 p.m., First Generation Undergrad Students Drop-in
- Tuesdays 2 – 3 p.m., Latin American Undergrad Students Drop-in
- Wednesdays 2 – 3 p.m., Southeast Asian Undergrad Students Drop-in
- Thursdays 2 – 3 p.m., African, Black, Caribbean Undergrad Students Drop-in
Registration is required: Log in to CLNx.
4. Attend an event or workshop: Access & Inclusion Peer Programs hosts several events and workshops throughout the year for underrepresented students. Events are running virtually due to COVID-19.
Note: If you don’t want to attend events by yourself, you can book an appointment with a mentor navigator to join you when in-person events resume.
5. Subscribe to our newsletter: The Access & Inclusion Peer Programs newsletter lists our upcoming events and opportunities for underrepresented students.
6. Join our Facebook group: Join the Access & Inclusion Peer Programs Facebook group!
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Program Activities & Schedule
3 FebHow Identity Impacts Learning for Southeast Asian Students
RegisterDate: 3 Feb 2021
Start Time: 2:00 pm
End Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Virtual (MS Teams)8 FebConversations with Registrars: Academic Planning for First Gen Students
RegisterDate: 8 Feb 2021
Start Time: 2:00 pm
End Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Virtual (MS Teams)23 FebLatinX Wellness Café
RegisterDate: 23 Feb 2021
Start Time: 2:00 pm
End Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Virtual (MS Teams)25 FebBlack Students Talk with Black Profs!: Confronting MACROaggressions in the Classroom
RegisterDate: 25 Feb 2021
Start Time: 2:00 pm
End Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Virtual (MS Teams) -
Program Student Team
Angelli
Preferred Pronoun: She/they
Identity: Mixed Filipina (Southeast Asian) and white, queer, first generation
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Best Thing About This Program: Helping students find and develop supportive communities and networks while balancing academics and work.
Status: undergraduate
Program of Study: Double major in Drama, Theatre & Performance and Classical Civilization
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Performance & traveling to new places
- Outdoor swimming & trying new recipes
- Making very specific playlists
Learn more about Angelli
Tom
Preferred Pronoun: He/him
Identity: Vietnamese, first generation, male, heterosexual, grew up and have lived all my life in downtown Toronto
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Best Thing About This Program: Book an appointment with a Mentor Navigator by selecting from among a team with diverse backgrounds.
Status: graduate
Program of Study: Adult Education and Community Development
Year of Study: 2nd year Master's
Interest(s):
- I love to read and attend live shows and concerts. I am a huge tv-watcher/movie-goer.
- When I am not filling eyes and ears with things, I keep active by going to the gym every morning and trying new things to cook.
Learn more about Tom
Tamara
Preferred Pronoun: She/her
Identity: Latinx, first generation
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Best Thing About This Program: Connecting with students to help them achieve their academic goals, and learn how to make the most of their strengths at U of T and beyond.
Status: graduate
Program of Study: Anthropology
Year of Study: 3rd year Ph.D.
Interest(s):
- Trying new foods & keeping active
- Reading sci-fi & watching true-crime videos
- Spending time in nature
Learn more about Tamara
Vanessa
Preferred Pronoun: She/her
Identity: Black, African, first generation
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Best Thing About This Program: Its intentional goal of inclusivity.
Status: undergraduate
Program of Study: Double major in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies & Sociology
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Discovering new music and artists
- Journaling
- Listening to podcasts
Learn more about Vanessa
Sian
Preferred Pronoun: She/her
Identity: Indo-Caribbean (Trinidadian), queer, first generation immigrant to Canada
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Best Thing About This Program: Sharing our experiences with one another.
Status: undergraduate
Program of Study: Double major in Political Science and Health Studies, with a minor in Sociology
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- I love to read novels, especially mysteries, and I'm an avid binge-watcher on Netflix.
- I love to go hiking, especially during fall.
- I really enjoy cooking!
Learn more about Sian
Idris
Preferred Pronoun: He/him
Identity: Black, recent immigrant from Africa, Muslim, mature, first generation
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Best Thing About This Program: Supports students from different communities to feel belonging.
Status: undergraduate
Program of Study: Specialist in Health and Disease, with a major in Cell and Molecular Biology
Year of Study: 3rd/4th
Interest(s):
- Health and nutrition, social causes and community service
- Basketball (Go Raptors!)
- Photography
Learn more about Idris
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Considerations & Exceptions
Past event titles for the 2020-2021 academic year included:- Black Futures: Let's Talk Careers in Law
- First Gen Students Facing the Future: What Are You Doing After Undergrad?
- Southeast Asian Undergraduate Students Clubs Fair UTSG
- Latin American Undergraduate Students Clubs Fair UTSG
- Engaging in Research as Black, Latin American & Southeast Asian Undergraduate Students
- First Generation Students & Experiences Living With Others During COVID-19
- Black Students Talk With Black Profs!: Confronting Imposter Syndrome
- Black Students Welcome and Black Clubs Fair UTSG
- Black, Latinx & Southeast Asian Men Need Mentors Too!
- First Generation Students, Their Parents/Guardians/Supporters & Financial Aid
- Black Students and the Impact of Police Killings of Black People
- Black Students Talk With Black Profs!: Black Hair Care During COVID-19
- Strategies to Help First Generation Students Succeed in this eLearning Environment
- Financial Aid & Financial Literacy for First Generation Students & Their Parents/Guardians/Supporters
- Indigenous Corn Husk Doll Making Workshop
- Black Students Talk With Black Profs!
- First Generation Students Get Ready for Midterms
- Accessibility Services Presents Hitting the Midterm Slump: Catching Up and Using Reading Week Productively
- Engaging in Research as Indigenous, Black & Racialized Students
- Students with Family Responsibilities Advocating for Themselves & Their Family Through Writing
- Navigating Faith & Career Decisions
- Indigenous, Black & Racialized Students Confront Imposter Syndrome
- Black Futures: Let's Talk Careers in Tech
- First Generation Students & Families Talk About Choosing Programs & Academic Plans
- Indigenous, Black & Racialized Students Get Ready for Exams!