Access & Inclusion Peer Programs is a group of mentorship programs for African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian and First Generation students (whose parents/guardians did not complete post-secondary education in Canada). As per the National Survey of Student Engagement, these students are more likely to report that they experience barriers to financial aid, supports, relationships with faculty and involvement outside the classroom.
Access & Inclusion Peer Programs include:
- African Black Caribbean Student Engagement
- Latin American Student Engagement
- Southeast Asian Student Engagement
- First Generation Student Engagement
Mentor navigators
Mentor navigators are caring upper-year students who work in our program, and who themselves are first generation African Black Caribbean, Latin American and Southeast Asian students with intersectional identities that include: Racialized, international, 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.
- Past Events
- Black, LatinX & Southeast Asian Students Applying to On & Off Campus Jobs
- How Identity & Feeling Like an Imposter Impacts Learning for LatinX, Black, Southeast Asian & First Gen Students
- African Black Caribbean Mental Health
- Latin American Students Exploring Latin American Non-profits
- How Southeast Asian Students Take Care of Their Mental Health
- Back Futures: Let's Talk Careers
- Black, LatinX, Southeast Asian & First Gen Undergrad Students Engaging in Research
- How First Gen, SEA, LatinX & Black Students Redefine Success
- Welcome First Generation Students
- Latin American Students & Clubs Welcome
- Black Students Talk with Black Profs!
- Southeast Asian Students & Clubs Welcome
- Financial Aid for First Generation Undergrad Students & Their Families/Friends
- Black Students Talk with Black Profs!: Confronting MACROagressions in the Classroom
- LatinX Wellness Café
- Conversations with Registrars: Academic Planning for First Gen Students
- First Gen Students Facing the Future: What Are You Doing After Undergrad?
- African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian & First Gen Students and Financial Aid
- Black, Latinx & Southeast Asian Men Need Mentors Too!
- Black Students and the Impact of Police Killings of Black People
- Black Students Talk With Black Profs!: Black Hair Care
- 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
- First Generation Students Get Ready for Midterms
- Engaging in Research as Indigenous, Black & Racialized Students
- First Generation Students & Families Talk About Choosing Programs & Academic Plans
- African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian & First Gen Students and Financial Aid
Watch and listen to mentor navigators talk about our programs:
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Program Eligibility
Access & Inclusion Peer Programs is for African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian and First Generation students (parents/guardians did not complete post-secondary education in Canada), with intersectional identities including: Racialized, international, 2SLGBTQIA+, mature, Transitional Year Programme students (current & former), and other lived identities.
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How The Program Works
One-to-one appointments
Mentor Navigators provide individual appointments in person or online Monday to Friday, September to March. Book an appointment on the CLNx Mentor Navigator appointment calendar.
Drop-ins
Mentor navigators facilitate small group discussions every day, September to March. Day, time and location TBA. Registration is required. Go to the Leadership, Mentorship & Clubs events calendar on CLNx to register for drop-ins.
Workshops and Events
Mentor Navigators host several workshops and events. Join club leaders, staff, librarians and faculty who are also African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian and First Generation.
Subscribe to our newsletter
The Access & Inclusion Peer Programs newsletter lists our upcoming events and opportunities.
Join our Facebook group
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Program Activities & Schedule
28 SepFirst Generation Students Welcome
Connect with peers, mentors, librarians and faculty. Learn about hidden services, supports and resources for UTSG undergrads.
Date: 28 Sep 2023
Start Time: 4:30 pm
End Time: 6:00 pm
Location: In-person17 OctSoutheast Asian Students & Clubs Welcome
Connect with other Southeast Asian peers, clubs, staff & instructors over cultural dishes!
Date: 17 Oct 2023
Start Time: 4:30 pm
End Time: 6:00 pm
Location: In-person -
Program Student Team
Doyin
Pronouns: She/her
Identity: African Black Caribbean, First Generation, Christian. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in Toronto.
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Why I became a mentor navigator: To share the tools, resources, and experiences I have accumulated with others.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Human Biology, Psychology and Drama
Year of Study: 4th
Interest(s):
- Reading
- Eating
- Adventure
Learn more about Doyin
Mahlet
Pronouns: She/her
Identity: African Black Caribbean, First Generation. Born and raised in Toronto, and identify as Ethiopian-Canadian. Speaks both English and Amharic.
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Why I became a mentor navigator: To use the skills I gained from navigating U of T to support fellow students.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Sociology, History and African Studies
Year of Study: 4th
Interest(s):
- History
- Movies
- Art
Learn more about Mahlet
Rianne
Pronouns: She/her
Identity: African Black Caribbean, First Generation. Born in Saint Lucia, with diverse heritage from across the Caribbean and Britain. Have an invisible disability.
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Why I became a mentor navigator: To embrace new perspectives and challenges posed by mentees and foster mutual growth.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Environmental Biology and Global Health, Statistics, and Sustainability Pathways
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Learning
- Exploring
- Nature
Learn more about Rianne
Alejandra
Pronouns: She/her
Identity: Latin American, First Generation. Born and raised in Puerto Rico. English is my second language.
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Why I became a mentor navigator: To build a safe and welcoming environment for my peers to express themselves and ask for help.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Latin American Studies and Psychology
Year of Study: 5th
Interest(s):
- Dancing
- Writing
- Environmental justice
Learn more about Alejandra
Richard
Pronouns: He/him
Identity: Southeast Asian, Vietnamese - Canadian raised in Toronto, Buddhist.
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Why I became a mentor navigator: To assist students to feel less alone at such a large university.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Health and Disease, and Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Music
- Movies
- Food
Learn more about Richard
Yi En
Pronouns: She/her
Identity: Southeast Asian, First Generation. Born in Malaysia, raised in Singapore. International student in Canada for less than 5 years.
Role on Team: Mentor Navigator
Why I became a mentor navigator: To help fellow students, especially those who share similar lived experiences and struggles.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Sociology, Urban Studies, and Diaspora and Transnational Studies
Year of Study: 3rd
Interest(s):
- Books
- Photography
- Nature
Learn more about Yi En
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Considerations & Exceptions
If you’re interested in further resources, please check out the Mentorship & Peer Programs resource library to learn more.