Access & Inclusion Peer Programs is a mentorship program 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.
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, 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.
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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. -
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 African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian and First Generation 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.
6. Join our Facebook group: Join the Access & Inclusion Peer Programs Facebook group!
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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 include:- Brave Storytelling: Finding our Voice
- Black Students Talk with Black Profs!: Confronting MACROagressions in the Classroom
- LatinX Wellness Café
- Conversations with Registrars: Academic Planning for First Gen Students
- How Identity Impacts Learning for Southeast Asian Students
- 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!