Pair with an Access Us peer mentor and be part of a supportive community that includes:
- Mentorship by an upper-year student.
- Social events throughout the semester.
- Leadership, professional and career development opportunities.
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Program Eligibility
Undergraduate and graduate students who are new to Accessibility Services or new to U of T
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How The Program Works
You will connect with an upper-year student who is also registered with Accessibility Services, as well as other students joining the program. You’ll also learn to:
- Build effective personal and professional relationships.
- Ask for and receive feedback.
- Set goals for personal growth and learning.
- Reflect on experiences and lessons learned for future application.
- Learn to navigate U of T campus resources and services.
- Develop self-advocacy skills.
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Program Student Team
Grace Zheng
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Peer Facilitator
Grace is an incoming fourth year undergraduate student specializing in neuroscience and double minoring in psychology and physiology. Grace is interested in advocating for students within post secondary education by helping them navigate and build a sense of community through common interests. She is passionate about working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Fun fact: In her free time, she loves reading rom com novels, swimming, and playing with her dog. Grace has an adopted minipoodle named ChuChu.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Neuroscience specialist and Biochemistry major
Learn more about Grace
Christine Kwong
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Graduate Peer Facilitator
Christine Kwong is a PhD candidate in the Human Development and Applied Psychology Department. Her research interests include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (LD), sports, mental well-being and resilience. She is dedicated to improving the lives of those with ADHD, LD and all aspects of neurodiversity. She currently facilitates two groups at Accessibility Services (the Graduate Writing Group, Graduate Productivity Group) and is one of the founders of ADHD peer connections at U of T. Fun fact: Christine enjoys stand-up comedy and is a circus/aerial artist.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: ADHD, Sport Performance and Resilience Factors
Year of Study: PhD
Learn more about Christine
Crystal Chen
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Peer Advisor
Crystal is a long-time student at U of T. Her background is in mathematics, statistics and linguistics, but these days, her main focus is on theoretical semantics. Over the years, she has also had the opportunity to work as a Teaching Assistant and she has always enjoyed helping students in achieving success in their coursework. Fun fact: Crystal realized she was a proud Torontonian when her American friend shared a debate about why Toronto had ugly architecture and she took great offense.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Linguistics
Year of Study: 2nd year PhD
Learn more about Crystal
Reda Naqvi
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Peer Advisor
Reda is a 22-year-old, undergraduate student interested in the psychology field. Her hobbies include reading novels and listening to music. She also really likes to dance. She is hoping to become a psychiatrist in the future. Fun fact: Reda has been skydiving seven times in the last five years.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Life Sciences
Year of Study: 5th
Learn more about Reda
David (Beomchan) Kim
Pronouns: He/him
Role on Team: Peer Advisor
David and his family immigrated from South Korea to Canada about 15 years ago. After high school, David went to culinary school and worked as a chef for a few years. He decided to come to U of T to explore his interest in law. He has a passion for helping others and hopes to make some sort of impact by doing so! Fun fact: David has met two former Korean Presidents!
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Ethics, Society, and Law
Year of Study: 3rd
Learn more about David (Beomchan)
Rochelle Louis
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Peer Advisor/Undergraduate Mentor
Rochelle holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Boston University and is currently a full-time MBA student at the Rotman School of Management. Her career goal is to work in the healthcare management sector. Fun fact: Rochelle was a competitive ballroom dancer for four years in college.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Full-time Master of Business Administration
Year of Study: 2nd
Learn more about Rochelle
Brad Dalgleish
Pronouns: He/him
Role on Team: Academic Bridging Program/Transitional Year Programme Peer Mentor
Brad is passionate about helping people build skills to be successful. Fun fact: Brad grew up in a small town in rural Ontario, which probably explains why you can find him smiling and making conversation with strangers.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Master of Science in Community Health, Addictions and Mental Health
Year of Study: 2nd
Learn more about Brad
jessica haberman-contreras
Pronouns: she/they/them
Role on Team: Peer Mentor
jessica studied social service work at George Brown College but their ultimate goal is to become a registered psychotherapist with a master’s in Pastoral Studies (Buddhist stream) and spiritual care. jessica loves to dance, listen to music, and hang out with their kiddo Felix (who is 12) and cat Athena. jessica is happiest in water and passionate about learning. Fun fact: jessica loves to swim in Lake Ontario during the winter.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Buddhist Psychology and Mental Health, Critical Studies in Equity & Solidarity, and Indigenous Studies
Year of Study: 2nd
Learn more about jessica
Jueun Kang
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Undergraduate Peer Mentor
Jueun is a third-year student transitioning from Psychology under Life Science to the Bachelor of Information. Jueun continues to expand her knowledge regarding mental health and various research conversations, and is especially interested in topics around mental illnesses. She aims to create meaningful user experiences through technology by considering factors including accessibility. Fun fact: Jueun loves spending time visiting different cafes and wandering around in nature with her camera.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Bachelor of Information
Year of Study: 3rd
Learn more about Jueun
Ryan Gueta
Pronouns: He/him
Role on Team: Undergraduate Peer Mentor
Ryan is currently a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Materials Science & Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto. He registered with Accessibility Services back in 2021 and previously worked as an undergraduate peer mentor during the 2021-2022 school year. He has a strong knowledge of Accessibility Services and other resources offered by U of T. He is. also currently the Health & Wellness executive for the Filipino Students' Association of Toronto (FSAT). Ryan's hobbies include travelling, baking and spending time with his cat!
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Materials Science & Engineering
Year of Study: 4th
Learn more about Ryan
Berin Arikan
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Graduate Peer Mentor
Berin is from Türkiye. She is an MPH in Nutrition and Dietetics student, hoping to become a Registered Dietitian in the future. She is excited to work with Accessibility Services and connect with her team and peers. Fun fact: Berin enjoys cooking, especially Turkish meals.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Master of Public Health: Nutrition and Dietetics
Year of Study: 1st
Learn more about Berin
Brittany Pasher
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Graduate Peer Mentor
Brittany is very much looking forward to supporting and connecting with folks navigating Accessibility Services and university life. After graduation, she hopes to continue working with post-secondary students to provide counselling/psychotherapy services, as well as to help develop and improve student accessibility and wellness programming. Fun fact: Brittany enjoys practicing calligraphy as well as embroidery!
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: MEd Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy
Year of Study: 2nd
Learn more about Brittany
Edna "Genesis" Bovas
Pronouns: She/they/he
Role on Team: Peer Facilitator
Genesis is a driven and passionate advocate, educator, researcher, and artist with 10+ years of employment and volunteer experience in academic, arts education, non-profit and faith-based settings. They are a Master of Pastoral Studies student working towards a Certificate in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy and accreditation with the College of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario. Fun fact: Genesis is a classically trained vocalist.
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Master of Pastoral Studies
Year of Study: 2nd
Learn more about Edna "Genesis"
Morning Glor
Pronouns: He/him
Role on Team: Peer Facilitator
Morning is a graduate student in his first year. He is new to Toronto and likes exploring new places. He looks forward to meeting wonderful people and being able to connect and help in any way he can. Fun fact: Morning has studied in four different institutions in three countries (U of T is his fifth).
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Master of Information
Year of Study: 1st
Learn more about Morning
Rhonda Cheryl Solomon
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Graduate Peer Facilitator
Rhonda completed her undergraduate degree at the U of T, her master's degree at the London School of Economics, and now she is back at the U of T for her PhD. Her research will explore how (lack of) provision of public washrooms designed to accommodate the specific toileting needs of children with severe and/or prolonged disabilities, intersects with planning practice in the built environment and governmental legislation. Fun fact: Rhonda has three cats and would have a whole menagerie of animals if possible!
Status: Graduate
Program of Study: Urban Planning
Year of Study: 3rd
Learn more about Rhonda Cheryl
Faara Zeranska
Pronouns: She/her
Role on Team: Peer Advisor
Faara is a mature student in her final year of undergrad studying medical anthropology. She is interested in how health, power and politics intersect. Her goal is to apply to a Master of Social Work program when she graduates. She has taken a non-linear approach to learning and works at her own pace. Fun fact: Faara grew up loving art and now finds balance tapping into anything creative.
Status: Undergraduate
Program of Study: Medical Anthropology
Learn more about Faara
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Program Registration
The Access Us mentorship program has finished for the 2022-2023 academic year. We will start back in the fall and registration will reopen in early August.