Mentorship & Peer Programs will be closed on Thursday, June 18 as our staff participate in a professional development day. Regular services re-open and resume on Friday, June 19. Thank you for your understanding.

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First Generation Student Engagement

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First Generation Student Engagement programming and support provides connections to academic, career, wellness and many other services to foster a sense of belonging and community.

Within each area of programming, there is a focus on connection (to each other and the broader U of T community), as well as navigating barriers to access and inclusion.

This program is for First Generation students with intersectional identities, including: Racialized, international, English as a second language, religious or spiritual, 2SLGBTQIA+, mature, Transitional Year Programme students (current & former) and other lived identities.

Register to make an appointment
or attend a drop-in

First Generation Mentor Navigator appointments and drop-ins are available to all undergraduate students who identify as First Generation with intersectional identities, including: Racialized, international, English as a second language, religious or spiritual, 2SLGBTQIA+, mature, Transitional Year Programme students (current & former) and other lived identities.

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

Register now on Folio ↗

Meet the Mentor Navigators

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

Facilitated workshops and events focusing on connections to supports and First Generation clubs, staff and faculty.

View the event listing on Folio.

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

First Generation Mentor Navigator Drop-Ins

Register on Folio.

You will receive a confirmation email regarding your registration. For questions and registration support, please email Adonica Huggins at adonica.huggins@utoronto.ca.

News and Resources

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If you’re interested in further resources, please check out the Mentorship & Peer Programs resource library to learn more.