First Generation Students’ Stories of Struggle, Resistance & Success

“First Generation Students’ Stories of Struggle, Resistance & Success”

Tuesday, March 12, 4:30 – 6:00pm.

Multi-Faith Centre, Main Activity Hall, 569 Spadina Ave, 2nd Floor

CLNx Registration Required: https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home/slevents.htm?eventId=53609

 

Description

Diverse First Generation* students will have the opportunity to share/listen to stories of thriving, surviving and failing in post-secondary. In an interactive format, and a supportive community, we will also discuss ways in which the university should offer/promote (more) supports. Six (6) champions of first generation students, including faculty and administrators, will reflect on students’ stories and respond to issues raised. Additionally this event will incorporate faculty – led breathing exercises to support your mind and body (done seated in a chair). Caribbean food and beverages provided. *(First Generation students are those whose parents did not complete a post-secondary degree in Canada).

 

 

Guests

Dr. Kris Sanghyun Kim is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, at University of Toronto Scarborough where he teaches general and analytical chemistry. As an immigrant to Canada, he often reflects on his experiences (both positive and challenging) in navigating the complexities of (UofT) life as a first generation student and strives to build opportunities for students to share their stories, build community, and access opportunities through his courses. All his research projects are currently co-designed and co-led by undergraduate research students and his team’s research interests involve studying the impact of new pedagogies in chemistry as well as addressing real-world challenges through the application of analytical chemistry techniques to support local community partners.

 

Dr. Suzi Lima is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics. Her work integrates theoretical and experimental research in the field of cross-linguistic semantics. Suzi is also a certified yoga teacher. Identifying as first generation, she is happy to share her experiences and help students think about strategies and resources that can support them while they navigate university. 

 

Dr. David Roberts is the Director of the Urban Studies Program and an Associate Professor, and his research generally focuses on the power dynamics in city-building and the ways in which historically marginalized groups are excluded or included in these processes. ​He did his undergraduate degrees Political Science and Business Administration at the University of Washington, then worked at a shelter for homeless youth for a number of years before coming to U of T to pursue a masters (and then PhD) in Geography. He is committed to working with fist generation students as a way of shedding light on: the hidden curriculum of post-secondary, the expectations for how to navigate university, and the tricks to be successful at U of T. Dr. Roberts has been a dedicated and active Faculty Advisor to “African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian & First Generation Student Engagement” and it’s predecessor “First in the Family Peer – Mentor Program” since 2015.

 

Dr. Alissa Trotz is the Director, Women & Gender Studies Institute and Professor, Caribbean Studies, New College. She is also affiliate faculty at the Dame Nita Barrow Institute of Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados and has taught in their Summer Institute every other year for the past 16 years, a class that includes students from across the Caribbean, several of whom have not attended university. Alissa has received several distinguished teaching awards, recognized by her students for building meaningful relationships, creating learning spaces in and out of the classroom, and providing teaching and research opportunities validating diverse experiences. She currently co-organises the Caribbean Study Circle, a study practice in the community that is held every third Saturday of the month, 2-4 p.m. at A Different Booklist, 779 Bathurst Street.

 

Dr. Bruce Kidd is the Ombudsperson and a Professor Emeritus of Sport Policy. As Dean of Kinesiology and Physical Education, he implemented a systematic approach to gender equity, and greatly expanded athletic facilities. At the University of Toronto Scarborough, he championed it’s role as an ‘anchor institution’, marshalling educational opportunities, research, community outreach, athletics, and arts programming to meet the diverse needs of the eastern GTA. He has been a lifelong advocate of students’ rights, including those of first generation students, athletes’ rights and human rights.

 

Dr. David Kim comes from an immigrant family and is a settler of Korean ancestry on Treaty 13 territory in Toronto, He has had a long commitment to equity work through his time as a U of T graduate student (his doctoral thesis was focused on the experience of first generation students), and while working with equity deserving communities – including eight (8) years as Chair of the St. George Positive Space Committee – while a staff member at U of T for the past 17 years. David holds the position of Warden for Hart House and he teaches graduate classes at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education. Inspired by his first generation roots, he is a committed mentor at the university and dedicates his time to work that is focused on access and outreach.

 

 

For more info on our African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian & First Generation Student Engagement programming and some other relevant Division / campus happenings, research opportunities, etc. please check out our weekly Newsletter, subscribe / register / attend: https://newsletter.studentlife.utoronto.ca/index.php/campaigns/ge5051rnvd2eb.