Arts & Science Advising Conference

This session will introduce you to two forthcoming tools that will support advisors and international students in the Faculty of Arts & Science. The first is a new approach to managing the Undergraduate Leave of Absence Policy for International Students which will simplify the process for staff, ensure clearer communication between participating offices, and allow for easier tracking and data-gathering. The second is an immigration document reminder tool to help students maintain their status in Canada and avoid unexpected breaks in studies. Together, these tools allow us to have greater visibility into important details for and about international students in the Faculty.

Learning outcomes: 

• Deepened understanding of unique considerations when working with international students
• Awareness of processes and tools used by staff and students to support international students' immigration needs

Presenters:

• Justin Kerr, International Student Advisor, Digital Innovation and Communication, Centre for International Experience (CIE)
   

Intended audiences: 

• Supervisory staff
• Departmental advisor/staff
• Academic advisor
• Administrative staff
• Front-line staff

There is an array of financial support available to eligible students who attend the University of Toronto. This ranges from government support such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program, or other government student aid programs for students from outside Ontario, to institutional support like the University of Toronto Advanced Planning for Students (UTAPS) program. Through this presentation, participants will learn about these programs to assist them in advising students about supports available to reduce financial barriers to pursuing studies at the University of Toronto.

Learning outcomes: 

• Better understanding of the financial aid supports available to students

Presenters:

• Jennifer Da Silva, Associate Director, Financial Aid, University Registrar's Office

Intended audiences: 

• Front-line staff
• Departmental advisor/staff

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is about building equitable environments that foster a sense of belonging for all. It is imperative that we adjust our practices to support the changing student demographic at the University of Toronto in order to cultivate an equitable and inclusive learning environment. In this workshop, the A&S Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will examine student demographic data with a focus on disability, gender identity, Indigenous identity, racial/ethnocultural identity and sexual orientation using the newly released data from the University’s Student Equity Census. In addition, participants will explore emerging and leading practices for effective academic advising of a diverse student population.

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand the changing student demographic at the University of Toronto
• Recognize the information that can be gleaned from student equity census data
• Discuss strategies for equitable and inclusive academic advising, with a particular focus on advising students from equity-deserving groups

Presenters:

• Shani Ocquaye, Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Bharat Saini, Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisor
• Administrative staff
• Front-line staff
• Departmental advisor/staff
• Supervisory staff

In this consultation session for academic unit SAS users, members of the Arts & Science SAS project team will provide a brief overview on SAS usage to date and lead a guided discussion on system usage and feedback. Having completed introductory training to the SAS for academic unit staff in early March 2024, we'd like to take this opportunity to connect with you to learn about what's working and what could be improved while showcasing the meaningful changes SAS users have already made. To help you prepare for the session, consultation questions will be sent out in advance.

Learning outcomes: 

• Discover how your colleagues are implementing and using the Student Advising Service (SAS) and learn how your feedback informs meaningful change

Presenters:

• Katrina Groen, Project Manager, Student Advising Service, Office of the Faculty Registrar
• Stephanie Taylor, Project Coordinator, Student Advising Service, Office of the Faculty Registrar

Intended audiences: 

• Departmental advisor/staff

Career conversations occur across campus, and often with trusted and familiar advisors, like you! This workshop will support you in understanding the current career landscape and equip you with strategies for identifying students' core career questions, and providing specific referrals to relevant programs, services, and resources that support their next actions and continued career exploration and curiosity.

Learning outcomes: 

• Describe common career concepts and the current career landscape
• Identify how to meaningfully define and approach common career questions
• Appropriately refer to specific online and in-person programs, services, and resources that support students' career question(s)
• Effectively use CLNx and the redesigned Career Start online tool during conversations with students 

Presenters:

• Karla Gouthro, Director, Career Exploration & Education, Career Exploration & Education, Student Life
• Atifa F. Karim, Assistant Director, Career Education, Career Exploration & Education, Student Life

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisor
• Departmental advisor/staff

Research and anecdotal evidence suggest there is a disconnect between how instructors and administrators think about Generative AI and how students are actually using these tools. This moderated panel discussion will explore how generative AI is impacting student learning, academic integrity, and instructional practices. Panelists will share on-the-ground insights from their work with instructors and students, with a focus on ensuring ethical and effective learning. The session will also offer an overview of current academic policies and recommended practices related to GenAI use, highlighting institutional responses to date.   Designed for academic and departmental advisors, the discussion will encourage attendees to share their own observations on how students are engaging with GenAI tools and how advisors can support them. We aim to create an open dialogue where staff can learn from one another and collaboratively explore best practices for navigating GenAI in higher education.

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand the diverse ways the U of T community (students, instructors, etc.) are encountering and using GenAI
• Provide resources and guidance for how advisors and the greater U of T community can support students in navigating opportunities and challenges posed by GenAI
• Explore some of the benefits, limitations, risks, and unknowns of GenAI for teaching and learning at U of T 

Presenters:

• Lauren Vollmer, Associate Director, Academic Integrity, Faculty of Arts & Science Teaching & Learning
• Alexandra Logue, Assistant Director, Teaching & Learning Initiatives, Faculty of Arts & Science Teaching & Learning
• Rahul Bhat, Resilience Program Lead, Centre for Learning Strategy Support

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisor
• Departmental advisor/staff

This interactive round table allows members from the CROs , Academic Departments, and the Office of the Faculty Registrar to work towards understanding each other's student advising practices. Topics covered could include: petitions, in person-hours, course enrolment, program enrolment, degree requirements and more. This is an opportunity to gain insight into different offices within Arts & Science. What policies and processes are clear to staff members but opaque to students? How can awareness of these blind spots help staff advise students more effectively? How can policies and processes be made more transparent? Discuss possible solutions to create a better experience for the students!

Learning outcomes: 

• Identify common misconceptions offices and students hold
• Interactively, with audience participation, identify/brainstorm steps that can be taken to push out accurate information to students and to offices within Arts & Science
• Network with colleagues

Presenters:

• Kaitlyn Lubniewski, Associate Registrar, St. Mikes Registrar's Office; University College
• Dimitri Thompson, Academic Advisor, International Experience, St. Mikes Registrar's Office; University College

Intended audiences: 

• Front-line staff
• Departmental advisor/staff
• Academic advisor

Mentorship is a form of experiential learning that often goes unnoticed but plays a critical role in student development. It doesn’t always have to be one-on-one; small group discussions can provide meaningful, "real" conversations about careers and employment. This session focuses on the Career Alumni Mentorship Program, now in its second successful year, which connects students with alumni from fields they aspire to enter. The program encourages student engagement through roundtable conversations, facilitated by student leaders, where alumni openly share their career journeys. These conversations are intentionally informal and interactive, offering students deeper insights into not just the successes but also the failures and challenges alumni have faced. This emphasis on real-life experiences—especially moments of overcoming adversity—creates a valuable learning experience for students. Alumni enjoy the program’s flexibility, allowing them to contribute as much or as little as their schedules permit, making it a mutually beneficial experience for both students and alumni.

Learning outcomes: 

• The importance of experiential learning through hearing directly from alumni in their careers

Presenters:

• Cherryl-Lyn Olamuyiwa, Academic Advisor, Career Exploration and Education, Office of the Registrar- Trinity College

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisor
• Front-line staff
• Departmental advisor/staff
• Supervisory staff;Administrative staff

Learn about the process involved in receiving transfer credits in the Faculty of Arts & Science. Major areas that will be covered include: What is transfer credit assessment?  What are the ways to receive transfer credit? Who processes transfer credits in the Faculty of Arts & Science? How to apply for transfer credit? What systems are used to process transfer credits? How to interpret transfer credit assessments? How can transfer credits be used? Who to contact with transfer credit questions? Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions, share challenges they encounter in advising students and suggest opportunities for collaboration to address these challenges. They will also learn about tips and resources available for advising students, as well as updates and upcoming changes related to transfer credits in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Learning outcomes: 

• Become familiar with the transfer credit process; Learn of resources useful for advising students 

Presenters:

• Victorina Baxan, Associate Director, Transfer Credit, Office of the Faculty Registrar, Faculty of Arts & Science
• Saira Hamid, Transfer Credit Officer, Office of the Faculty Registrar, Faculty of Arts & Science
• Ansley Yau, Transfer Credit Officer, Office of the Faculty Registrar, Faculty of Arts & Science
• Lin Wang, Transfer Credit Assistant, Office of the Faculty Registrar, Faculty of Arts & Science
• Grace Park, Transfer Credit Assistant, Office of the Faculty Registrar, Faculty of Arts & Science

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisor
• Front-line staff
• Departmental advisor/staff
• Administrative staff

Concurrent Session Block #1

Appreciative Advising

This presentation will provide you with tips and tools on how to incorporate aspects of Appreciative Advising into your work with students. Steeped in the tenets of positive psychology, Appreciative Inquiry, and motivational theory, the Appreciative Advising model is  having a positive impact on student retention and outcomes at various institutions, globally. The focus of Appreciative Advising involves asking generative, open-ended questions and carefully listening to student’s answers and stories. 

This presentation is intentionally designed to teach participants the theoretical infrastructure of Appreciative Advising and to provide skills training in implementing this framework. Participants will learn how to use the six phases of: Disarm, Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, and Don’t Settle to help students optimize their educational experiences. We will also discuss the concept of "critical appreciative advising", which examines  how our own biases, assumptions, privileges and worldviews inform power dynamics in our work with students.  

Learning outcomes will include: 

• Understand how the six phases of Appreciative Advising apply to your work 
• Consider how to work within a critical advising framework 
• Contemplate how systems of power and oppression influence our work  
• Learn tools for effectively working with varying student identities

Presenter:

Heather Doyle, MEd (Counselling Psychology), Director, Assessment and Special Projects, Division of Student Affairs, Dalhousie University; Certified Appreciative Advisor; Faculty, NACADA Assessment Institute  

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors 
• Departmental advisors/staff 

What does the Institutional Academic Advising PD Curriculum Look Like? A Show & Tell

The work you do is important. Supporting students and their holistic needs can spill well-over what was originally conceived as “academic advising”. The University is in the process of a developing a Professional Development Curriculum for advising staff, so that staff feel that they have the tools, skills, and competencies to respond to the complexities of our profession. Participate in a show & tell, where we will share some of the program goals and competencies we’ve developed to-date, and then tell us your needs, hopes, and questions as we continue to develop the curriculum. 

Presenters:

• Yvette Ali, MSc Pl, Registrar, Victoria University in the University of Toronto 
• Kerri Huffman, MEd, Registrar and Assistant Principal, New College 

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors
• Departmental advisors/staff 

Peer Support and Advising Via Social Media: Meeting students where they are

During COVID-19, the number of @sidneysmithcommons Instagram followers quintupled. Increasingly, students report first seeking answers to routine questions by first approaching their peers online using sources such as Reddit, which can contain misinformation. This year, the Student Success team asked how we could pro-actively meet students where they are (on their phones!) by offering just-in-time, student-centred messaging. This session will explore how students can be active partners in providing effective and accurate just-in-time information online, in support of existing campus services and resources. A&S students will share--from their perspectives--the value in reaching students through platforms such as Instagram, and lessons learned in developing social media content. The panel will also examine how and why partnering with students on content creation drastically increased student engagement with just-in-time faculty messaging. In addition, this session will explore how campus partners might effectively collaborate to provide accurate information online while supporting, promoting and complementing the services of full-time professional advising staff across the Colleges, Office of the Faculty Registrar, and academic departments.

Presenters:

• Scott Clarke, Associate Director, Student Success, Faculty of Arts & Science
• Miharu Ho, 3rd Year, Critical Studies in Equity & Solidarity and Human Geography
• Daniel Jerman, 4th Year, Human Biology: Global Health 
• Theodora Udounwa, transferred to Pharmacy from A&S specialist in Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology

Intended audiences:

• Academic Advisors 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisors/staff 
• Dean of Students staff 
• Supervisory staff 

Concurrent Session Block #2

Advising Students Online

Since last March, COVID-19 has had a daily effect on the modes by which every Arts & Science unit offers its advising services to undergraduates. During this time, staff have reported an overwhelming increase in the volume of student email inquiries. How can each of us work to provide effective services for students seeking advice through email, with such a large demand for services and an overflowing “inbox”? Using a lecture-style format, Sue Ohrablo will ask us to consider best practices in relation to online student advising, with a particular focus on email advising services.

Presenter:

Sue Ohrablo, MS (Counselling), EdD, Executive Director, Undergraduate Academic Advising, Jacksonville University

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisors/staff

The Power of Effective Interactions in Student Decision Making

Whether you provide students with front line assistance or advising support, how you approach and communicate with students is key in empowering them in their planning and decision-making. Being intentional in these interactions will provide students with the tools and increase their buy-in to making change. This session will provide a summary of the research as it relates to the relational aspect of an advising interaction and will provide tangible tips that can be immediately employed. Topics covered will include approaches to validation, normalizing engagement, positive feedback, penetrating emotional walls and polarized thinking, facilitating student agency, presenting options, framing “no”, and self-disclosure. The session will also cover role clarity and the importance of setting boundaries.

Presenters:

• Yvette Ali, MSc Pl, Registrar, Victoria University in the University of Toronto
• Suzette McClarty, MSW, RSW, Accessibility Team Lead, Accessibility Services

Eliminating "the Bounce": Providing Effective Student Referrals Across Arts & Science

As a student, faculty, or staff member in Canada’s largest Faculty, it can be difficult to know where to turn when you aren’t sure of the answer to a question. Even our most well-intended referrals can sometimes create a “bounce” effect, where the student feels like they are being directed from one office to the next, getting no closer to an answer or solution. 

A key part of avoiding that “bounce” effect is to increase our understanding of where Arts & Science students can access specific services and resources. This session will bring together a representative from the Office of the Faculty Registrar, a College Registrar's Office, an academic unit, and a College Dean of Students’ Office to explain the services that each of our offices offers to students and offer our advice on how to provide referrals. Using case studies and examples drawn from our experiences working with students, we will equip you with the knowledge to make great referrals to the right places.

Presenters:

• Ryan Woolfrey, MA, Registrar, University College 
• Shainiya Balachandran, MEd, Assistant Dean, Student Life, Victoria College 
• Ketri Bennett, MA Associate Director, Welcome Services, Office of the Faculty Registrar 
• Natasja Vanderberg, MA, Program Administrator and Office Manager, East Asian Studies 

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff
• Departmental advisors/staff
• Dean of Students staff

Concurrent Session Block #3

Appreciative Advising

This presentation will provide you with tips and tools on how to incorporate aspects of Appreciative Advising into your work with students. Steeped in the tenets of positive psychology, Appreciative Inquiry, and motivational theory, the Appreciative Advising model is having a positive impact on student retention and outcomes at various institutions, globally. The focus of Appreciative Advising involves asking generative, open-ended questions and carefully listening to students’ answers and stories. 

This presentation is intentionally designed to teach participants the theoretical infrastructure of Appreciative Advising and to provide skills training in implementing this framework. Participants will learn how to use the six phases of: Disarm, Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, and Don’t Settle to help students optimize their educational experiences. We will also discuss the concept of "critical appreciative advising", which examines how our own biases, assumptions, privileges and worldviews inform power dynamics in our work with students.  

Learning outcomes will include: 

• Understand how the six phases of Appreciative Advising apply to your work 
• Consider how to work within a critical advising framework 
• Contemplate how systems of power and oppression influence our work  
• Learn tools for effectively working with varying student identities

Presenter:

Heather Doyle, MEd (Counselling Psychology), Director, Assessment and Special Projects, Division of Student Affairs, Dalhousie University; Certified Appreciative Advisor; Faculty, NACADA Assessment Institute

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors 
• Departmental advisors/staff 

Peer Support and Advising Via Social Media: Meeting students where they are

During COVID-19, the number of @sidneysmithcommons Instagram followers quintupled. Increasingly, students report first seeking answers to routine questions by first approaching their peers online using sources such as Reddit, which can contain misinformation. This year, the Student Success team asked how we could proactively meet students where they are (on their phones!) by offering just-in-time, student-centred messaging. This session will explore how students can be active partners in providing effective and accurate just-in-time information online, in support of existing campus services and resources. A&S students will share--from their perspectives--the value in reaching students through platforms such as Instagram, and lessons learned in developing social media content. The panel will also examine how and why partnering with students on content creation drastically increased student engagement with just-in-time faculty messaging. In addition, this session will explore how campus partners might effectively collaborate to provide accurate information online while supporting, promoting and complementing the services of full-time professional advising staff across the Colleges, Office of the Faculty Registrar, and academic departments.

Presenters:

• Scott Clarke, Associate Director, Student Success, Faculty of Arts & Science
• Miharu Ho, 3rd Year, Critical Studies in Equity & Solidarity and Human Geography
• Daniel Jerman, 4th Year, Human Biology: Global Health 
• Theodora Udounwa, transferred to Pharmacy from A&S specialist in Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology

Intended audiences:

• Academic Advisors 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisors/staff 
• Dean of Students staff 
• Supervisory staff

Concurrent Session Block #4

Advising Students Online

Since last March, COVID-19 has had a daily effect on the modes by which every Arts & Science unit offers its advising services to undergraduates. During this time, staff have reported an overwhelming increase in the volume of student email inquiries. How can each of us work to provide effective services for students seeking advice through email, with such a large demand for services and an overflowing “inbox”? Using a lecture-style format, Sue Ohrablo will ask us to consider best practices in relation to online student advising, with a particular focus on email advising services.

Presenter:

Sue Ohrablo, MS (Counselling), EdD, Executive Director, Undergraduate Academic Advising, Jacksonville University

Intended audiences:

• Academic Advisors 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisors/staff 
• Dean of Students staff

What does the Institutional Academic Advising PD Curriculum Look Like? A Show & Tell

The work you do is important. Supporting students and their holistic needs can spill well-over what was originally conceived as “academic advising”. The University is in the process of a developing a Professional Development Curriculum for advising staff, so that staff feel that they have the tools, skills, and competencies to respond to the complexities of our profession. Participate in a show & tell, where we will share some of the program goals and competencies we’ve developed to-date, and then tell us your needs, hopes, and questions as we continue to develop the curriculum.

Presenters:

• Yvette Ali, MSc Pl, Registrar, Victoria University in the University of Toronto 
• Kerri Huffman, MEd, Registrar and Assistant Principal, New College 

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors
• Departmental advisors/staff

Eliminating "the Bounce": Providing Effective Student Referrals Across Arts & Science

As a student, faculty, or staff member in Canada’s largest Faculty, it can be difficult to know where to turn when you aren’t sure of the answer to a question. Even our most well-intended referrals can sometimes create a “bounce” effect, where the student feels like they are being directed from one office to the next, getting no closer to an answer or solution. 

A key part of avoiding that “bounce” effect is to increase our understanding of where Arts & Science students can access specific services and resources. This session will bring together a representative from the Office of the Faculty Registrar, a College Registrar's Office, an academic unit, and a College Dean of Students’ Office to explain the services that each of our offices offer to students and offer our advice on how to provide referrals. Using case studies and examples drawn from our experiences working with students, we will equip you with the knowledge to make great referrals to the right places.

Presenters:

• Shainiya Balachandran, MEd, Assistant Dean, Student Life, Victoria College
• Ketri Bennett, MA Associate Director, Welcome Services, Office of the Faculty Registrar
• Natasja Vanderberg, MA, Program Administrator and Office Manager, East Asian Studies
• Ryan Woolfrey, MA, Registrar, University College

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff
• Departmental advisors/staff
• Dean of Students staff

Other Sessions

How to be Student Centred and Culturally Competent: An Anti-Racism Lens

Relationships, building rapport and demonstrating empathy is central to working with and supporting the students we encounter. One element of being student-centred, is the ability to acknowledge and recognize our own implicit biases, privileges, and the culturally-based lenses through which we view the world. As Advisors, how does our social-location potentially impact the students we encounter? How can we best support and empower domestic and international students who identify as Black Indigenous People of Colour (BIPOC)? How can we operate with a curious mindset and be more culturally competent in our practice?  Understanding what systemic racism is, and how it impacts/harms BIPOC students, is crucial. Talking about microaggressions, race and racism may be challenging, but necessary in terms of meeting the needs of the students we meet. This workshop will explore these questions and concepts and provide tools and strategies that have practical application. Attendees will also be given the opportunity to discuss relevant scenarios in groups, and to identify how those scenarios might be approached from a culturally competent and anti-racist perspective. 

Both offerings of the Anti-Racism Workshop will contain identical content; attendees should only register for one workshop (morning or afternoon). Please note that each workshop has a maximum capacity of 50 registrants.

Facilitator: 

Shadell Permanand, LL.M, Consultant: Equity & Diversity, Conflict Resolution, and Restorative Justice

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisors  
• Front-line staff  
• Department advisors/staff  
• Dean of Students staff  
• Supervisory staff 

Hiring & Equity Diversity and Inclusivity: A Roundtable Discussion

Arts & Science hiring managers have a responsibility to ensure that their staffing complement reflects our diverse undergraduate student body. We know that our students need to see themselves reflected – not just among their course instructors - but also while they are accessing campus services, resources and advising supports. Join this roundtable discussion with the faculty’s Chair of the new Arts & Science Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity (EDI) Committee and the Director, Human Resources, A&S. This listening exercise will provide an opportunity for hiring managers to acknowledge and describe to the Chair of the A&S EDI Committee what practical challenges are being experienced, to propose solutions, and to jointly consider future opportunities.  

Facilitator: 

Alexie Tcheuyap, PhD, Vice-Dean, Faculty, Academic Life & Equity; Professor, Department of French, Faculty of Arts & Science

Intended audiences: 

• Session registration open to Professional/Managerial (PM) hiring managers only 

Optional Open Door: Ongoing Arts & Science Professional Development 

Drop-in for an informal chat with members of the Arts & Science Advising Conference Committee. We want to hear your thoughts on how the faculty can best support your own training and professional development. During this time, you can drop by to provide your own feedback on this year’s conference and offer suggestions or recommendations for next year’s event. What ideas do you have for potential year-round professional development offerings or information sessions, such as voluntary lunch & learns with campus-wide experts? What are some common knowledge gaps? Interested in joining the Conference Committee next year? Let us know!

Facilitator:

Erin McMichael, MFA, Associate Faculty Registrar & Director, Student Affairs 

Welcome participants:

• Academic advisors  
• Front-line staff  
• Departmental advisors/staff  
• Dean of Students staff  
• Supervisory staff  

Concurrent Session Block #1

Advising Students Through Failure

It’s hard to fail at U of T, but failure and challenge are inevitable and essential parts of learning. So how can we support students through these experiences?   
  
Join U of T’s Academic Resilience Initiatives team for an interactive discussion and enhance your approach to supporting students experiencing a range of failures – including an unexpected or failed grade, a failed course or failure to enter a program.   
  
In this session, the Academic Resilience Initiatives team will:   

• Discuss an expanded understanding of the experiences of failure at U of T   
• Contextualize student experiences based on current research, programming and the University’s Let’s Talk About Failure project   
• Introduce an approach that operationalizes academic resilience in advising and coaching relationships   

The Academic Resilience Initiatives team at Academic Success on the St. George Campus supports students in building academic resilience and academic resourcefulness.   

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand how the six phases of Appreciative Advising apply to your work 
• Consider how to work within a critical advising framework 
• Contemplate how systems of power and oppression influence our work  
• Learn tools for effectively working with varying student identities

Presenters:

• Rahul Bhat, Resilience Program Lead, Academic Success 
• Kate Bowers, Learning Strategist – Resilience Focus, Academic Success

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff 
• Dean of Students staff 
• Departmental advisors/staff 

Myth-busting with Accessibility Services

As more than 56% of students registered with Accessibility Services are Arts & Science undergraduate students, your advising practice should include accurate information about this essential office. Join both students and staff from Accessibility Services as we bust one myth after another about all things Accessibility Services. This interactive session will allow for participant engagement and a Q&A session will contribute to further myth busting.  

Myth # 1: Registering with Accessibility Services takes too long 
Myth # 2: Students registered with Accessibility Services do less work with more advantages 
Myth # 3: There are no accommodations in the ‘real world’  

We’ll start with these top three myths and will provide definitive answers to all your questions. You’ll leave this session equipped with practical and reliable information that will enhance your advising interactions.  

Learning outcomes: 

• Identify and describe the registration process for Accessibility Services 
• Understand key aspects of the accommodation process for both students and staff 
• Understand the value of equitably removing academic barriers for our students

Panellists:

• Sarah Kloke, Accessible and Inclusive Learning Strategies Team Lead, Accessibility Services
• A&S students registered with Accessibility Services 

Moderator:

• Tanya Hyland, Student Success Programs Officer – Accessibility & Accommodation

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff 
• Departmental advisors/staff  
• Dean of Students staff 
• Supervisory staff 
• Other student support staff

Service of Remembrance

Every Remembrance Day, the U of T community honours those alumni, students, faculty and staff who fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts. The tradition continues this year, with some changes.

Because of the Landmark revitalization project on the St. George campus, the 2021 Service of Remembrance is not being held at Soldiers’ Tower. As a result of this change in venue, along with limits on gathering at U of T, the service is not open for general attendance. Instead, we invite you to watch the livestream online.

5 ½ Pro Tips for Checking In

Advisors and front-line staff create touchpoints in the student experience and create opportunities for students to feel cared for. By providing strategies for engaging in helpful mental health conversations, the Identify-Assist-Refer (IAR) model provides an approach by which student-facing staff can further help students feel supported. Drawing on insights and experiences from using and training with the IAR model during the pandemic, Chad will share his top recommendations for more authentically and meaningfully checking in on a student who might be struggling. These five (and a half) pro tips will provide concrete things we can all to do be more effective helpers within our community.

Learning outcomes:

• Reflect on your role in fostering a culture of caring
• Identify strategies for more effectively engaging and responding to students experiencing challenges 

Presenter:  
Chad Jankowski, Manager, High Risk, Faculty Support & Mental Health, Faculty of Arts & Science

Concurrent Session Block #2

Navigating Supports for Indigenous Students

The session will cover a summary of First Nations House – Indigenous Student Services supports to Indigenous Students at U of T including:

• Financial aid
• Assistance with academic planning
• Advocacy with other U of T departments
• Assistance with registration and scheduling
• Pre-admission counselling
• Assistance in applying to graduate school
• Personalized one-on-one appointments

Learning outcomes: 

• Learn what supports are available to Indigenous students at U of T 
• Get connected with Indigenous staff at U of T 

Presenter:

• Kelsey Melanson, Indigenous Academic Supports Coordinator

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisors/staff 
• Dean of Students staff 
• Supervisory staff  
• Other student support staff

Advising Transitional Year Programme Students

Attendees can expect to learn about the academic advising approaches adopted within the Transitional Year Programme (TYP) and will learn ways to continually support TYP alumni as they transition into the college environment and larger university context. The session will include an opportunity for attendees to share their advising experiences and construct ideas for relationship-building approaches with TYP students.

Presenter:

• Shane Wallace, Registrar, Transitional Year Programme 

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff
• Dean of Students staff
• Departmental advisors/staff

Appreciation for Automation: How Power Automate Can Work for You

Power Automate is a Microsoft tool that lets you connect different Microsoft products, and some external ones as well, to create automatic actions so you can get a little bit of time back in your day.

Presenter:

• Katy Wang, Department of Statistical Sciences

Intended audiences:

• Departmental advisors/staff
• Dean of Students staff
• Supervisory staff
• Other student support staff
• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff

Concurrent Session Block #3

Supporting Students in Program Exploration

This interactive roundtable is intended to explore current challenges and opportunities for collaboration in supporting Arts & Science students in program exploration and selection. Increasingly, the need to support Arts & Science undergraduate students in the process of program exploration begins prior to selecting their first courses and extends beyond the program selection period after some students experience the disappointment of not being accepted into their program(s) of choice. Despite the plethora of resources and information available to students, we regularly hear that students find program selection overwhelming and seek advice from peer networks and online sites such as Discord and Reddit. This session seeks to examine how we can support students in meaningfully understanding and considering a wide breadth of program options to assist them in making informed program plans. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Discuss current challenges experienced by Arts & Science undergraduate students in engaging in a thorough program exploration and planning process
• Distinguish the unique areas for support and collaboration that can be provided at the college, department and faculty levels 
• Identify advising strategies and effective referrals to support students in program exploration

Panellists:

• Emily Greenleaf, Undergraduate Program Manager, Department of Computer Science  
• Barbara Muniz, Academic Advisor, Woodsworth College 
• Manjot Bining, Student Success Programs Officer, Office of the Faculty Registrar, Arts & Science 
• Scott Clarke, Associate Director, Student Success Programs, Office of the Faculty Registrar, Arts & Science 

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisors/staff 
• Dean of Students staff

Myth-busting with Accessibility Services

As more than 56% of students registered with Accessibility Services are Arts & Science undergraduate students, your advising practice should include accurate information about this essential office. Join both students and staff from Accessibility Services as we bust one myth after another about all things Accessibility Services. This interactive session will allow for participant engagement and a Q&A session will contribute to further myth busting.  

Myth # 1: Registering with Accessibility Services takes too long 
Myth # 2: Students registered with Accessibility Services do less work with more advantages 
Myth # 3: There are no accommodations in the ‘real world’  

We’ll start with these top three myths and will provide definitive answers to all your questions. You’ll leave this session equipped with practical and reliable information that will enhance your advising interactions.  

Learning outcomes: 

• Identify and describe the registration process for Accessibility Services 
• Understand key aspects of the accommodation process for both students and staff 
• Understand the value of equitably removing academic barriers for our students

Panellists:

• Sarah Kloke, Accessible and Inclusive Learning Strategies Team Lead, Accessibility Services 
• A&S Students registered with Accessibility Services

Moderator:

• Tanya Hyland, Student Success Programs Officer – Accessibility & Accommodation 

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors 
• Front-Line staff 
• Departmental advisors/staff  
• Dean of Students staff 
• Supervisory staff 
• Other student support staff

Navigating Supports for Indigenous Students

The session will cover a summary of First Nations House – Indigenous Student Services supports to Indigenous Students at U of T including:

• Financial aid
• Assistance with academic planning
• Advocacy with other U of T departments
• Assistance with registration and scheduling
• Pre-admission counselling
• Assistance in applying to graduate school
• Personalized one-on-one appointments

Learning outcomes: 

• Learn what supports are available to Indigenous students at U of T 
• Get connected with Indigenous staff at U of T 

Presenter:
Kelsey Melanson, Indigenous Academic Supports Coordinator

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisors/staff 
• Dean of Students staff 
• Supervisory staff  
• Other student support staff

Other Sessions

Skills for Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence: Using a Trauma-Informed Approach

This workshop is a unique, interactive and comprehensive training session, which teaches participants to support a disclosure of sexual violence. This workshop empowers participants to manage a disclosure effectively using an empathetic and trauma-informed approach. Through role play, discussions and story telling, participants will come to learn the supportive steps in taking a disclosure. Participants will gain key concepts of the university’s Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy.

Learning outcomes:  

• Explain two reasons why you would reach out to the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre at U of T  
• Identify the key differences between a disclosure and a university report 
• Discuss how colonization and interlocking systems of oppression relate to our understanding of sexual violence  
• Understand responder and survivor intersectionality 
• Identify steps in providing a supportive, trauma-informed response to a disclosure of sexual violence
• Describe two impacts that sexual trauma may have on someone’s academic and/or workplace success  

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisors
• Front-line staff 
• Departmental advisors/staff  
• Dean of Students staff 
• Supervisory staff 
• Other student support staff

Student Advising System: Sneak Peek and Updates

The Student Advising System (powered by Salesforce) is slated to be one of the largest change management projects the Faculty of Arts & Science has ever undergone. The goal of the project is to transform and standardize student advising culture, practice and processes in Arts & Science.

Presenters:

• Katrina Groen, Project Manager, Student Advising System, Office of the Faculty Registrar
• Saira Mall, Product Delivery Lead, Information & Instructional Technology

Intended audiences:

• Academic advisors 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisors/staff 
• Dean of Students staff
• Supervisory staff

Academic Integrity & Academic Opportunity

This session will emphasize tools and techniques to promote academic integrity through advising of University of Toronto students. We will focus on ways to deliver clear and consistent communication about the academic integrity process; how to teach students about the social contract of the university and the power of acting with academic integrity; and how to encourage future success in students who have committed an academic offence. This lecture will reframe the discourse around the academic integrity experience towards the opportunity the process creates for learning, growth, and academic transformation, while giving participants deeper insight into the Faculty of Arts & Science and University of Toronto academic integrity process. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand the academic integrity process, roles, and responsibilities at the administrative, faculty, and student level. 
• Acquire tools for communicating with students on academic integrity matters. 
• Shift the discourse on academic offences towards an emphasis on academic opportunity and growth. 

Presenters:

• Lauren Vollmer, Associate Director, Academic Integrity & Petitions
• Carrie Reese, Academic Integrity Officer
• Victoria James, Academic Integrity & Petitions Specialist

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisor 
• Front-line staff 
• Departmental advisor/staff 
• Supervisory staff 
• Faculty advisors 

Wellness Advising: The effectiveness of college-based holistic supports

In response to the Final Report of the Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health, the Office of Student Life at Innis College introduced wellness advising as a new service for students. By carefully defining wellness advising as an opportunity to seek support navigating on and off-campus resources, and through targeted outreach efforts, student uptake and satisfaction have demonstrated the value and impact of this new support. This presentation will provide an overview of the model, our approach to case management and care coordination, and service-level data highlights. We will also discuss exploratory questions that can be integrated into other forms of advising, driven by a desire to decrease stigma and build personal capacity. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Reflect on the role of an advisor and the impact of integrating different approaches to advising.  
• How a targeted approach to wellness advising has informed opportunities for outreach, student leadership and connections, and the creation of health promotion materials.  
• Lessons learned through scoping the role of wellness advising and student outreach.  
• The relationship between students' personal wellbeing and their academic wellbeing, and the role of wellness advising in creating a holistic approach to their academic journeys.  
• Strategies to increase accessibility of wellness advising through the use of technology-based tools and relational approaches.  
• Tools to support effective referrals focused on enhancing holistic student wellbeing.  

Presenters:

• Sana Imran, Assistant Dean, Community Wellness, Innis College 
• Steve Masse, Dean of Students, Innis College 

Intended audiences: 

• Academic Advisor 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisor/staff 
• Dean of Students staff 

GROWing with the Academic Advisor Training Program (AATP)

The AATP is a new professional development program intended to help advisors learn more impactful and inclusive advising strategies. If you are curious about how the AATP might fit in to your professional development plans, join this session to get a preview of the kind of collaborative skill-building that is central to the program. The session will begin with an overview of the AATP and the results and feedback from the pilot program in summer 2022. Then, participants will have the opportunity to take part in an interactive learning experience drawn from the AATP itself on integrating the GROW model of coaching into advising practice. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Explain the goals, purpose, and structure of the AATP. 
• Describe how content is delivered and learning is facilitated in the AATP. 
• Apply the GROW coaching model to advising scenarios. 
• Reflect on the potential for the AATP or other training programs to be included in one’s professional development plan. 

Presenter: Yvette Ali, Registrar, Victoria University in the University of Toronto 

Intended audiences: 

• Academic Advisor 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisor/staff 
• Dean of Students staff 

Wellness Advising: The effectiveness of college-based holistic supports

In response to the Final Report of the Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health, the Office of Student Life at Innis College introduced wellness advising as a new service for students. By carefully defining wellness advising as an opportunity to seek support navigating on and off-campus resources, and through targeted outreach efforts, student uptake and satisfaction have demonstrated the value and impact of this new support. This presentation will provide an overview of the model, our approach to case management and care coordination, and service-level data highlights. We will also discuss exploratory questions that can be integrated into other forms of advising, driven by a desire to decrease stigma and build personal capacity. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Reflect on the role of an advisor and the impact of integrating different approaches to advising.  
• How a targeted approach to wellness advising has informed opportunities for outreach, student leadership and connections, and the creation of health promotion materials.  
• Lessons learned through scoping the role of wellness advising and student outreach.  
• The relationship between students' personal wellbeing and their academic wellbeing, and the role of wellness advising in creating a holistic approach to their academic journeys.  
• Strategies to increase accessibility of wellness advising through the use of technology-based tools and relational approaches.  
• Tools to support effective referrals focused on enhancing holistic student wellbeing.  

Presenters:

• Sana Imran, Assistant Dean, Community Wellness, Innis College 
• Steve Masse, Dean of Students, Innis College 

Intended audiences: 

• Academic Advisor 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisor/staff 
• Dean of Students staff 

Academic Integrity & Academic Opportunity

This session will emphasize tools and techniques to promote academic integrity through advising of University of Toronto students. We will focus on ways to deliver clear and consistent communication about the academic integrity process; how to teach students about the social contract of the university and the power of acting with academic integrity; and how to encourage future success in students who have committed an academic offence. This lecture will reframe the discourse around the academic integrity experience towards the opportunity the process creates for learning, growth, and academic transformation, while giving participants deeper insight into the Faculty of Arts & Science and University of Toronto academic integrity process. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand the academic integrity process, roles, and responsibilities at the administrative, faculty, and student level. 
• Acquire tools for communicating with students on academic integrity matters. 
• Shift the discourse on academic offences towards an emphasis on academic opportunity and growth. 

Presenters:

• Lauren Vollmer, Associate Director, Academic Integrity & Petitions
• Laurie O’Handley, Academic Integrity Specialist
• Diane Pacheco, Academic Integrity & Petitions Specialist

Intended audiences: 

• Academic advisor 
• Front-line staff 
• Departmental advisor/staff 
• Supervisory staff 
• Faculty advisors 

Presenting the Vice Provost, SEM, Portfolio

The session will shed light on the number of changes to (the old) Enrolment Services and serve as an introduction to the newest Vice Provost portfolio – the Office of the Vice Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM). We will present the changes over the last few years including the branding, new org structure, role/mandate and the expanded service(s). We’ll also provide an update on several projects currently underway to improve the student experience.    

Learning outcomes: 

• Describe the current student services provided by University Registrar’s Office and University Admissions and Outreach Office. 
• Describe the role of the Vice Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) 
• Identify the VP, SEM resources available to U of T staff (ListServ, Sharepoint, Data Access, etc.) 

Presenters: 

• Sinisa Markovic, Deputy University Registrar and Director, Operations; University Registrar’s Office, Office of the Vice Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management 
• Joseph Minichini, Assistant University Registrar, Policy & Projects; University Registrar’s Office, Office of the Vice Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management 

Intended audiences: 

• Academic Advisor 
• Front-line staff 
• Department advisor/staff 
• Dean of Students staff 

Salesforce in Advising Panel

Join this panel to hear about the first-hand experiences of advising staff at other universities who have implemented Salesforce for advising and student services. In advance of the launch of the Student Advising Service (SAS) in 2023, learn about the benefits that Salesforce can offer to advisors. 

Learning outcomes:  

• Explain how other universities use Salesforce to support their advising and student services. 
• Explain how the features of Salesforce can support service excellence and advising best practices. 
• Identify opportunities to improve current practices and services with Salesforce. 

Panellists: 

• Sean Kilpatrick, Executive Director, ‘Canes Central, University of Miami 
• Andrew Beverly, Director, Student Advising Resource Team (START), University of Michigan – Dearborn 
• Julie Faust, Director, Enrollment Student Services (ESS), University of Michigan – Dearborn 

Intended audiences: 

We welcome all interested attendees, but expect that this session to be most relevant for academic advisors and those who supervise academic advising, since they will be the primary user group for phase 1 of the Student Advising Service.