First-Year Learning Communities: Humanities

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Title: Student Success Program Officer

About me: I'm currently the Student Success Programs Officer in the Office of the Faculty Registrar. I hold an Honours BA in Psychology with a specialization in Human Resources Management from the University of Waterloo, and a Master of Education from OISE at the University of Toronto, specializing in Higher Education: Student Development and Services in Post-Secondary Education. My professional experience includes roles in academic advising and learning strategy support, where I’ve focused on developing student success programs, fostering student development and helping learners thrive throughout their academic journeys. Outside of work, I enjoy reading with a good cup of coffee (Found Coffee is a go-to!) and spending time outdoors, especially exploring local hiking trails in the summer.

Why FLCs? I’m passionate about supporting students during one of the most critical and transformative phases of their academic journey — the transition into university life. With my background in academic advising, I’ve seen firsthand how early guidance and community support can make a significant difference in students’ confidence, engagement and overall success. I’m excited by the opportunity to help students build connections and feel a sense of belonging in their new environment.

Top tip for incoming students: Make space for setbacks, obstacles and failures — these are all part of the journey. They’re what will lead you to discovering who you are, and who you’re becoming as you journey through your time in university.

Pronouns: She/Her

Title: Recruitment Advisor

About me: I work in Student Admissions and Recruitment, meeting with many prospective and incoming students interested in U of T and the Faculty of Arts and Science. As a recruitment advisor, I guide students on their journey through the admission process to getting them connected with their U of T community as admitted students. I am an alum of U of T; I graduated in 2023 with a double major in Health & Disease and Psychology, minor in Environment and Behaviour, and a certificate in Sustainability. I have a puppy named Bhaira; he recently turned two years old and most of my free time is spent playing or walking him! I love singing, playing instruments, martial arts and watching movies/shows (recommendations are always welcome)!

Why FLCs? When I was a student, I was highly involved with the FLC program — from being a FLCee myself in first year to being a Senior Peer mentor. Being an introverted student, FLCs really helped me connect with my peers and break that barrier students may have when reaching out to a staff or faculty member. Now, I would love to be on the other side and be the Staff Advisor to help students feel comfortable connecting and transitioning into University. There is so much to do at U of T and I would love to be there to support students find their unique programs and opportunities to sculpt their experience.

Top tip for incoming students: Don't restrict your self to a specific program/goal. While keeping your end goal in mind, feel free to explore programs, opportunities and courses. You never know if you like something until you try and first year gives you that flexibility to understand yourself.

Preferred Name: Brianna

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Program(s): Double major in History and Women & Gender Studies

Year: Three

College: University College

Hometown: Ajax, Ontario

What activities have you been involved in on campus? This is my second year as a peer mentor.

Why peer mentorship? Peer mentorship allows for a direct connection to first-year students. We can give you helpful and personalized advice. As someone who was a FLCee, I found this program so helpful, and I am glad to be able to help others now.

What are you looking forward to this academic year? A lot of different things. There are so many events on campus and courses are always fun!

What advice would you give to first-year students? Don't be afraid of change! University is very different than high school, but as long as you take the initiative, it is super fun and meaningful.

Preferred Name: Serena

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Program(s): Ethics, Society & Law and Philosophy

Year: Three

College: St. Michael's College

Hometown: Thornhill, Ontario

What activities have you been involved in on campus? Black Students’ Assocation (BSA) Social Media Director 2025-2026

Why peer mentorship? I’m interested in peer mentorship because I know starting university can feel really new, overwhelming and sometimes isolating. Having someone there who has already gone through that experience can make a big difference. Over time, I’ve learned a lot about how to navigate university, both academically and personally, and I’d love the chance to share that with other students to help make their transition a little smoother. I also think peer mentorship is a great way to pass on the tips, advice, and things I wish I had known in my first year. Most importantly, I think it’s important for students to feel like they’re not going through university alone. Having a sense of community and support can really make the experience better, and I’d love to be someone who helps create that for others.

What are you looking forward to this academic year? I’m really looking forward to being more involved on campus this academic year and making the most of everything U of T has to offer. I’m especially excited to become a peer mentor, since I enjoy community building and being part of spaces where people feel supported and connected.

I’m also excited to stay involved in some of my favourite clubs, especially the BSA, and to attend more events, meet new people and make new friends. Academically, I’m looking forward to learning more about my degree and getting further into the areas of study that interest me most.

What advice would you give to first-year students? Get involved in your academic and school community as soon as possible. Whether that means going to office hours, connecting with classmates who have similar goals, making friends or joining clubs on campus, all of it can make a huge difference in your overall U of T experience. Getting involved helps you build connections with other students, professors and mentors, and it can really help you find your place at U of T. At first, it might feel a little intimidating, but putting yourself out there and trying new things is so worth it. I’d also say not to be too hard on yourself. First year is a time to explore, learn, meet new people and have fun. So take opportunities, give yourself grace and enjoy the experience!

Preferred Name: Serena

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Program(s): Double major in Math and Philosophy

Year: Three

College: Innis College

Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario

What activities have you been involved in on campus? I volunteer for CIUT, where I host my own radio show; Philosophy Department Communications Assistant summer work-study; Jackman Humanities Scholars-in-Residence research assistant; creative director for Demo Magazine; writer for the UC Gargoyle Newspaper.

Why peer mentorship? I learned a lot in my first two years at U of T and I would love to share all my advice with incoming first years. Especially for programs of study and course selection  — I wish I had an upper-year student to help me out when I was doing it, so I'd love to be that for someone else.

What are you looking forward to this academic year? I am looking forward to taking more specialized philosophy courses that align with my interests. I'll be taking courses on analytic philosophy and the philosophy of mathematics, which combines my two passions.

What advice would you give to first-year students? Don't be afraid to reach out to people and make connections! It's super important to talk to those around you in lecture or tutorial and form friendships — they can really make your time at school so much fun. Reach out to professors and TAs as well — building a relationship with them can be really beneficial and insightful. 

Preferred Name: Keira 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Program(s): Double major in History and Philosophy, European Affairs minor

Year: Four

College: Victoria College

Hometown: Thailand

Why peer mentorship? As a former FLC participant, I gained a lot of insights from attending FLC sessions and would like to share what I learned with first-year students. These sessions are very helpful in transitioning into university life. I find myself continuing to rely on the resources whenever I need support with my academic journey.

What are you looking forward to this academic year? I'm looking forward to taking more interesting courses and gaining more work experiences that allow me to apply things I've learned in my courses. I'm also excited to meet every FLC participant this year, and look forward to sharing my experiences, as well as the opportunities available at U of T.

What advice would you give to first-year students? Don't be afraid to ask for help and you're not alone. There are many resources available at U of T, and asking questions or seeking guidance not only benefits you, but also others in the course. Reaching out to professors and TAs is also helpful for strengthening your understanding of course content and gaining helpful insights. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, we are here to support you!