Arts & Science Interim Dean Stephen Wright would not normally be dashing between a computer science lecture, reverse charades and a shift as a Hart House ambassador. But once a year, Dean for a Day changes everything — sending the dean through a day in the life of a student, and a student into the dean’s chair.
Organized by the Arts & Science Students’ Union (ASSU), the Dean for a Day contest gives one undergraduate student the chance to step into the role of the Dean of Arts & Science for a full day. The student attends some of the dean’s meetings with university leaders, while the dean attends classes and takes part in student-led activities. As part of the initiative, ASSU and the Office of the Dean also donate funds to the UTSU food bank.
This year’s winner was Savita Puvaneswaran, a third-year political science and criminology student and member of University College.
She saw the contest as an opportunity to understand better how the university operates and interact with senior administrators. “I was excited to see what the dean’s day-to-day work looks like,” she said. “It got me thinking about all the things we don’t see that he does to help enhance the student experience.
Puvaneswaran started her day by meeting Suzanne Wood, Arts & Science’s associate dean of student affairs, to learn more about the structure and operations of the dean’s office.
She then moved across campus for meetings with Markus Stock, principal of University College, Sandy Welsh, vice-provost, students and David Kim, warden of Hart House. Meeting Kim was particularly meaningful for Puvaneswaran, who works with him as a Hart House student ambassador.
“I already knew him, but we don’t always get to have one-on-one conversations,” she said. “He shared insights about his role and gave me very cool recommendations for improving my club’s initiatives.”
Puvaneswaran is especially interested in supporting student-led clubs and initiatives, learning more about the university’s accessibility policies, and better understanding the relationship between artificial intelligence and academic integrity. During her meetings at Hart House and University College, she explored these topics with Kim and Stock, noting that they shared many of her interests.
“Everyone I spoke with was very student-centred,” she said. Even though there are many diverse perspectives, there is an effort to focus on procedures that are best for the students, which I appreciate.
Wright’s schedule was equally full. He began his morning at Hart House, working Puvaneswaran’s shift as a student ambassador.
He then attended an Introduction to Computer Programming lecture taught by Jacqueline Smith, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, where he took careful notes.
Later that afternoon, Wright and Puvaneswaran reunited for a final conversation before joining the Positivity Project — a student group known for hosting de‑stressing, feel‑good activities that promote positivity and mental well‑being — for a board game café.
“It’s really valuable to have a day to look at the life of a student,” Wright said. “Our students have a lot of thoughts to share with us about what they’re feeling and seeing on the ground. It is also an opportunity for students to learn and reflect on what the dean’s office does — and can do — to improve the student experience.”
Reflecting on the day, Puvaneswaran said she was tired, but happy. “It was a great experience that really expanded my perspective. I stepped outside my comfort zone, connected with new people and boosted my communication and collaboration skills.” She added that the experience also helped her build new connections across the university — relationships she hopes to carry forward in her academic and extracurricular work.
Watch the Dean for a Day experience on Instagram.