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Minding Our Minds: Supporting Student Neurodiversity and Student Wellness

The Office of the Dean of Students at Victoria University in the University of Toronto is pleased to announce our 11th annual Minding our Minds conference and discussion about mental health in higher education.

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Minding our Minds 2023: Supporting Student Neurodiversity and Student Wellness
Minding our Minds 2023: Supporting Student Neurodiversity and Student Wellness

The Office of the Dean of Students at Victoria University and Student Life Programs & Services at the University of Toronto are pleased to invite you to our annual Minding our Minds Conference happening on Thursday, October 26 at Victoria University.

 The Minding our Minds Conference, in its 11th year, assembles a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss timely issues in student mental health on campus. Students, administrators, faculty, healthcare workers, student affairs leaders, psychologists, residence dons, and many more come together to discuss and learn about some of the most pressing issues facing the university sector regarding mental health. Our theme this year is “Supporting Student Neurodiversity and Student Wellness”.

When: Thursday October 26, 2023

Where: Alumni Hall, Victoria University

Conference Program

9:00 – 9:30 A.M. – Registration and light breakfast
Foyer, Victoria College Building

9:30 – 9:45 A.M. – Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, and Okanagan Charter Signing
Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building

  • Kelley Castle, Dean of Students, Victoria University
  • Heather Kelly, Executive Director, Student Life Programs & Services, University of Toronto at University of Toronto
  • Rhonda McEwen (President) and Senior Leadership, Victoria University
  • Shane Joy, President, VUSAC
  • Kacy Lin, President, ECSS

10:00 – 11:00 A.M. – Opening Keynote "Collectively advancing post-secondary supports for ASD/autistic students in Higher Education: Learnings from across the country" 
Alumni Hall and Online via Zoom Webinar at This Link

  • Dr. Jonathan Lai Executive Director, Autism Alliance of Canada and Adjunct Faculty at the University of Toronto
  • Simone Daniels, Research Assistant, Autism Alliance of Canada

11:00 – 11:15 A.M. – Refreshment Break
Foyer, Victoria College Building

11:15 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. – Practitioners and Researchers Panel
“Insights and Strategies to Improve Post-Secondary Educational Experiences & Outcomes for Students with ASD/Autistic Students”

Alumni Hall and Online via Zoom Webinar at This Link

  • Heather Morgan, PhD Student, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto
  • Dr. Jason Manett, Academic and Life Skills Coach, The Redpath Centre
  • Dr. Carolyn Tinglin, PhD Candidate, Education Equity in Educational Theory and Practice, Simon Fraser University

12:30 – 1:30 P.M. – Lunch Break
Foyer, Victoria College Building

1:30 – 2:45 P.M. – Student Voices Panel
Enabling Our Strengths & Talents: Experiences of Neurodiverse Students”
Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building

2:45 – 3:00 P.M. – Refreshment Break
Foyer, Victoria College Building

3:00 – 4:00 P.M. – Workshops (Concurrent Sessions)

  • We Get By With A Little Help From Our Friends: Collective Autistic Self-Advocacy in Post-Secondary Institutions
    Dr. Carolyn Tinglin, Education Equity in Educational Theory and Practice, Simon Fraser University
    Alumni Hall and Online via Zoom Webinar at This Link
  • Unmasking Autism in One-to-One Interactions: Agency, Autonomy and Embodiment as strategies to improve coaching, mentorship, and support between staff and students.
    Heather Morgan, PhD Student, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto
    Wymilwood Lounge, Goldring Student Centre (150, Charles St. West)
  • Designing for Participation in the Classroom and the University Community for ASD Students.
    Irene Sullivan, Taite Lehov, Sabrina Paglia, U of T Accessibility Services
    Copper Room, Goldring Student Centre (150, Charles St. West)
  • Neurodiversity - Sensory Experiences and Wellbeing
    Jess Lopez, Neurodiversity Support Advisor, University of Calgary
    Online via Zoom meeting at this link

4:00 – 4:30 P.M. – Closing Remarks
Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building

Register Here

Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference

Created in 2017, the Campus (Re)conciliations annual conference invites participants to reflect on the role of the University in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action and provides a space to listen to Indigenous leaders, community members, and students speak about their research, reflections, and experiences.

Past speakers included Margaret Froh, Kimberly Murray, Hayden King, Phyllis Webstad, Mike DeGagne, Kevin Lamoureux, Jesse Wente, Lisa Richardson, John Borrows, Lee Maracle, James Makokis and Anthony Johnson.

Each year, the conference features a mix of keynote speakers, engaging panel and armchair discussions, and interactive student-led workshops. This event is always free and open to all, so please encourage your students, colleagues, and friends to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact the Ideas for the World Coordinator, Elena, at vic.ideas@utoronto.ca.

Eighth Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference

Mar. 21, 2024
8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.

Register Here

The Office of the Dean of Students at Victoria University is pleased to invite you to our Eighth Annual Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference.

Where: Alumni Hall, Victoria College Building. 

About this Event: The theme for this year's Campus (Re)Conciliations event is “Intersections of Art, Space, and Place.

Since 2017, this innovative gathering has brought together scholars, educators, artists, activists, students and community members to consider indigenous experiences and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission within the academic landscape.

At the intersections of art, space and place, we confront the ongoing challenges and opportunities for Indigenous representation, inclusion and belonging within the university.  Discussion topics will include the role of art as a tool for cultural preservation, architecture as a political tool, and reimagining academic spaces as sites of Indigenous knowledge. 

 Attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions, workshops and presentations while enjoying food and challenging conversations together.

Conference Program

Time Event Speaker
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration and light breakfast   
9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Opening
  • Dorothy Peters, Elder and Traditional Teacher, Victoria University Advisory Circle 
9:15 – 9:20 a.m. Land Acknowledgment
  • Elena Ferranti, Communications and Ideas for the World Coordinator
9:20 – 9:45 a.m. Welcome Remarks
  • Kelley Castle, Dean of Students, Victoria University, co-host 
  • Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo, June Callwood Professor in Social Justice, Special Advisor on Indigenous Issues, Victoria University 
9:45 – 11:00 a.m. Creating Indigenous Spaces with Purpose, Intention, and Community
  • Shannon Simpson, Senior Director, Office of the Vice President and Provost and Office of the Vice President People Strategy, Equity and Culture, U of T 
  • Michael White, Director, Indigenous Student Services, First Nations, U of T 
  • Kelly Crawford Assistant Director, Indigenous Initiatives UTSC  
11:15 – 11:15 Break a.m.    
11:15 – 12:15 p.m. Truth and Community through Art, Design and Spaces
  • Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette, Chef and owner of Nishdish marketeria & catering, Anishinawbe food sovereigntist and public speaker 
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Lunch Break, provided by Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin  
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Students' Panel - Personal and Academic Journeys through Art, Space, and Place
  • Sandi Wemigwase (moderator), Special Projects Officer, Indigenous Research at Office of Indigenous Initiatives 
  • Alexis Bornyk, International Development Specialist student 
  • Giselle Del Valle, Psychology and Health Sciences student 
  • Julien Todd, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design student 
  • MJ Singleton, Psychology and Criminology student 
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Refreshment Break   
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Sending Out a Call: Encounters and Activations
  • Trina Moyan – Artist and Activist 
  • Jill Carter - Associate Director, Graduate, Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies  
3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Collective Conversation
  • Wrap-up discussion with Jill Carter, Johl Whiteduck Ringuette and Trina Moyan over a buffet of NishDish specialties.