Higher Education Conferences

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

Seventh Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference on Justice and Politics
Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Office of the Dean of Students at Victoria University is pleased to invite you to the Seventh Annual Campus (Re)Conciliations: Indigenous Issues in Higher Education Conference on Justice and Politics happening on March 23, 2023, in Alumni Hall – Victoria College Building.

This year, the conference will reflect on the intersectional issues of justice and politics in Canada and in higher education, where theoretical and policy decisions connect with practical concerns. The monumental labours of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission addressed the deep injustices of Canada’s residential schools system, leading to Calls to Action aimed at righting the scales of justice in Canada. However, the implementation of the Calls to Action, which would help us move toward reconciliation, continues to face difficult political hurdles. Justice hampered by politics is reconciliation denied; can we develop a politics that enables justice in order to advance toward reconciliation?                   

Join us for the Seventh Campus (Re)Conciliations Conference on Justice and Politics with guests Margaret Froh, president of Métis Nation of Ontario, Hayden King, executive director of the Yellowhead Insitute, Kimberly Murray, independent special interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves, and Iakoiehwahtha Patton, Victoria University student and Rhodes Scholar.

Learn more about Ideas for the World.

Program

8:30 – 9:15 A.M. – Registration and light breakfast

9:15 – A.M. – Opening Ceremony

• Dorothy Peters, Elder and Traditional Teacher, Victoria University Advisory Circle

9:30 – A.M. – Welcome Remarks

• Rhonda McEwen, President, Victoria University
• Kelley Castle, Dean of Students, Victoria University

9:50 – A.M. – Land Acknowledgment

• Shane Joy, HBA Candidate for History and Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations and Vice-President of the Victoria University Students' Administrative Council
  

10:00 – 11:00 A.M. – Morning Keynote, followed by Q&A

• Margaret Froh, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario

11:00 – 11:15 A.M. – Refreshment Break

11:15 A.M. – 12:15 P.M. “Treaties: Foundational Documents to the Settlement of Canada” Workshop and Q&A

• John Croutch, Indigenous Training Coordinator, Office of Indigenous Initiatives, U of T

12:15 – 1:15 P.M. – Lunch Break (Tea n’ Bannock, Indigenous Cuisine)

1:15 – 2:15 P.M. – Afternoon Keynote, followed by Q&A

• Iakoiehwahtha Patton, Student of Art History and Anthropology, member of the Conference Planning Committee and Rhodes Scholar

2:15 – 3:15 P.M.  – Tradition and Technology, Performance

• Archer Pechawis, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Performance, York University

3:15 – 3:30 P.M. - Refreshment Break

3:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. – Panel Discussion – Students, Leaders and Educators

• Kimberly Murray, Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves
• Hayden King, Assistant Professor and Advisor to the Dean of Arts on Indigenous Education, Toronto Metropolitan University
• Kiona Osowski (moderator), Ethics, Society and Law Student and member of the Conference Planning Committee

4:30 – 4:45 P.M. – Closing Remarks

• Michael White, Director, First Nations House Indigenous Student Services at University of Toronto