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.
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
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.
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 |
|
9:15 – 9:20 a.m. | Land Acknowledgment |
|
9:20 – 9:45 a.m. | Welcome Remarks |
|
9:45 – 11:00 a.m. | Creating Indigenous Spaces with Purpose, Intention, and Community |
|
11:15 – 11:15 Break a.m. | ||
11:15 – 12:15 p.m. | Truth and Community through Art, Design and Spaces |
|
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 |
|
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. | Refreshment Break | |
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Sending Out a Call: Encounters and Activations |
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3:45 – 4:30 p.m. | Collective Conversation |
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