enSEMble September 2024

enSEMble
September 2024

Welcoming New Additions to VPSEM

Welcome to all of our new colleagues on various VPSEM teams.

Advaith Mani
Advaith Mani, Process Designer, Registrarial Systems & Strategic Reporting Team
Bianca Novielli
Bianca Novielli, Senior Financial Aid Specialist, Financial Aid Team
Fathama Arshad - avatar
Fathama Arshad, Support Services Assistant, Financial Aid Team (prefers no photo)
Heather Huckfield
Heather Huckfield, Manager, Accommodated Testing Services, Learning Space Management Team
Julia Nantaba - avatar
Julia Nantaba Office Administrator, Office of Convocation (prefers no photo)
Julien Gonsalves
Julien Gonsalves, Financial Aid Advisor, Client Services Team (prefers no photo)
Nancy Pandit
Nancy Pandit, Admissions Systems Analyst & Coordinator, Admissions Systems Team

VPSEM Fall Kick Off

On Tuesday, August 27, the VPSEM Fall Kick Off provided the chance to re-connect ahead of another busy academic year. The gathering was well attended by approximately 85 staff, who were all smiles as they enjoyed mingling, music and refreshments. Thank you to everyone who was involved with planning this event.

U of T’s ARUCC conference attendees. From left to right: Gustavo Luna, (Registrar, Pharmacy), Rosemary Guido (Admissions, Engineering), Sherry Lin (Admissions, Engineering), Ivan Souza, Associate Director, University Admissions, Andrea McGee (Registrar, Faculty of Information), Lauren Glynn (Admissions, UTM), Angelique Saweczko, University Registrar, URO, Maria Jimena Rivera, Director, University Admissions, Lisa Feng (Registrar, Faculty of Arts & Science).

Registrars & Directors Unite

The ARUCC Conference, held in Calgary from June 23-26, brought together registrars and admissions directors from institutions across Canada. Several U of T attendees delivered presentations. Featured keynote sessions included introducing AI strategies to higher education administrators and methods for fostering innovation to best serve students. The conference is every two years and will be held in Quebec in 2026.

Special thanks to Maria Jimena Rivera for sharing this conference photo.

After an Eventful Summer, Client Services has Returned

Staff workstations at the School of Continuing Studies.
Signage directing student visitors to specific lines for their inquiries.

Kudos to the Client Services Team for their quick pivot following the flood at 172 St. George Street. They were able to move student facing activities to the School of Continuing Studies at 158 St. George Street to maintain their high level of service as they approached September and the demands that come with starting a new academic year.

Client Services staff and management would like to thank the School of Continuing Studies for welcoming them into their space and accommodating the needs of the URO in a very busy time for them as well. Client Services is now happily settled back into the front desk area at 172 St. George Street, which was fast tracked for repairs. Thank you also to the URO IT and Communications teams for their support during this challenging time.

-Toni Anderson, Assistant Registrar

The Admissions Sustainability Team enjoying their litterless lunch. Front row (left to right): Christine Slauenwhite, Sandra Ceccomancini, Ning Chen, Brenda Colley, Sandy Vuong. Back row (left to right): Ambrose Roche, Ivan Souza, Maria Jimena Rivera, Ly Lu, Lidia Mestnik.

Litterless Lunch is a Sustainable Suggestion

Members of the Admissions Sustainability Team include Ambrose Roche, Admissions Counsellor, Brenda Colley, Policy Advisor, Ivan Souza, Associate Director, University Admissions, Lidia Mestnik, Admissions Counsellor, Sandra Ceccomancini, Admissions Counsellor, and Sandy Vuong, Admissions Counsellor.

Special thanks to Maria Jimena Rivera, Director, University Admissions for sharing this photo.

Client Services and Financial Aid staff participating in suicide awareness training.
Chad Jankowski leading suicide awareness training for Client Services and Financial Aid staff.

Suicide Awareness Training

On Tuesday, August 13, the Client Services team along with two Financial Aid Counsellors completed Suicide Awareness Training facilitated by Chad Jankowski. The session was held in-person at Woodsworth College.

Special thanks to Toni Anderson, Assistant Registrar, for sharing these photos.

VPSEM at The Ball Game

Special thanks to Angie Selitto, Frontline Service Coordinator, Student Accounts, for sharing these pictures and to event organizer Laura McLean, Student Accounts Advisor.

Other VPSEM staff who attended the Blue Jays game:
Abirami Kalyanaraman, Financial Aid Advisor, UTSC, Bonnie Jang, Financial Aid Coordinator, Christelle Moneypenny, Admissions Advisor, Ian Hutson, Client Services Advisor – Admissions, Mark Wurzel, IT Analyst, Samantha Smith, Client Services Advisor and Sara Khan, Service Coordinator, Financial Aid.

Tech2U Classroom Ambassadors Kick Off Fall-Winter 2024-25 

Tech2U Classroom Ambassadors are all smiles for their two-day training session. Photo Credit: Anna Menezes.

The Tech2U Student Classroom Ambassadors (CAs) are back in action, gearing up for another term of excellence and innovation! On August 28 and 29, our dedicated team of around 80 Student Classroom Ambassadors participated in an intensive two-day training session held at the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

This dynamic orientation session, organized by the Learning Space Management team, set the stage for the upcoming Fall-Winter 2024-25 term. With a blend of enthusiasm and professionalism, the training aimed to equip our CAs with the technical know-how and leadership skills needed to support the university’s cutting-edge learning environments. 

Interactive Workshops: Our CAs engaged in hands-on workshops, mastering the use of the Tech2U PC, Yamaha C 700, Doc Cam, and portable speaker with Rode Mic to ensure seamless classroom experiences.

Scenario Discussions: Participants explored real-life scenarios, honing their decision-making and problem-solving skills. This interactive segment encouraged lively discussions and collaborative learning. 

Technical Skills Development: From understanding signal flow to utilizing the Incident Recording Tool (IRT), the training covered a wide range of technical topics, ensuring our CAs are well-prepared to tackle any challenges that arise. 

Campus-Wide Technical Hunt: Our CAs took part in an exciting campus-wide Technical Hunt, where they visited various rooms across the campus, completing specific Tech2U jobs and tasks. This activity not only reinforced their technical skills while fostering teamwork and strategic thinking but also gave them a crash course on wayfinding on the campus. 

First Shift Orientation: To ensure smooth operations from day one, our CAs were thoroughly oriented on the expectations and responsibilities of their first shifts. 

Our training was deeply rooted in the four Tech2U value pillars: 

  • Punctuality: Stressing the importance of being on time and reliable. 
  • Accountability: Encouraging CAs to understand their responsibility for supporting our instructors and assisting the co-pilots. 
  • Communication: Emphasizing clear and effective communication within the team in-person and via MS Teams. 
  • Fun & Support: Creating a positive and enjoyable work environment where everyone feels supported. 
Tech2U Classroom Ambassadors embarking on their campus-wide Technical Hunt. Photo Credit: Anna Menezes.
Tech2U Classroom Ambassadors learning the Tech2U Value Pillars that guide their program. Photo Credit: Anna Menezes.

As we embark on this new term, our Tech2U Classroom Ambassadors are more prepared than ever to make a significant impact. Their dedication and enthusiasm are truly inspiring, and we are confident that they will continue to uphold the high standards of the Tech2U program. 
 
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants and trainers who made this training session a resounding success, and our leadership team for their continued support. Here is to a fantastic Fall-Winter term filled with learning, growth, and achievement! 

-Anna Menezes, Student Experience Coordinator