AM Session — Contemporary universities are places where student identities converge within complex historical notions of community. SEE UTM was created to disrupt disparities in access to higher education for historically underrepresented students in the Peel Region. An intra-institutional and inter-institutional collaborative approach to developing the program included internal units such as student recruitment and student engagement, faculty (focused on university pedagogy), and the local school board. In 2022, students in their final year of high school took part in a pilot program to attend University for their fall semester and in 2025 we will be welcoming our 4th cohort. The presentation details the creation, challenges, outcomes and future recommendations for the program.
Room P115
AM Breakout Session: 10:40 – 11:50am
Presenters:
Jessica Silver (she/her) is the Director, Student Engagement in the Centre for Student Engagement (CSE) at the University Toronto Mississauga. Jessica has a Masters of Education in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning from OISE and is an Ontario Certified Teacher. Prior to working at UTM, Jessica spent time as a Secondary School Teacher with the Toronto District School Board and five years as the Department Manager, Programming with Pathways to Education supporting marginalized high school students and their families through academic and personal mentorship programs. Jessica joined Student Life and UTM in 2014 and became the inaugural Director of the Centre for Student Engagement in 2018. Jessica is dedicated to ensuring that students take on leadership roles, placing them at the forefront of the more than 90 programs, services, and resources offered annually by the CSE, including access programs like SEE UTM, UTM Bridging Pathway and Indigenous Access Days.
Dr. Sheliza Ibrahim is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream with the University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM). She holds a PhD in Science Education from York University, a MSc in Science Communication from Queen’s University Belfast, and a Hons. Bsc. in Biology from the University of Toronto. She has taught and conducted research in the field of Mathematics & Science Education, examining pedagogical approaches that support critical pedagogy, cognition, place-based learning, and the nature of science. Currently her research focuses on higher education and the design of socially just practices in the field of numeracy, science and other STEM fields, and conducts various international research projects across the Caribbean. Professor Ibrahim currently teaches with the Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy, UTM and her courses include Critical Thinking for STEM Learning which she taught to the SEE students, The Science of Learning, and Numeracy for University and Beyond.
Smyrna Wright (she/her) brings a wealth of experience in community engagement and youth development to her current role in education. With a strong foundation in creating equitable and inclusive spaces, she is passionate about empowering students to succeed both academically and personally. Smyrna applies her expertise by designing innovative programs, fostering meaningful connections, and mentoring young people to navigate challenges and embrace their potential. In her role, Smyrna draws on her background in community building to develop partnerships that bridge gaps and create opportunities for learners from all walks of life. Her approach is rooted in empathy, creativity, and a commitment to social justice, ensuring her work leaves a lasting impact on students and their communities.