Connections & Conversations

 

Connections and Conversations

Interested in supporting UTM C&C as a member of the executive team? Positions become open on a rolling basis depending on need and term limits. UTM C&C welcomes inquiries for more information or expressions of interest to volunteer. Please email us at c.and.c.utm@utoronto.ca! The executive team will follow-up on communications received as soon as possible.

The Connections and Conversations group welcomes ALL staff at UTM, regardless of whether or not they have attended previous meetings. Please see our upcoming events and meetings here, and join us by completing the member survey below and subscribing to our listserv!

Keeping up to date as a self-identified member of the BIPOC community or as a supporter/ally?
Click here to subscribe to the general UTM C&C listserv

Keeping up to date as a self-identified member of the Black community?
Click here to subscribe to the UTM Black Staff listserv

Invitation text to complete a membership survey

What is Connections & Conversations?

Connections and Conversations University of Toronto Mississauga Chapter (“Connections and Conversation UTM”) is an affinity group for self-identified Black, Indigenous or People of Colour (BIPOC) staff to provide a community of support and opportunities for mentorship and professional development.

The objectives of the Connections and Conversations affinity group are:

  • To Build Community: Providing moral support to BIPOC members of the UTM community in their pursuit of a satisfying career experience in an inclusive environment;
  • To Support Professional Development: Offering networking and mentoring opportunities and advice to members to contribute their unique experiences and skills to the growth and development of UTM;
  • To Develop Innovative Strategies and Plans: Increasing awareness of systemic barriers and experiences encountered by self-identified BIPOC members and co- creating equitable and inclusive solutions among the UTM community; and
  • Advocating for Effective Change: Expanding and improving the institutional commitment of the University of Toronto and the University of Toronto Mississauga campus’ principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion by championing and supporting the advancement of strategic anti-racism initiatives and to continue to work towards the elimination of systemic racial discrimination with stakeholders within and outside of UTM.

UTM C&C operates according to our Terms of Reference - see here for further details!


Role of the Local UTM Chapter

Connections & Conversations' local UTM Chapter is guided by its Executive Committee, which provides leadership and operational management of activities such as organizing and running bi-monthly meetings, events and other strategic initiatives.

2023-2024 Executive Committee members

  • Cindy Ramsundar
    Office Manager, Administration
    Information and Instructional Technology 
  • Kayla Forrester
    Undergraduate Student Advisor
    Department of Economics
  • Kerrie Martin
    Program Manager & Learning Strategist
    Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre
  • Mahnoor (Noor) Leghari
    Equity Project Specialist - Sciences
    Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office
  • Malisa Zhou
    Assistant to the Associate Directors
    Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy
  • Naomi Baptiste
    Community Youth Programmer
    Centre for Student Engagement 
  • Peter Wong
    Manager, FIPS
    Budget, Planning & Finance
  • Sally Chen
    Intake and Outreach Coordinator
    Student Affairs
  • Vesela Angelova
    Assistant Director, FIPS and Special Projects
    Budget, Planning & Finance

Contact Us!

Read, Watch, Listen and Learn: An electronic resource for the UTM Connections & Conversations Chapter

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