International Student Mental Health & Well-Being: A Collective Responsibility
George Brown College’s Division of Student Success and the Centre for Preparatory & Liberal Studies are pleased to announce the 24th Annual Mental Health Conference.
About this in-person event
Join us for George Brown College’s 24th annual Mental Health Conference on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Our annual conference is a chance for us to engage in learning, dialogue, and connection, advancing our understanding of the critical factors impacting mental health and well-being.
The focus this year is on international students, currently close to 40% of our George Brown College student population. Marija Padjen, Chief Clinical Office for CMHA Ontario’s Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health, will share research, best practices, and resources to support international student well-being. Conference attendees will have a choice of workshop sessions exploring a range of themes, including pre-arrival preparation, counselling approaches, peer support models, teaching/classroom-based guidance, addressing food and housing insecurity, and providing socio-emotional supports on campus. And of course, participants will hear, firsthand, from the experiences of students.
This conference will appeal to anyone interested in advancing their understanding of the concerns of international students and exploring what they can do to make a difference.
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, February 29th, 2024
- Registration & Coffee: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
- Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Location: 290 Adelaide Street East, Room 406, St. James Campus
- Registration Fee: $125 +HST
- Student Registration Fee: $60 + HST
Registration fee includes a nutritious and delicious lunch prepared by George Brown’s Culinary Arts department, door prizes, workshops, interactive sessions and more!
Thank you to our sponsors:
Chancellor Noella Milne, OC, O. Ont.
Agenda
Morning
Location: Atrium
8 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
- Registration
Location: 4th Floor Foyer
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
- Coffee
Location: 290 Adelaide - Room 406
9 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.
- Territorial Acknowledgement (Mitu Mani, Student, George Brown College)
9:05 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
- Welcome Remarks (Dr. Terry McQuaid, Interim Associate VP, Student Success)
9:15 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
- Remarks (Natalie Pierre, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges and Universities)
9:20 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Host Introduction & Welcome
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
- International Students - Setting the Context, Keynote speaker (Marija Padjen, Director, CICMH)
The number of international students in Canadian colleges and universities has grown rapidly over the past decade, while the number of domestic students has remained relatively constant. According to Statistics Canada, there were 142,170 international post-secondary student enrolments in the fall of 2010, which grew to 388,782 by the fall of 2019. Some Ontario campuses grew the number of international students from 10% to 70% of their student population within the last few years. In the past year, the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health has undertaken several projects to support and build resources for international student mental health. During this keynote presentation, learners will leave with: - An understanding of the context and growing concerns which led CICMH to develop their International Student Mental Health project. - An overview of the recommendations their toolkit proposes.
10:15 a.m. - 10:25 a.m.
- Host Remarks
10:25 a.m. - 10:55 a.m.
- Soch Mental Health- Empowering the South Asian Community from the Ground Up, Keynote Speaker (Maneet Chahal, Founder, SOCH)
Soch Mental Health is a community mental health promotion initiative founded by two compassionate mental health nurses, Jasmeet Chagger (RN, BScN, MSc) and Maneet Chahal-Gill (RN, BScN, MSc). Dedicated advocates for cultural and linguistic mental health empowerment within the South Asian community, Soch Mental Health is committed to unraveling the deeply entrenched stigma that has been handed down through generations. By dismantling this stigma, we pave the way for individuals in need of mental health support to access the vital professional assistance they deserve. Let’s together discuss how we need to bring culture and language to the forefront of mental health services to give individuals a fair chance for living a fulfilling life.
10:55 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- Host Remarks
11 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
- 15-minute Break & Networking
Breakouts
11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions (290 Adelaide - 2nd Floor)
Therapeutic Movement/Dance: alternative approaches to support International student wellbeing
In this experiential workshop, GBC Counsellors Nadia and Natasha will share about the GBC “Inner Well Therapeutic Movement/Dance” group designed to support the emotional wellbeing of international students. The Inner Well group aims to help students connect with themselves, their bodies, and each other by incorporating therapeutic movement/dance, other expressive arts modalities, and embodiment. The workshop participants will get a chance to learn about the specific needs international students have and how we have leveraged somatic and group practices to meet them. The workshop participants will also engage in an experiential movement/dance practice together.
- Nadia Stolpner, Counsellor, George Brown College
- Natasha Bowman, Counsellor, George Brown College
Supporting International Students in the Classroom
Are you a higher ed course instructor seeking effective ways to support international students in your classroom? Join this interactive workshop facilitated by seasoned ESL (English as a Second Language) instructors to explore strategies to help international students overcome common challenges faced while integrating into academic life in a new country.
Key Focus Areas:
Understand the multifaceted challenges faced by international students including language barriers, cultural adjustments, academic expectations, and social integration.
Learn practical techniques to foster an inclusive, supportive and trauma aware classroom environment that encourages participation, builds rapport, and creates opportunities for international students to feel valued and heard.
Explore strength-based learning approaches and effective communication methods that help bridge language gaps.
- Jessica Lederman, School of ESL Coordinator & Faculty, George Brown College
- Agnes Orzechowski, School of ESL Coordinator & Faculty, George Brown College
Student housing for student success
Affordable and suitable housing is a fundamental requirement for students to succeed and thrive in their education. George Brown College is studying how housing should be incorporated into the new campus master plan to support students. Highlights of the work will be shared and break-out discussions will help inform the scope of next steps.
- Gail Shillingford, Urban and Landscape Design, Principal, B+H Architects
Food Security and Student Mental Health
Access to food and housing is emerging as a growing concern for our international students. We understand that having consistent access to food is pivotal for maintaining good mental health among students, impacting their ability to concentrate and excel academically. Unfortunately, many students find themselves compelled to seek part-time employment to ensure they can afford food, often leading to conflicts with their academic responsibilities. We invite you to participate in a panel discussion exploring the diverse initiatives undertaken by George Brown College and our partners at the Student Association to address and alleviate food insecurity for students. Join us to gain insights into how you can contribute to enhancing food security for George Brown College students.
- Torsten Hamelin, Good Food Coordinator, Student Life
- Nazly Vasquez, Student Success Administrative Coordinator, George Brown College School of ESL
- Ryan Sargent, Director of Ancillary Business Services, George Brown College
- Ronnie Cruz, Equity & Advocacy Manager, SNAP Program
Stories across Borders: The Power of Storytelling
Every person has a story to tell, and stories connect us. This session will focus on the motivating potential of storytelling to build connections, foster community, promote wellness, and enable opportunities to co-create meaning and learning. As international and newcomer students from diverse backgrounds embark on their studies, locating oneself within this diversity may be challenging, thereby making it difficult to identify with others, and it is here that stories provide an engaging communication, identity, and connection tool. While enhancing self-awareness through guided narrative and artistic tools and materials, students can get to know their peers, exchange knowledge and culture, break down stereotypes, and build empathy and meaning with others.
- Dorothy van Grootheest, Student Success Coordinator & Professor, George Brown College School of ESL
- Yisra Alhaj Hussein, Success Coach, George Brown College School of ESL
- Naiima Farah, Faculty Counsellor, George Brown College
- Lara Lukaniuk, Faculty Counsellor, George Brown College
FEARLESS- A FILM ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Join us for an engaging break-out session at the conference featuring "Fearless," a thought-provoking film on Human Trafficking, part of The Pardesi Project—a mental health promotion short film initiative addressing the distinctive mental health challenges faced by South Asian international students. The term "Pardesi" signifies a foreigner, immigrant, or newcomer in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, reflecting the experiences of this demographic. Premiered at the International Film Festival of South Asia, Fearless serves as a catalyst for dialogue on the significant impact of human trafficking on international students. Let's collectively view this captivating film and participate in a meaningful discussion to enhance our understanding of this growing concern within our vulnerable student community.
- Maneet Chahal, Founder, SOCH
From Sojourners to Immigrants: Facilitating the Cultural Adjustment and Identity Development of post-secondary students that are new to Canada
How do international students cope with the challenges of living and studying in a new country? How can we support their mental health and well-being as they transition from sojourners to immigrants? In this interactive session, we will share a framework that addresses these questions, based on a secondary research study funded by GBC Ignite in 2019. We will also explore how this framework can help us identify and prioritize actions to facilitate the cultural adjustment and identity development of post-secondary students who are new to Canada. This session is relevant for anyone who works with or cares about students and migrants in various contexts, such as the classroom, the campus, and the community. By the end of this session, you will:
- Understand the main factors that influence the mental health and adaptation of international students and migrants.
- Apply a framework to assess the needs and strengths of different student and migrant groups.
Generate at least five practical and creative ideas to enhance the support and inclusion of students and migrants in your setting.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the latest research and engage in a meaningful dialogue with your peers. Join us and be part of the solution.
- Karine Sinotte, Professor of Management, George Brown College
- Eva Huang, Professor of Human Resources, George Brown College
Afternoon
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Atrium
- Lunch (1 Hour)
Location: 290 Adelaide - Room 406
2:45 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- 15-minute Break & Networking
3 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
- Movement Break, a 15-Minute Dance Experience (Anahita Nayebi, Student Success Coach, George Brown College School of ESL & Co-Founder and CEO, Hoor Dance, and Banafsheh Cheshmeh, Dancer, Hoor Dance)
3-Minute Performance (2 Dancers) - Persian Classical Dance: A captivating display of Persian Classical Dance performed by two skilled dancers.
5-Minute Presentation: Exploring Dance Therapy and its Impact on Mental Health. Delve into the transformative power of dance therapy. Learn about its effects on mental health and the brain.
7-Minute Interactive Dance Movements: Engage in a unique dance experience, combining movement, mindfulness, and gratitude.
Opening Mindfulness Exercise: They are first asked to reflect on the present and express gratitude. Close their eyes to soothing music, allowing a moment of introspection. For those with hearing impairments, they can feel free to express movements with their hands or keep their eyes open, following along.
Energizing Dance Movements: They open their eyes to lively music as we explore dynamic movements together. Participants can choose to stand or engage in seated movements, ensuring everyone can participate comfortably. Concluding with an exhilarating and energetic song, the session aims to uplift spirits and promote a sense of well-being.
3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Host Remarks
3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
- International student panel (Siu Wun Yuen (Jovy), Arshneet Kaur Gandhi, Kamna Kartik, Halah Al-Jamaili, Kamal Alkalaldeh)
Learn more about the experiences of international students from students themselves. This panel will feature current GBC international students, who will be discussing their experiences of moving, living and studying abroad.
4:15 p.m. - 4:25 p.m.
- Closing
Breakouts
1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions (290 Adelaide - 2nd Floor)
Supporting International Students in the Classroom
Are you a higher ed course instructor seeking effective ways to support international students in your classroom? Join this interactive workshop facilitated by seasoned ESL (English as a Second Language) instructors to explore strategies to help international students overcome common challenges faced while integrating into academic life in a new country.
Key Focus Areas:
Understand the multifaceted challenges faced by international students including language barriers, cultural adjustments, academic expectations, and social integration.
Learn practical techniques to foster an inclusive, supportive and trauma aware classroom environment that encourages participation, builds rapport, and creates opportunities for international students to feel valued and heard.
Explore strength-based learning approaches and effective communication methods that help bridge language gaps.
- Jessica Lederman, School of ESL Coordinator & Faculty, George Brown College
- Agnes Orzechowski, School of ESL Coordinator & Faculty, George Brown College
Crossing Borders, Shifting Paradigms: Rethinking Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Faculty from the General Arts and Science (GAS) diploma program and the Department of English & Communication will share their quandaries, reflections, insights, and questions that arise from teaching a growing number of international students. Learner variability, competing academic and financial priorities, lack of preparedness, the rise of generative AI, and erosion of learner confidence and competencies post-pandemic require changes to both classroom and institutional practices.
The faculty from the GAS program will share strategies and approaches they have adopted to address the changes in student expectations and preparation, classroom learning and assessment practices, and program culture when enrollment changed dramatically from 25% international students to over 80% in the Fall of 2022 and continues to grow. Faculty from the Department of English & Communication will speak to the jarring shifts that students often encounter in a learner-centred classroom that requires active engagement and collaborative learning. Learning in a new way, understanding, and demonstrating culturally-specific academic integrity, developing and using critical thinking skills, finding and using their own voice can all be stress- inducing and require intentional support and navigational assistance.
Participants will have a chance to both ask and answer questions and brainstorm ideas to achieve shifts in practice that support student engagement, academic success, belonging, and well-being.
- Maurizio Dodaro, Professor, General Arts & Science Program, George Brown College
- Katrina Lagacé, Professor, General Arts & Science Program, George Brown College
- Hugh Barnett, Professor, General Arts & Science Program, George Brown College
- Margrit Talpalaru, Professor, Department of English & Communication, George Brown College
- Kate Reddy Taylor, Professor, Department of English & Communication, George Brown College
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TOOLKIT - WHAT COMES NEXT?
The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) Toolkit was published last summer. As was discussed in the keynote session, in it a series of recommendations were offered. This interactive session will use dialogue to look at how these recommendations may have been initiated on your campus and look forward to exploring topics and issues it may have missed.
- Ella Wiseman, Knowledge & Research Lead, CICMH
Did Einstein eat well? How nutrients affect your brain.
This session will be of interest to professors, students, employees, employers, moms, dads, counsellors, and anyone else who wants to improve their mental health naturally through food. You will learn which professions are most prone to poor mental health, why nutrients are so powerful for your brain and how our microbiome affects health. This workshop includes an interactive, engaging activity to test your brain power, practical food, and cooking tips that you can use at work and home, and finally some laughs will be thrown in to keep you smiling while learning.
- Dr. Linda Gillis, Nutrition Professor, George Brown College
Peer Supports For International Students: Benefits & Considerations
Peer-based supports and services in post-secondary education can have a positive contribution to improving the mental health and wellbeing of international students. This session will discuss how these supports can provide opportunities for fostering social connections and self-development, introduce coping strategies and reduce stigma in accessing mental-health supports for international students.
- Martin Muhr, Student Support and Mentorship Coordinator, George Brown College
- Dorothy van Grootheest, Student Success Coordinator & Professor, George Brown College School of ESL
- Katharine Wrobel, Senior Manager, Student Supports & Strategic Integration, George Brown College
- Nazly Vasquez, Student Success Administrative Coordinator, George Brown College School of ESL
- Salah Gouriguer, Student Success Assistant, George Brown College School of ESL
Health & Wellness Solutions: Supports Available for GBC Students through WeSpeakStudent/Morcare
In this session, we will explore the offerings available to current and future George Brown College students provided through the Student Association of George Brown College. A WeSpeakStudent/Morcare representative will guide us through student health insurance, mental health supports and other services.
- Kimberly Garrett, Account & Business Development Manager, We Speak Student
Territorial Acknowledgement
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Mitu Mani
Mitu Mani is an international student from India. She is in her first year of the General Arts and Science diploma program and is interested in Media Studies and Critical Thinking. After completing her diploma, Mitu’s future goals include pursuing a UI/UX design program. Outside of school, Mitu enjoys volunteering and fundraising for charities and spending time with her friends and family.
Keynote Speakers
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Marija Padjen
Marija Padjen is the Director for the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health and the Chief Clinical Officer for the Canadian Mental Health Association- Ontario Division. She holds a BA in Political Science and History from McGill University, and BSW and MSW from York University. Marija spent 18 years in the dementia field as a front-line social worker and as Chief Program Officer for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. She has a strong commitment to person centred care and is a firm believer in collaborative relationship building. As Director for CICMH, the focus of her work is on enhancing the capacity of colleges and universities to support student mental health.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/cta_16_9_standard_910_x_511_s_and_c/public/images/2024-02/Maneet-Chahal.png?h=af17f8a8&itok=Dsy_3CU6)
Maneet Chahal-Gill
Maneet Chahal-Gill (RN, BScN, MSc) is a passionate community change-maker, who has a decade of mental health nursing experience and has closely witnessed her family and friends struggle with mental illness. Along with working in the field of mental health, Maneet finished her Masters of Nursing in 2018 which looked at the South Asian Punjabi community's experience of accessing mental health services for depression in the Region of Peel. Maneet co-founded Soch Mental Health in 2017 and has been working to eradicate the mental health stigma in the South Asian community.
Breakout Session Speakers
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Hugh Barnett
Hugh Barnett (he/him) teaches in the General Arts and Science program at George Brown College. He has taught a variety of courses in different programs in the Centre for Preparatory and Liberal Studies over the past five years. Prior to George Brown, Hugh taught in various high schools across the GTA and south-central Ontario and worked as the outreach coordinator at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography for community educational initiatives with heritage groups and school boards across Canada. Hugh holds an M.A. in History from the University of Toronto, as well as a Master of Teaching degree from OISE.
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Natasha Bowman
Natasha Bowman is a counsellor at GBC who holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto with a specialization in mental health as well as an undergraduate degree in psychology from Queen’s University. Passionate about international student mental health as well as the intersection of physical and mental health, Natasha believes strongly in the power of movement as a necessary tool to self-regulate, process, connect with inner wisdom, and experience wellbeing. Natasha has supported Nadia in implementing The Inner Well group at GBC.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/cta_16_9_standard_910_x_511_s_and_c/public/images/2024-02/Maneet-Chahal.png?h=af17f8a8&itok=Dsy_3CU6)
Maneet Chahal-Gill
Maneet Chahal-Gill (RN, BScN, MSc) is a passionate community change-maker, who has a decade of mental health nursing experience and has closely witnessed her family and friends struggle with mental illness. Along with working in the field of mental health, Maneet finished her Masters of Nursing in 2018 which looked at the South Asian Punjabi community's experience of accessing mental health services for depression in the Region of Peel.
Maneet co-founded Soch Mental Health in 2017 and has been working to eradicate the mental health stigma in the South Asian community.
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Ronnie Cruz
Ronnie's journey through the post-secondary education landscape spans over 18 dynamic years, enriched by her diverse experiences as a former international student. From her roots in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she pursued studies in Human Nutrition, Dietetics, and Management, to her current role at the Student Association of George Brown College, Ronnie's trajectory is a testament to her commitment to student well-being. As the visionary leader of the Equity and Advocacy department, Ronnie has pioneered transformative initiatives, most notably the Student Nutrition Access Program (SNAP). With a steadfast mission to nourish both body and mind, SNAP has distributed over 40,000 food hampers and nutritious meals, as well as nearly 1 million pounds of sustenance since 2021 alone, directly uplifting the George Brown College community. Beyond her dedication to addressing food insecurity, Ronnie's boundless passion for making a difference knows no bounds. Fueled by her love for travel, keen understanding of globalization, and an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, she has spearheaded a range of initiatives, from Financial Literacy programs to personalized nutrition meal planning and invaluable insights into Income Tax benefits. These endeavors reflect her firm belief in empowering students with the tools they need to conquer adversity and emerge resilient, empowered, and ready to thrive. In Ronnie's world, challenges fuel growth, setbacks spark innovation. Her compassion, vision, and relentless drive leave a lasting mark, inspiring a brighter future. She firmly believes in empowering people to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger than ever.
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Maurizio Dodaro
Maurizio Dodaro has been a professor at GBC in the General Arts and Science program since 2002 and program coordinator since 2011. He has taught courses in all semesters from Critical Thinking to Canadian Literature. As a student and professor of several disciplines and a child of immigrants, Maurizio can speak about the valuable growth and academic skills preparation that the program brings to its diverse student body. Maurizio has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Italian Studies (York University), a Master of Italian Studies, a Master of Drama, and PhD (abd) in Drama and Theatre studies (UofT.)
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Naiima Farah
Naiima Farah is an African Canadian/Black, registered clinical social worker, educator, and mental health advocate. She is currently a Faculty Counsellor, at George Brown College’s Counselling and Student Well-Being, where she promotes a campus wide approach to mental health and well-being. She has over a decade-long experience providing counselling and support to diverse communities which includes, Persons across the lifespan, those of varying abilities, newcomers/refugees, and international students. Naiima is deeply committed to cross sectoral collaboration and works with individuals, groups, and communities from a trauma-informed, health equity, and asset-based approach to promote community driven solutions to support groups, including students, in navigating systemic barriers to help them reach their full potential. She has provided trainings to various organizations, such as, hospitals, school boards (including student-led groups), post-secondary institutions (e.g. George Brown College), and non-profit organizations, in the City of Toronto and across Ontario, to support and promote the mental health and well-being needs of individuals, children, youth, and families. As a clinician, to promote student mental health and well-being, at George Brown College and beyond, Naiima borrows from various traditions and approaches, such as, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Afro-Indigenous frameworks, such as, Storytelling, Talking Circles, and African women’s drumming circles.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/cta_16_9_standard_910_x_511_s_and_c/public/images/2024-02/Kimberly-Garrett.png?h=af17f8a8&itok=kfp18MJE)
Kimberly Garrett
Kimberly Garrett is the Business Development Manager at ACL Student Benefits, working with WeSpeakStudent/Morcare covered students and key stakeholders for over eight (8) years. Exclusively designed for Domestic and International Students, WeSpeakStudent/Morcare solutions focus on keeping students healthy and enabling their personal and academic success.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/cta_16_9_standard_910_x_511_s_and_c/public/images/2024-02/Linda-Gillis.png?h=af17f8a8&itok=4zsXHkUH)
Linda Gillis
Dr. Linda Gillis has been working as a Professor at George Brown College in Toronto since 2016 after spending 20 years at McMaster Children’s Hospital as a clinical Registered Dietitian and Researcher in the field of Childhood Obesity. Her research interests included how milk protein and exercise interacted to treat obesity and its complications.
As a nutrition professor at the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, she educates students, not only on the health benefits of eating wholesome foods, but on how sweet delicacies can be incorporated into a healthy diet when we are truly mindful of that indulgence. Her current research encompasses how culinary nutrition education can help ameliorate the symptoms of depression and/or anxiety when combined with traditional treatment modalities.
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Salah Gouriguer
Salah Gouriguer works as a Student Success Assistant at The School of ESL, George Brown College and is also a certified Personal Trainer, with over ten years’ experience as a Personal Trainer for both aviation firefighters and the military in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Salah holds a bachelor’s degree in Sport Science, and recently earned a postgraduate certificate in Sport and Events Marketing at George Brown College, adding a strategic dimension to his passion for sports. As a former athlete and national record holder of the Moroccan universities’ 200m sprint, Salah represented Morocco on the track and field team at different national and international sports competitions. Having called Canada home for the past six years, Salah is also a proud parent of a girl and a boy.
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Dorothy van Grootheest
Dorothy van Grootheest is a Professor and Coordinator of the Student Success Program at the School of ESL, George Brown College. Dorothy holds a joint Master of Education in Comparative, International and Development Education (CIDE) and Second Language Acquisition (SLA) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and a joint Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and French from York University. She has had the pleasure of teaching overseas in Japan, France, and Panama, and has engaged in volunteer projects in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines while living in Japan. Dorothy has been teaching at George Brown College since 2004 and is keenly passionate about being a collaborative community builder with the Student Success Team at the School of ESL to co-create and share knowledge and learning. Informed by critical pedagogy, socio-cultural approaches to innovation, and intercultural learning, Dorothy is interested in engaging in Communities of Practice (CoP) that value the significant role international students and newcomers play in forming supportive networks, empowering each other, enhancing learning and personal development, and that recognize the importance of informal learning as part of professional development.
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Torsten Hamelin
Torsten Hamelin is the Good Food Coordinator at Student Life and a former student from the Community Worker Program. He has worked at GBC since 2015, both as student staff and regular part-time staff. During that time, he has run a variety of student food security programs, including the Good Food Market (founded 2013), Supper Club (founded 2015), a Covid response Emergency Student Good Food Box program (2020-23), and a range of student free meal programs both on campus and at the George Residence (2018-20). Torsten believes that dignified access to food and housing are essential to mental health, and that these are best achieved through economic security. He advocates for food justice and food sovereignty, and strongly believes that more meaningful action is necessary for Canada to meet its Right to Food obligations under the UN Covenant of Economic, Social & Cultural Rights. Torsten lives in Toronto with his partner and their cat. In his free time, he enjoys reading, going to the gym, hiking, and camping.
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Eva Huang
As a global-minded researcher and educator, Dr. Eva Huang undertook her undergraduate education in China, got her MBA and MA degrees in England, and obtained a PhD in Australia. She has extensive education and work experience globally, so far, China, England, Australia, and Canada, with positions including HR managers, Assistant health and safety manager, research associate, and HR consultant. She promotes evidenced-based people management solutions, helping professionals and organizations enhance their people management and leadership capacities to maximize organizational gains. She has a passion for teaching and research and enjoys experiencing the differences. She has expertise in human resources management, public sector management, and multiculturalism, with extensive research and publications in these areas.
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Yisra Alhaj Hussein
Yisra Al-Haj Hussein is a Success Coach at the School of English as a Second Language, George Brown College with a background in social sciences and over five years of experience coordinating and facilitating storytelling clubs to improve the mental health of children, adolescents, and adults. Yisra has completed her studies at the School of ESL, and is currently in the Media Foundation program at George Brown. As a Success Coach, Yisra facilitates storytelling workshops focused on self-awareness, resilience, and social engagement.
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Katrina Lagacé
Katrina Lagacé (she/her) has taught a wide range of courses in several programs at George Brown College from ESL and Communication to Film Studies and Pop Culture general education electives before joining the General Arts and Science program team in the Fall of 2023. Katrina is an enthusiastic adopter of the UDL framework and co-facilitator of the college’s UDL training initiative. She has a BA in Cinema Studies and a TESOL certificate from the University of Toronto, an MA in Cultural Studies and Critical Theory from McMaster University and an Instructional Design certificate through Ontario Learn.?
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Jessica Lederman
Jessica Lederman is a dedicated and passionate OCELT certified ESL/EAP educator with nearly three decades of teaching experience in adult education. She holds a Master of Education in Digital Technology from Ontario Tech University, a concurrent B.A/B.Ed. and an Additional Qualification in ESL from Queens University, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Classical Theatre from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in London, England. Jessica is currently a Professor and Academic Coordinator at George Brown College’s School of ESL and Immigrant Education where she works closely with both faculty and international and domestic students. To enhance her ability to address the diverse needs of the School of ESL student body, she recently participated in a joint TESL/Bow Valley College initiative to pilot the Vicarious Trauma Teacher Toolkit. She also earned certification from the Gerstein Crisis Centre in Diffusing Distressed Students and completed the Trauma Informed Facilitator Workshop with CiU (Change It Up). Jessica strives to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment that encourages growth and diversity. She hopes her commitment to education, her extensive experience, and diverse skill set help promote positive change in the field of adult education at George Brown College and beyond.
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Lara Lukaniuk
Lara Lukaniuk is a registered social worker and a Faculty Counsellor, at George Brown College’s Counselling and Student Well-Being. Lara has over 13 years of experience in clinical mental health and community-based experience. She has a background in providing individual, family, and group counselling to diverse populations. At George Brown College, Lara promotes a campus-wide approach to supporting student mental health, including, promoting the mental health and well-being of newcomers and international students. At George Brown College, Lara has supported various college-wide initiatives, such as, student orientations and workshops to promote services by George Brown College’s, Counselling and Student Well-Being department.
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Martin Muhr
Martin is the Student Support and Mentorship Coordinator at George Brown College. A graduate of York University and George Brown College, Martin believes that mental health education is important for lowering stigma and creating pathways to support. Mental Wellness is enabling students to not only recover from an absence of mental health; but also, to thrive in positive conceptions of self and community. Martin is passionate about creating broad-based and low-barrier mental supports for students.
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Agnes Orzechowski
Agnes Orzechowski, currently serves as a Professor and Academic Coordinator at George Brown's School of English as a Second Language. Agnes holds a joint Master of Education in International, Comparative and Development Education (CIDE) and Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development (CSTD) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Education Degree from Trent University and a Bachelor of Science from Simon Fraser University. Internationally, Agnes spent four impactful years working abroad as an English language teacher in Japan (3-years) and as the coordinator of an intercontinental student partnership in Namibia (approximately 1-year). She also spent two years as the ESL team project lead for one of George Brown’s international partnerships with the Guilin Institute of Tourism in Guilin, China. Agnes embarked on her own language learning journey at the age of 6 when she immigrated to Canada. With her academic knowledge, international experience, and a personal journey as a language learner, Agnes brings a unique perspective to addressing the needs of international students within the academic community. Her approach underscores empathy and understanding, particularly regarding the challenges faced by individuals navigating language acquisition in an educational setting.
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Marija Padjen
Marija Padjen is the Director for the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health and the Chief Clinical Officer for the Canadian Mental Health Association- Ontario Division. She holds a BA in Political Science and History from McGill University, and BSW and MSW from York University. Marija spent 18 years in the dementia field as a front-line social worker and as Chief Program Officer for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. She has a strong commitment to person centred care and is a firm believer in collaborative relationship building. As Director for CICMH, the focus of her work is on enhancing the capacity of colleges and universities to support student mental health.
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Ryan Sargent
Ryan Sargent (he/him) is the Director of Ancillary Business Services at George Brown College. In his role, he provides leadership to a diverse portfolio of services that support the student learning experience and corporate activities of the College. As a forward-thinking leader, he continues to innovate services to meet the needs of current and future students while ensuring alignment with the College’s academic mission. Ryan is an active member in his community, serving on the Impact Council of the Michael Garron Hospital and advocating for safer streets through Cycle Toronto’s EastEnd4All taskforce. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Mount Allison University and post-graduate certificates and designations in the areas of project management and community leadership.
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Gail Shillingford
Gail Shillingford has a strong background in urban design and landscape architecture, a combination that has allowed her to create successfully integrated and balanced built form and open space environments. Her focus on all projects is entrenched in building community and creating attractive high quality public realm spaces that foster socialization, inclusivity, cultural diversity, and healthy living. In each of her designs, the role and significance of the public realm is heightened to create notable places and destinations, to revitalize and build sustainable and resilient communities, and to position open space as catalysts for social and economic vitality and viability. With more than 30 years of experience, Gail’s work encompasses a variety of streams including all scales of city master planning and landscape design. She has developed award-winning visions, design frameworks, policies, guidelines, and detailed design for community improvement and secondary plans, heritage conservation districts, LEED ND neighborhoods, downtowns and waterfronts plans, and streetscapes design. Gail has played a significant role as project manager and senior urban designer on several award-winning educational projects including: the University District Community Plan for the University of Calgary; Seneca (Three Campuses) Master Plan, Toronto; the Campus Master Plan for Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario; and the 1998 Open Space Master Plan for the University of Toronto. In the past five years, she completed the Campus Master Plan for St. Michaels University School, Victoria; the 2020 Campus Master Plan for Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson University) in Toronto; Mohawk College’s Three Campus Master Plan, four of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s campuses; as well as a Real Estate Strategy for York University’s endowment lands and the Master Plan design of their academic Common. She is currently working with George Brown College, leading the development of their 2050 Campus Master Plan and Growth Strategy.
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Karen Sinotte
Professor Karen Sinotte, GBC, has been teaching in post-secondary education for fifteen years teaching marketing, strategy, research, and analytics at GBC Centre for business. She brings thirty years of global industry experience (most recently at American Express and TD Bank) in executive roles focused on data driven business strategy including the launch of one of the first targeted ethnic marketing programs for banks in Canada. Karen is more recently completing another NSERC funded research project on the Roadmap for Digitalization of Museums in Ontario. She also brings her industry and academic experiences to the non-profit sector, including a long-term role on the Board of Rexdale Women’s Centre and, most recently, on the Boards of the Toronto Railway Museum and the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre.
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Nadia Stolpner
Nadia Stolpner is a counsellor at GBC and holds a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. Nadia is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of international students with somatic therapy and therapeutic movement/dance. She has created and facilitated therapeutic movement/dance-based groups for the past 13 years.
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Margrit Talpalaru
Dr. Margrit Talpalaru (they/them) teaches English and Communication at George Brown College, and conducts research in cultural studies, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. With academic publications in Biography, Critique, Reviews in Cultural Theory, Margrit’s commitment to making research accessible to the general public materialized bi-weekly in the podcast World of Stories. At GBC, Margrit’s leadership focuses on curriculum development, best practices in teaching and learning, and creating a culture of academic integrity.
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Kate Taylor
Kate Taylor is a professor in the Department of English and Communications (DEC) and the coordinator of DEC for the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies. Kate is an experienced educator with 13 years of teaching experience at the college level in both Canada and the United States and has completed Crisis Intervention Training or college faculty through the Gerstein Crisis Centre. She is concerned about resources to support international students’ academic success and overall well-being. Kate has a BA (Queen’s), a Master of Creative Writing and a Master of English Literature (Kingston University) and a B. Ed (OISE/UofT).
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Ella Wiseman
Ella Wiseman is one of the Knowledge & Research Leads at The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health. Her work revolves around supporting students transitioning to and from post-secondary institutions, international student mental health, and the changing landscape of care in a post-pandemic world. Ella’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Social Work.
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Nazly Vasquez
Nazly Vasquez is an international student originally from Venezuela. She is an Electrical Engineer passionate about sustainability. She studied online at the School of ESL in Levels 8 and 9. Since 2021 she has been involved with the GBC community and has been an active volunteer since October 2022 when she arrived in Canada. She finished her Project Management Postgraduate certificate in August 2022 at GBC. She is the Administrative Coordinator of the Student Success Program at the School of ESL, while also studying in the BIM Management Postgraduate program at GBC and is an active member of the Sustainability Squad Club. In her spare time, she cooks, reads, and runs.
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Katharine Wrobel
Katharine is the Senior Manager, Student Supports & Strategic Integration at GBC, and currently works with Counselling and Accessible Learning Services. She has been working with student employees and creating peer-based programming and services at the college since 2015.
International Student Panel
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Halah Al-Jamaili
Halah, a finance student in her fourth semester (B150) at George Brown College from Iraq, arrived in Canada a year ago in January 2023. Currently engaged with International Student Services, she actively communicates with students from diverse backgrounds, attentively addressing their concerns and fostering a supportive community.
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Kamal Alkalaldeh
Kamal Alkalaldeh is from Jordan and has experience in the fields of Psychological & Career Counselling with youth. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Jordan. He is currently pursuing his studies in the Career Development Practitioner program at GBC. He has been in Canada for 6 months.
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Arshneet Kaur Gandhi
Arshneet Kaur Gandhi is a George Brown Early Childhood Education student in her final year of study. She is an international student from India and has spent three years back home working with children in an after-school care setting. She has experience with students on the spectrum as well as those who have certain learning disabilities and is aiming to gain professional confidence and broaden her experience in her program. She is passionate about dance and yoga.
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Kamna Kartik
Kamna Kartik is originally from India and is currently in her second year of the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality degree at George Brown College. She is also a pastry chef by profession, having completed an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality focused in Patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu in Melbourne. She has been in Toronto for close to a year and a half and knows the struggles of moving away from home and being an international student, trying to find your way.
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Siu Wun Yuen (Jovy)
Jovy is a passionate second-year student in the Early Childhood Education (C100) program. Hailing from Asia's most liveable city, Hong Kong, she is a multilingual speaker fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, and English. In addition to her dedication to ECE, Jovy also holds a certification in Mental Health First Aid.
Movement Break
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Banafsheh Cheshmeh
Banafsheh Cheshmeh’s journey has been a fusion of creativity and engineering. She holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and Marketing Management, which have enabled her to blend analytical thinking with innovative marketing strategies. Her creativity allows her to express herself through the rhythm of movement as a dancer. She joined the Hoor Dance team in 2022 and continues to explore the harmony of art and science in her life’s journey.
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Anahita Nayebi
Anahita Nayebi, born on December 10, 1987, in Tehran, is a renowned Iranian dancer, instructor, and choreographer specializing in Iranian Classical and Folkloric Dance. She founded
the Hoor (SUN in Farsi) Dance Team in January 2020 in Toronto, Canada. Alongside her dance career, Anahita pursued Graphic Design and Restoration & Conservation of Monuments in Iran. She continued her education by studying Art & Design Foundation and Media Foundation at George Brown. Currently, she is actively engaged in media work, focusing on creating podcasts and documentaries. Anahita is also a Student Success Coach at the School of ESL, George Brown College, guiding and supporting students, and creating video and podcast content. She has performed in over 25 events since September 2021, including Persian New Year events, The International Center for Human Rights in Canada, to support the Woman Life Freedom Movement in Iran, Tirgan Festival, and Toronto International Dance Festival, all with her own dance team. Additionally, her mission includes using dance therapy to contribute to mental health and well-being.