It’s hard to know what’s more remarkable: what you see on Dr. Don Togade’s résumé — or what you don’t. Dr. Togade — known as “Dr. Don” to his students — is an Academic Program Co-ordinator and Professor with George Brown’s Bachelor of Behaviour Analysis Program. He is also an Assistant Professor at the University of Western Ontario — where he was awarded a Graduate Excellence Teaching Award. But what you’ll have to dig a little deeper to find is what “Dr. Don” has had to overcome to get where he is today.
“Learning was not always easy for me,” Dr. Don explains. “I had to endure and overcome speech challenges in my early years. I also recognized that I was atypical and learned quite differently than my peers.”
Dr. Don, who grew up in a rural farming town in the Philippines, began to ask questions as a young student.
“Why am I different? Why can't I be the same as others? What is wrong with me?” he often wondered. “To this day, these questions continue to motivate and further deepen my interest in studying and analyzing the complex interplay between environment and behaviour.”
This curiosity led Dr. Don to study Psychology at San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Manila, Philippines, where he earned his Bachelor's degree. He would later build on these studies at George Brown College as a newly landed immigrant, upgrading his credentials by enrolling in the Intensive Behavioural Science Technology Program.
Dr. Don says he felt an immediate sense of belonging at George Brown College.
“As an immigrant student, I felt very at home at GBC, and a large part of my success in completing the diploma program I owe to the dedication and commitment of the professors who took notice of my skills and potential. My professors showed me unconditional support, mentorship, dedication, and kindness.”
As a mature student, Dr. Don thrived; he became the first Intensive Behavioural Science Technician Program graduate from GBC to go on to earn a Ph.D. in the same field. Throughout his academic journey, though, his motivation remained the same.
“My journey in pursuing doctoral studies in behaviour analysis was a quest primarily for greater self-awareness, understanding, and compassion,” says Dr. Don. “Having an ongoing understanding of the behavioural principles and laws that attempt to explain the things that we do (and do not do), I realized that I’m in a favorable position of helping promote appreciation of diversity, and more empowered in promoting greater inclusion and equity in our society.”
Now, Dr. Don is an award-winning Professor and Academic Program Co-ordinator with several publications to his name. He is also the Director-at-Large of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, for the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis.
To this day, Dr. Don champions inclusivity in the classroom and does his best to foster the kinds of learning environments that enabled his own success:
“I commit to doing my best to carry on the legacy of providing a safe and an enriched learning environment for our students so that they can also thrive in ways that are meaningful to them.”
Dr. Don is an inspiration to his students and colleagues, and can teach us all about the importance of curiosity, determination, and following your passion even when faced with obstacles. GBC is lucky to have him as part of our community.
Do you know a faculty member with a unique story that can inspire others in the GBC community? Let us know! We’d like to feature them on GBCommunity.
