About
Along with celebrating Black History Month and Lunar New Year, the Graduate Student Union’s Race and Ethnicity Caucus (GSU REC) will aim to provide a platform for BIPOC speakers revolving around topics of culture, identity, and interactions in the professional workplace. Speakers are to present their experiences navigating the workforce, share advice, and inspire hope in the graduate student population on how to excel in the workplace.
Hart House Catering will provide lunch. There will be 70 priority tickets for Graduate/Doctorate level students and 30 General Admission tickets for Students and Hart House Members.
Agenda
11-11:30 am, Coffee/Tea and Introductions
11:35 am-12:35 pm, Speakers 1-3 and Panel Talk 1
12:35-1 pm, Lunch (Hart House Catering) & Networking Session 1
1-2 pm, Speaker 4-6 and Panel Talk 2
2:05-2:45 pm, Coffee/Tea and Networking Session
2:45 pm, Closing Remarks
Hart House Camera Club will be managing the event photography for the event. The club will provide an event photography opportunity for two beginner-level club members with the guidance of the Head Event Photographer, Danny Choi.
Speakers
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Andrea Coke
Chief Speech Language Pathologist, Toronto Catholic District School Board
Andrea Benjamin Coke is the Chief Speech-Language Pathologist at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She has 20+ years of experience as a Teacher & Speech-Language Pathologist. She is an Adjunct Lecturer - University of Toronto. Andrea received her M.H.Sc. S-LP from the University of Toronto. She presents widely on early identification & intervention and diversity & equity in learning. She was awarded the TCDSB 2020 Innovative Exemplary Practice Award for her work promoting andimplementing special education programs for students with communication needs.
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David Kim
Warden, Hart House
David Kim was appointed Warden, Hart House on June 5, 2023. His contributions and involvement at the University of Toronto are extensive, and his history with the House goes back over 25 years. He has been an active participant of the Hart House Board of Stewards for several years, and has had a strong connection to the House from his time as a U of T student to the present day.
David has been working at U of T since 2007. He began in the area of residence and student life, after having worked in science research and some time abroad in the field of education. Prior to his leadership role at Hart House, he was Dean of Residence & Director of Student Life for Spaces & Experiences. Here, he oversaw the admissions, student services and residence life operations for Chestnut Residence, Graduate House, Chelsea Residence and Knox College. In this capacity, he gained vital experience in facilities management, capital planning, managing ancillary budgets, training and development, student support and working with his teams in the planning and delivery of programming activities and events. An active member of several University committees and governance bodies, including the International Student Experience Advisory Committee and the Positive Space Committee, David is also a lecturer in OISE’s Master of Education program.
He holds a PhD in Higher Education from OISE. -
Dr. Kien Nam Luu
Superintendent of Education, York Region District School Board
Dr. Kien Nam Luu is a proud Chinese Canadian. He and his family of 11 people came to Canada as refugees. As a Superintendent of Education at the York Region District School Board, he collaborates with principals and vice principals to support approximately 12,000 students in 18 schools. As a social justice advocate, Kien Nam strives to elevate voices that are not often heard and bring worldviews often neglected to decision-making tables.
He contributed to several anti-racism initiatives and projects that address the impact of systemic racism in education.
Kien Nam finds joy in learning, teaching and sharing lived experiences and journeys that inspire and propel inclusionary practices in educational environments.
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Raymond Pau
Speech-Language Pathologist, Toronto District School Board
Hey! My name is Raymond Pau, and I’m a speech-language pathologist who works on the school board (TDSB). I have seven years of experience working in various parts of the city with kids who may have speech, oral language, early literacy, and/or social communication difficulties. My favourite part of the job is seeing the kids make connections and experience those “lightbulb” moments they can share with their friends, teachers, and respective families. Outside work, I enjoy trying out new food spots, playing and watching sports, and travelling.
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Asha Shelton
Speech Language Pathologist, Scarborough General Hospital
Asha Shelton received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Toronto in 2013. She has varied professional experiences in both pediatric and adult populations. She has provided services for patients with swallowing and communication disorders with a range of diagnoses in a variety of settings, including acute care, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation and in the community. Asha has a passion both for clinical care and engaging in quality improvement initiatives. Over the course of her career, Asha has realized her passion for stroke care across the continuum and was awarded the inaugural Toronto Stroke Networks, Excellence in Stroke Care Award in 2022. Outside of being a Speech-Language Pathologist, she enjoys the outdoors, hiking and travel!
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Maylynn Quan
Artist
Hi, my name is Maylynn, and I am a Canadian photographer based in Toronto. I am originally from Trinidad & Tobago, but many people want to know if I'm from China or Japan. Little did I know that this initial collision of race, ethnicity, media, and the negative stereotypes they often come with would shape my photographic journey and take me to local schools and organizations on a mission.
As the director of Kids Canada, a nonprofit, I’m excited that I can use photography and technology to connect kids, not only locally but across borders internationally, to help build a more informed and compassionate world for our children. During the COVID lockdowns, I was very fortunate to work with ten amazing artists and educators in an art collective called Long Time No See to help drive traffic back into our Chinatowns using photos and stories, many captured on the streets.
Website
Coordinator
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Danny Choi
Camera Club Co-Chair 2024-25
Danny is the Co-Chair of the Hart House Camera Club. He has a passion for photography and extensive experience with both film and digital photography. An executive member of Hart House Camera Club since 2023, he organizes and leads social events while also managing social media and responding as the first line of communication.
Outside of Hart House Camera Club events, Danny brings an interdisciplinary approach to bioethics, incorporating his education and experience in biotechnology, public health, and business.
Previous roles: Camera Club Communications and Events Coordinator 2023-24
Organizer
