+ Provide academic counselling through 1-1 advising sessions to approx. 120 students monthly, addressing diverse matters (i.e., degree planning, course enrollment, program options, eligibility requirements), and providing learning strategies for academic success and progression. + Through my EDI Portfolio, I led successful initiatives to support 300+ Black students, including a marketing campaign that increased appointments by 300% (from 5 to 20 Black students per month), and launched a weekly drop-in appointment system, enhancing their access to appointments.+ Interpret university rules and regulations, including the UTSC Academic Calendar and The Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters, to provide appropriate referrals, educate students on academic integrity, and ensure clear communication of policies, procedures and expectations.+ Supported 90+ students experiencing Academic Probation/Suspension challenges, by developing comprehensive academic plans, implementing study skills, recommending relevant programming, and providing continual advice to boost their CGPA.+ Assisted approximately 25+ students with petitions and appeals, explaining processes, reviewing personal statements, and advising on alternative courses of action as needed.+ Delivered 5 learning strategy-based workshops, including note-taking and exam preparation sessions, reaching an additional 60 students. + Liaise with colleagues from various departments within UTSC (i.e., Registrar's Office, Black Student Engagement, Accessibility, Health and Wellness, Academic Facilities) to promote best practices and ensure consistent programming for effective academic support services.

Stefan Thomas is a motivational speaker and student success coach who equips students with the necessary skills and strategies to excel in school; and helps professionals learn how to develop a growth mindset for success.Stefan provides various services, such as:📍Keynote Presentations 📍 Workshops on Leadership and Personal Development, and EDI📍 Educator Consultations and Trainings 📍 Student Coaching and Mentorship

+ Provided support to 5000 SMC undergraduate students, managing inquiries through various channels, including in-person, telephone, and email. Simultaneously assisted a team of 1 Registrar + 7 Associate and Assistant Registrars+ Managed a workload of approx. 500 emails within the SMC inbox, 30 individual calls, and 50 in-person inquiries a week; showcasing a swift response rate, and maintaining high effectiveness in communication.+ Pre-screened and booked weekly academic advising appointments for approx. 100 students, referring about 75 students towards 3 weekly drop-in advising sessions moderated by myself and my fellow Student Services Assistant via Zoom+ Collaborated with Associate Registrar, Awards, Academic, and Student Services, in submitting over 500 petitions during the Fall 2023 exam period, surpassing targets and achieving a record number of successfully reviewed and submitted petitions to governance by the SMC Office of the Registrar. + Demonstrated adeptness and proficiency in utilizing U of T technology platforms such as ROSI, ROSI Express, Degree Explorer, Petitions System, ACORN, and Student Advising Service (SAS) via Salesforce+ Showcased comprehensive knowledge and effective communication of policies related to programs, degree requirements, academic deadlines, and dates in accordance with the Faculty of Arts and Science, FIPPA, SMC, etc.+ Advised students on program and course requirements, utilizing Timetable Builder for optimal scheduling, while providing essential information on the Academic Calendar, Registration, and Timetable; ensuring students had access to crucial details for successful academic planning.+ Led the rebranding and creation process of petitions workshop slide decks using PowerPoint, enhancing the visual and informational aspects.+ Moderated the smooth delivery of 3 petition workshops via Zoom, engaging approximately 20 students per session, and ensuring the distribution of accurate and relevant information.

+ Launched, planned, coordinated, marketed, and implemented The LHAE Black Student Connect project, an inaugural networking event for 50+ Black students, alumni, and faculty within the LHAE Department @ OISE+ Submitted a grant proposal for $2000, with an expense sheet, to the Black Student Engagement fund offered through U of T + Developed two promotional graphics and a registration form via SurveyMonkey, to market the event via LinkedIn, Instagram, and email+ Liaised with over ten contacts, including staff and faculty across U of T (i.e., LHAE department, UTSG Student Life) and contracted 2 external vendors (i.e., caterer, videographer/photographer)+ Co-developed and launched an anonymous student engagement survey that resulted in approximately 220 responses, to collect information from LHAE students to increase student engagement, presenting opportunities for career development, and providing culturally sensitive and relevant support.+ Supported the LHAE GLO Team with hosting, setting up and tearing down, the LHAE Meet and Greet recruitment event for over 100 newly admitted students.+ Represented the LHAE department as a LHAE Student Ambassador by speaking to 50+ prospective students at recruitment events.

+ Co-launched and co-facilitated How It Started (H.I.S), a pilot-mentorship program within the Academic and Career Centre (AA&CC), which supports first-year Black men at UTSC in the areas of academics, professional development, civics & leadership.+ Co-developed 6 culturally sensitive and competent workshop sessions using Karenga’s Nguzo Saba framework for the program mentees.+ Led the “We are the Wisdom Keepers” Black History Month social media campaign for AA&CC @ UTSC+ Developed and produced 6 Instagram videos (including scripts and captions) for the We Are the Wisdom Keepers on Cultural Wealth with over 6k collective views, highlighting the narratives of students who are displaying these traits in academic and career spaces at UTSC.+ Co-planned and co-facilitated a session during the NIA workshop for AA&CC with the Career Strategist – EDI, on learning how to create a strong and competitive resume for 15+ students.

+ Provided front-line support for Student Services/ Registrar’s Office and acted as a first point of contact for Academic Advising related questions and student enquiries, including college registration, course selection, program choice, + Expertly responded to over 100 – 150 student enquiries per week, including troubleshooting problems relating to policies and procedures, via phone, email, and in person.+ Assisted 8 Academic Advisors in supporting students with course registration, academic accommodations, etc.+ Had access to 50,000+ student records (using Colleague by Ellucian), and conducted various measures to maintain the security and privacy of records.+ Processed time-sensitive monthly student forms and requests, including 200 transcript requests, 450 Confirmation of Enrollment requests, 50 ID Replacement Forms, and 5 Legal Name Change Notices, and other forms upon request (i.e., Letter of Permissions).+ Responsible for sorting, filing, scanning, and photocopying 1000+ physical student files into ImageNow digital software system+ Responsible for hiring (including screening applications and conducting interviews), training, and managing 7 Student Services Support Peers (student employees) who provided me with administrative and logistical support at the front desk of the Student Services office. + Scheduled advising appointments and room bookings for 20+ staff members across three separate units within Student Services.+ Verified, sorted, and distributed 700+ student ID cards, and mailed out 50+ student ID cards.

+ Travelled and presented at over 65 High Schools (HS) throughout Ontario (5 in-person presentations at HS in Western Ontario and approximately 60 virtual presentations through platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, etc.)+ Advised over 500 prospective applicants and their families, and 25+ Guidance Counsellors & educational stakeholders on admissions criteria through email, phone, and live chat enquiries and in-person interaction.+ Hosted ten individual booked appointments with prospective students and their supporters (in-person during campus tours and virtually through Microsoft Teams) to advise them on admission requirements and processes.+ Inputted data for over 100 prospective students into the University’s Prospect Management System, to track high school visit/interaction statistics and application status, to generate reports and analyze data.+ Trained and mentored 25+ student ambassadors on how to conduct an in-person and virtual campus tour for prospective students.

+ Facilitated 16 virtual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops via Zoom for 200+ baseball and softball coaches, officials, and administrators; achieving a 98% participant satisfaction rate based on post-session surveys, and a 20% increase in reported inclusive practices within participant organizations. + Participated in bi-weekly planning meetings with the Manager, Programs, contributing innovative ideas that led to the implementation of interactive elements, resulting in a 25% increase in participant engagement and a 30% increase in workshop registrations.+ Demonstrated a commitment to inclusion by actively encouraging and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, contributing to a 15% increase in the representation of these communities among workshop participants, and providing three coaches/administrators with additional recruitment to promote inclusion and increase diversity within their organization and on their sports teams.+ Conducted weekly Q&A sessions with participants, addressing 95% of queries, and collated participant feedback to contribute to program improvement strategies.+ Fostered a supportive online learning environment by proactively managing 30+ tough discussions around inclusion, diversity, and equity, effectively addressing and resolving participant concerns.

+ Senior Student Transition and Resource Team (START) Leaders are senior students who act as event leads, mentors to START Leaders, and offer logistical and administrative support to the START program supervisors+ Represented the university through virtual campus tours (known as GH Talks Webinars) and as a panelist at recruitment events (i.e., Virtual Program Preview Day)+ Co-facilitated and co-created all START Leader trainings in collaboration with the START program supervisors for a team of 40 student ambassadors.+ Coached and mentored 10 START Leaders by illustrating how to conduct a virtual tour, providing feedback through monthly 1-1 check-ins, and keeping an open line of communication + Provided detailed feedback on event logistics, program processes, training content, and START Leader performance+ Participated in the interview process of incoming START Leaders and First Year Experience (FYE) leaders at the university+ Assisted Student Life Coordinators in creating the virtual Orientation Student Success Guide + Worked calling campaign shifts on-campus (using the Guelph Humber phone calling system) and remotely (using Cisco Jabber), where I called prospective students and past alumni to invite them to various campus events while additionally answering any relative questions about admissions

+ Managed and oversaw all tasks related to the marketing and promotion of the FCSS See Change Symposium event.+ Managed and created all promotional materials that were marketed on all of the event’s social media platforms (Instagram: @uogh.symposium, YouTube: See Change Symposium)+ Created 40+ digital graphics and posters, 2 event infographics, and managed the event registration and virtual meeting logistics (created the Eventbrite registration and organized the Zoom registration). + Coordinated and created a promotional video called See the Change, which involved developing the script, editing the video, creating the video thumbnail, and liaising with 20+ students and alumni to take part in the video+ Launched Testimony Tuesdays, a promotional Instagram series highlighting testimonials from 5 past event registrants.+ Helped the committee plan and coordinate the first-ever Virtual Symposium, which resulted in a record number of student registrants (n = 150) in the history of this annual event (which launched in 2013)

+ Elected to the Board of Directors of IGNITE after campaigning on the slogan of “Our Campus, Your Voice”+ Advocated for 33,000 students across Humber ITAL and the University of Guelph Humber for a 11-month period by attending over 11 board meetings and 8 sub-committee meetings+ Assessed IGNITE’s annual financial statements and annual budget of over $7 million dollars+ Sat on the governance committee, and reviewed/adhered to the principles and requirements found in the By-laws and Policies; while suggesting changes where necessary + Drafted new By-Laws with the Governance Consultant and Board Secretary for IGNITE; which included amendments to the board composition and amendments to the Elections & Appeals policy+ Contributed towards the development of the BlackNorth Initiative CEO Pledge, which is a 3-yr action plan that is committed to increasing representation, removing barriers to advancement, and improving opportunities for Black students and staff within IGNITE+ Contributed to the creation and distribution of $800k in COVID-19 Relief to ease the hardships faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and to the Black Excellence Scholarship $1k which was award to 6 students.

+ Co-facilitated a virtual 6-week camp program for TCHC residents ages 13-15+ Dealt with the administrative tasks for camp cluster (i.e., creating schedules ensuring that each week had a strong theme, taking attendance at the start of each sessions, creating Zoom invites with passwords and waiting room functions and sending them to all campers for each assigned session of the week)+ Lead daily pair debriefs to identify program strengths, areas for improvement and weekly goals

+ Reported to the Assistant Program Head, FCSS body and working in conjunction with the Event Manager, Event Coordinators, and members of Symposium Organizing Committee+ Assisted Publicity and Promotions coordinator with publicizing and promoting the event around the campus and on social media

+ Student Transition and Resource Team (START) Leaders act as student ambassadors for new students in the areas of student services, resources, and campus life. + Year-round, I represented my program and the student population through campus tours, calling campaigns, and on-campus and off-campus events. + During the academic year, START Leaders assist Student Recruitment in attracting applicants to the University.