Humber Advising Conference

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Student Community Standards Discussion: Revised Code & Addressing Behaviours

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Usha Rajpal Cheddi
Student Community Standards Advisors, Humber Polytechnic

Jennifer Liang
Student Community Standards Advisors, Humber Polytechnic

The Office of Student Community Standards (OSCS) is pleased to announce that the updated Code of Student Community Standards (CSCS) is now live on the Humber Policy Website. The CSCS governs all non-academic student behaviour at Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber, including in the Residences. It establishes grounds for complaints, outlines the resolution process, and specifies potential outcomes for the Humber community. The Revised CSCS utilizes a spectrum model for resolution, incorporates more restorative practices, provides transparency, and engages students as much as possible in the resolution process. This novel conflict resolution model enables involved parties to select a resolution pathway that aligns with their preferences, while meeting necessary criteria, and empowers students to actively engage in the process, take accountability for their actions, and practice compassionate accountability. Along with adjusting language to make the CSCS more accessible, inclusive, and easier to understand, the goal of making these adjustments is to improve the outcomes of the CSCS process by focusing more on taking responsibility, repairing harm, and community building.

In this session, learn how OSCS is implementing restorative and educational processes for non-academic student conduct management that focus on repairing harm and fostering compassionate accountability. Understand the variety of resolution options that align with the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. In addition, you will learn strategies for addressing behaviours that may occur in the classroom or student service environment. Learn what is within your purview and supports available to you as Humber/UGH faculty and staff.

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Navigating the Future of Experiential Learning

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Sandra Ornelas
Placement Advisor, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Humber Polytechnic

Amber Capotosto
Nutrition Program Placement Officer, Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellness, Humber Polytechnic

Christie Knapp
Career & Work Integrated Learning Advisor, Faculty of Media, Creative Arts, and Design, Humber Polytechnic

Alaiyah Brooks
Student Moderator, Humber Polytechnic

Experiential learning is crucial for bridging academic knowledge with practical application, enhancing employability, and shaping the future of higher education. Advisors should focus on understanding diverse student needs and building strong relationships with students and employers. This session explores the evolving landscape of experiential learning and placement advising.

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Baking - A therapeutic approach

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Nadeisha Pinnock RN, MN (She/Her)
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mental Health, Student Wellness & Accessibility Centre (SWAC) Humber Polytechnic

During the COVID pandemic, countless individuals found solace in their kitchens, leading to a surge in sourdough baking and an influx of baking content on social media. Social media has been flooded with content about baking breads, muffins and confections ever since. Researchers have been studying the relationship between creative expressions like baking and mental well-being. This presentation will explore the psychological benefits of baking, examine baking therapy from a social justice lens, and discuss potential opportunities to bridge culinary and psychotherapy curricula in educational settings.

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Enhancing Student Success through Effective Case Note Management in Academic and Career Advising

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Crystal Bhikha (Pronouns: she/her)
Career and Student Success Advisor, Academic and Career Success Centre, Humber Polytechnic

Effective case note management is crucial for academic and career advising, ensuring personalized support and tracking student progress. This presentation emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate and secure case notes while protecting student privacy. We will explore strategies to create efficiency in maintaining advising case notes while fostering an inclusive advising environment. Attendees will learn practical methods to enhance communication and streamline advising processes, ultimately contributing to improved student outcomes and satisfaction.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

High Impact Presence: Humber's Advising In-Class Touchpoints

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Nafeeza Kadir, M. Ed. (she/her)
Manager, Advising & Career Services | Student Success & Engagement | Humber Polytechnic

Sarah Musto (she/her)
Career and Student Success Advisor, Advising & Career Services | Student Success & Engagement | Humber Polytechnic

This session explores the implementation of in-class "Advisor Touchpoint" interventions during weeks 4–6 of the term, a critical period in the student cycle and student success. These "just in time" sessions were piloted as more than just class visits; they were built intentionally as part of scaffolded supports for a selection of high attrition programs. We will share key lessons learned, including common challenges, key partnerships, and the impact of early advising connections. Attendees will gain insights into the barriers students face, strategies for improving outreach, and practical takeaways for strengthening advising interventions in collaboration with Faculty partners.

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Navigating Immigration Challenges for International Students of the Future

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Shi Yue Zhang
International Advisor, Humber Polytechnic

Sanjay Kumar
International Advisor, Humber Polytechnic

Huong Do
International Advisor, Humber Polytechnic

Over the last couple of years, immigration policies have undergone significant changes, profoundly impacting international students in Canada. This presentation will explore the latest regulatory shifts and their implications for current students. We will delve into the diverse challenges faced by international students, including the necessity to take authorized leave due to unforeseen circumstances, the requirement to withdraw from academic programs due to poor performance, and the influence of program choices on post-graduation work permit eligibility. Through detailed case studies, we aim to highlight real-world scenarios and develop effective strategies to support international students in navigating these complexities. Our goal is to provide insights and solutions that will empower educational professionals to better assist students in overcoming immigration-related obstacles, ensuring their academic and professional success in the future.

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Paint 'n' Plant

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Vanessa Cubacub
Career & Student Success Advisor, Advising and Career Services

Take a moment to unwind, create, and connect with nature. Put your work on pause and tap into your inner artist (yes, we all have one!). During this hangout, you will propagate a plant and house it in its new pot, designed by you. You will leave with a new plant baby and a beautiful creation to brighten up your space! No paint or plant experience required! 😊

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Salsa Steps to Success: An AMO Theory Application

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Franz Branschat Florez
Career & Student Success Advisor, Humber Polytechnic

Unleash Your Potential with "Kindful Salsa": A Transformative Session for Advisors To deliver truly exceptional service, Advisors need to stay mentally sharp and to be in a state of optimal physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. Kindful Salsa is a groundbreaking workshop that combines the dynamic rhythm of salsa dancing with the grounding power of mindfulness to help Advisors improve:

• Listening and creative skills
• Emotional intelligence and empathy
• Mood, focus, and overall well-being

Whether you're looking to sharpen your advising skills, improve your health or simply recharge, this session will leave you inspired, energized, and grounded. Step into something truly different, fun and innovative. Join us for "Kindful Salsa"-and start your journey towards greater advising effectiveness and meaning!

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Practising Creativity for Mental Well-Being: Creative Journaling in a Planner

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Usha Rajpal Cheddi
Student Community Standards Advisor

My name is Usha and I am one of the Advisors in the Office of Student Community Standards. Aside from my role at Humber, I am also an avid creator. I enjoy many creative activities, but I really enjoy being creative in my planner. I like to call it creative or art journaling. I like this creative practice for a number of reasons but specifically as practitioners in post-secondary, I do feel that some of the conversations we are having with learners, do affect our mental well-being. Art and being creative is one way to manage my mental well-being and I hope to be able to share this with others during the Humber Advising Conference.

In this session, participants will learn about my creative journey, the benefits of being creative, tips on how you can infuse creativity into your everyday, what is creative journaling and guidelines on how to being creative in your planner. After a short presentation, participants will have an opportunity to either reflect on their week or plan for the upcoming week. After, they will have the opportunity to practice creative journaling on a weekly planner printout. I will provide guided instructions for those who wish to seek guidance and also provide an opportunity for participants to express their creativity in whatever way they wish to do so. Reflective prompts such as what has been your favourite memory of the week, what are you grateful for, how are you feeling right now, will be shared as well. Each participant will walk away with completed creative journaling pages, that I hope they can use to infuse into their everyday life.

9:45 AM - 10:30 AM

Campus as a Canvas - Student Belonging through Art

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Casey Norris
Program Lead - Humber Galleries

At Humber, our Campuses are our canvas, a blank slate to showcase the creativity of students and take their learning outside the classroom walls. Humber Galleries has taken Public Art and Classroom Learning and combined them to create Curriculum Embed projects that result in pop-up and permanent Artwork displays at each of Humber's campuses; from Photography, to Music, to Fashion, we've begun working directly with students to develop these projects that are both part of their learning and contributing towards their sense of belonging on campus.

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

The pressures of being 17...

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Jeff Ollinger
Director, Talent Acquisition, Corporate and Campus, Sunlife

When coaching and advising students, it's time to shift the focus from where and what they study to who they are and what they show interest in. Educators often assume students have picked their program because they have defined outcomes related to post-graduate education or employment they want to achieve. Employers often overemphasize a student's alignment to academic programs and technical expertise and assume graduates want to work in fields directly relatable to their field of study. However, most students choose their school and majors at age 17 with little real-world experience, and we have historically held them to education and career paths based on those early decisions. Does this seem right? Did most of us know what we wanted to do when we were 17? Let's recognize the value of transferable skills and broader experiences and how those could lead to education and career paths that evolve over time.

In this session, we'll explore ways to remove biases tied to schools, fields of study, and specific skills-biases that we may unknowingly hold and force upon students. We'll discuss how to coach students into well-rounded graduates who balance academics with work experience, volunteerism, leadership roles, and who demonstrate strong communication and presence which can lead to most career paths.

Discover how to widen career pathways for students and explore why this doesn't need to be a complicated process. Let's relieve the pressure they feel, students shouldn't have to be held to a decision they made when they were 17 for the rest of their life.

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

Beyond Language Barriers: Inclusive Advising for Multilingual Learners

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Frances Sparano
Manager, English Language and Communications Programming

Irene Kosmas, OCELT, MA (she, her)
Program Coordinator, EAP & TESL | The English Language Centre (ELC), Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences Humber Polytechnic

As higher education evolves toward 2035, advisors must adapt to serve increasingly diverse student populations-including multilingual learners, whose experiences reflect the globalized and equitable future of post-secondary institutions. This interactive session equips participants with practical, inclusive strategies to enhance communication at every stage of advising, from initial outreach to follow-up. Through real-world scenarios and participatory exercises, presenters will demonstrate how to reduce linguistic barriers, cultivate cultural awareness, and foster belonging - ensuring all students feel understood and supported.

While grounded in the needs of English language learners (ELLs), these techniques are universally applicable, addressing broader shifts in student demographics and expectations. Participants will leave with a toolkit of adaptable practices to meet today's challenges while proactively shaping an inclusive advising landscape for 2035 and beyond .

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Back to School, But Not Alone: Building Community for Mature Learners

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Tamar Faber
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) Learning and Development Specialist, Humber Polytechnic

Returning to college as an adult comes with unique challenges - balancing school with work and family, feeling out of place among younger peers, and navigating systems that often overlook mature learners. This session explores concrete strategies Humber faculty and staff can use to foster belonging, including flexible learning options, dedicated mature learner orientation programs, childcare support, and culturally responsive teaching. We'll also discuss the impact of mature student lounges, affinity groups, and career services tailored to adult learners.

Through real stories and best practices, this session provides actionable insights on how Humber can continue to create inclusive, welcoming spaces where mature students are doing more than just getting by.

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Wholehearted Advising: Applying Brené Brown's Guideposts Through an EDIB Lens

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Christina Meredith
Associate Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Join us for an interactive workshop where you'll explore Brené Brown's guideposts for wholehearted living, reimagined through the lens of student advising. Grounded in the principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB), this session invites you to reflect on how wholehearted advising can strengthen student-centered practices. Through engaging discussions and reflective activities, you'll examine how vulnerability, courage, and empathy intersect with EDIB values to create meaningful connections, support student well-being, and foster authentic engagement.

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

The Human Experience of Immigration Policy: Student Voices and Advisor Reflections

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Taejo Kim
International Graduate Student Advisor and Immigration Specialist at Humber Downtown

Micah A. N. Udenby
International Graduate Student Career and Success Coordinator at Humber Downtown

In response to the evolving landscape of Canadian immigration policies, we propose to conduct a student-focused survey at Humber's Downtown campus to explore how these policy changes are experienced, interpreted, and navigated by international students. Our goal is to bring forward the human element of policy-how students are reacting to changes, their awareness and understanding, and the emotional or practical impact on their academic and personal lives. As front-line advisors, understanding how students interpret and respond to these changes allows us to tailor our services more meaningfully. By presenting student experiences, we hope to foster dialogue among colleagues and enhance our collective support strategies.

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

From Employment to Employability - Preparing Students for Lifelong Success

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Panel Facilitator - Jennifer Larson
Director, Academic Strategic Initiatives Humber Learning Outcomes - Innovative Learning

Melanie Chai
Associate Dean, Transition & Academic Support - Employability Experience Fund

Todd Le Blanc
Associate Director, Student Experience, Humber Downtown - Skills Hub

M'kaylah Fridal
Manager, Work Integrated Learning, FMCAD - Work Integrated Learning

With the launch of Humber's Building Brilliance Vision, our esteemed President and CEO, Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan signaled a shift away from "preparing students for specific jobs" to lifelong employability. Career direction and hope are central to students persisting to graduation and a core element of the conversations you, as an Advisor, are having with students. Come hear from our panel on the varied ways in which we are working to advance that vision of employability at Humber from the continuing work being undertaken to deepen students acquisition of employability skills (Humber's Learning Outcomes or HLOs) to the new Employability Experience Fund aimed at facilitating greater student engagement in skills-development activities we believe will differentiate them in the workplace. Explore with us the critical role Advisors can play in nurturing students' employability.

1:15 PM - 2:15 PM

Building Awareness: Empowering Staff and Faculty to Address Gender-Based Violence and Harassment disclosures

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Sara Varvaris (she/her)
Care Coordinator, Student Connection & Community Care, Student Wellness & Equitable Learning, Humber Polytechnic

Bianca Cortez Scotland (she/her/hers)
Care Coordinator, Student Connection & Community Care, Student Wellness & Equitable Learning, Humber Polytechnic

Join us for an informative session on Domestic Violence (DV), Sexual Violence (SV), and Workplace Sexual Harassment (WSH) Awareness, tailored for staff and faculty presented by Sara Varvaris and Bianca Scotland, Care Coordinators and Co-Chairs of the Student Supports Working Group under the Committee on Preventing & Responding to Sexual Violence. This presentation will explore key topics such as recognizing signs of violence, providing support, understanding the cycle of abuse, and responding to disclosures. Learn practical strategies for prevention, fostering healthy relationships, and navigating resources for safety and assistance. Gain insights into the unique challenges faced in post-secondary environments and the workplace while building a supportive and informed community. This session is designed to empower staff/faculty with knowledge and tools to helps students take action. Take a step toward creating safer, more inclusive spaces for all.

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Fireside Chat

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Melissa Galo
Higher Education Consultant

Melanie Chai
Associate Dean, Transition and Academic Services, Humber Polytechnic