How Faculty of Arts students can get involved at TMU

If you’re a first-year Faculty of Arts student, getting involved at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) for the first time can feel overwhelming, and you might not always know where to start. That’s why I spoke with Avala Moore, the Manager of Student Relations and Development at the Student Experience Centre, to learn more about what kinds of experiential learning and volunteer opportunities are available for Arts students at TMU. If you’d like to join in on our conversation, read on!

Claire: Tell me a little bit about your role. What are the main responsibilities and projects you oversee at the Student Experience Centre?

Avala: My role is very broad and engages with many different aspects of the student experience. This includes recruitment activities such as TMU’s Open House or the Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) (external link, opens in new window) , but I also touch base with students after they accept their offer from TMU by informing them about enrolment workshops, orientation programming and other events. 

I also oversee a lot of volunteer activities, student groups and student project management, but the largest part of my job is overseeing student leadership within the Faculty of Arts. This includes the Society of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (SASSH) (external link, opens in new window) , all of our 12 course unions and any student interest groups. This might include the student publication The Continuist (external link, opens in new window) , TMU Plants (external link, opens in new window)  or any other group that is led by students with a common interest.

C: What is your favourite part about working at the Student Experience Centre?

A: Working with students! For me, it’s a unique experience because I have the opportunity to work with students from when they first enter TMU and all the way until their graduation. I also do a little bit of alumni engagement, so I’ve been able to stay connected with students after they graduate and see how they navigate through their professional life. I think it’s really cool to observe a student’s entire academic journey from start to finish.

C: What are some unique opportunities that are offered for Faculty of Arts students by the Student Experience Centre?

A: The Student Experience Centre is specifically designed for Arts students, and our goal is to address their unique needs and interests. Our services are specific to the types of courses, jobs or graduate programs that Arts students are interested in pursuing.

Our Career Counsellor, Sonny Wong, provides career counselling that is focused on developing a strong career identity and navigating the world of choice — which is a place that Arts students often find themselves in. Arts degrees are very broad and students can often feel weighed down by the burden of choice, so our career counselling services are designed to lift that burden. 

We also have Arts Academic Support Coaches, which are led by Dr. Valerie Deacon. They offer support with Arts-specific courses and Arts-specific skill development to ensure that students are successful academically, which will hopefully transfer into their professional life.

Our Community-Engaged Learning and Teaching program, which is led by Dr. Reena Tandon, embeds experiential learning into the classroom so Arts students can have an interactive learning experience. This program provides students with the opportunity to make a community impact as well.

C: How can the services that are offered by the Student Experience Centre support students throughout their degree and into their post-grad career?

A: The Student Experience Centre has touchpoints with students at every point of their academic journey. By participating in onboarding practices like recruitment and orientation, we place a big emphasis on supporting students as they navigate taking their first steps on campus.

We also offer resources that aim to support Arts students throughout their degree. This includes personal counselling services that are offered by Ruth Frolic at the Centre for Student Development and Counselling. She is responsible for supporting students with any personal challenges that they might be experiencing during their time here at TMU. Alongside our available leadership and work opportunities, there is also an option for Arts students to travel through an exchange or study abroad program.

Through my role, I’ve had the opportunity to know a lot of really engaged and involved student leaders on campus. For example, some alumni are now working in politics, while others have landed jobs internationally or have started their own businesses. A large part of their success is the result of these programs and resources that teach students how to identify their interests and transform them into a career.

C: What advice would you give to Faculty of Arts students who are nervous about getting involved on campus? What do you think their first steps should be?

A: I would tell those students that they’re not alone. Most of the students who are stepping into some sort of engagement opportunity for the first time are going to be nervous, so it’s super important to remember that you’re not the only one in this position. In fact, you might be taking this step alongside your future best friends.

University is also so much more than just going to class and studying. The other half is getting to know who you are as a person through on-campus extracurriculars and activities, and campus involvement can really help with professional and personal development. 

If you’re a first-year Arts student, your first step should be taking advantage of the Navigate TMU Program. This is a great way to get an overview of what kinds of opportunities and services are available to students.

If you're a second, third or fourth-year Arts student and you’re stepping into campus involvement for the first time, your first step should be to look into the Arts Ambassador Program. This is a program that was designed in consultation with students and is meant to help you figure out what you're interested in pursuing both academically and professionally.

C: What do you think is the best spot for Faculty of Arts students to hang out on campus?

A: The Arts Lounge! It’s located in the Podium Building, and all Arts students have access to this space during the academic year. The great part about this room is that it’s newly renovated with lots of nice furniture, study spaces, board games and books. If you stop by, you might come across a group of students who are attending an event in the lounge, so it could be an opportunity for you to take your first step into campus involvement. If you’re looking for a friend, this is a great place to find one!

Take a virtual tour of the Arts Lounge: 

A big thank you to Avala for chatting with me! Keep an eye on the Future Student Events page to stay up-to-date with upcoming in-person and virtual events within the Faculty of Arts and beyond. You'll find opportunities to explore our community and learn more about how you can get involved as a student at TMU. 

All the best,

Claire