Message from the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies
At FEAS, graduate education is a cornerstone of our academic mission; one that we continue to shape with purpose, care, and creativity. Since its inception a decade ago, the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) has grown into a dynamic and highly impactful unit, supporting more than 1,000 students across 30 programs in 12 disciplines. Our office represents nearly 40% of TMU’s graduate student population, and we take seriously the responsibility that comes with that scale.
What makes OGPS truly distinctive, however, is not just the breadth of our reach, but the thoughtful, responsive, and student-focused approach that defines our work. I’m proud to share a few highlights below that reflect both the progress we’ve made and the dedication of our team.

Advancing Access Through Meaningful Graduate Funding
We have taken bold steps to strengthen the financial foundation of graduate education at FEAS. Our office introduced a minimum guaranteed funding package for research-based graduate students and implemented a funding equalization model that ensures international PhD students receive support on par with their domestic peers. We were also the first at TMU to offer guaranteed fourth-year PhD funding.
These initiatives have not only increased our programs’ global competitiveness, but have also enhanced faculty research capacity and improved external funding success rates.

Accelerating Student Pathways and Research Excellence
Working closely with graduate programs, OGPS launched the Accelerated MASc Pathway, a fast-track option for high-achieving undergraduate students with strong research potential. More than 30 students have benefited from this model, progressing into graduate studies and securing major external awards including NSERC, SSHRC, and Vanier scholarships.

Supporting Career Success Beyond the Degree
We recognize that graduate education must prepare students for a variety of career trajectories. Dr. Ketan Marballi, our Career and Professional Development Specialist, provides one-on-one guidance for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows on career planning, job applications, and interview preparation. He also prepares workshops, industry-oriented preparations to students in the same cohorts, and most importantly coaches postdoctoral fellows in FEAS, across YSGPS and beyond TMU. His articles are often published in University Affairs (external link) and Inside HigherEd (external link) , and he co-chairs the Postdoctoral Fellows Committee of the Graduate and Professional Development Network (GPDN), contributing expertise at both national and international levels.



Personalized Recruitment and Application Support
Through the dedication of Kitty Choi, our graduate program administrator and recruitment specialist, OGPS provides prospective students with tailored advice that clarifies the application process and highlights the research strengths of our faculty. Her work is helping prospective students find their fit at FEAS. Our newly updated Find a Research Supervisor page is now one of the top five most-visited graduate pages, connecting applicants with faculty across disciplines.

Strengthening Graduate Operations and Community
Roel Reyes, Senior Manager of Graduate Engagement and Operations, plays a key role in ensuring the efficiency and responsiveness of our office. From overseeing funding and scholarships to mentoring new administrators and coordinating student-facing initiatives, Roel brings both strategic vision and operational excellence. His leadership also extends to community-building, including support for our Grad Ambassadors and the production of our weekly FEAS Grad eNewsletter. (external link)


New Initiatives on the Horizon
We continue to respond to emerging needs. In collaboration with Dr. Yukari Seko and Dr. Aasma Malik from The Creative School, we are developing a new workshop series, “Solution-Focused Graduate Supervision,” designed to support faculty navigating supervisory challenges in STEM fields. The four-module series will launch in Winter 2026.
We are also working with academic programs to formally integrate internships into course-based master’s programs. This will better align with student interests and industry demand, and strengthen employability outcomes for our graduates.

Raising the Profile of FEAS Graduate Programs Nationally
Through our ongoing participation in the Canada Graduate Engineering Consortium, (external link) FEAS has increased national visibility among students at participating U15 institutions. These in-person recruitment efforts allow us to showcase programs, some of which are unique in Ontario and Canada, and attract strong domestic and international applicants already studying within Canada.

Looking Ahead
As the landscape of graduate education evolves, our commitment remains steadfast: to support our students, faculty, and programs through high-quality services, strategic initiatives, and a deeply collaborative spirit. I am incredibly proud of the work our team has, and continues to do, to make the FEAS grad school experience one of distinction, opportunity, and excellence.