YSGPS Local Academic Plan

A land acknowledgement recognizes the unique and lasting relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. It also provides an opportunity to show gratitude and respect for the Indigenous peoples who have traditionally cared for the land and continue to do so today. Additionally, a land acknowledgement offers a meaningful moment to reflect on our relationship with the land, acknowledge its deep histories and consider the responsibilities that accompany living here, as well as our commitment to understanding how our presence fits into a broader, ongoing story.

Importantly, a land acknowledgement also reminds us that reconciliation requires ongoing commitment to learning. It encourages us to deepen our understanding of Indigenous histories, experiences and ways of knowing, and to engage in continuous learning and meaningful action as part of our shared responsibilities toward reconciliation.

Graduate and postdoctoral studies offer a valuable chance to start or continue a commitment to lifelong learning. As they expand their academic and professional horizons, learners are also encouraged to critically reflect on their roles within broader social, cultural and historical contexts. In this way, graduate and postdoctoral education can serve as a key entry point for fostering curiosity, humility and responsibility, all of which are vital for meaningful engagement in reconciliation.

With this in mind, we acknowledge that we occupy a place that has been home to Indigenous peoples for over 15,000 years: the Huron-Wendat, Petun First Nations, the Seneca and most recently the Mississaugas of the New Credit River. This territory is subject to the "Dish with One Spoon Wampum Treaty" — between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share and protect this land. When we acknowledge the land, we recognize the unique and enduring relationships that exist between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.

YSGPS Staff

March 7, 2024

Associate Deans, Graduate Studies (all Faculties)

May 14, 2024

YSGPS Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Directors

Oct. 8, 2025

YSGPS Council

Oct. 21, 2025

YSGPS aims to facilitate internationally recognized graduate and postdoctoral studies that emphasize inclusivity and accessibility. We strive to create an environment where graduate students and postdoctoral researchers thrive academically and intellectually at TMU, and excel both professionally and socially afterward. YSGPS champions the crucial role that graduate education and postdoctoral activities play in enhancing TMU’s reputation as a leader in innovative, inclusive and transformative education.

YSGPS is committed to offering strong and distinctive programming, attracting and retaining top domestic and international students and postdoctoral fellows, and providing exemplary scholarly, research and creative experiences. Additionally, we focus on mentorship, career readiness programming and comprehensive support for the well-being of graduate students and postdocs.

YSGPS will work towards building a community and culture of inquiry, promoting and supporting an inclusive culture that recognizes, advocates for and values excellence in graduate education and research as a collective priority across TMU. We achieve this by providing collaborative, thoughtful, and progressive academic and administrative leadership that highlights program quality and excellence in students' and postdoctoral scholars' experiences, along with both academic and non-academic support. YSGPS believes in and will strive for excellence in academic and administrative structures and support services. We will also strive to be nimble in responding to new opportunities to enhance and grow graduate and postdoctoral programming.

Priority #1: Enhancing the graduate student learning journey for student success

YSGPS will continue to promote and support a high-quality, holistic graduate student experience, fostering an engaged and interconnected community that reflects our diverse range of people, programs, and ways of knowing and learning. As part of our ongoing commitment, we will also continue to support our postdoctoral fellows in accessing resources and services to ensure an exceptional learning and research experience. YSGPS aims to strengthen graduate academic programming to enhance the quality of our graduate offerings. This effort directly influences our ability to attract and retain top students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty from Canada and around the world.

We will also continue our collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI) to provide resources and develop new programming for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty supervisors on key and emerging areas related to SRC. Through our collaborations with offices such as the OVPRI, the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) and the TMU Libraries, we will also continue to provide guidance and resources to help programs responsibly incorporate AI into graduate education.

Priority #2: Collaborating with local and global communities to promote excellence in graduate and postdoctoral SRC

The reputation of our university, the quality of our programs and supervisors, and the strength of our culture of inquiry and SRC are all vital for attracting and keeping outstanding domestic and international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. YSGPS aims to make an impact through SRC and innovation by increasing postdoctoral fellows' salaries to bring them closer to the sector norm, working towards a minimum level of funding for our doctoral students that allows them to dedicate themselves fully to their studies, and expanding funding for international graduate students.

Within the framework of the university’s International Plan, we will engage globally to provide a world perspective by developing global learning and student mobility programs for graduate students, promoting international research and academic collaboration. We will facilitate and support multidisciplinary collaborations, domestic and international partnerships, community involvement, and the exchange of diverse views and perspectives. In partnership with TMU Global, YSGPS will also develop transnational graduate programs, articulation agreements and joint programs. Additionally, YSGPS will serve as a city and community builder by working with university partners to engage donors for innovation opportunities aligned with the university’s priorities and advancement goals, and by strengthening connections with our graduate alumni.

Priority #3: Supporting our graduate and postdoctoral community

YSGPS is dedicated to promoting the health, well-being and safety of the graduate and postdoctoral community through holistic initiatives that effectively address their diverse needs. We have a good understanding of the complexity of well-being for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows — supporting wellbeing means attending to a variety of diverse needs, including financial and housing needs, mental health needs, and the need for a sense of community and belonging. We are working to enhance access to university housing for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. We are also committed to collaborating with Student Care in the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, to explore increasing the number of graduate-student-focused case management coordinators. There is currently one case management coordinator partly dedicated to graduate students. 

Recognizing the vital role that faculty supervisors play in the success of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, YSGPS aims to become a leader in faculty supervision support and will continue to expand its suite of programs and workshops. We are committed to exploring how to effectively implement holistic applicant review in our graduate admissions process, while continuing to attract high-quality candidates. YSGPS fosters community inclusion and belonging by continuing partnerships with the Black Scholarship Institute and other university stakeholders to support EDI and accessibility through our programs and services. These efforts will prepare our graduates and postdoctoral researchers for personal and professional success, further strengthening TMU’s reputation and future aspirations.

Priority #4: Continued commitment to truth and reconciliation

Working with our graduate programs and the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, YSGPS will continue its efforts to build partnerships with Indigenous communities. We will continue work towards implementing Recommendation 9 of the Standing Strong Task Force in graduate studies. Work to date on this implementation includes ongoing consultation and discussions to develop a plan to support graduate programs that are already offering learning opportunities for students, and to help graduate programs develop strategies to create new learning opportunities. We are drawing on the Periodic Program Review process to better identify progress toward meeting the obligations of Recommendation 9 and to develop actionable recommendations for graduate studies moving forward. Together, this work is advancing our efforts to promote Indigenous scholarship and education across all aspects of graduate programs, including admissions, program requirements, student experiences and student funding. In terms of student funding, for example, we are continuing our commitment to our YSGPS Indigenous Graduate Awards (scholarships and bursaries) and the Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Engagement (SAGE) Award.

Priority #5: Ensuring graduate student and postdoctoral future-readiness

YSGPS will support the development of well-differentiated, high-quality programs, including advocating for interdisciplinary graduate programs while fostering sustainability by encouraging the integration of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into program-level learning outcomes. We will prepare our graduate students for evolving careers and entering the workforce in the age of AI by better integrating zone learning into graduate education, increasing work-integrated learning opportunities in graduate programs, and enhancing our professional development, leadership development and career planning offerings for both graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

YSGPS will reimagine learning and teaching by removing barriers to graduate education, especially in interdisciplinary teaching, and by gathering and providing guidance and resources to help programs responsibly incorporate AI into graduate education. We will explore ways to support graduate students’ career readiness by evolving and enhancing our professional development offerings, with plans to establish new career planning programs that YSGPS will offer for all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.