Faculty highlights: What makes The Faculty of Community Services stand out
The Faculty of Community Services (FCS) is home to students who wish to make a positive impact in the community. As a student in this faculty, you could go on to become an innovator, a creator, collaborator, scholar, designer, planner, practitioner, etc. with a focus on solving social justice problems with innovation and compassion. Your potential is boundless!
After speaking to international students in the Faculty of Community Services, here are the top three aspects that stand out about the faculty:
1) The Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex
Lucky students at FCS get to study at state-of-the-art facilities such as the Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex (DCC)! This award-winning mixed use facility is one of the newest additions to TMU’s downtown campus, which makes it a popular spot for events. The DCC also has an Urban Farm located on the top floor which focuses on ending food insecurity on campus through food justice initiatives. Every summer, the farm opens up for everyone on campus making it a great spot to grab lunch with your friends!
Having been on campus for three years, I love going to the DCC just to study. Sometimes, I pass by the nutrition labs and feel jealous at the smell of delicious food coming from their classes!
2) Experiential learning beyond the classroom
Experiential learning is where TMU shines! No matter your faculty, every program has an exciting learning component incorporated into the classes, which encourages learning by practice! At the Faculty of Community Services, you get the chance to “Learn by Doing”, a core principle of the faculty, through exciting opportunities.
- Placement Opportunities: With optional co-op, internships and placements across all programs in FCS, you could employ your learnings from the classroom in the real world even before you graduate. To learn more about how these experiences shape learning, I spoke to Emily Thain, an alumna of the Child and Youth Care program from The Bahamas.
“During my placement in my final year, I worked at a shelter which was a completely different learning experience than anywhere else I had worked before. Each day looked different and it exposed me to a whole new side of CYC. In my program, we are typically taught how to deal with youth, but at the shelter, the youth are only half of the equation; the mothers are also a key part. This placement gave me the chance to learn from my supervisors and enhance my skills when dealing with parents or traumatized youth.”
- The Teri Project: Spearheaded by Taryn Cicchelli, an FCS student, the Teri Project pairs FCS students with long-term care residents to develop meaningful relationships that transcend all age barriers. It was created in honour of the late Teri Truscott, whose friendship with Taryn changed both of their lives forever. If this sounds like a project you are passionate about, you can also provide your support in community care at The Teri Project as part of your learning journey.
You could also spearhead a project like this on your own if you’re interested and learn more about your program in the process!
3) Student Services Society: International Student Association
The Faculty of Community Services Society (external link) (FCSS) is a student-run association which offers clubs, guides, services, and discounts for you to get involved in. Focused on cultivating a community as much as enhancing academic learning and career development, this association provides opportunities right on campus! Nun Nil, an alumnus of the Urban and Regional Planning program from Cambodia, shares how the association helped him in his career growth.
“I’ve engaged with my professors and explored various opportunities such as research and by joining student societies and clubs. I was a member of the Faculty of Community Services Society, where I worked with their marketing department as a Graphic Designer. I also worked as a frosh leader, helping incoming students like you!”
A cool component of the FCSS is their international student cohort! The FCSS International Student Association (external link) focuses on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for students from marginalized communities. Kayla Longland, at-large director, is an international student from South Africa who wishes to provide guidance and mentorship to international students at the Faculty of Community Services. Together, they put up events that help you find your community of like-minded people at TMU!
With a focus on diverse learning opportunities which offer many possibilities for growth, FCS is the perfect place for anyone looking to contribute to society and work on innovative solutions for communities.