Peer Leader Conference Schedule

8:30am to 9:15am  

Accolade West (ACW) 109 Lobby

Registration and Refreshments

 9:20am to 10:10am

ACW 109

Welcome Remarks & Team Mingling

MC: Urshian Khalid, Student Leadership & Development Coordinator

Brian Poser, Director, Atkinson Center for Mature & Part-Time Students

Ross McMillan, Director, Student Community & Leadership Engagement

 10:10am to 10:50am

ACW 109

Keynote 

PRESENTED BY:

Joseph Smith, Educator, Community Worker,  Researcher

This talk will focus on some of the major tenets and focal points of emotional intelligence (EQ). We will explore, both directly and indirectly, the way in which certain endemic aspects of modern life  impede inclusivity, fundamentally impacting us emotionally. By recognizing this, it is incumbent upon the leaders of today to possess a high level of EQ in order to account for, and accommodate, the diverse strengths and traumas that may inform the opinions, creative solutions, and approaches that inclusive workforces possess. Only when we can effectively do this can we truly harness the implicit value that often lays dormant within  spaces that, in light of our democratic values, are necessarily plural. 

10:50am to 11:00am

 Break

 11:00am to 12:00pm

Session One  

109

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion (recommended for first time student leaders)

PRESENTED BY:

Lisa Brown and Allison Bishop, Education and Communications Advisors

What does it really mean to be inclusive? What can we do to foster inclusion for all, on campus and worldwide?

While acknowledging the global complexities that often confound inclusivity practices, this presentation will draw on current research and practical examples that encourage participants to explore individual and collective notions and approaches of diversity and inclusion. Through interactive learning styles, we will identify and discuss the grounds for human rights protections, the impacts of discrimination on marginalized communities, and probe participants on effective strategies they are confident will lead to feelings of greater inclusion for all, including a framework for courageous conversations.

303

Leadership Development: What Do(es) YU Need?

PRESENTED BY:

Urshian Khalid & Ross McMillan, Student Leadership & Development Coordinator & Director, Student Engagement & First Year Experience

In this session, discover your key strengths and areas for personal & professional development, and participate in a collaborative community consultation on what YOU need for your leadership development needs on campus.

304

Re-imagining Professionalism with Vulnerability 

PRESENTED BY:

Javeria Mirza, President’s Ambassador, Office of the President

What does it mean when leaders take a step out of their comfort zone?

In order to apply the knowledge gained at PLC in their roles moving forward, participants will learn in this presentation how to utilize their capacity to be aware of, control, and express their emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. The presentation also discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in building trusting relationships and their ripple effect in creating team cohesion and sense of purpose.

307

Collaborative Leadership towards a Global Community

PRESENTED BY:

Christine Omuodo and Vishwaveda Joshi, International Programme Facilitator, York international & International Students’ Assistant, York International

Our presentation sheds light on ways in which we can build upon the international student experiences, the current institutional support that exists at York, and student leadership in creating a community & space for engaging both international and domestic students to develop global competencies among students. Through this presentation, we aim to initiate dialogue and situate our leadership as student leaders and peer mentors, as a link to connect the scattered dots around International student support and set the stage for new possibilities for student development. 

106 

Wellbeing: Fundamental Principle of Success

PRESENTED BY:

Helen Lee and Jennifer Myers, Manager, Well-being & Health Promotion & Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation

Well-being is fundamental to success; it is the undercurrent to personal, professional and organizational success. It is multi-faceted, complex and influenced by multiple environments, stressors and events that have a profound impact on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual state. Now more than ever, there is an imperative to implement upstream, holistic approaches to educating and preparing all York community members to achieve a better state of well-being that encourages flourishing, resilience and transformative learning, teaching and working. During this session, we will be talking you through the ways to well-being, how to identify indicators for personal growth and how to bridge well-being into your role on campus. We would then like to open the session to hear from you – what should well-being look like at York University?

 12:00pm to 1:00pm

 Team Lunch

 Take this opportunity to connect with your team as you begin this journey of your year together. Outside, ACW lobby & session classrooms are also available for seating.

 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Session Two 

303

Leadership Development: What Do(es) YU Need?

PRESENTED BY:

Urshian Khalid, Student Leadership & Development Coordinator

In this session, discover your key strengths and areas for personal & professional development, and participate in a collaborative community consultation on what YOU need for your leadership development needs on campus.

109

Taking Action in Leadership: Promoting Diversity & Inclusion (recommended for returning student leaders)

PRESENTED BY:

Lisa Brown and Allison Bishop, Education and Communications Advisors

What does it really mean to be inclusive? What can we all do to foster inclusion for all, on campus and worldwide? In service of our shared commitment to ensuring inclusive spaces across campus, it is important for members of the community to engage with one another about the challenges and opportunities we face in creating respectful dialogue, appreciating different lived experiences, and relying on equitable frameworks to approach the learning environment.
Through this session, you will: build capacity to support your peers while leading with an awareness of positionality. 

304

Financial Literacy (Restricted to college or faculty councils’ Presidents and Finance Officers)

PRESENTED BY:

Charmaine Mohamed & Ross McMillan, Administrative & Budget Assistant & Director, Student Community Leadership Development
This is a closed door session for Student Government Presidents and Financial officers. It is an introduction to the Levy system and a quick rundown of some tips and tricks to starting off your fiscal year in the right way. 

307

Time Management for Student Leaders

PRESENTED BY:

Alessia Loduca, Senior Learning Skills Peer

There are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, and 7 days in a week. But where does the time go? If you’re wondering where the time goes and having trouble balancing school, work and life, then this session is for you. The workshop is designed to help you learn practical, personalized approaches to effectively managing your time. The importance of balance for maintaining your overall health, well-being, and productivity will be a key theme running throughout the session. 

106

Wellbeing: Fundamental Principle of Success

PRESENTED BY:

Helen Lee and Jennifer Myers, Manager, Well-being & Health Promotion & Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation

Well-being is fundamental to success; it is the undercurrent to personal, professional and organizational success. It is multi-faceted, complex and influenced by multiple environments, stressors and events that have a profound impact on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual state. Now more than ever, there is an imperative to implement upstream, holistic approaches to educating and preparing all York community members to achieve a better state of well-being that encourages flourishing, resilience and transformative learning, teaching and working. During this session, we will be talking you through the ways to well-being, how to identify indicators for personal growth and how to bridge well-being into your role on campus. We would then like to open the session to hear from you – what should well-being look like at York University?

2:00pm to 2:15pm

Break

2:15pm to 3:15pm

Session Three

005

Productivity Hacks for Student Leaders

PRESENTED BY:

Greg Langstaff & Ross McMillan, YU Start Coordinator & Director, Student Community & Leadership Development

In this session, Greg will lead participants through a variety of activities and teach a number of hacks which he has found incredibly useful in enhancing his productivity. Through this session, you will be able to identify the mindset associated with productivity, have participated in a first-hand simulation designed to illustrate your ability to complete the same task within a varying time frame.

004

Cultural Intelligence: Fostering leadership in a Culturally Diverse Environment

PRESENTED BY:

Alissia Nguyen & Salma Saleh, Learning Skills Peer & Student Leader

Our workshop will introduce the model of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and its importance in developing leadership at university. Culture is a set of ideas, behaviours, attitudes, and traditions that exist within large groups of people. However, culture does not only refer to differences in race, ethnicity, or nationality, but also to organizational, academic, and professional differences. It is the lens through which each individual, in certain contexts and with certain groups of people, sees the world and acts on it. In the era of globalization, it is of utmost importance for young leaders to acknowledge that they are living in an increasingly culturally diverse world. As such, it is crucial for them to foster their adaptability when encountering new, culturally different environments.

006

Appreciative Mentoring and Student Success

PRESENTED BY:

Jill Thomas, Academic Advisor

This presentation will provide participants with an opportunity for self-reflection in terms of their own identities and social locations in order to better understand how these impact their interactions with others and the students they work with. This critical reflection will provide insight on how to create spaces and develop relationships that recognize the lived experiences of others in an effort to promote understanding, inclusivity, and positive interactions. Participants will obtain an overview of Appreciative Advising in theory and practice that can be applied in student leadership roles, particularly where those student leaders interact with students in a mentoring or advising capacity. Participants will learn how an Appreciative Advising model and Appreciative Mindset can change how they impact the lives of other people and how rewarding it is to change the lives of others at York in a positive way.

106

Wellbeing: Fundamental Principle of Success

PRESENTED BY:

Helen Lee and Jennifer Myers, Manager, Well-being & Health Promotion & Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation

Well-being is fundamental to success; it is the undercurrent to personal, professional and organizational success. It is multi-faceted, complex and influenced by multiple environments, stressors and events that have a profound impact on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual state. Now more than ever, there is an imperative to implement upstream, holistic approaches to educating and preparing all York community members to achieve a better state of well-being that encourages flourishing, resilience and transformative learning, teaching and working. During this session, we will be talking you through the ways to well-being, how to identify indicators for personal growth and how to bridge well-being into your role on campus. We would then like to open the session to hear from you – what should well-being look like at York University?

3:15pm to 3:20pm

Travel Time

3:20pm to 4:35pm

ACW 109

Panel on Inclusive Leadership

Introduction: Brendan Schulz, Executive Director, Student Success

Moderator: Urshian Khalid, Student Leadership & Development Coordinator

Panelists: Nicole Doray, David Ip Yam, Jathusha Mahenthirarajan

Learn how panelists have navigated their own route & complexities — contextualized in a way that provides participants skills based knowledge, & different avenues for application to their own lives. We will explore questions that engage with the relationship & intersections between leadership & current world issues, positionality & authenticity.

4:35pm to 4:45pm

ACW 109

Closing Remarks & Prize Draw