Meet the 2024 Orientation Execs
Meet the 2024 Orientation Execs
MEET THE EXEC
STAFF CO CHAIR:
ALi KehL
Pronouns: She/Her
Job Title: Campus Life Coordinator
Fun Fact: This is my ninth Orientation at UofT!!!
Advice for New Students: Be so abundantly kind to yourself!! Your whole world is changing in an instant and you’re doing the very best you can do!!
Talk to me About: Getting Involved at Vic, Reese Witherspoon (& specifically Legally Blonde), Hilary Duff, early 2000s pop culture, and the colour pink!!
Exec: Athena Cheng
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Fifth Year
Studying: Applied Statistics and Geoscience
Fun Fact: I’m a big Jellycat fan and animal lover.
Advice for New Students: Don't let failure stop you from trying! If you are struggling, reach out and get access to as many resources as you can to try and succeed! Sometimes you will end up struggling or failing, but that's all part of learning, growing, and challenging yourself :)
Talk to me About: STEM, Statistics, Victoria College International Mentorship Program, Vic Chorus, research experience, internship experience and life as an international student.
Exec: sara Dabiri
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: Human Biology major, Physiology and Immunology minors
Fun Fact: 2023 will be my first in-person orientation at Vic.
Advice for New Students: Join clubs in your first year and get yourself involved outside of classes in co-curricular activities! There are so many different clubs at UofT and joining them helps you make friends and connect with people that you have things in common with.
Talk to me About: Life Science programs and life as a commuter student.
Exec: Charlotte Gilhuly
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Second Year
Studying: East Asia, Christianity and Culture, and Creative Expression and Society
Fun Fact: I love listening to the Ottawa Senators play hockey over the radio!
Advice for New Students: Take time for yourself! Whether it's joining extracurriculars, hanging out in the Cat's Eye, or spending time off campus, build yourself a balance between work and play. University can be overwhelming, so make sure to take care of yourself!
Talk to me About: Living in residence, joining clubs at Vic (or UofT in general!), or dinosaurs! I love talking about dinosaurs :)
Exec: Lesley Pan
Pronouns: She/They
Year: Third Year
Studying: Psychology specialist, Ethics, Society, and Law major, Education and Society minor
Fun Fact: While I may not have pets myself (the dog pictured is my sister's corgi, Nugget), I love seeing other people's pet photos. So if you ever want to start a conversation with me, just show me a photo of your pet :D
Advice for New Students: It sounds super cliché, but just try things out - whether that be personal or academic. University is a great opportunity to explore who you are as a person. On the topic of exploring- check out the Cat's Eye at the Goldring Student Centre, it's my favourite place on campus!
Talk to me About: Getting involved with the Cat's Eye, VicPride!, Caffiends, or Orientation, and being a commuter.
Exec: Lara Reyes
Pronouns: She/They
Year: Third Year
Studying: Global Health Major, Biology and Bioethics minors
Fun Fact: I love reading (and infrequently writing) fanfiction, and I like to think it's genetic - cause my mom is a major fanfiction reader too!
Advice for New Students: There will be times when your resilience will be challenged. When that happens, take root in the supports that exist--talking to your friends, consulting your mentors, accessing therapy, joining an extracurricular, and taking care of yourself. So so so many supports are available, and so many people want to help you! You just need to reach out and take advantage of the networks you can. And the pink food truck is superior.
Talk to me About: Life Science Prerequisites + Global Health, Biology, and Bioethics, IB Transfer credits, VUSAC, VOICES + PEARS, being an international student, being a commuter, and anything else under the sun!
Exec: Dhir SHAH
Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Third Year
Studying: Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics
Fun Fact: I am a Hindustani classical singer.
Advice for New Students: Be yourself!
Talk to me About: Anything and everything! I love listening to people!
Student co chair:
Jocelyn Mattka
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: Criminology and Sociology majors, Psychology minor
Fun Fact: I love watching 80s movies!
Advice for New Students: Get involved. It's such a simple piece of advice, but I promise you it completely changed my university experience. Being "involved" doesn't have to look the same for everyone, but I strongly encourage you to find a group or activity that gives you a sense of community. I promise that your time at Vic will be better for it!
Talk to me About: Social sciences, research credits, Vic One, residence life, commuter life, VUSAC, VCDS (Victoria College Drama Society), The Varsity, VMT (Varsity Blues Mock Trial), and the EJ Pratt Library. And books! I love to read! I welcome book recommendations!
Exec: Shane Joy
Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Fourth Year
Studying: History specialist, Near & Middle Eastern Civilization minor
Fun Fact: I own a Bluetick Beagle named Jack!
Advice for New Students: Get involved in campus life! Some of the most rewarding experiences a Victoria College student can have come through involvement in clubs, levies, student government, and the many other extracurricular opportunities available to you here. The reason so many Victoria College students have an incredible sense of community and belonging is the strength of its student life.
Talk to me About: Victoria University Students' Administrative Council (I’m the President of VUSAC), and how to get involved in student government and advocacy.
Exec: Rohini Patra
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Second Year
Studying: Economics and Public Policy majors, Statistics minor
Fun Fact: I am a certified K-drama buff.
Advice for New Students: It is natural to feel the pressure to excel academically, but it is equally important to remember to have fun and enjoy your university experience. Vic organizes a diverse range of events that offer great opportunities to participate, make friends, and create lasting memories.
Talk to me About: Life as an international student, the best spots on campus, economics, mathematics, and political science.
Exec: Aiko Reis
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: Health & Disease major, Immunology, and Physiology minors
Fun Fact: I can bake some fire cakes (especially my aunt's classic chocolate & strawberry) and desserts (cookies and brigadeiro are my favs) but I actually don't like eating chocolate alone like a bar or truffle.
Advice for New Students: Go to information sessions and talk to upper years for advice. Also, take advantage of the resources and facilities available by checking out free programming from Vic and UofT. Look into clubs and levies as they are great ways to get involved and make friends. You can also get free food pretty much every day by participating in events or just being at the right place at the right time. Make sure to explore the city and the campus (including the libraries) to find good spots to study and hang out. Most importantly, have fun!
Talk to me About: Science, Technology, Arts, Music, Life as an international student, travel, life as a commuter student, and anything else really!
Exec: Peyton Skotidas
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Second Year
Studying: English and Classical Civilizations majors, History minor
Fun Fact: I love to read and collect books.
Advice to New Students: Go at your own pace. While it is great to get involved, don't pressure yourself and set unrealistic expectations based on what everyone else is doing. You're here and you're going to do great at whatever you want, whenever you want.
Talk to me About: Humanities at UofT, Vic One, Residence Life, History, Toronto areas, and Books.
Exec: Juhyung Yun
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Second Year
Studying: International Relations and Public Policy
Fun Fact: One of my favourite hobbies is flipping pancakes with VOCA (Victoria Off-Campus Association).
Advice: Don’t stress out too much and enjoy your first year! Although academics are important, it’s not as important as having fun and meeting new people :)
Talk to me About: Life as a commuter & international student, Vic One (Pearson Stream), VUSAC, and VISA!