Meet the 2024 Orientation Execs
Meet the 2024 Orientation Execs
MEET THE EXECS
Staff Co-Chair:
Ali Kehl
Pronouns: She/Her
Job Title: Campus Life Coordinator
Fun Fact: Orientation is my favourite week on the student calendar. This will be my tenth orientation at Victoria College!!
Advice for New Students: Be so abundantly kind to yourself and your peers! Your whole world is changing in an instant and you’re doing the very best you can do!! Don’t hesitate to reach out for support!
Talk to me About: Getting Involved at Vic, Reese Witherspoon (& specifically Legally Blonde), Hilary Duff, early 2000s pop culture, and the colour pink!!
Exec: Naina Vasudeva
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: Double Major in Neuroscience and Physiology, Minor in Immunology
Fun Fact: I like to read, play video games, workout and (am currently learning to) crochet! I also have a twin sister who is currently at St. Mikes!
Advice for New Students: Don’t be afraid to try new things! Victoria College, and UofT as a whole, has lots of opportunities and resources for students that we aren't made aware of, and just taking advantage of those can make a big difference in how you go about your university years.
Talk to me About: I've been commuting since first year, so I know of a few tips and tricks if you’re commuting for the first time. I also study life sciences and have some experience in finding jobs and research opportunities within the university along the same field, so I'd be more than willing to help answer any questions that you may have! On top of that, I am an incoming Co-President for Victoria College Athletic Association, know a bit about debate at the university, and am familiar with orientation!
Exec: Maggie Stewart
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Fourth Year
Studying: Double Major in Neuroscience and Molecular Cell Biology
Fun Fact: I’ve played hockey for over 16 years! the Vancouver Canucks are my favourite team!
Advice for New Students: If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. That’s the best piece of advice I was ever given. Moral of it is, its okay to change your mind. You are not expected to have the next 10 years of your life planned out in your first year. I changed my major twice thrroughout my time at university because I realized I didn’t love what I studied. Don’t ever feel like your trapped. There are many resources and people available to help and guide you. So take advantage of them! Join a club, apply for an internship, take classes your interested in, attend a seminar, join an intramural team, the options are endless! But most importantly, remember to just enjoy it. Your time at UofT will go by so fast. So don’t ever be afraid to try new things, meet new people, and put yourself out there. Make those memories!
Talk to me About: Being a commuter! I know lots of tips and tricks when it comes to navigating the TTC. You can also come to me with anything life science related:) I can definietly lend a hand when it comes to course selections, study strategies or finding research opportunities. On a nonacademic note… I could talk about hockey and the NHL forever. Whether you’re into the latest trades, game strategies or just want to chat about your favourite team, I’m always up for a good hockey chat!
Exec: Baran Aghdasi
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Second Year
Studying: Majouring in human biology and global health
Fun Fact: I know how to beatbox!
Advice for New Students: Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you can! Everyone in the Vic community is here to support you and help you build a fun and fulfilling university experience. I learned that first year is the best time to explore all that Vic and UofT have to offer, so make the most of all the resources, clubs, and events on campus!
Talk to me About: Vic residence (specifically upper burwash). I am an exec member of the Iranian students association at UofT if you have any questions about the club (but this is not specific to vic). Vic intramurals; I was on the volleyball intramural team. Or anything about the life science stream (academic questions, study strategies, study spots on campus) or the VIC small class seminar courses taken in first year!
Exec: Kate Mochina
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: Book and Media Studies Major, English Minor, Creativity and Society Minor
Fun Fact: Hey future Vickies! First of all an obvious fun fact is that I LOVE orientation and am so psyched about everything we have planned and coming up this year! I am originally from Hamilton which is about 1 hour from the city, which means I grew up coming to Toronto pretty often since my older sister went to UofT and now lives here! I also love watching movies, going on long walks, hanging out with friends, and painting when I have some free time. I was a competitive figure skater for 10 years so I love any opportunity to get back on the ice when winter rolls around!
Advice for New Students: I think my best piece of advice for incoming students is to get involved in any way that you can! Something I love about Vic is how lively and welcoming the community is, especially within its student leadership. With so many events tailored to residence students, commuter students, international students and more you can find yourselves jumping from one exciting event to the next in the goldring student center, Cat’s Eye and the Vic quad! These events are a great way to meet new people, explore new interests and activities and even just unwind and relax during busy school seasons. Being part of student groups or just attending events is one of the best ways that has made my experience at Vic more fulfilling and helped me to feel even more immersed into the wonderful and welcoming community!
Talk to me About: As someone who was a residence student for two years I’d love to chat about anything related to residence life both at Marg Ad and Rowell Jackman Hall! I have also been part of VUSAC for two years, was on the Cat’s Eye Subcommittee, an Orientation Leader and volunteered at Caffiends. Come chat with me if you have ANY questions about getting involved with VUSAC, specific clubs or levies or big events throughout the year like Gardiner Gala or HighBall! I am also part of the Book and Media Studies Major and the Creativity and Society Minor and I would be happy to share insights and advice about either! :)
Exec: Karim Butt
Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Third Year
Studying: Double Major in History and Philosophy
Fun Fact: My favorite hobbies are swimming and yapping! You'll find me yapping on end about my interests from continental philosophy and the history of colonialism to literal brainrot in the Vic newspaper The Strand or at Goldring in Neds.
Advice for New Students: This is what I wish someone told me as a first year. It's ok to enter university with no plan on what you want to study or later become. This is your time to experiment with different fields of study and find what you want to do. There's a part of Vic that will suit your interests, find that part and throw yourself into it! If there isn't one, then you can make one! Vic has an abundant number of resources to help you progress in accomplishing your goals.
Talk to me About: As a double major in history and philosophy, you can ask me anything related to this field of study, it doesn't need to be academic related! I'm a commuter student but I lived in RJ in my first year so I can give Vic resident and commuting tips. If you'd like to express your interests, then as an editor on The Strand I can help you write and publish those in our bi-weekly publications. Lastly, as a South Asian Muslim I can help connect you with South Asian and Muslim student resources and associations!
Student Co-Chair:
Rohini Patra
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: Double Major in Economics and Public Policy; Focus in Data Analytics
Fun Fact: I have practised Indian classical dancing (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) for over 10 years
Advice for New Students: As an international and commuter student, I get it—diving into the Vic community and navigating those resources can seem like a wild ride. But here's a take, once you take that leap, you'll discover that the Vic crew is all about that warm, welcoming vibe. So go on, take that first step, and get ready for some serious community love at Vic!
Talk to me About: Feel free to hit me up about anything—from the ins and outs of economics programs to surviving Math133 (yep, been there as the TA!), or maybe you're curious about what goes down in residence life programming at Vic. Oh, and if you're hungry, I've got the scoop on all the tasty food spots near and around Victoria College.
Exec: Juhyung Yun
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: International Relations & Public Policy
Fun Fact: I have an obsession with watermelon! Where the watermelon is, I am there :)
Advice for New Students:My advice would be take advantage of all the free resources Vic offers to all of its students! Things like Academic Advising, a Learning Strategist, Vic Ready, Career Advising, and the Writing Centre are all things that you will have access to as a student at Vic! So take full advantage of it whenever you need help academically or with things related to after university :)
Talk to me About: Being a commuter and/or international student, Vic One (Pearson Stream), International Relations (ex: IRSOC), and VUSAC!
Exec: Alexander Teschow
Pronouns: He/Him
Year: Third Year
Studying: English, Drama and Education and Society
Fun Fact: I cook a little with a Yo-yo
Advice for New Students: Attending orientation is the best thing incoming students can do! You never know what events are going to give you info that you're interested in. I recommend checking out all the different spaces at Vic so you can find a spot that works best for you when studying/socializing. I always felt connect Neds Cafe in my first year and it's still mu go to spot after a day of classes.
Talk to me About: I've lived in Toronto my whole life and commute for an hour to school using trains, subways, streetcars and buses so I can speak to the city and commuting thoroughly. In my first year I was part of the VicOne program which led me to pursue a degree in education. Education is only my minor but it really feels like major with how invested I've become in the community. I'm also a Campus Tour Guide so I could probably point you in the right direction if you ever get lost on campus!
Exec: Andrea Perez
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: Majoring in Drama, Theatre, & Performance Studies and double minoring in Classical Civilizations and Creative Writing
Fun Fact: I can solve a Rubick's cube in under a minute! (Shout out to my 5th Grade teacher who taught me.)
Advice for New Students: I wish I knew coming into Vic that everyone was in the same boat as me! It's everyone's first time here, and we're all just trying to find our place and meet people. So my advice would be... just do it! Go to events and put yourself out there! Talk to that person beside you in lecture, join a club, go to the event! Even if not everyone and everything is a great fit, it's all a learning process.
Talk to me About: Commuter life! (I've got all the TTC & GoTrain tips and tricks). I’m heavily involved in the UofT Theatre Community! I'm the new Communications Coordinator on the UofT Drama Coalition, and have been involved in productions as a Director, Actor, Stage Manager, and Costume Designer. I’m also into writing & publishing! I've written poems for The Strand and Acta Victoriana. I've also recently started working as a theatre critic in Toronto, publishing reviews with NEXT Magazine and Intermission Magazine. Lastly come to me on where to get the best coffee & snacks on campus <3
Exec: Lila Carr
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Fourth Year
Studying: English and History Major
Fun Fact: My favorite book is Dracula
Advice to New Students: Get involved in Vic student organizations and clubs! I have found such a strong community at Vic and formed many friendships from volunteering at levies such as The Cat's Eye and Caffiends. There are so many clubs and other groups that there is something for everyone, and if not you can always start your own! I also recommend following @viccollegelife, @vusac, and @thecatseye on Instagram so you can stayed informed on all of the free and fun events happening on campus (especially those with free food)! You can find an event happening pretty much every day of the week!
Talk to me About: Students can ask me about how to get involved in The Cat's Eye and The Strand, the Vic One Frye stream, and for cool facts about Vic history!
Exec: Armiti Zarbakhsh
Pronouns: She/Her
Year: Third Year
Studying: Majoring in Human Biology + Health Studies with a Minor in Chemistry
Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is my passion for making art accessible and engaging, especially for youth. I've designed creative programs for children with visual impairments, allowing them to explore and express themselves through art. This not only opens up new avenues for creativity but also uses art as a therapeutic tool to aid their development and rehabilitation.
Advice: For incoming students at Vic, I would highly recommend visiting office hours regularly and getting as involved in Vic and UofT life as possible. Engaging with professors and peers through these opportunities can greatly enhance your learning and university experience. For me, that is being apart of VOCA and the Mental Health and Wellness Commission. This can make a significant difference in your transition to university life, providing both academic support and a sense of belonging.
Talk to me About: I am a commuter student deeply involved in various facets of student life at Vic and UofT. I currently serve as a Mental Health and Wellness Executive and as the Second Representative for the Health Studies Union. I also am VP at the Students for Collective Resistance at the University of Toronto. I am also actively engaged in research at UHN and SickKids. Additionally, I am the founder of a UofT startup at The Hatchery, which specializes in using technology and AI to optimize wait times in emergency rooms and walk-in clinics across the GTA.