SEE U of T Program Relaunched After Two-Year Hiatus

The Support, Engage, Experience University of Toronto (SEE U of T) program has officially returned to Woodsworth College after a two-year hiatus. The program's relaunch was marked by an orientation and kick-off event on January 30 in Waters Lounge, bringing together student participants, their families, and the SEE U of T leadership team. Excitement and anticipation filled the room as attendees celebrated the program’s return and the meaningful journey ahead.

First introduced in 2019 through a collaboration between Woodsworth College and the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the SEE U of T program has successfully run three cohorts and has since expanded to similar programs being offered at both University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). Designed to empower racialized and historically underrepresented secondary school students, the program offers valuable experiential and academic learning opportunities on campus, helping students to envision themselves thriving and belonging in a university setting. 

This two-year access program targets Grade 11 and Grade 12 students and provides a potential pathway into post-secondary studies. In their first year, Grade 11 students engage in student life activities and participate in a co-op placement on the St. George campus. During Grade 12, the same cohort returns to earn university credit by completing a first-year course. Students also receive academic skill development and guidance on how to apply to post-secondary studies.  

To facilitate this, Woodsworth’s Dean of Students, Liza Nassim, along with Kim Cuozzo, Coordinator of Student Programs & Access at Woodsworth, arranged co-op placements for the new SEE U of T cohort across 15 U of T departments and developed a co-curricular program to enhance the co-op experience. 

In her opening remarks at the kick-off event, Lisa Edwards, TDSB Centrally Assigned Principal, emphasized the program’s transformative impact, stating: "This program is all about opening doors to new opportunities and future success. Many of our students have not seen themselves in a post-secondary space before, but at SEE U of T Scarborough, I’m proud to say that all of our students did well and received post-secondary school offers for the 2025-2026 academic year." 

“This could be you one day - mentoring somebody else. I know you have it in you!”  

Fauzya Alarakhiya, lead SEE U of T teacher with the TDSB, also addressed the crowd, underscoring the program’s role in helping students to “envision who they are and who they want to be,” adding, “This could be you one day - mentoring somebody else. I know you have it in you!”  

Woodsworth’s Vice-Principal Jennifer DaSilva echoed these sentiments, reinforcing the program’s value in shaping students' futures. "This is an opportunity to see how the university functions, to meet lots of new people and to think about your next steps,” she said, adding, “What do you want to do, who do you want to do it with, and how can we help you be even more awesome than you are?” 

Natasha Jesenak, Woodsworth’s Director of Access Programs, emphasized the vital role of diversity in higher education. “It's really important for us to support these programs,” she said, noting, “You all make U of T a better place and contribute to the richness of the diversity and the learning on campus." She also highlighted the advantages SEE U of T students will gain from being in a small class of 30 or fewer during their first-year course in the program, adding, “You’ll get to build a strong relationship with your professor and gain comfort and confidence in the way you speak about the topics and speak to one another.” 

U of T Work Study student and SEE U of T mentor Quynh Anh Nguyen expressed excitement about guiding students through their co-op placements. "I am looking forward to seeing all the Grade 11 students learn new skills at their work positions and on campus," she said. She noted that similar programs weren’t available when she was younger and described SEE U of T as a valuable opportunity for students to integrate into university life. 

Following the orientation event, SEE U of T students completed a three-week pre-placement class and have now begun their co-op placements across the St. George campus which will continue every afternoon until June 13. This year’s cohort includes 13 students from Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Central Technical School, Western Technical School, and Central Toronto Academy. 

The return of SEE U of T promises to inspire students who may not have previously considered post-secondary education by fostering a sense of belonging and confidence in a university setting. With its ability to shape academic and personal growth, the program is set to open new doors and create lasting opportunities for its participants.