SEE U of T students celebrate growth, community and possibility

By Keisha Chapman - A&S News

Not even record-breaking snowfall could cool the excitement at Hart House, where 13 high school students celebrated their graduation from the Support, Engage, Experience (SEE) U of T program. In front of family, friends, faculty and staff, the Toronto teens donned caps and gowns to celebrate their hard work and the promising journey ahead.

Developed by Woodsworth College in partnership with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), SEE U of T offers Grade 11 and 12 students from historically underrepresented — and often racialized communities — the opportunity to experience university life first-hand. Throughout the two-year program, students complete a co-op placement on the St. George campus and take a first-year course through the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Kai Wiigs Boswell says that the program changed his life. University didn’t seem within reach, but through SEE U of T — and especially his co‑op with the Black Student Engagement team — he found the guidance he’d been looking for.

“Every day was different. I got to interact with students and see how they lived. This experience was the root of my growth and helped me realize that someone like me really should be here,” he said.

His parents, Donovan and Megan, saw the change firsthand. “We’ve seen his development as a leader. I think he feels like a pathway has opened that he didn’t see before,” said Megan Wiigs. To date, Wiigs Boswell has received offers from two universities.

Julian Anstett viewed the program as a chance to find and build community. His highlight was a campus hip-hop block party, hosted by the Centre for International Experience, Black Student Engagement and Hart House’s Hip-Hop Education and Black Futures programs.

“I haven’t always been able to experience Black culture in an environment with people who are going through similar struggles as me. I met so many people and had so many experiences that I wouldn’t have been able to without it.”

Anstett’s dream is to become a 911 operator, and he has received an offer to study criminology — bringing him one step closer to making it a reality.

The program’s impact was clear: every student excelled in their co-op placement and earned an A in the first-year course.

Atqar Ally found that the skills she gained also helped her succeed in high school.

“We learned so much in the weekly workshops. Some sessions focused on learning strategies, stress management during exams, and effective study techniques. I used a lot of that in my other classes,” she said.

Other students discovered strengths and abilities they didn’t know they had.

Natasha Chew Hassan joined hoping to expand her professional experience. Her dedication to law and social justice quickly became clear during her dream coop placement at the Faculty of Law, where she thrived in the work and found her passion affirmed. Her biggest lesson, she says, was learning to believe in herself.

“I’d tell any student thinking about joining this program to go for it. What feels heavy in the moment becomes insignificant later, but the program’s positive impact will stay with you,” she said.

“The program’s philosophy revolves around mentorship and how it can encourage students to believe in themselves,” said Fauzya Alarakhiya, lead SEE U of T teacher with the TDSB. “It shows that small actions can turn into big things. It’s a domino effect, starting with one push but becoming something completely different.”

By the end of the program, every student applied to post‑secondary programs — and even though it wasn’t mandatory, each of them included U of T on their list.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Woodsworth College Vice-Principal Jennifer DeSilva commended the students for their dedication and enthusiasm and reminded them that they would always have a home at U of T, regardless of where they ultimately choose to continue their education.

“Woodsworth chose ‘you belong here’ as its motto for a reason. You need to say it, and most often, people need to hear it,” she said. “At some point, this place begins to feel like your place. I hope that you never lose that feeling.”

The SEE U of T program continues into the 2026–27 academic year. In February, a new cohort of 25 students began their co-op placements.

Story originally published in Arts & Science News.