The University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) Mentoring Excellence and Diversity Advisory Committee (MEAD) is a multidisciplinary group of faculty and librarians who advise the UTSC Vice-Dean Faculty Affairs, Equity, & Success (VDFAES) on strategic approaches to faculty and librarian career trajectories, mentorship and coaching, and professional development.
MEAD’s role includes:
- Advise the VDFAES on matters related to faculty and librarian career trajectories, mentorship and coaching, and professional development;
- Help ensure that VDFAES' efforts address the experiences of faculty and librarians who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQ2S+, women, those with disabilities, and other members of equity-deserving groups;
- Support calls for and adjudication of proposals for VDFAES funding, including (but not only) Mentorship Initiative Fund proposals;
- Represent and advocate for faculty needs and interests at U of T Scarborough and the University of Toronto more broadly; and
- Support the VDFAES in their advocacy role.
MEAD’s membership comprises 10-21 faculty and librarians drawn equitably across academic units, tenure and teaching streams, disciplines, fields, and roles.
Read the MEAD Terms of Reference for more information. If you’d like to connect with MEAD, contact the co-chairs.
MEAD Co-Chairs
- Myrna Simpson, Professor, Physical & Environmental Sciences
- Jessica Dere, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Psychology
MEAD Membership 2023-24
- Malama Tsimenis
- Myrna Simpson
- Maria Assif
- Stephanie Perpick
- Jason Weir
- Leslie Chan
- Kathleen Smith
- Matthew Hoffmann
- Jessica Dere
- Nicole Klenk
- Nancy Johnston
- Mary Silcox
- Natalie Rothman
- Nirusha Thavarajah
- Anthony Ruocco
- Safieh Maghaddam
- Sherry Yu
Mentoring Excellence and Diversity (MEAD) events
Morning Breaks (10:30 – 11:30 am)
The Mentorship Excellence and Diversity advisory committee (MEAD) welcomes you to stop by for a coffee or tea and some snacks. Meet faculty and librarian colleagues during your morning break and learn more about MEAD. Morning Breaks for 2023-24 are scheduled on Sept 27, Nov 15, Feb 28, May 7.
Lunches (11:30 am – 1:00 pm)
MEAD is organizing regular lunches where faculty and librarians can come together and discuss themes related to mentorship. Each lunch will have a different theme. Lunches for 2023-24 are scheduled on Oct 25, Nov 28, Feb 7, April 10.