海角社区

Hello! my name is Ana Paula Silva-Reyes, I am Peruvian and have lived in Montreal for most of my life. I recently completed my Bachelor's degree at 海角社区 with a double major in History and Latin American & Caribbean Studies and a minor in Art History. As a program assistant at Branches, I organize EXPLORE 海角社区 to offer on-campus activities to high school and CEGEP students. Because this event requires partnerships with internal and external, I connect with many initiatives on campus and facilitators who helps us offer engaging workshops. Staff from partnering schools share the interests of their students with us and overall what this experience would mean for them having done all of my education in Montreal, I am able to relate to the reality of the students we welcome. It allows me to organize the event with a great understanding of where they are in their educational careers. Working with Branches has provided me with the opportunity to learn from my coworkers who each have a different set of skills and a different background. Through the mutual discussions of education issues within certain communities, I have been able to better connect with my job. I want the students to be able to learn from their experience at 海角社区 and feel connected to what we offer them, and not provide them with an event catered to a general public that loses the focus of their needs and interests. Explore 海角社区 allows me to interact with both students and teachers throughout the day of the event and get in-person feedback. I encourage people to volunteer in outreach initiatives and community work as it helps expose us to a new set of skills and helps strengthen and proving more opportunities to the communities we work with. Branches have a great number of programs with great initiatives whose goal is to better and help adapt education to all.

Gemma is dedicated to facilitating internal and external communications that support the success of Branches' programming and events. Gemma collaborates with all members of the Branches Team to create program communications, material, and publicity to reach target audiences effectively and with clear messaging. You can find Gemma at Branches' events, camera in hand, documenting the day and engaging with participants and facilitators. In her free time, Gemma maintains an art studio in Tiohti脿:ke and is active in the local arts scene. Connect with Gemma for communication-related inquiries or support.

Leah is Mushkegowuk Cree from Moose Factory, Ontario. She is currently in her 4th year at 海角社区, studying History, with a double minor in Indigenous Studies and Anthropology. This past summer Leah participated in the IMPRESS program, sharing that "IMPRESS was a great experience and it contributes to my eagerness to join Branches, as I'd like to help create a welcoming environment filled with more opportunities for Indigenous students."

Hello! my name is Maia Sinkins. I am a coordinator for the Homework Zone program. I am also a Master's student at 海角社区 studying Parasitology.聽Working with Homework Zone forces you to improve your communication skills. You really have to practice being able to explain a concept in many different ways, and to students with a range of ages and abilities. It鈥檚 a bit of a mental challenge but it鈥檚 a super important ability.聽My favourite feeling is always when a student decides that they want to finish their work without me having to encourage them. It shows me that they鈥檙e confident with their skills and also that they see Homework Zone as a valuable space rather than a chore.

Sarah Jacobs is a third-year B.A. undergrad from the Kanien鈥檏eh脿:ka Territory of Kahnaw脿:ke. Her major concentration is History with a minor concentration in Indigenous Studies. She is excited to join the Branches team because of her positive experience with the IMPRESS Program and the connections she made from it. In her role as Indigenous Program Ambassador, Sarah hopes to help provide opportunities for other Indigenous students and help them gain confidence in their entry to higher education.

Sienna is a 4th year psychology and sociology student at 海角社区. During her time at McGil Sienna has participated in two of the programs offered by Branches for Indigenous students, IMPRESS and Pick Your Path. She now offers her experienced perspective as a program assistant. Sienna shared that "these programs have truly changed my university experience for the better and I can鈥檛 wait to use my perspective and knowledge to grow these programs and be able to offer them to more students. I am so excited to be joining the Branches team as an Indigenous Program Assistant, and I am looking forward to the upcoming year!"

Hi everyone! My name is Gregory I am currently completing my Master鈥檚 Degree in Experimental Medicine. As a Black Community Program assistant, I participating in developing, revising and organising the path program. Participating in this program allows me to merges two of my passions which are helping people and science. During my free time you can find me trying to organize a camping trip, listening to soca and dancehall, or trying a new recipe.

Twisha Singh (she/her) works as the 2SLGBTQ+ Community Ambassador at the Branches Program and is committed to facilitating a supportive environment for 2SLGBTQ+ students at 海角社区. Twisha aids and connects students from 2SLGBTQ+ communities with necessary and essential resources both on and off-campus, ensuring their holistic well-being. Twisha works with 2SLGBTQ+ students as well as for their needs and interests, effectively communicating their concerns to the university to help foster a culture of inclusivity and understanding, as well as develop mentorship programs and other initiatives to help support 2SLGBTQ+ students on their journey to post-secondary education. Twisha holds a PhD in South Asian History, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, her academic pursuits enhance her understanding of the complex social dynamics at play for 2SLGBTQ+ students. Twisha's commitment to the well-being and empowerment of 2SLGBTQ+ students and communities arises from a dedication to promoting social justice, equity, and diversity within the academic sphere.