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About Us

Meet the Team

residence life office STAFF

David Kim

Dean of Residence and Director of Student Life

Eliza Davies-Greenwald

Assistant Dean Residence Administration

On leave

Dana Burke

Assistant Dean Residence Administration

TBD

Residence Services Coordinator

Maisha Maliyat

Administration and Communications Assistant

Jessie Torchia

Residence Life Coordinator

Zahabiya Chechatwala

Residence Life Coordinator

Klara Kovarova

Associate Dean Residence Life

Anika Roberts -Stahlbrand

Student Life Programs Coordinator

Kohen McBride

Marketing & Communication Assistant

Aisalyn Templin

Administration and Communications Assistant

On leave

 TBD

Assistant Dean Residence Life


2022-23 DON TEAM

Residence Dons are upper year undergraduate or graduate students who live and work in residence to offer advice and support on academic, personal, or interpersonal concerns. Dons ensure that our community standards are respected, provide campus resources as required, and work within the community to organize social and education programming for students.

Cindy

4th Floor

Alex

5th Floor

Stephanie

6th Floor

Rubaina

7th Floor

Eren

8th Floor

Britney

9th Floor

Hamayil

10th Floor

Joshua

11th Floor

Steph

12th Floor

Anchana

14th Floor

Megh

15th Floor

Anitha

16th Floor

Reva

17th Floor

Andy

18th Floor

Nayaab

19th Floor

Rayden

20th Floor

Kent

21st Floor

Lexi

22nd Floor

Salem

23rd Floor

Delphine

24th Floor

Jennifer

25th Floor

Al-Amin

26th Floor

Faculty in Residence

Chirag Variawa

Chirag Variawa

Chirag Variawa is an Assistant Professor, Teaching-stream, and Director, First-year Curriculum, in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto.  Variawa received his Ph.D. from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in 2014, and his B.A.Sc. in Materials Science Engineering in 2009, both from the University of Toronto. Variawa is an active member of the Canadian Engineering Education Association, the founding faculty member of the First-year Engineering Education Research Group, and a former member of the Governing Council at the University of Toronto. His multi-disciplinary research uses principles from artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, higher education and aspects of neuroscience to investigate the design of engineering learning environments. In his leisure time, he enjoys tinkering with cars and electronics, and sharing this passion students interested in STEM.

This year, Chirag Variawa is living-in at Chestnut Residence as the Faculty in Residence (FiR). As the FiR, Chirag will organize programs and special events geared towards Chestnut’s Engineering student population. Through programming and connecting with students he aims to build an even stronger sense of community and support here at Chestnut residence for Engineering students. Look out for regular Dinner with Your Prof events, Coffee with your TA, and industry nights planned in collaboration with leading companies.

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International Transition Advisor

Centre for International Experience

If you’re an international student or new to Toronto, the Centre for International Experience (CIE) is available to you. Advisors at the CIE can assist students in making an effective transition to academic and cultural life at the University of Toronto and the city broadly.

Chestnut will be offering helpful workshops throughout the year in close collaboration with the CIE. Stay tuned for specific topics and dates while we work to organize them for you!

In the meantime feel free to reach out to the CIE if you wish to discuss things like: general immigration concerns, healthcare access/insurance/well-being, adjusting to academic/social/cultural changes, finding community connection on campus, searching for leadership and volunteer opportunities, or learning about the numerous global opportunities available (U of T has over 150 partnerships around the world!).

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Academic Advising for Engineering students

Do you have questions about your first-year courses, your program, or navigating resources at U of T Engineering? One of the academic advisors from the First Year Office will be available for drop-in appointments every Friday in September from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Just come by the Residence Life Office (located on the main floor, to the left of The Hearth). Check in with staff at the Residence Life Office front desk and you’ll be seen as soon as possible!

  • Friday, September 9th, 1:00 – 4:00 PM (Jennifer Fabro)
  • Friday, September 16th, 1:00 – 4:00 PM (TBD)
  • Friday, September 23rd, 1:00 – 4:00 PM (TBD)
  • Friday, September 30th, 1:00 – 4:00 PM (TBD)

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career team

Are you looking to explore your career options? Trying to find strategies to navigate career decisions? Needs resources to improve your resume?

Book an appointment with the Career Exploration & Education Centre to find ways to meet employers, industry experts and alumni; identify goals and navigate career decisions; and improve your resume, interviews and online presence.

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Community Wellness Coordinator

The Community Wellness Coordinator coordinates and facilitate programs for all Chestnut residents so you’ll likely encounter them out and about in the community. They also work to help develop a wellness framework for the Chestnut Residence Life program and will regularly solicit feedback from the residence community on their experiences with health and wellness.

The 2022-23 Community Wellness Coordinator is: Saumya Mathur

Hello everyone! Pleased to e-meet you! My name is Saumya, my pronouns are she/her/hers, and I’m the incoming Community Wellness Coordinator for the 2022-2023 academic year.

A bit about me: I’m originally from Pickering, ON. I was a theatre and vocals student in high school, and while I still love music, I ended up studying Biology, Neuroscience, and Chemistry at the UTM campus. This past September, I started my Master of Science degree in Cell & Systems Biology, also at Mississauga, where I also TA for a 2nd-year Human Anatomy & Physiology course. I’ve been working in Student Housing & Residence life for over 2 years now, and I’m so excited to meet all of you new friends and help design some impactful, holistic wellness programming to support our students here at Chestnut.

If you see me around, please don’t hesitate to say hello and introduce yourself! Keep an eye out for new events happening in the Winter semester. Excited to meet you all in-person very soon!

Opportunities

Interested in getting involved at Chestnut? Click on ‘Current Openings’ or ‘Volunteer Opportunities’ to learn about available positions.

Details will be posted as opportunities become available.

Details will be posted as opportunities become available.

 

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Chestnut’s

Student Leaders