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 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.
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!).
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)
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 Centreto find ways to meet employers, industry experts and alumni; identify goals and navigate career decisions; and improve your resume, interviews and online presence.
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: SaumyaMathur
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.