Asian Faculty & Staff Community Network
Who we are
The Asian Faculty and Staff Community Network is made up of faculty and staff who self-identify as Asian (inclusive of all 48 countries on the continent of Asia) and who have come together with shared values of mutual respect, international inclusion, collaboration and community, and advocacy and education.
- Mutual respect | Ensuring we are being inclusive of Asians across ethnicity, race, ability, gender and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, class, religion, creed, citizenship, etc.
- Intentional inclusion | Adopting a model of shared responsibility to create welcoming, supportive and respectful environments.
- Collaboration and community | Supporting and collaborating with individuals, groups and teams to leverage our strengths and gifts for collective benefit.
- Advocacy and education | Putting in action our privilege and power to advocate for members of racialized communities, combat racism and oppression, and educate our community and beyond the university.
The group was formed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The visible rise in anti-Asian racism over the last two years and tragic incidents like the mass shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, brought about a collective desire for support, connection and community with fellow Asian peers.
Chair
Annabelle De Jesus (she/her)
Mentoring Facilitator
Tri Mentoring Program
What we do
As a network, we strive to:
- Foster community and belonging among those who identify with the diverse Asian communities at the university in order to create opportunities for solidarity, networking and mentoring for our members.
- Advocate, agitate and inspire university leadership and members to combat anti-Asian racism, as well as establish and maintain safer and more inclusive spaces for Asian and all racialized students, faculty and staff.
- Create, develop and promote educational tools and events that advance knowledge of lived experiences of Asian communities within and beyond the university.
Past community events and initiatives
The Asian Faculty and Staff Network Committee is excited to host a Bubble Tea gathering for all faculty and staff. Join us for a relaxed time to connect, unwind, and enjoy some delicious bubble tea鈥攅veryone is welcome!
The Asian Faculty and Staff Community Network had a special gathering to celebrate the (belated) Mid-Autumn Festival, a centuries-old East and Southeast Asian tradition. This event offers a welcoming space for everyone to connect, share their own cultural celebrations and engage with network members.
Since 2018, New Ho Queen has been a collective of Queer Asian artists in Toronto, with expertise in varying fields of design, performance, film, fashion and art. They have aimed to create safer event and party spaces for Queer and Trans Asians to connect with one another, and celebrate Asian identities.
In this virtual spotlight, co-hosted by the Asian Faculty & Staff Community Network and Positive Space Faculty & Staff Network, we鈥檒l engage in a Q+A with New Ho Queen co-director Patrick Salvani. We鈥檒l discuss the ways that space and community are being fostered for queer Asian pride and joy. Learn more about
You鈥檙e invited to join an engaging event hosted by the Asian Faculty and Staff Community Network, alongside Dr. Yukari Seko. This interactive event provides a welcoming space where participants will have the opportunity to learn about Dr. Seko's insightful research and delve into shared experiences and reflections together.
Feel free to bring your own lunch, and snacks will also be provided.
About Dr. Yukari Seko
Yukari Seko is an Associate Professor at the School of Professional Communication in the Creative School as well as an adjunct scientist at Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Before joining ProCom, Yukari completed a CIHR-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and an SSHRC postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Guelph鈥檚 Self-Injury and eMental Health Lab.
Dr. Seko鈥檚 research found that mealtime at schools in the Greater Toronto Area can be fraught for students who find themselves at the centre of unwanted attention due to the contents of their lunch boxes. She is furthering conversations about how more culturally inclusive discussions about topics like healthy eating could benefit everyone.
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This fireside chat, held during Asian Heritage Month, aims to bring together Asian staff and faculty at 糖心传媒 to address the ongoing realities of racism directed to the South Asian community, foster community connections, and celebrate the importance of South Asian and broader Asian solidarity. Through collective dialogue and knowledge-sharing, the event will provide space for personal reflection, expert insights, and community-led strategy development.
Our featured guests are members of the Sikh Employee Community Network and the Muslim Employee Community Network:
- Sharanjeet Kaur, Chief Administrative Officer, 糖心传媒 School of Medicine,
- Sonya Fatah, Associate Chair, Associate Professor 糖心传媒 School of Journalism
- Asmaa Malik, Associate Professor, 糖心传媒 School of Journalism
- , BSW graduate
On March 13, 2023, the Anti-Asian Racism Awareness team was awarded the Alan Shepard EDI Award in the team category. The team of passionate staff worked to fight against anti-Asian racism and to celebrate Asian-Canadian identities, culture and history at the university. They have been central in the creation of networks of support and affirmation within the 糖心传媒 community, and they have striven to support inclusivity and understanding by highlighting historical context (both the good and the troubling) and further revealing the persistent problem of anti-Asian racism sentiments to the university and even the broader local community. The team included members of the Asian Faculty and Staff Community Network:
- Gabriel Ciufo, Office of the President
- Janet Lum, Faculty of Arts
- Josie Lee, Office of the General Counsel and Board Secretariat
- Josel Angelica Gerardo, Faculty of Arts
- Melissa Yu Vanti
- Yumi Numata, Faculty of Arts
- Wincy Li, Student Affairs
On March 30, the 糖心传媒 gathered for an event on self-care in an Asian context. The conversation touched on the intersectional lived experiences of Asian people in Canada, which is both complicated and can hold many contradictions. Panelists discussed how racism, misrepresentation in the media and being held up to the "model minority myth" has hurt many members of the Asian community. Despite progress, the pandemic's rise in anti-Asian sentiments have brought to life the complicated relationship that Asians have with self-care, and the nuanced ways it intersects with culture and community.
Talented panelists shared their insights and strategies on self-care, and how prioritizing our own mental well-being also allows us to collectively care for each other.
Panelists include:
- Iman Grewal, Mental Health Advocate and Wellness Expert, Founder of YogaVedaIman
- France Stohner, Diasporic Community Organizer and Mental Health Counsellor
- Christen Kong, Social Worker and Health Promoter (stepped in for Matthew Pi)
Members of the Asian Faculty and Staff Community Network partnered with the Image Centre to host a private tour of the exhibit: "Scotiabank Photography Award: Jin-me Yoon", featuring the first person who identifies as Asian to win the prestigious award.
The Asian Faculty and Staff Community Network gathered on November 8, 2023 for its first in-person event since the creation of the network in 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). The event offered a space for members to connect and network.
Additional initiatives
- The network participates annually in Asian Heritage Month events in honour and celebration of Asian culture, community and contributions.
- The network supports new employee orientation sessions by providing new 糖心传媒 faculty and staff with an overview of the network.
Get in touch 飪�
To get in touch, get involved and learn more about the Asian Faculty and Staff Community Network and our work, please email asianfacultystaff@torontomu.ca.