Dear 91ÑÇÉ« community,
A very warm welcome to all our new and returning students, course instructors, faculty and staff. I hope you have all had a restful winter break and are looking forward to a new year filled with growth and fulfillment.
Last year, the 91ÑÇÉ« community raised the bar of excellence in research, teaching, learning and impactful partnerships. Collectively, we elevated our position in the Maclean's, QS, and Times Higher Education Impact rankings.
While the challenges facing higher education in Canada and abroad persist, we are dedicated to navigating these challenges, guided by our 91ÑÇÉ« U Forward Action Plan, and to increasing our positive impact on the communities we serve, including through:
- continuing to increase the number of , experiential, and work-integrated learning opportunities we offer across our campuses, from Keele and Glendon to our newest Markham campus;
- enhancing our scholarship and award options as well as student supports and services including dedicated resources for Indigenous, Black, economically disadvantaged and other under-represented students or those who may be facing other challenges;
- advancing our vision of a first-of-its-kind School of Medicine that will transform the way we understand and approach health care service and delivery in Ontario and beyond, and open up new program and research opportunities in collaboration with units across the University;
- expanding our network of over 300 partners, which include organizations ranging from the United Way Greater Toronto and the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council and the Métis Nation of Ontario to the Toronto Raptors; and
- actioning our commitments to the well-being of our communities, societies and the environment, guided by our Well-being Strategy, DEDI Strategy and Sustainability Strategy.
This year, I hope you will explore all that 91ÑÇÉ« has to offer to support your growth, utilize the many resources we provide and take part in our upcoming events, including the Markham Skate Day on Feb. 1 and all those taking place during 91ÑÇÉ«U’s Spirit Day on March 26. If you are a student who is hoping to hit the ground running this semester, do not forget to explore the resources on our . Â
I wish you the very best in 2025 and look forward to seeing you all on campus.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor