The university Experience isn’t just a degree—it’s also important to build your community.  It can have a great impact towards your success as a university student by providing you with a valuable network of resources. 

Are you having difficulty making connections? Do you feel lonely on campus? Do you come to campus feeling a desire just to go backhome? Do you wanna learn how to build a network? Do you want to get involved with an interesting activity or passion?  Then this episode is for you.  

Listen: it is all connected to Well-being and YU 

In this episode, host Clifton A. Grant interviews SCLD Coordinator Andrew Brown, from Student Community and Leadership Development, otherwise known as SCLD. Andrew talks about his personal journey and experiences in developing community relations. 

Andrew also provided valuable insight into how to navigate and construct your own personal network.m Andrew does this by providing visionary tips to resources and services that will assist York University members in building their community.  

We sat down and had an enlightening conversation on why community is also very important to your overall emotional, psychological and physical Well-being and how building a supportive community can impact student success.   

Resources

o   SCLD  https://www.yorku.ca/scld/ 

o   York International https://yorkinternational.yorku.ca/ 

o   YFS https://www.yfs.ca/ 

o   Wellness Center 

o   York Recreation https://reconline.yorkulions.ca/ 

o   SCHW https://counselling.students.yorku.ca/ 

o   ACMAPS - https://acmaps.info.yorku.ca 

Building a community can be vital to the overall health and Well-being of all members of the York University community. Always remember; university should be more than just a degree. It can also build your network for future success.  

Clifton- Well-Being and YU would like to acknowledge many indigenous nations have long standing relationships with the territories where York university campuses are located, which precede the establishment of York University. Our podcast is produced and recorded on the traditional territory of many indigenous nations. The area known as Tkaranto has been caretaken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit, and Metis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.

Hey, YU want to know something? The university experience isn't just a degree. It's a community. Let's talk about it. You are listening to well-being and YU podcast created by students for the York University community and beyond. Each episode, we highlight a topic that is important to the YU community. We share resources and host conversations about the relationship between well-being and you. I am your host, Clifton a Grant.

I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but will you join us for this very important conversation? Hey, how are you doing? One of the things I love about, being a YU student is the opportunity and access that this community brings us. But I hear from students all the time that it's hard to make friends and establish their community at York. Today, we're going to debunk that myth. Listen. It's all connected to our well-being. With a high percentage of commuter students, it can feel lonely or isolating if you're only focused on your studies and finishing your degree. But you are not alone. There are many ways to build connections here at York. And if you invest in your community, you will graduate with more than just a degree. In this episode, I have the distinct pleasure of speaking with Andrew Brown from student, community, and leadership development, otherwise known as SCLD. Andrew is a student engagement coordinator, and his role is all about building community. Here at York, we sat down and discussed why community is important for your overall, emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. I learned how a strong community supports your academic success and builds your skills for the future. Andrew discussed the different ways to connect with your peers on this diverse campus. Literally, there's a community for everyone. So, whether you're just getting started or expanding your network, join me for this enlightening conversation about community. A few mindful minutes can really make a difference. So, let's dive into our conversation with Andrew Brown.

Hello.

Welcome to Andrew Brown, who is the York University student engagement coordinator representing student community leadership development, otherwise known as SCLD. Thank you for joining us today, Andrew. How are you doing?

Andrew: I'm doing good. I'm doing great. The sun's shining. You know the weather is nice. yeah, I can't complain.

Clifton: It is an absolute pleasure to have you here. We're finally great to connect with us here on the well-being and YU podcast. And first and foremost, we'd love to hear about your job. So, the student engagement coordinator. I love that title. For our listeners. Can you tell me about your roles and responsibilities in that role?

Andrew: okay, so, as a student engagement coordinator, I wear many hats.

Clifton: Okay.

Andrew: so, one of the main things, that I do is I support some of our community-based clubs that represent some of our equity deserving groups. I also do things like run the Scott religious center, as well as the interfaith council, which is a grouping of all our faith-based clubs. I, help to support, the kiosk that is in VARI hall. you might have seen that everyone must have. That's your one stop shop.

For any information about York, especially directions. Wayfinding. Wayfinding is a big thing that we do there, for sure. then. Yeah, so supporting a lot of our clubs, developing workshops, lots of things on the side, but mainly just, kind of like supporting student life in one way or another.

Clifton: So, when people are starting up clubs, are you somebody that they see, like, I have a club idea. Am I coming to see you, Andrew?

Andrew: I might be one of the people that you stop by to see, just like, through the office, or if you're one of those community-based clubs, I might, reach out to you in that direction. But one of my colleagues, Charmaine and her team, they really handle the club registration portion. So, a lot of the back end and managing and handling YU connect, which I'm sure we'll get into a little bit later. but I'm definitely one of the faces, honestly, everyone at SClD that you see when you come by and stop by the office.

Clifton: That's awesome to hear. By the way, just out of curiosity, how many student clubs last year and associations did SCLD have to look over, oversee, or be affiliated with?

Andrew: I would say just over 300.

Clifton: Wow.

Andrew: Yeah.

Clifton: That is amazing to me. So, really, Andrew, there's something for everybody.

Andrew: Yeah. 100%. If you go to York University, there is some form of club, or group that is for you or aligns with one of your hobbies.

Clifton: Right. I like to say the whole world is at York. Right. So, there is something for everybody from all aspects and all corners of the globe. Would you agree with that, Andrew?

Andrew: Yeah, I 100% would agree. you just got to be pointed in the right direction.

Clifton: That's great to hear. You're one of the first people, you probably won't remember this, but you were one of the first people I had the pleasure of meeting, and I was always impressed by your passion and your purpose for the role. I could just see it at first, I thought you were a student. I'm like, this guy is so energetic.

Andrew: Right.

Clifton: But you bring a lot of passion. And where does that come from? Just for your love for York or Just for the love of the job?

Andrew: I think it's a combination of things, I think, because I know what it's like to be a student here.

Clifton: Okay.

Andrew: so, I think that really drives my passion. So, I know, at least from back then, what my experience was, what the experience of my peers were. I knew what people were missing out on and I guess I kind of knew kind of like, where the gaps in certain areas were, and which I hope to kind of address through the position, that I have. And then also being in the position now, it's super easy for me to relate to the students because of my past experiences, and it's very easy for me to be very empathetic and understand where they're coming from, when they're dealing with different issues or roadblocks or situations as well. yeah.

Clifton: So, you're really bringing a student lens to a staff position.

Andrew: Yeah, I would 100% say that. And it's actually very interesting that a majority of the staff that work at SCLD are all York alum.

Clifton: Wow. It's amazing. Do people sometimes think you're still a student, too?

Andrew: Oh, I get that every day. Every day. Walking through the hallways at the very hall kiosk. It's actually pretty hilarious. It's pretty flattering. I guess you're used to it now.

Clifton: So, focusing on students, let me ask you this. Why do you think it's important for students to connect to a community? Especially, let's talk about first year students. So, students coming into York, why is that important for them to find a community here?

Andrew: for a multitude of reasons, I think, for one, just for friendship. I think university is one of those areas where many people will tell you they find their long-lasting friends. I have many friends that I've met, in university, actually going to a wedding in France, with one of my friends from Vanier.

Clifton: Wow.

Andrew: Right. So, I have a lot of friends that I've known for 12-13 years that's giving my age from university. so, friendship is one. another great thing about community is, you're able to, I guess, receive help. So, especially when it comes to things like your classes or schoolwork, as well. If you're able to find, other students or peers who are in your classes, or in your courses, you're able to have a study group or meet up together and tackle those troubling problems, , that come up and then on top of that, I would say also, on the social side of things, just, the opportunity, to meet new people and to learn new things. in regards to hobbies, for example, like, we have a multitude of student clubs, you're able to maybe dabble in something you've never tried before. so those are, I think, are the main reasons for definitely finding your community and just giving you a sense of belonging will just, I, would say probably just ensure that you have a greater university experience.

Clifton: That's a very insightful answer. Thank you for that, Andrew. And I always remember and think to myself how there's always somebody that can relate to whatever you're going through as a student. Exactly. So, one of our mantras here at wellbeing we use is don't suffer in silence. A lot of people like to keep things in, but once you're in a community, you can get that help and the resources and see that other people relate to whatever predicament. And it really brings out the joy of the university experience. Would you agree with that?

Andrew: Yeah, 100%. My greatest saying is you never want to be stuck just going to class and going to home. It's very nuanced.

Clifton: Exactly.

Andrew: It's very nuanced., the university has so much to offer, and the academic life is just half of your student life.

Clifton: And to me also, it's amazing, Andrew, how many people get involved with things that they get either association clubs after university, that they met through university, like associations and things like that, or will help them after the university life, not just the academic. Would you agree with that?

Andrew: Yeah, 100%. I definitely agree with that. Joining student clubs, being an executive in the student clubs, these are things that jobs, corporations look for when they're hiring. That's true. They want somebody who is able to connect with others. And then especially, like, the leadership skills and skills that you develop being in these clubs are things that they like, too. I would say, for example, even, a lot of people might not know this, but, like, joining college council, or again, being an executive in a club, dealing with things like finances, dealing with things like, constitutions, these are things that you probably won't deal with on a daily basis, but are great experiences to take into the real world, for various jobs and roles.

Clifton: And these are skills that you'll be developing. So, it's not just the academic skill. One of the things I heard a lot during my own personal interviews is we're looking for a well-rounded individual. So how great is that? Right? So, these are things that can help you become a well-rounded individual. Would you agree with that?

Andrew: Yes, I 100% would agree with that.

Clifton: So that's great to hear. So, Andrew, coming out of a pandemic and now living in this new hybrid world that we find ourselves in, some of the feedback we have discovered in our research is that students are really sensing a lack of community here at York, which is kind of amazing to me because it's such a vibrant campus. It's always buzzing, things are always going on. And I'm wondering where sort of the cracks in the wall where students, uh, are falling through the cracks in that.

Andrew: Okay. Yes, 100%. I would, definitely say the pandemic had a big influence on that. And the main reason for that is the in-person interaction.

Clifton: Okay.

Andrew: I would say a lot of the, I guess, knowledge keeping or passing on a knowledge of how to get involved, how to join communities, how to join clubs, was passed on from student to student. For one, we can look at, for example, frost week. And getting involved in that frost week for especially the colleges, is one of the entrance points into kind of like student life. It's like you attend frost week, you meet these frost bosses who are up year students. They tell you, hey, you need to get involved. These are all the great things that you can do. Then you start going to student events, and then from there, you're kind of wrapped into that circle. So, without, those kind of in person, interactions, especially like on the college side, that has definitely affected that. And then also by not coming onto campus and walking around, for example, through very hall and seeing all the student clubs tabling, you're not getting those same interactions or experience that you would get, online.. As you would be in person, because all it takes to get involved is one interaction with one human being, and not to say that student clubs and college councils and groups on campus didn't do 100% their best to kind of create that environment and give that same experience online, but there are certain things that I guess are kind of irreplaceable, because all it takes is one interaction with one human being to be inviting or to change somebody's Or to change somebody's journey. Yeah, change someone's journey. And if you ask almost anybody, on campus who's involved in something and you ask them, hey, how did you get involved? 99% of the time they'll tell you, oh, I was doing so and so, and I met this person and they spoke to me, and they told me what all this thing was about, and I decided to get involved. And from there, I am now the president of this association. There you go. It all starts with one simple interaction.

Clifton: I could totally relate. And that just reminds me how important it is for us, people who are here creating that community, to reach out to other people too, because you never know when you're going to make that connection to change someone's life.

Andrew: Exactly. And that is definitely something that we preach to everyone, even to those who, might not be a part of student organizations. Whether you're a peer mentor, whether you're in some work study position, you should always, I believe that should be your goal. Exactly what you just said. to kind of be that outstretched hand, or a pointed finger to direct people in the right direction.

Clifton: Wow. And it seems to me, and I'm surprised at this, but not all students come through Vari right. But it's important to come through Vari, it's like sort of the meeting place of the university. Do I have that correct? Yeah, a lot happens at Vari hall.

Andrew: Yeah, for sure. I definitely would say it is kind of like, almost like the epicenter. There's a lot of that word, epicenter.

There's a lot of things that go on there all the time, whether it be, mini conventions, clubs, tabling markets and what not. that area from very, to the Ross link to central square. Very popular area. Not to say the things that go on elsewhere on campus, but it is prime real estate on campus.

Clifton: Love that term, prime real estate. So please, everyone, go through vari hall. Especially in September too, right.

Andrew: Especially September. If you want to find something to do in September, vari hall and then know, York fest, put on by YFS Also a great time as well.

Clifton: Okay, great. So, let's quickly talk about resources. You sort of addressed it, too. You hit on a few. okay, so I'm a student. I want to build community. I understand there's something called YU connect. Can you explain that? I also know there's sports, there's clubs, there's reslife. One of the things I've really loved is there's so many events here at York. So, I know there's a lot. I just went through a whole list of stuff. If you could just quickly touch on, explain YU connect.

Andrew: I'll definitely do my best to do so. So, YU connect is our online platform. It's, what we use to manage, our student organizations and associations, on campus. and it's the place, essentially, where you're able to find all the different student clubs, student governments that we have on campus. You can actually search, by different interests, such as if you want to come for a sports club, or you're looking for something on politics, or you're looking for something on faith. you're able to look through there and find the different organizations on campus, student organizations, also through the newsfeed there, also post, some of the events that they have going on.

Clifton: Oh, they do as well, yes.

Andrew: And that's also the location where you go if you want to start your own organization, as well.

Clifton: So it starts at YU Connect.

Andrew: YU Connect is the starting place. It is the hub for that. but as you said, there's multiple ways of getting involved, outside of YU connect. A great place to start is your college council or your student council.

Clifton: Because everyone's affiliated with a college here at York. That's one thing I love.

Andrew: Exactly. And you can actually, if you just type in, I believe, college founder, York u into Google, you don't know what college you're affiliated with. That will take you to a spot, type in your student number,and it will let you know what college you're affiliated with. So, I would go from there, look up their website, see what events they have going on. as well as, the college councils also run, intramurals, so intramural sports.

Clifton: That's right.

Andrew: What's not run by them? But they provide the opportunity for you to play intramural sports. York has an amazing intramural program. It's what I did 90% of the time when I was a student not going to lie, it's a great stress reliever.

Clifton: It is great for your overall health and well-being, for sure.

Andrew: Exactly. They have your regular competitive sports. Sure. Like soccer, football, volleyball. But they also do things like dodgeball, inner tube water polo. they do rage tournaments, like an all-night dodgeball tournament. Starts at like, doesn't end till like five, six in the morning. so that's also a great program, to meet people just across the campus. In General, you can sign up as.

Clifton: An individual, I understand, too, right. You don't have to have a team.

Andrew: You definitely can. And even till this day, I run into people and it's like, we may not have known each other by name, but we can say, oh, yeah, we played against each other at intermural. Just like year after year.

Clifton: Right?

Andrew: Yeah.

Clifton: Friendly competition. Exactly.

Andrew: So that's another way to get involved, as well. And then also just through work study positions, and then also, I want to say volunteer positions, but things like doing peer mentoring, for example, or finding other work study positions, on campus. Those definitely also assist you on the academic side, but they're also a great way to meet other students as well.

Clifton: that's a vast array of collection of services that we offer.

Andrew: I'm sure I might be missing a couple of them along the way, but those are the ones that kind of come to my mind straight off the.

Clifton: And I love what you said earlier. It's important from your first year to your last year. Right. And especially the last year, you're going to make all those different connections, and that can help you even post-secondary school.

Andrew: Yeah, 100%. And I would also say it is one of those things, too., that you also have to make an effort on your side of things.

Clifton: Reciprocal. Right?

Andrew: Reciprocal, right. The clubs are there. Obviously, everyone else is also trying to do outreach as well. But you have to be willing and also kind of like, have to kind of want to get involved at the same time. Nobody's going to drag know, somebody might convince you, but there's gonna have to be that decision in your own head to be like, okay, yes. I'm going to kind of either step out of my comfort zone, step, out of my show, and get involved with this group, or attend this event or what not.

Clifton: Amazing. Andrew, I could talk to you all day, just have a couple of other quick questions. I know a lot of challenges present themselves for international students. I'm always amazed because I live like 10-15 minutes away and people come from literally across the other side of the globe to be here. So, what advice do you have for them, especially because I know a lot of international students can. I know you touched on a lot of things, but specifically for people who are connected with the international students, because as you know, York has a large population of international students.

Andrew: so, for international students, I would say York International has, a lot of great programs and a lot of great events as well. another way, I would suggest, in terms of adjusting that may work is we do have a lot of cultural, and community-based clubs, on campus. so, connecting with them might be a good way or, help ease the adjustment period, because you'll be able to interact with people who are also from the same culture and community, but also might be second, 3rd generation. Right. So, they have the knowledge, and they have the basis of your culture and your community that you have back home. but also, kind of like understand the way things, are here today at the same time.

Clifton: And it can be second, third- and fourth-year students too, right, exactly. So, they've been through this experience before.

Andrew: 100%. because I definitely do recognize that it can definitely be a challenge, or I've had the pleasure of working with a few, international student students that we hire as work study students. So, I definitely kind of understand it. And they've told me it's crazy. It's like, hey, I came over here by myself. My family's back home, and it's just wild to kind of see where they've come because it's like a few of them are part of different student organizations, like on exec teams as well. So, to go from there, to being scared and adjusting to a new country, to stepping up into these leadership positions. so, if I could say anything to anybody, that it is possible.

Clifton: It is possible.

Andrew: It is possible. it just might be a little bit of a bumpy journey, but we do have resources and programs and people around that to help with that.

Clifton: One of the quotes I really love, Andrew, is if you want to know the road ahead, find someone who's walked that road before. Right? Walked before you, and that's great for you to connect with other people, clubs who are second, 3rd, 4th year, because they can help you with that road ahead. I really, really like know, and it seems to me you were talking about, the journey, but you can also adjust here very quickly at York. Like, it doesn't take years to really develop, that sense of community. Is that correct? You can do that in a short time frame.

Andrew: Yeah,100%. I think you can definitely do it on a short time frame. just because there's just so many opportunities and directions and routes that you can go on as well. So even speaking back to the international aspect, maybe not going to have to be a cultural club, but maybe there's a hobby, right? Maybe you love soccer, right? there's definitely a soccer club out there, or almost anything. Almost anything that you'd be able to kind of find some connection with somebody with. And I think that's also one of the beauties of York, of having so many different organizations.

Clifton: Yeah, one of the beauties, to use that terminology, because I love it, is that you can also learn about other cultures outside of your own. Right. So, I've met some international students and they're like, I know my culture. I can learn about another culture, which is just fascinating. And not every university environment, not every campus is as vibrant as us. So that is one of the, I would say, perks of being a York student. Would you agree?

Andrew: Yeah, I definitely would agree. York's, diversity, I would say the highlight of the community that we have at York. you're able to interact with people from a variety of different communities. You can attend events that are hosted from a variety of different communities. I was going to say encyclopedia, but that's the wrong word there. But you get United nations. Yeah, exactly. You get exactly what I mean throughout the year, especially if you haven't had cultural food. There you go. You can go have authentic samosas one day, patties another day. It's amazing.

Clifton: It's an educational journey both in and outside the classroom here at York. You would agree with that, Andrew?

Andrew: I 100% agree. Thank you. Those are the greatest words to express that.

Clifton: I could talk to you all day. Last question that I have for you. So, in closing, so people listening out there, what's the one thing you would recommend, regardless of your identity, your circumstances? First year, fourth year, you're not feeling that sense of community here at York. What would you do? What would you advise students?

Andrew: My advice to students would definitely be, to try to actively get involved, through the many ways and opportunities that we have to, again, going back to, from college councils to intramural sports to finding a student club on campus, there is something for everybody., and as I mentioned, it's not going to come to you all the time.

Clifton: Right.

Andrew: There are definitely a lot of aspects or instances where somebody will tell you, hey, I was walking through this Vari hall. Or I was walking on campus, and somebody approached me about this cool event and then I went and joined. Right. Sometimes you have to take that extra step and go to the table or see that flyer and take the risk to go to the event even though you don't know anybody going there, which I know is very scary. Very scary for a lot of people but it just takes that one step of stepping out of your shell. or another way to do it is also maybe find other people who are kind of lacking that sense of community or who don't know, what other opportunities there are on campus. You know what I mean? you see another person in class that you always take the bus home with, you approach them and be like, hey, let's go do something after class instead of this. it can be challenging, but I promise you it will completely change your university experience.

Clifton: Sound like to me; one step can change your life.

Andrew: Exactly.

Clifton: Perfect. I want to thank Andrew Brown today. Just being my guest once again, the student engagement coordinator for SCLD. Do I get that correct? Love that title. Love that role. Thank you, Andrew. That was excellent. Thank you for all your time and intellect and your input today. I know we're out there changing students ‘lives for the better, and I just want to give a call to action to everybody. Remember, there is something out there for everyone, as Andrew said, and I do mean everyone here on campus at YorkU. So please go out there to explore and find it. It will only add value to your university life. You would agree with that, Andrew?

Andrew: I would completely agree. And I just want to say thank you for having me here and allowing me to spit some knowledge on York University. It's been a pleasure and it's been a blast.

Clifton: That's Andrew Brown, everybody. The staff member that looks like a student. I hope he doesn't mind me saying that.

Andrew: that's great and everyone have a Great day out there.

Clifton: and thanks again, Andrew.

I really want to thank our special guest today, Andrew Brown, for this empowering interview. If you are a student at York University, you can connect with SCLD by visiting their website at yorku.ca/scld. There you can find all the information you need to join clubs and associations or start your own. You can also find links to all the services Andrew mentioned in the show notes for this episode, along with more information, tips, and resources. Visit our website at go.yorku.ca/wbpodcast Click on the episode's link and look for episode two, Community. This episode was co-produced by the Wellbeing and YU podcast team. Our podcast coordinator is Prabhleen Luthra. Our technical director is Karyn Popel. And I am your host, Clifton a Grant

please remember this be good to yourself and be good to each other. Let's make kindness the new normal. Thank you for listening.