TST Graduate Students' Association (TGSA)

 Dear All,

We’re excited to announce that applications for both the TGSA and GCTS conference awards are now open! These awards offer financial assistance to students presenting at a conference between January 1st and August 31st, 2025.

The application deadline for both awards is March 31st, 2025. For instructions on how to apply, visit: https://www.tst.edu/conference-awards.

Updates for this season:

• All students who will be presenting are encouraged to apply, even if you’ve received an award in the past. However, the committee may prioritize applicants who haven’t previously been conferred an award.
• Financial need assessment is not required for the TGSA award.

For more details on the available funding and eligibility, please check the attached flyers.

Best,
TGSA

Dear All,

We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming virtual workshop titled “Preparing CVs & LinkedIn Profiles for Job Searching in Academia and Beyond,” hosted by TGSA.

Date & Time: Thursday, March 27th, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Platform: Virtual (Zoom)

Workshop Description:
In this workshop, facilitated by Mary McAuliffe, a Career Educator at Career Exploration & Education at the University of Toronto, participants will:

• Review the differences between CVs and Resumes
• Identify the key components of an academic CV
• Understand why LinkedIn is an important tool for career exploration, job searching and networking with professionals in your field
• Identify key elements to optimize your LinkedIn profile

Please RSVP to torontotheology@outlook.com. And answer the question: “What is one thing you would like to ask about CVs or LinkedIn during this workshop?” when you RSVP. If you plan on attending, RSVP is crucial as we need to reach a certain quota for this online workshop to hold. The Zoom link will be sent to those who RSVP closer to the date.

We look forward to your participation!

Best,
TGSA

Dear All,

See below an important message from TGSA’s VP External, regarding the UTSU ( University of Toronto Student Union) elections happening February 25-28:

…………………

In the material sent to you this morning about the University of Toronto Student Union (UTSU) elections (email subject: UTSU Spring 2025 Election and Referenda) there is a section that specifically applies to Toronto School of Theology. TST students are represented in UTSU as one of the “Professional Faculties.” On the Current Ballot page, the last Executive position listed for voting is “VP Professional Faculties.” Please look at the details provided for each of the two candidates and vote accordingly. The person in this position will be the one responsible for liaising between TST and UTSU and representing and advocating for your concerns in the wider U of T community.

To vote:

• Click on the link in the email
• Under Current Ballots, click on Vote Now – UTSU Spring 2025 Election and Referenda
• On the election page, scroll past Director-at-Large, President, several Vice-Presidents, down to the last VP – “Vice President Professional Faculties” – this is our representative
• View details on the two choices by clicking on the “details” link and vote as you wish

Feel free also to cast your vote for other Executive members and in the Referenda questions. We are only pointing out this Vice President in particular because the person in this position represents us directly at UTSU.

………………..

Best,

TGSA

Dear All,

I hope you all had a productive and refreshing reading week!

We are pleased to announce a Prospectus/Proposal Writing Workshop with Professor Michael Attridge, designed to provide guidance on how to prepare a successful prospectus and proposal. See attached. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 10 am in the Jay Room, TST Building (47 Queen’s Park Crescent East). It will also be offered in a hybrid format via Zoom for those unable to attend in person.

Please RSVP to torontotheology@outlook.com if you plan to attend. Zoom link will be sent closer to the date to those who indicate virtual attendance.

Light snacks and refreshments will be served during the session. We look forward to seeing you there!

Best,

TGSA

Dear All,

TGSA invites you to join us for an online event focused on mental health and resilience for theology graduate students, on Thursday, February 27, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM EST.

The event will be hosted by Dr. Angela Schmidt, Director of Experiential Learning and Associate Professor of Spiritual Care at Knox College, and Registered Psychotherapist.

We aim to provide a forum that addresses the unique mental health challenges theology graduate students face. Our goal is to create a supportive space for sharing coping strategies, building resilience, fostering community, and raising awareness about available mental health resources.

You’ll also hear from our graduate student as they share experience and insights.

Zoom Link: will be included in email.

We hope to see you there!

Best,
TGSA

 Dear All,

I’m pleased to announce that Dr. Callie Callon will be hosting an online OGS (Ontario Graduate Scholarship) application workshop on Thursday, February 6, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM.

If you are interested in attending, please let us know by replying to torontotheology@outlook.com. The Teams link will be shared with attendees closer to the date of the workshop.

Regards,

TGSA