Like many, Richard Chen did not enjoy the social isolation that came with the pandemic lock-downs last year. The fourth year kinesiology student at the University of Toronto (U of T) says the experience taught him to appreciate the importance of connecting with peers, for friendship and for help.
Enter KINections, an initiative launched last September by the Office of the Registrar and Student Services at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE), designed to help students connect with each other and get involved beyond the classroom. Working collaboratively with KPE student groups and campus partners such as U of T Student Life and Sport & Recreation, KINections is organized around five themes: mentorship, health and wellness, community engagement, global citizenship and career development, with an intentional focus on equity, diversity and inclusion throughout.
“After hearing about KINections, everything just clicked,” says Chen, who applied for the work study position of program assistant with the health and wellness pillar of the program this year. “I love helping people and being in a position of leadership will allow me to positively impact people on a much greater scale.
“It’s also a way to give back to my kin(esiology) family. I've had a really great experience in this program and made life-long friends here, so I want to help others have the same experience.”
As program assistant, Chen is responsible for leading meetings with student volunteers to brainstorm and plan workshops and events that will be held throughout the year.
“Above all else, I am responsible for making sure the voices of the undergraduate student body are heard regarding things that would help them best get through their year,” he says.
That would include a dance workshop scheduled for October 22, with yoga sessions, paint nights and skating socials to follow.
“KINections helps to bridge the disconnect and uncertainty some people may be feeling, either due to the pandemic or because they’re unsure about where to get started in their university journey,” says Chen. “I like to think of KPE as a big family and I hope that everyone will take these opportunities to be a part of it,” he says.
Rachel Crook, a second year master’s student of kinesiology, volunteered for the health & wellness pillar of the program last year thanks to her background in nutrition and personal training.
“It was my first year at U of T and because everything was online due to COVID-19, I felt I would be missing the community feel that comes along with being a part of a program,” she says. “Through KINections, I was able to meet people in other graduate departments outside of my own and get to know about the activities that U of T offered that weren't strictly academic.”
Crook helped out with several activities, but says her favourite was leading a virtual workout session for the staff and students.
“It was nice to connect with people and have everyone be active while also taking a break from school stress,” she says.
This year she will be working as a program assistant in KINections, helping connect all the pillars.
“KINections is all about community,” says Crook. “With changes to the school platform over the last year and a bit, it's easy to forget that we are a part of an awesome group of people, both academically and socially.
“KINections bridges that gap and reminds us that there is more to the U of T experience outside of the classroom. Not only that, but it provides us with so many opportunities for personal and academic development through career workshops, research seminars, movement sessions, local and global events.”
Mandy Wang agrees. Now in her third year of kinesiology, she applied for a work study position in the mentorship pillar of the program, looking to draw on her experience of volunteering for KINections last year.
“What’s special about KINections is that this is a program ran by students for students,” she says. “All the events are based on first-hand experience and the five different pillars ensure that everyone can find something that fits their interest or needs.”
Last year, those events included KPE study groups, peer panels and Instagram takeovers, for students to share tips and insights on what it’s like being a kinesiology student at U of T, but participants also had a chance to enjoy some animal therapy, in an event dubbed Pet Pals, which saw KPE students and staff showcasing their pets.
This year, there will be more of that, as well as new collaborations between pillars, including an event featuring graduating students and alumni sharing their career paths.
“There are so many ways to get involved,” says Wang. “I encourage all KPE students – and faculty and staff – to take part at least once.”
Based on her own experience, she’s sure they’ll want to return.
The KINections program is proudly sponsored by U of T affinity partner, Manulife.