Meet the folks at the Student Wellness Centre
The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) is OCAD University's one-stop shop for student accessibility, counselling, sexual violence support, resources, art therapy and health care.
The SWC’s programs and services are responsive to issues relating to gender, race, age, culture, ability, sexual orientation, income and faith. Their team works to ensure your time at OCAD U is positive and fulfilling and to help you maintain optimal physical and mental well-being while pursuing your post-secondary education.
Staff at the Centre are available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide comprehensive medical and supportive care. While most services are delivered virtually at this time, some in-person appointments are available. To access SWC's programs, appointments and resources students are invited to contact swc@ocadu.ca or call 416-977-6000 ext. 260 or 339 during operating hours.
The Student Wellness Centre has recently welcomed new members to the team and has also seen existing staff shift to new positions. Plus, the Centre is hiring another five employees, including a Student Wellness Coordinator and Student Wellness Community Worker.
Get to know the Centre’s staff who are here and excited to support you all year round!
Kwaku Agyeman
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Black Student Counsellor & Practice Lead |
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Kwaku (he/him) is a practicing Registered Psychotherapist who specializes in offering collaborative individual and relational therapy services. Kwaku is a second-generation Ghanaian-Canadian clinician who grew up in Toronto, and values how one’s social identities affect mental health, relational and day-to-day experiences. As the Black Student Counsellor, he utilizes strength-based, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed and anti-racist lenses alongside evidence-informed therapy models. As Practice Lead, he advocates for equitable and accessible counselling and case management services for OCAD U students. He believes equitable and accessible services are important in supporting and enhancing student experience. |
Praanee Chandrasegaram
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Peer Support Facilitator |
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Praanee (she/they) works collaboratively with students to build on existing wellness initiatives at OCAD U and explore new ways to support the student community. Pranee, who is queer and South Asian, grew up in York Region and enjoys going to concerts, exploring art galleries, trying out new places to eat and meeting new people! Praanee looks forward to working collaboratively with the OCAD U community and to meaningfully engage the student population. |
Dean Davis
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Student Wellness Counsellor |
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Dean (they/them) is an art therapist, psychotherapist and OCAD U alumnus. They value working collaboratively with students to find ways to approach therapy and to support creativity that works best for them. Dean is a white, nonbinary, queer person, who has been living in Toronto and working in the arts community for over a decade. As a Student Wellness Counsellor, Dean works from a student-centred, trauma-informed and intersectional perspective, and looks forward to having deep discussions that support students in their self-exploration and personal healing. |
Tegh Dhindsa
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Sexual Violence Response Coordinator |
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Tegh (they/them) works closely with the Student Wellness Centre, students and OCAD University community to provide direct services related to sexual violence prevention, education and support. They work to create a client-centred, trauma-informed, confidential, safe(r), inclusive, non-judgmental space for survivors to find support, information and guidance on resources, accommodations and reporting options. Tegh centres Black, Indigenous and racialized survivors in their healing while decolonizing spaces through education. |
Cindy Kwong
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International Student Wellness Community Worker |
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Through case management services including system navigation, information and referrals and supportive counselling, Cindy (she/her) walks alongside international students to support their health and well-being. Cindy is a registered social worker and expressive arts therapist (candidate), who infuses play, curiosity and body wisdom into her work with humility, accountability and collaboration. Outside of work (and even during), Cindy loves getting lost in the sensory wonders of ordinary life and welcomes others to come along! |
Alex McLaren
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Student Wellness Community Worker |
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Alex (they/them) is a proud alumnus of OCAD University and recipient of the Diversity and Excellence Award for curating the exhibition Spectrum: A Vision for Mental Health in 2014. They possess experience as an Art History Teaching Assistant, a Student Union Representative, Peer Support Facilitator and as an emerging artist and curator. Alex offers students case management, community referrals and counselling with a focus on harm reduction and intersectionality. |
Andres Navas Suarez
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Student Navigator |
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Andres Navas Suarez was born in Columbia and is majoring in Graphic Design at OCAD University. In his role at the Student Wellness Centre Andres supports student engagement and outreach. He also collaboratively creates and facilitates events on-campus and online with students and staff. |
