CrimSL's Undergraduate Office hosted an information table at the A&S Program Exploration Fair on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm.
The fair was part of the annual A&S Program Exploration Days, a free annual event where first-year undergraduate students at U of T's Faculty of Arts & Science gather information on program possibilities for second year and beyond. It featured 63 academic units and attracted 1,303 student attendees this year.
Two knowledgeable upper-year CrimSL undergraduate students, Allie Bradley and Dean Tessaro, staffed CrimSL's table at the event. They spoke to many interested A&S undergraduate students who are going into Year 2—answering questions, providing practical guidance and information, and sharing their enthusiasm for CrimSL programs of study. They also distributed our program brochures and pens to students who stopped by.
CrimSL Undergraduate Administrator Beatrix Doma acknowledged the important role played by student volunteers in representing our program at the event. She says, "I thank Allie and Dean for volunteering to staff our table and represent our undergraduate office to first-year students at the Program Exploration Fair event. Their support played a key role in the success of the event, and I appreciate their participation."
Allie Bradley is fourth-year student aspiring to go to law school, double majoring in CrimSL and Sociology. She has contributed to the centre since May 2024 in the role of Work-Study Communications and Events Assistant.
She says, "In my first year when I was choosing and figuring out how to apply to programs, I felt unsure and in need of guidance. I volunteered for this event because I hoped that I could offer first-year students the support that I needed back then. I have thought about many aspects of the criminology & sociolegal studies program, such as if I wanted to be a specialist and what I can do with my degree.
"Even if I helped to ease the mind of one student, that is a success!
"Something that stuck out to me from the experience was the number of students who were set on our program; some students even came to U of T specifically for the program. I thought it was really awesome to see so many other young people passionate about what our program has to offer.
"Some students chatted for a couple of minutes and other students stayed for 15 minutes or so.
"No matter the needs of the student, I really enjoyed the experience and feeling that I was sharing something valuable with the students," she says.
Dean Tessaro is a third-year CrimSL major and Political Science specialist with a passion for law and governance. He is currently serving as the Vice President of the Criminology and Sociolegal Studies Students' Association (CRIMSA) and spent the past semester doing research at the centre on police oversight in Ontario.
He says, "I've represented CrimSL & CRIMSA at several previous information events and I always love talking to prospective students about their interests and sharing information about the program. Helping guide students along their academic path is an incredibly rewarding experience and I hope to keep doing it in the future."
"This year's event fair was fantastic, and it was amazing to speak to a number of students," says Dean. "I spoke to one student who didn't seem particularly interested in the program, but wanted to hear more about it, and as I spoke about my experience and learning in the program, I could see the student's views shifting in real time; by the end, I had no doubt they would apply.
"It was also great to have brochures and pens, as many students could keep a little piece of CrimSL with them—reminding them to apply!" he added.