Connections, Awards and a Free Lunch: October @ LA&PS
October 22, 2026 Issue
Spooky season has arrived and we’ve got plenty of treats in store for you this month. Whether you're exploring career paths, looking for ways to earn some extra cash, or hoping to connect with other students, we've got something for everyone.
As midterms creep closer, remember that you don't have to face the season's scaries alone. There are plenty of resources and supports available to help you stay on track, manage stress and support your well-being.
Wishing you a successful midterm season and a happy Halloween! 🎃👻📚
In this issue
Don’t Ghost Your Awards Potential! Complete Your FAAS Profile
Don't let funding opportunities vanish into the night! Complete your FAAS App profile and financial needs assessment to uncover all the spook-tacular awards and bursaries you may be eligible to receive.
Featured LA&PS Awards:
Chantel Dunn Memorial Award
Open to undergraduate students in LA&PS who demonstrate leadership in making a difference across African-Canadian communities.
💵 Award value: $1,000
📅 Application deadline: Monday, Nov. 9
Tom Janes Award for Black Scholars
Open to domestic or international Black students enrolled in their first year at LA&PS.
💵 Award value: $5,000
📅 Application deadline: Friday, Nov. 13
Academic & Communication Excellence Development (ACED) Certificate Program
Boost your academic and professional confidence with the Academic & Communication Excellence Development (ACED) Certificate. Tailored especially for international students, this program helps you master class discussions, group collaboration, presentations and research skills. Join our upcoming workshop:
Writing Matters: Strengthening Your Academic Voice
📅 Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Online via Zoom | Register Here
Networking x LinkedIn Learning
Learn how to turn your international experience into strengths that stand out in the Canadian job market. Explore practical networking strategies, LinkedIn tips and LinkedIn Learning resources to help you build your professional presence, connect with employers and discover career opportunities in Canada.
📅 Thursday, Nov. 5 | 3:30 – 5 p.m. | York Lanes – Room 280A | Register Here
Career Ready Conference: Building a Future-Proof Professional Path
Connect with York alumni and professionals, explore in-demand careers in Canada and learn how to stand out in interviews and job applications.
📅 Saturday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Schulich Executive Learning Centre | Register Here
Roll into Grad School
Designed for LA&PS international students considering graduate studies, this session offers practical guidance on exploring programs, understanding admission requirements and preparing your application.
📅 Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 1 – 2:30 p.m. | York Lanes – Room 280A | Register Here
Add Co-op to Your Degree
Co-op applications are now open! Add paid, real-world experience to your degree with flexible work terms of 4, 8 or 12 months. Check your eligibility, attend an information session and apply for Summer 2027 by Monday, Oct. 26.
Make an Impact While Earning Academic Credit
Want to tackle real-world challenges while building your résumé? Join the Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom (C4) and collaborate with students from across York to develop solutions for industry and community partners. Gain hands-on experience, strengthen your professional skills and earn academic credit toward your degree.
Explore 3.0-credit and 1.0-credit winter course options. Eligible domestic students may also receive a stipend (subject to funding and availability).
Ready to take your learning beyond the classroom? Apply today or attend a virtual info session to hear from C4 professors and alumni.
Careers in Accounting and Finance
Hear about the different paths York Accounting and Finance grads have taken to get where they are today. Learn about their career journeys, ask questions and gain valuable insights for your own path.
📅 Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 6 – 8 p.m. | The Community Hub – Room VC 001 | Register Here
Careers in Government and Not-for-Profit Organizations
Considering a career in the public or non-profit sector? Connect with York alumni working in government and community organizations, get advice, insights and answers to your questions about breaking into the field.
📅 Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 6 – 8 p.m. | The Community Hub – Room VC 001 | Register Here
Community & Social Impact Fair
Discover volunteer and paid roles with non-profit and community organizations at the Community and Social Impact Fair. It’s a great way to grow your résumé and start exploring careers, especially in your first and second year.
📅 Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Vari Hall | RSVP Here
LA&PS Get Spooky Event
Get spooky with LA&PS for an afternoon of Halloween fun! Test your skills in our Halloween escape room, get creative with spooky crafts and enjoy festive games and activities. You can also unwind with therapy animals, including bunnies and reptiles, for a unique and relaxing experience.
And of course, no Halloween celebration would be complete without free pizza and candy!
📅 Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 12 – 3 p.m. | Founders Assembly Hall – Room FC 152 | Register Here
VCP presents: VIC After Dark
Catch the Vanier Improv Company's first production, a Halloween-themed spook-tacular show combining improv comedy and sketch that will have you laughing out of your seats!
Admission is $5 at the door (cash only). VIC passes are also available for $20.
Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 8 p.m. | Fred Thury Studio Theatre, Vanier College – Room VC 258
Ask Me Anything: Prof. Edition
Professors are cooler than you think. Don't believe us? Drop by our AMA: Prof. Edition tabling event to chat and ask your questions.
Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Vari Hall Rotunda
ScALE: The Fifth Annual Alchemy Lecture
Join Professor Christina Sharpe, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Black Studies, and an internationally recognized group of scholars, artists and researchers for ScALE, the Fifth Annual Alchemy Lecture. Together, they will examine how scale shapes our understanding of climate change, sovereignty, migration, borders, Indigeneity and liberation.
Thursday, Oct. 29 | 5 - 8 p.m. | Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre | Register Here
Beyond the Bachelor's: Is Grad School for Me?
Interested in graduate studies but don’t know where to start? Attend our upcoming information session to learn about applications, expectations and opportunities. Connect with a graduate recruitment officer, hear firsthand experiences from current LA&PS graduate students and get answers to your questions.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 12 - 1 p.m. | Online via Zoom | Register Here
First Year Lunch Breaks: Paint Your Diwali Diyas & Enjoy Henna
Take a break, enjoy a free lunch and celebrate the festive spirit of Diwali! Try your hand at intricate henna designs, paint a traditional clay diya (lamp) and create colourful crafts to mark the Festival of Lights. This is a great opportunity to relax, get creative and connect with fellow first-year students in a welcoming environment.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 12:30 - 2 p.m. | McLaughlin College – Room MC014 | Register Here
Sociology Lecture Series: Celebrating the Book
Pandemic Urbanism: Infectious Disease on a Planet of Cities
Join professors S. Harris Ali and Roger Keil as they discuss their book and explore how pandemics reshape urban life and governance. Drawing on historical and multidisciplinary insights, the authors offer a critical perspective on cities, public health and social change.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 2:30 – 5 p.m. | Ross Building South – Room S802 | Register Here
On Being Human: The Voice of Scholar, Poet and Activist Emma LaRocque
What does it mean to be human? Join Professor Elaine Coburn, editor of The Emma LaRocque Reader, to explore the work of Cree Métis scholar Emma LaRocque – engaging questions of colonialism, feminism, history and the possibility of more just futures.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 2:30 – 5 p.m. | Ross Building South – Room S802 | Register Here
Interested in social work, health and community-based careers?
Gain practical insights from experienced professionals into topics such as crisis response, mental health, housing, immigration and the justice system.
Next Session: Crisis Response 101: Recognize, Assess, Respond
Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 12:30 – 2 p.m. | Keele Campus – Location confirmed upon registration | Register Here
LA&PS Lunch & Learn: Beyond the Classroom
Want to make sure your résumé stands out? It is never too late to add some real-world experience to your degree. Come by and learn about exciting opportunities outside of the classroom – whether through study abroad or placements. Enjoy a light lunch & get connected!
Thursday, Nov. 19 | 2:30 — 4 p.m. | The Community Hub, Vanier College – Room VC 001 | Register Here