FYM-Meeting Students Where They Are: Creating Supportive Environments to Help Students Access the Tools and Support They Need to Thrive in Undergraduate Studies

Adult and student development theory and research has demonstrated that ages 18-25 are formative years for young adults. Understanding the challenges and growth experienced at this time of their lives, and developing proactive and reactive services to support students as they go through them, is critical for post-secondary education institutions.  In this session, we will outline how creating engaging and supportive climates at the undergraduate level can increase students’ sense of belonging and success, and how this can be extrapolated to their use of support services available on campus. We will briefly cover the research we have done to support first year undergraduate students, and how this helps stem student attrition as they progress through their post-secondary education. In addition, we will discuss how to help students use digital tools, including the intentional use of AI, to learn more effectively, build sustainable study habits, and reduce the potential harms of unstructured technology use.

Dr. Smith is the 2025-2026 President of CPA. He is a Michif scholar and a citizen of the Red River Metis. He has been a Professor of Psychology at Saint Mary’s University since 2000. His research covers a broad range of topics, including forensic psychology, bias against people with criminal records, particularly Black and Indigenous applicants, student success, health promotion, EDIA issues, and others. Dr. Smith’s research has been funded by SSHRC, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, The New Frontiers in Research Fund, the NS Health Research Foundation, MITACS, Research Nova Scotia, and a number of other public and private funding agencies. As CPA President, he has continued to work toward enhancing the success of undergraduate students, in particular supporting the integration of student success content into introductory psychology courses.

Tom Brophy has been working in Student Affairs and Services for over twenty-five years. Tom was also the Manager of Recruitment for the Provincial Public Service Commission and a Special Policy Advisor to the Minister of Health and Community Service in Newfoundland.  Tom is currently the Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs and Services at Saint Mary’s University and the President for the Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services (AACUSS).  He has been an active research practitioner in doing provincial, national, and international themed research which has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed journals and the recent publication of the monograph titled “The Evolving Landscape of Post-secondary Student Transitions in Canada: Striving for Best Practices”.  Tom has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Dr. Saeid Chavoshi is a Clinical and School Psychologist and a director of training at the Toronto Residency in Applied and Community Psychology. He is the Director of The PsychoEd Clinic, an Adjunct Professor at Western University, and a Clinical Supervisor at York University. He serves on the Board of Directors of both the Ontario Psychological Association and the Canadian Psychological Association. Dr. Saeid’s research focuses on self-regulation and the development of interventions to enhance executive functioning, support emotional well-being, and improve productivity among students and professionals. He has expertise in the assessment of ADHD in adults, and is a member of the research committee of the Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance.

Recordings of the session will be made available to OPA members following the session.