Message from the Co-Chairs
As co-chairs of the SACE PLC, it is with great pleasure that we reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and share our vision for the future in this annual report. Our community of dedicated professionals has grown stronger, more connected, and better equipped to address the challenges facing international students and the institutions that serve them.
This year has been marked by unprecedented global changes and immigration announcements and our work in international student support has become more crucial than ever. International students are navigating complex immigration policies, mental health challenges, financial constraints, and adapting to new learning environments.
Over the past year, our community has come together in a variety of ways to share knowledge and strategies. We hosted a series of virtual sessions that allowed members to exchange ideas and discuss the evolving landscape of international education. These sessions covered a range of topics including immigration updates, mental health and wellness support, intercultural communication strategies, and managing student crises. Our discussions not only provided valuable insights but also strengthened the sense of community within our group.
Looking forward, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. After more than four years, we will no longer be serving the committee as co-chairs starting in 2025, but we will remain as members of the steering committee until the end of next year. We welcome Ravneet Panech and Lysange Gervais as the new co-chairs of the SACE PLC.
The committee will continue to provide a platform for advisors to raise their voices on critical issues and collaborate. We will continue to expand our network by engaging with advisors from across the country. The sharing of diverse perspectives and experiences enriches our community and helps us develop more comprehensive and effective approaches to the challenges we face.
In closing, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the members of our PLC for their unwavering commitment and passion. Your dedication to supporting international students and colleagues, even in the face of adversity, has been truly inspiring. We are confident that, together, we will continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students we serve and contribute to the ongoing success of international education in Canada.
With deepest gratitude,
Ima and Shanda
Purpose
- Facilitate the role of student advising professionals at educational institutions across Canada.
- Promote an effective support network and forum of discussion amongst student advising professionals.
- Speak on behalf of the international student support professionals and their institutions for the purpose of providing information to CBIE that supports its advocacy efforts.
Mission
The mission of the PLC is to share knowledge, organize projects and activities, and enhance the competencies of student advising professionals at educational institutions across Canada, while supporting CBIE’s mission.
Objectives
- Establishing tools and resources that encourage the free exchange of ideas and information between professionals involved with international student support at different institutions.
- Encouraging the sharing of resources and best practices within the PLC community.
- Developing and promoting education and training for student advising professionals.
- Supporting research activities in the field of international student support and advising.
- Identifying and working to address the needs of those providing international student advising and support at our respective institutions.
Steering Committee
Ravneet Panech
Ravneet Panech
International Student Specialist,
University of Alberta
Danai Bélanger
Danai Bélanger
Director of Student Experience,
Bishop’s University
Lysange Gervais
Lysange Gervais
Immigration Advisor,
International Student Success,
Bishop’s University
Marie-Pierre Charette
Marie-Pierre Charette
Conseillère aux étudiants de l ‘international,
Université Laval
Mayoori Malankov
Mayoori Malankov
Member,
International Student Advisor and Immigration Specialist,
York University
Melinda Meng
Melinda Meng
International Student Immigration Specialist,
Seneca Polytechnic
Ashley Wu
Ashley Wu
International Student Advisor,
Ontario Tech University
Natasha
Natasha Clark
International Student Advisor,
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Kateryna Gnatkova
Kateryna Gnatkova
Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor,
Northeastern University
Overview of Membership
733 Members
From 617 members in 2023, SACE’s membership has been steadily increasing, with 116 new members joining in the last year.
Members by Province/Territory
Events & Initiatives
hosted webinars
hosted webinars
welcomed guest speakers
welcomed guest speakers from senior leadership positions, industry and academia
hosted in-person SACE Connect
hosted in-person SACE Connect sessions during CBIE2023 and at the Ontario Regional Meeting
Special Thanks
The SACE Steering Committee thanks all our guest speakers, who made many of our events possible this year. Thank you to our members for your contributions and participation.
Thank you to the amazing CBIE staff for their continuous assistance and encouragement.
A special thank-you goes out to the steering committee members whose work is invaluable to the SACE PLC. Without all of you, the SACE PLC would not have moved forward in the way that it has.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone.
Shanda and Ima
SACE Co-chairs
