Meet the Team

Meet the Team

The UTM Moves Team is comprised of dedicated UTM student staff who work together to organize physical activity and wellness focused events and initiatives on campus, in an effort to promote student wellbeing, community and belonging. UTM Moves staff also help guide students in finding the right fit in terms of classes and activities at the RAWC to suit their individual needs.

Fall - Winter 2024/25 Team Roster

michelle

Michelle

My name is Michelle Huynh, my preferred pronouns are she/her, and I am currently in my fourth year pursuing a specialist degree in Digital Enterprise Management. I joined UTM Moves because I wanted to challenge myself by working in an environment outside of my usual comfort zone and collaborate with diverse people. As the Graphic Design Lead, I aim to make wellness exciting and visually engaging for everyone on campus. My goal is to inspire others to get moving by creating designs that motivate and unite the campus community! For anyone starting their fitness or wellness journey, my advice is to start small, find something you enjoy, and don’t be afraid to try new things! It could be as simple as doing morning stretches or getting up and moving around your room. Every step counts, and it’s all about having fun. Although I’m not the most active person, I love to stay active with weekly runs and quick 10-minute stretches using an elastic band. It’s a great way to release tension, whether in the morning to wake up or at night to wind down the day! A fun fact about me is that I used to compete in track, specifically in relays and the 100m dash!

samiya
Samiya
 
My name is Samiya Khan, my preferred pronouns are she/her, and I'm in my 3rd year studying Biology with Health Sciences and Psychology. I got involved with UTM Moves because I’m passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle and wanted to help create a supportive wellness community on campus. As a Photo & Video Lead, I hope to inspire others to prioritize their well-being and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels encouraged to participate. My advice to anyone starting their fitness or wellness journey is to start small and be kind to yourself find an activity you enjoy and take it one step at a time. Personally, I love staying active through playing badminton, table tennis or just going to the gym, and I make sure to always take 1-2 hours out of my day, to make sure I have balance between work and wellness. A fun fact about me is that I always love to go on adventures!
Tahira
Tahira
 
Hey folks! My name is Tahira and I am a third-year Psychology student here at UTM. After years of barely passing P.E. classes, I never thought fitness would be an area I was eager or qualified to work in. And yet, social media allowed me to explore what health and wellness meant to me in the comfort of my own feed and as Social Media Lead with UTM Moves that’s an opportunity I hope to provide to other students. When it comes to getting started, my advice would be to find an intention that feels honest to you and once you have that, focus on a habit or source of movement that brings you joy (because wellness shouldn't make you miserable!). Walking is that source of movement for me. Whether it’s deciding to take the long way home or walking and talking with friends, it's a form of activity that is adaptable to my ever-changing schedule as a student. A fun little fact about me is that my birthday is actually on International Women’s Day (can’t wait to see you all at our March programming to celebrate!

 

Olivia

Hello, bonjour! My name is Olivia Callaghan, and I use she/her pronouns. I am a graduate student in my second year of the Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScOT) Program with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. I am greatly looking forward to contributing to the UTM Moves team as the Mentorship Lead for the 2024-2025 year! As the Mentorship Lead, I intend to foster meaningful connections between new & experienced students and build a greater sense of community for all. 

To nurture my own physical, emotional, & psychological wellness, I engage in long distance running, strength training, & yoga (among many other passions!). I love to start my day with morning movement. I have both an athletic & artistic side! 

A fun fact about me is that I have a twin sister in California and an older sister with her own llama! For someone who wants to begin his/her/their wellness journey but doesn't know where to start, I encourage them to explore campus & community resources, find a buddy for encouragement & companionship, and be open to change & new experiences! 

I am eager to collaborate with fellow UTM Moves Leads and am greatly looking forward to prompting student engagement across UTM campus! See you around.

Anushka

Anushka

Hi! My name is Anushka Bhardwaj (She/ Her), and I am a third-year student doing a double major in environmental science and environmental management. 

Living an active lifestyle and spreading positivity is something I have always been passionate about. Being a part of UTM Moves allows me to blend these passions, inspiring others to prioritize their well-being and find joy in movement. Through this role, I hope to create a vibrant and inclusive community where every student feels empowered to lead a healthier, happier life. 

My go to advice to anyone starting on their fitness journey would be- Start small and be kind to yourself. The first step is often the hardest, but remember, progress is more important than perfection. Begin with simple, enjoyable activities – maybe a walk around campus, a short yoga session, or trying out a new healthy recipe. Don’t be afraid to explore and find what feels right for you.

 My favorite way to stay active is dancing! Whether it's a quick dance session in my room to my favorite Bollywood tracks or joining a dance class, it always lifts my mood and keeps me moving. I love dancing to Bollywood music! Whether it’s a solo dance-off in my room or grooving with friends, it's my favorite way to have fun, stay active, and connect with my culture.

 

Rohan

My name is Rohan Verma (he/him), and I am a third-year student studying Biology for Health Sciences. I was inspired to join UTM Moves because of my passion for promoting wellness and physical activity, which perfectly aligns with this program! As the Educational Curriculum Lead, I aim to inspire my fellow UTM peers to learn new things about how wellness and physical activity can profoundly impact their lives by seeing our Instagram posts, posters, tri-folds, and downloadable content on the website. 

If I were to recommend someone who wants to start their fitness/wellness journey but needs to know where to start, I would find someone like a friend or family member who is into fitness and go to one or two fitness sessions with them! That way, you can be much more comfortable learning while having fun starting your physical wellness journey. My favourite way to stay active is playing basketball with my friends once a week. We find a time that works for all of us and drop into the RAWC for an hour to get some shots up! Some fun facts about me are that I can do a backflip!

Shanique

Shanique

My name is Shanique Thomas and my preferred pronouns are she/her. I am currently in my third year, working towards a double major in biology for health science and sociology. I was inspired to get involved with UTM Moves because I think it will be a fun and meaningful way to encourage my fellow peers to stay active and prioritize their mental and physical wellbeing. As the wellness events lead, I hope to plan and implement fun and engaging events that encourage our student population to take a break from all the stress and get the most out of their university experience! 

My advice to anyone looking forward to being more active and prioritizing their wellness is: start today, don't keep putting it off. Sign up for that group class you've been talking about, attend a drop in spot, do that workout you saw on YouTube, grab your friends and go for that walk- the possibilities are endless! You don't have to wait until you think you've got it all figured out, find something that is fun and makes you feel good and do it! I like to stay active by doing long distance runs, and pilates/ yoga on the days I do not run. Recently I've gotten into Zumba which I think I will have fun incorporating into my schedule more- although I can't dance to save my life! Besides the fact that I can't dance, a fun fact about me is that I am an artist at heart, in my free time I love to paint and draw- mostly portrait art but I dabble in other things as well.

Tanveer

Tanveer

My name is Tanveer Kaur (she/her) and I’m in my fourth year at UTM, double majoring in Math and Economics, with a minor in Stats. The dedication of the UTM Moves program in bringing more physical activity on campus inspired me to get involved. As the UTM Walks lead, I hope to make a positive impact on the UTM community by engaging with students and contributing my skills to grow the UTM Moves program. An advice I would give to individuals looking to start their fitness/wellness journey is to join UTM Walks! Walking is a simple yet effective way to improve health and it’s a great way to connect with nature. My favourite way to stay active is to do yoga. I incorporate this in my daily routine by attending the group fitness yoga classes at the RAWC. A fun fact about myself is that I love painting.

Elina

Hey! My name is Elina Jaggi, and I use she/her pronouns. I am in my fourth year, double majoring in CCIT (communications, culture, information, & technology) and GIS (geographical information systems). 

 

 

What really drew me to UTM Moves was the opportunity to not only make a difference on campus but also challenge myself to improve my own health. I wanted to step up and be part of something that would push me out of my comfort zone, both personally and as a leader. I saw a chance to step beyond the ordinary and create something dynamic that would bring people together in unexpected ways. As Activity Zones Lead, I’m excited to experiment with different setups and activities that break the routine and invite everyone to join in, whether they’re seasoned athletes or they're just looking for a break from their studies. 

 

If you're starting your fitness or wellness journey and feeling unsure where to begin, my advice is to start with small, enjoyable steps that fit into your daily life. Wellness is a personal journey, so focus on activities that interest you and are easy to incorporate, whether it’s a walk, yoga, or even trying a new sport. I love going to the group fitness classes RAWC offers, and drop-in racket sports 🏸🏓🎾 I try out a class or activity at least once a week whenever I am on campus in-between class time or end of my break.

It’s also important to seek out and filter educational resources that offer realistic, practical tips for everyday people. Wellness isn’t about extreme measures; it’s about balance and sustainability. Look for advice that promotes long-term health and longevity without requiring drastic changes overnight.

 

My fun fact for you is that I have a major sweet tooth—if it’s sweet, I’m gonna try it!

Lynette

My name is Lynnette Baguma (she/her), and I'm thrilled to be in my fourth year pursuing a Psychology degree, with a minor in Biology and Philosophy. I've always been passionate about promoting physical and mental wellness, community-building, and wellness education—everything that UTM Moves stands for! In my role as the Evaluation & Administration Lead, I’m excited to create an impactful evaluation framework to measure UTM Moves' success and support our teams in enhancing program offerings.

For anyone starting their fitness journey, my top recommendation is to stop by the RAWC! Our experienced staff are here every day to help you find your way. Personally, I love staying active by attending RAWC fitness classes with friends. We coordinate our schedules through group chat and choose from the variety of classes offered each week, which lets us try something new together. And as a fun fact: I’m a huge fan of seeing musicals live at the theatre!