Achieving more together: U of T Giving Day 2026 ambassadors
Each year, U of T Giving Day provides faculty, staff, alumni and friends with an opportunity to turn their generosity into an even greater impact. Time-limited matching opportunities double – or in some cases even triple – the impact of gifts. Together, these contributions amplify support for students and researchers across the university’s three campuses.
This year, three Giving Day ambassadors share how generosity shapes their communities: a Faculty of Music professor blending disciplines to prepare students for emerging careers in music; a student scholarship recipient connecting with alumni while uncovering the generosity behind her U of T experience; and a UTSC staff member fostering community inside and outside the classroom.
Read on to meet the ambassadors and learn how you can be part of something bigger this Giving Day, March 26th.
Dr. Catherine Moore
The music industry is changing faster than ever and Dr. Moore is helping make sure her students are ready for whatever comes next. As an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Music, she teaches in the Music Technology & Digital Media master’s program, where students blend music with digital media, film, video games and more. The program emphasizes hands-on experimentation and creative collaboration across disciplines, preparing students for careers in music that may not even exist yet.
“From classically trained opera singers to students creating immersive audio for video games, our students’ talents are incredibly diverse,” she says. “That variety is what makes this program great.”
Support for the Faculty of Music helps remove financial barriers, allowing students to focus fully on innovation, collaboration and artistic excellence. For Dr. Moore, that support is essential not only as a faculty member but as a donor herself. She sees every day how philanthropy gives her students the freedom to dream bigger, take creative risks and build the skills that will carry them into a new creative future.
This U of T Giving Day, she shares her story to celebrate and champion the communities that make these opportunities possible.
Jessica Han
Jessica Han, a U of T student, has experienced the impact of community generosity from multiple angles: first as a scholarship recipient, then as a Student Engagement Officer connecting with alumni. Studying English and Environmental Studies, she knows firsthand how financial aid allows students to focus on learning, growth and opportunity – not just getting by.
Through daily conversations with alumni and donors, Han has uncovered the generosity behind the gifts that support journeys like hers and learned how philanthropy shapes student success stories across the university.
“Alumni often share how financial aid helped them through tough times,” she says. “Others simply loved their U of T experience and want today’s students to feel that same joy.”
These interactions have shown Han the power of being part of a larger, connected community. “I found support, inspiration and belonging here,” she says. This U of T Giving Day, Han is helping spread the word so more students can access the same opportunities and support.
Norman Javier
At the University of Toronto Scarborough, as the Coordinator of Campus Life & Special Events, Norman Javier fosters student belonging – both in and outside the classroom.
From student clubs to on-campus events, he supports experiences that often form the foundation of students’ university journeys, helping them develop confidence, leadership skills and a sense of community. “When students feel connected and supported, they’re more likely to take risks, try new things and reach their potential,” he says.
Javier also contributes to campus life as a donor, understanding how even small acts of generosity can strengthen student experience. This U of T Giving Day, he is celebrating and amplifying the campus community he helps cultivate in his day-to-day work – while encouraging others across the tri-campus to join in and make a tangible difference for students.