From octogenarians to current students, Andria Allen unites lifelong learners through Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Alumni Association

Jul 20, 2022

Andria Allen smiles, wearing a tree necklace and surrounded by plants.

Andria Allen (MSW 2005) is president of the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work Alumni Association and has served as a member of the Faculty’s Diversity and Equity Committee. Since graduation she has worked as a clinical therapist, and she currently manages the mental health team at a community health centre in Toronto. She says she’s been heartened in recent years by the Faculty’s commitment to equity and diversity. “Seeing new faces and hearing new voices opens up the doors for insights and perspectives that we never had access to before,” she says.

What have you been doing as president of the Alumni Association?

I would say the most important aspect has been engaging with alumni and trying to get them to reconnect with the Faculty and participate – by getting involved with the Alumni Association, by attending our meetings and events, or by mentoring a student.

After you graduate, it’s very easy to get caught up in your career. Coming back feels like a reunion. And it has been such an honour to meet people who graduated 20 or 30 years before me and find out that they are still motivated to be involved with the Faculty.

What has your involvement with U of T meant to you personally?

I’ve found it very meaningful. I’m proud of the Faculty’s international status as a training ground for clinical social workers. And I’m happy to see the Faculty evolving to use more of an equity and diversity lens. This is very significant to me.

After you graduate, it’s very easy to get caught up in your career. Coming back feels like a reunion. And it has been such an honour to meet people who graduated 20 or 30 years before me and find out that they are still motivated to be involved with the Faculty.

Have you had the chance to reconnect with people you knew at U of T – or to meet new alumni?

Yes, both! After you graduate, it’s very easy to get caught up in your career. Coming back feels like a reunion. And it has been such an honour to meet people who graduated 20 or 30 years before me and find out that they are still motivated to be involved with the Faculty. We’ve had people at some of our events who are in their 80s. It’s so exciting to see them alongside the next generation of social workers.

What have you learned from your term as president?

I’ve learned that there are many social workers like myself who want to be connected to the Faculty. They find it inspiring to hear Faculty members speak about current research, practices in social work, and clinical issues. I’ve also learned that having good connections with alumni, who might serve as mentors, is good for our students – the next generation of social workers.

Seeing new faces and hearing new voices opens up the doors for insights and perspectives that we never had access to before.

What are you most proud of?

Not so long ago, our alumni participation was very low. We considered it a good night when we had 20 or 30 people in attendance. Now, we’re looking at hundreds. This feels like momentum.

Seeing new faces and hearing new voices opens up the doors for insights and perspectives that we never had access to before.

U of T aims to create a campus community rooted in access, equity, diversity, and inclusivity—what does this mean to you?

For me, equity, diversity, and inclusivity are inclusive excellence. It means preparing graduates to address the fact that social, political, and economic policies and practices affect mainstream and marginalized communities differently. Also, the entire university would be aware of the impact of colonialism on various groups, beginning with Indigenous Peoples.

A theme of U of T’s new Defy Gravity campaign is Enabling Healthy Lives. Is there anything in particular that you think of as being key to a healthy life?

As a social worker, I think about social justice. I think about the privilege that it is to go jogging in a park. I think about the privilege that it is to have healthy food and a place to call home. A healthy life is not something we can have in isolation. It is a shared gift with healthy neighbours.

The Arbor Awards recognize exceptional U of T volunteers. Where do you keep the award you won in 2020?

I hung it on the wall in my home office next to my U of T degree. So, whether I’m in my office or if I’m just passing the door, I see it. It’s a wonderful award. It makes me smile every time. It makes me feel like I really belong to something. I also kept the letter that came with it.

Have you ever received advice that really stuck with you?

I had a mentor who more than once said to me, “Consider who is in the room, but more importantly consider who is not in the room.” Whenever I enter a room now, I do think about who could have been there but, for some reason, is not.

If you could go back in time to when you were starting university, what would you say to your younger self?

I would say, “Take the time to network and build collaborative relationships.” I worked full time while I did my master’s, so I didn’t take the opportunity to do this – and I’ve seen how much it has benefited many of my fellow alumni.

Defy Gravity: The Campaign for the University of Toronto has a goal of achieving one million volunteer engagements by our graduates. These engagements range from mentoring, event attendance, and countless opportunities to give the gift of time to help U of T, our students, and our alumni community.

Join your fellow alumni by sharing your time and expertise with the University.

Get involved