Leaving a lasting mark: giving back through the UTSC Landmark Project

May 8, 2026

What does it mean to truly belong somewhere? For Shehna Javeed (BSc 1993 INNIS, MEd 2007 OISE) 33 years at the University of Toronto, 26 of them at U of T Scarborough, have made the answer clear. So when the opportunity arose to support the UTSC Landmark Project and add her family name to a paver on campus, she didn’t hesitate.

“I’ve been here a long time, so I thought, what can I do to leave a little bit of a mark? Leaving a mark for the next generation of people who see the name Javeed and might connect to that name and say, oh yeah, that’s a South Asian name or that’s a Muslim name and feel a connection to the campus, like they too belong here.”

Sense of belonging runs deep

For Shehna, a U of T alumna, that sense of belonging runs deep. Raised by an accountant father who opened their Scarborough home to friends for learning, art, and poetry, and a mother who was an educator, she was shaped by a faith that prizes philanthropy and volunteerism. At UTSC, she found a place whose values mirror her own.

I think inclusive excellence is part of recognizing the whole person. The fact that we have these values on this campus is what sustains me to be here.

Over the years, she has volunteered in many ways including at the PanAm Games, co-chaired the Women’s Writing Circle for a number of years and led as a Steering Committee member in the Connections and Conversations, the tri-campus network of racialized U of T employees and created other grassroots advocacy initiatives for university staff.

I think inclusive excellence is part of recognizing the whole person. The fact that we have these values on this campus is what sustains me to be here.

“I think inclusive excellence is part of recognizing the whole person. The fact that we have these values on this campus is what sustains me to be here.”

Bringing shared values to life

Another staff member, David Bird (MEd 2017 OISE), who also made a gift to the Landmark Project, shares that conviction. David sees the project as a natural extension of his commitment to the campus he has come to call home.

“Contributing to the Landmark Project feels like a natural way to give back to a place that has shaped my daily life and the relationships I’ve built with students, colleagues and faculty. By donating, I’m investing in the future of our community and leaving a lasting mark on a space that reflects the values we share.”

Both David and Shehna see the Landmark Project as doing something essential – bringing shared values to life through a shared space. It reflects this campus’s commitment to building inclusive environments that spark ideas, celebrate diversity and strengthen its role as an anchor institution within the broader Scarborough community.

‘Set that chain of giving back in motion’

For anyone considering giving, Shehna offers this advice, “Elevate education, elevate the students’ experience of the campus, so they feel equipped to deal with the big problems facing our world. Inspire young people to give and to create a sense of belonging and community. Set that chain of giving back in motion.”

She pauses, then adds something softer, more personal.

“We can all do the work and get paid, but it’s all the other stuff that makes it meaningful. Giving to the UTSC Landmark Project is just a small, tiny little message for my future self. So 50 years later, when I’m no longer here, it’s a message to the next generation, helping them see their potential legacy when they see a name that looks familiar to their identities.”

Like Shehna and David, you too can leave a lasting legacy on campus with the UTSC Landmark Project with a gift of $2000. Become a part of this historic transformation of a well-loved corner of UTSC by securing a paver today.

Each paver is a generous 12″ x 12″ square and can include up to 50 characters. After your gift is made, UTSC’s Landmark Project team will work with you to confirm your inscription details. To learn more about what can be included, please visit Frequently Asked Questions.