Open To Work
Victoria Lopez Garcia
Toronto,Canada
Summary
I am a Nahuatl Indigenous transnational adoptee and a Master of Social Work (MSW) student specializing in Gerontology at the University of Toronto, expected to graduate in June 2026. With a BA in Indigenous Studies and Critical Equity Studies (High Distinction), my work is centered on culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive practices. My interdisciplinary experience across clinical, academic, and community settings has prepared me to support Indigenous students holistically by addressing academic, cultural, and wellness needs. I am dedicated to advancing Indigenous student success through culturally grounded support, advocacy, and collaborative campus initiative partnerships.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Exam Invigilator
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
09.2025 - Current
- Supported exam logistics, student identification, and academic integrity processes
Teaching Assistant
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
09.2025 - 04.2026
- Support undergraduate students in four Indigenous Studies courses, facilitating discussions, and providing academic guidance.
- Assisted in creating inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments.
- Helped students navigate course content related to Indigenous history, politics, worldviews, and resilience.
- Facilitated student discussions and provided academic support.
- Graded assignments and provided feedback to students.
- Encouraged students to take an active role in their own learning process.
Second MSW Practicum Placement
Juravinski Hospital
Hamilton, Canada
06.2025 - 09.2025
- Provided psychosocial support to patients and families during treatment and care transitions.
- Developed and implemented care plans in collaboration with healthcare teams.
- Documented needs and coordinated care with interdisciplinary teams using EPIC.
- Attended interdisciplinary rounds and shadowed palliative and end-of-life care teams.
- Provided counseling and support to patients and families facing health challenges.
- Facilitated discharge planning to ensure smooth transitions from hospital to home.
- Coordinated community resources to aid patients in accessing necessary services.
- Advocated for patients' rights and needs within the healthcare system.
- Coordinated discharge planning services, including arranging transportation and home care assistance after hospitalization.
First MSW Practicum Placement
Humber River Hospital
Toronto, Canada
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Facilitated communication between patients, families, and care teams through effective family meetings.
- Coordinated community referrals and discharge planning to enhance patient transitions.
- Conducted crisis interventions for patients facing emotional distress.
- Assessed psychosocial needs to develop comprehensive care plans.
- Acted as advocate for vulnerable populations, connecting them with vital community resources.
- Participated in daily interdisciplinary team meetings to align on patient needs and interventions.
- Established relationships with external providers to secure additional support for patients.
- Coordinated psychosocial assessments, treatment plans, and progress documentation.
Program Coordinator
Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada
02.2025 - 09.2025
- Coordinated land-based learning retreats and urban workshops, ensuring cultural safety and accessibility for Indigenous students.
- Maintained up-to-date records related to program activities.
- Developed culturally safe intake and follow-up processes for incoming students.
- Built partnerships with First Nations, Métis councils, Elder advisory circles, and mental health providers.
- Supported students in navigating their accounts via ACORN and ROSI.
- Maintained records and documentation for program compliance and evaluation.
- Facilitated outreach efforts to promote programs within the university community.
- Supported students by providing resources and guidance throughout their program.
- Ensured timely completion of project deliverables within budget constraints.
- Explained program offerings and requirements to current and potential students, and answered related questions.
Co-Founder & Director
The Nahuatl Women’s Co-op
Belmopan, Belize
07.2010 - Current
- Lead community-driven initiatives supporting 180 Nahuatl Indigenous women’s economic and personal empowerment.
- Facilitate weekly community meetings under Elder, and Knowledge Keeper guidance to plan cooperative projects.
- Build partnerships with Indigenous nations, and organize annual knowledge-sharing retreats.
- Manage grants and community loans, supporting the co-op.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to expand outreach and support networks.
- Developed cooperative business strategies to empower women artisans in the community.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance the co-op's performance and outcomes.
Research Assistant & Coordinator Roles
Various University of Toronto & MacMaster University Projects
01.2022 - 12.2025
- Applied Indigenous research methodologies and storytelling approaches in academic and community settings
- Supported ethics applications, informed consent processes, and culturally safe data collection
- Coordinated sharing circles and relationship-building between Indigenous faculty, students, and Elders
- Managed and organized research materials and documentation for multiple studies efficiently.
- Prepared detailed reports summarizing research methodologies and outcomes for publication purposes.
- Participated in team meetings to discuss progress on ongoing projects or brainstorm ideas for future endeavors.
- Maintained a database of all research activities conducted during the course of each project.
- Performed literature reviews to ensure accuracy of results.
Education
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Gerontology Field
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON06.2026
Bachelor of Arts - Indigenous Studies and Critical Equity Studies
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON11.2024
Transitional Year Program -
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON01.2020
Skills
- Student advising
- University systems navigation
- Workshop design
- Land-based learning
- Community engagement
- Partnership building
- interdisciplinary coordination
- Awareness of campus resources
- Familiarity with community resources
- Informed consent
- Secure record-keeping
- Ethical community engagement
- Comfortable with data management
- Proficient with Office 365 applications
- Advocacy and support
- Microsoft office
- Student assistance
- Teacher assistance
- Faculty meetings
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking
Additional Information
Experienced in navigating university systems, academic supports, and Indigenous student resources, Committed to student-centred, culturally grounded support and institutional advocacy
Community And Volunteer Engagement
Indigenous Advisor (In-kind Contribution), National Network for Mental Health – Voices for Change Podcast Series, Toronto, ON, Ongoing, Advising on cultural safety, trauma-informed content, and ethical storytelling practices, Guiding implementation of Truth and Reconciliation principles in mental health communications
Skills
Cultural safety, Trauma-informed communication, Holistic student guidance, Navigation of university systems, Workshop design, Land-based learning, Community engagement, Intergenerational knowledge sharing, Qualitative methods, Indigenous research methodologies, Partnership building with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous communities, Discharge planning, Interdisciplinary coordination, Familiarity with university and community resources, Experience with OCAP principles, Informed consent, Secure record-keeping, Ethical community engagement, Proficient with MEDITECH, EPIC, Academic platforms, Comfortable with data management and reporting, Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimePart TimeContract WorkLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridSalary Range
$0/hr - $1000/hrTimeline
Exam Invigilator
University of Toronto
09.2025 - Current
Teaching Assistant
University of Toronto
09.2025 - 04.2026
Second MSW Practicum Placement
Juravinski Hospital
06.2025 - 09.2025
Program Coordinator
Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto
02.2025 - 09.2025
First MSW Practicum Placement
Humber River Hospital
01.2025 - 05.2025
Research Assistant & Coordinator Roles
Various University of Toronto & MacMaster University Projects
01.2022 - 12.2025
Co-Founder & Director
The Nahuatl Women’s Co-op
07.2010 - Current
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Gerontology Field
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Arts - Indigenous Studies and Critical Equity Studies
University of Toronto
Transitional Year Program -
University of Toronto