About Us

The Town and Gown Association of Ontario is the trusted, coordinated voice for post-secondary students, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, first responders, residents, and property managers in Ontario communities that host post-secondary institutions. We share information, facilitate connections, and mediate relationships among our diverse group of stakeholders to promote vibrant cohesive communities for everyone.

"Town & Gown" is a term which conveys the relationships between post-secondary institutions - universities and colleges - and the communities that host them. The Town and Gown Association of Ontario (TGAO) evolved out of Town and Gown symposia held in Waterloo, Hamilton and Guelph, Ontario during 2004 and 2005. The continued growth of post-secondary institutions and the subsequent effects on near campus neighbourhoods was the catalyst for these symposia.

At that time, attendees recognized that there were many issues of common interest in town and gown municipalities across the Province that could best be served by partnering efforts and sharing information. Upon direction from the participants at the Hamilton and Guelph symposia, a volunteer working group of interested stakeholders was formed to create the association. The Association became incorporated in February, 2006, and held its first Annual General Meeting on May 12 at the 2006 symposium in Brantford, Ontario.

Board of Directors

The Town and Gown Association of Ontario is governed by representatives from many of Town and Gown's member organizations. The current members of the Board include:

• Alexander Wray, President | Graduate Student at Western University (London)

• Tanja Curic, Secretary | Policy Planner at City of Waterloo (Waterloo)

• June Baldwin, Board Member | Off-Campus Living Advisor, University of Guelph (Guelph)

• Kristen Smith, Board Member | Manager of Student and Community Outreach, Brock University (Niagara Region) 

• Ian Murray, Board Member | Executive Advisor, Acadia University (Wolfville, NS)

• Alia Abbas, Board Member | Economic Development Officer, City of Toronto Business Engagement & Outreach (Toronto)

• Clare Riepma, Board Member | Councillor of Ward 1 in the City of Barrie (Barrie)

• Mac McIntosh, Board Member | Residence Life Coordinator, University of Waterloo (Waterloo)

• Catherine Mulvihill, Board Member | Neighbourhood Representative, City of Waterloo Town & Gown Advisory Committee (Waterloo)

Interested in joining the Board? We are looking for new members with legal, financial, property development, or neighbourhood organizing experience, or holding a staff position at a community college. Reach out to info@tgao.ca to chat further!