Principle 7: Promote access, social justice, and community engagement
At LA&PS we are focused on promoting access and social justice, as well as supporting greater research and teaching engagement within the communities we serve. From securing funding that supports equity-seeking groups, to training and workshops that accelerate knowledge mobilization, we are driving positive change.
By the Numbers
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In LA&PS Emergency Bursaries Were Distributed to Domestic Students
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In LA&PS Emergency Bursaries Were Distributed to International Students
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Explore YU Participants
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Students Completed the Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals
2023-2024 Highlights
Black History Month at LA&PS
LA&PS honours and acknowledges the cultural heritage, contributions and resilience of the Black community. During Black History Month, LA&PS hosted several events spotlighting Black excellence at York U and beyond.
Explore YU
This year we ran two Explore YU events, created to introduce post-secondary life at York to Grade 10 and 11 domestic and international high school students from marginalized communities.
Tom Janes Award for Black Scholars
In 2023, the recipients of the Tom Janes Award for Black Scholars were invited to a celebration event in their honour. Recipients were recognized for their achievements and were provided the opportunity to speak about their experiences as Black students in LA&PS.
Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) Summer BBQ
In August 2023, LA&PS hosted a Networking BBQ for the Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) Program students and alumni.
2023-2024 Achievements
From May 2023 to March 2024, LA&PS awarded 129 emergency bursaries to 77 domestic students and 52 international students to support their access to quality education despite insufficient funds due to limited employment, unforeseen extenuating circumstances, and health and wellness concerns.
This year we launched the Degree Resumption Program, which supports and encourages students that had to take a break from their studies due to personal or academic reasons to return to LA&PS to complete their degree.
We launched Explore YU, a five-day summer camp and one-day March break camp for Grade 10 and 11 high school domestic and international students in marginalized communities to expose them to post-secondary and York University.
In an effort to increase access for students from equity-seeking groups, we secured a $160,000 commitment for the Tom Janes Award for Black Scholars, providing eight new Black undergrad students a $5,000 scholarship per year over four years.
We also secured two new endowed scholarships for students living with disabilities, The Noor Award with the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons and The Marin Elizabeth Wallace Independent Living Award funded by Elsa Johanna Wallace and Richard Wallace.
This year we received a $150,000 commitment over two years from Canada Life to support Advancing YU, a scholarship program that supports academic success and matches third- and fourth-year Black and/or women students with select alumni for mentorship and skills development.
During the 2023-24 academic year, a total of $26,000 was distributed through the Global & Community Engagement Collaborative Projects and Events & Outreach Funds, to support 12 diverse York University initiatives, both locally and globally.
The Faculty's Women's Studies Bridging Program offers academic bridging courses for women who want to upgrade their writing and speaking skills and explore the possibility of university study. In Fall 2023, 16 women enrolled in the Women's Studies Bridging course and six women successfully completed it.
The Sanctuary Scholars' Bridging Program is a unique program that offers life-changing university access for students who hold precarious immigration status. This year, 20 students enrolled in the Sactuary Scholars Bridging Program and 14 of those students successfully completed it. Twenty-nine per cent of those students are now also enrolled and working toward their undergraduate degrees.
The LA&PS Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals is designed to assist newcomers to the country in navigating the complexities of the Canadian job market. This year, 64 students completed the IEP Foundation Program, focused on professional communication, leadership, IT, law and management skills with nearly 50% continuing at the University as Certificate students in 2024, while 50 students graduated with the Professional Certificate program in Canadian business and IT.
The Research Office created a Black Scholars Research Fund, providing $50,000 per year to support emerging and mid-career Black scholars with funding to help them build their careers and share their work.
This year’s LA&PS Research to Impact Workshop Series delivered training on Confronting Online Hate and Harassment of Academic Researchers, where researchers, including graduate students, discussed their insights and efforts to respond to the phenomenon of the abuse directed at researchers, disproportionately targeting female, racialized, transgendered and other marginalized researchers across academic disciplines.
Success Stories
The [IEP Bridging] Foundations Program provided me with a comprehensive understanding of Canadian workplace dynamics, enhanced communication skills and practical insights, which significantly contributed to my readiness for the Canadian labour market.
— Masha Tarhini
IEP Foundation Alumni
My journey with the IEP [Bridging] program at York University has been a personal odyssey of growth and success. This program has not just been a professional journey; its been the best personal chapter since I arrived in Canada, setting the stage for continued success and growth.
— Neha Aggarwal
IEP Program Alumni
I’m so happy! I started school, this is my first week and I had my first introductory classes and OMG it’s exactly like the [Sanctuary Scholar's] Bridging program. I’m so glad I took that course because I don’t feel as lost as I would feel if I wouldn’t have taken it. You taught us so well and I’m so grateful!!!
— Student that completed the Sanctuary Scholar's Bridging Program
As a Black scholar, I thrive to be a role model for others encouraging them not to give up even when times get rough. I aim to create change in the Black community.
— Jasmine Christine Heath
Tom Janes Award for Black Scholars recipient
Amidst extenuating circumstances, I made a decision to pause my academic journey to work on myself and began working full-time. However, my aspiration to complete my undergraduate degree and attend law school only grew stronger with time. I reapplied to York University and was accepted into the degree resumption program. The program allowed me to rekindle my passion, reaffirmed my goals and reignited confidence and belief in myself. As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my journey to law school, I do so with confidence and resilience thanks to this program.
— Noel Mirzoyev
Degree Resumption Student
As a young Black woman entering the workforce, I used to suffer from impostor syndrome. The Advancing YU Black Students stream was designed to help me in all aspects of my life that had me worried. Thanks to the monthly meetings and workshops, I am no longer an impostor making my way through life. I am a proud leader in every aspect. I have grown as an individual and feel prepared to enter the outside world after graduation.
— Yasmin Anigozie
Advancing YU Student
LA&PS Advancing YU program pairs third- and fourth-year Black and/or women students with successful alumni. 💼 Students receive mentorship, skills development, and financial compensation for their participation.
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An amazing group of talented #newcomerstocanada Business and IT Professionals networking together to support each other's career success in Canada!
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