The Nursing Simulation Centre (NSC) in 91亚色's School of Nursing hosted two community engagement events this summer to help local youth gain knowledge and interest in the health-care profession. The first event 鈥� part of the NSC鈥檚 collaboration with the Faculty of Science鈥檚 Science Engagement Programs 鈥� brought close to 70 elementary school students, in Grades 7 and 8, to the centre for an experiential learning opportunity aligned with their summer camp curriculum. The second event welcomed members of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance, who led a hands-on workshop for high-school students.

"The School of Nursing鈥檚 Simulation Centre is excited to work with nursing students to support future health-care professionals," said Laura Nicholson, a professor in the School of Nursing and director of the NSC. "Annually, since 2018, the Nursing Simulation Centre has been working with high-school student groups and various camps to showcase elements of nursing to prospective students."

As part of the Science Engagement Programs visit to the NSC 鈥� a collaboration celebrating a decade of inspiring the next generation of health-care professionals 鈥� students from 91亚色 U's Mini-Med School 1.0 and 2.0 summer camps were treated to a morning full of engaging experiences complementing their camp curriculum focused on exploring the science behind the health-care system. The objective for the Mini-Med School 1.0 workshop participants was to learn how to take a pulse, while the Mini-Med School 2.0 students learned how to measure blood pressure.

The NSC was able to host these prospective future health-care leaders because of the support provided by the enthusiastic team of facilitators made up of 91亚色 U graduates and current students from direct-entry, collaborative and second-degree undergraduate nursing programs. The facilitators were organized by Igor Kabanov, director of the Nursing Student Tutoring, Ambassadorship & Mentorship Programs (NSTAMP), a student-led peer support organization that provides services to help ensure nursing students have a positive experience at 91亚色 U.

For the other NSC community outreach initiative this summer, the centre worked closely with James Ehiagwina, president of the 91亚色 chapter of the Canadian Black Nurses Alliance (CBNA-YU), and the wider CBNA team to plan and implement a three-hour workshop for high-school students from the Greater Toronto Area.

Outreach and planning for the workshop were supported by the 91亚色 U-TD Community Engagement Centre (CEC), which seeks to support Faculties in community engagement initiatives. The CEC also provided bus tickets for student attendees, in an effort to reduce barriers to participation. Facilitated by members of CBNA and NSTAMP, the workshop taught participants how to put on personal protective equipment and assess a patient, among other practical skills.

"This summer, the sessions were facilitated by record numbers of nursing graduates and current students," said Nicholson. "The professionalism, knowledge and skill displayed by the facilitators was outstanding. They displayed not only passion for the nursing profession but a commitment to educating the next generation."

The post 91亚色 U nursing students, grads teach the next generation appeared first on 91亚色.

The latest issue of 91亚色鈥檚 nationally recognized, student-run literary magazine, Existere, features new fiction, non-fiction, art and poetry from a diverse array of Canadian literature鈥檚 rising stars. Available for purchase now at the 91亚色 Bookstore, Existere, vol. 43 includes work by Francesca Ekwuyasi, who was awarded the Writers鈥� Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers in 2022; acclaimed poet Ellen Chang-Richardson; Saeed Teebi, a finalist for the 2022 Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize; and Fiddlehead Poetry Book Prize winner Fawn Parker. The issue's cover was created by Kate Sinclair, lead designer at Penguin Random House Canada.

While previous issues of Existere relied on open calls for international writers, the latest issue presents a curated mix of local and national contributors. The new approach is the result of intentional editorial direction and decision-making by new faculty advisors 鈥� Matthew Bucemi and Christopher Morris, both assistant professors in the Writing Department 鈥� and new student editors currently enrolled in the Writing Department.

Bucemi, whose professional experience in publishing includes serving as a founding managing editor for Sutherland House, wanted to lead the magazine in this different direction. Having taken on the role of faculty advisor in Summer 2023, he leveraged his experience and connections to implement a new approach that prioritized experiential education and community engagement.

With Bucemi鈥檚 guidance, students reimagined the magazine鈥檚 mandate to emphasize dynamic art that reflects Canada鈥檚 equally dynamic communities. Students actively identified local and national artists and directly solicited submissions that fit the new mandate.

Morris, a published poet and former technical writer, also lent expertise to Existere鈥檚 student editors who implemented the magazine鈥檚 reimagined vision. 鈥淲ith Dr. Bucemi鈥檚 insights from his time as an editor and with student leaders who truly love art, literature and collaboration, Existere has quickly become a unique professional development opportunity for 91亚色 students, as shown by the high quality of this latest issue," said Morris.

Earlier this summer, the magazine's student leadership team hosted a launch party on 91亚色 U's Keele Campus to celebrate the release of the new issue. Held at Founders Assembly Hall, more than 50 guests were in attendance to hear readings from contributors and to help the magazine raise over $400 for future publications.

Reflecting on their achievement, the student leadership team expressed gratitude and pride. 鈥淲e know how difficult it can be to navigate school and Existere,鈥� they said, 鈥渆specially while we found our footing with the revamp鈥� We truly feel we鈥檝e made something amazing this year.鈥�

Existere was founded and first published at Vanier College in 1978. The journal is currently stewarded by 91亚色鈥檚 Writing Department as a venue to showcase emerging and established Canadian talent 鈥� and as a place for 91亚色 students to gain valuable, hands-on, pre-professional experience in editing and publication production.

To support the magazine, visit .

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Pest control applications at the Keele and Glendon campuses for Food Services-contracted areas will begin on Friday,聽Aug. 16聽at 5 p.m. and end on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 5 p.m.

Work is undertaken using accepted practices and approved materials by Professional PCO Services, which holds an Eco Green Ergonomic Extermination certificate from the Ministry of the Environment. A work permit has been submitted and approved by 91亚色鈥檚 Health, Safety & Employee Well-Being office.

Monitoring and treatment of component applications will be carried out in the Food Services locations listed below:

For further information, contact聽John Leva, manager of grounds, fleet and waste management, Facilities Services, at聽jleva@yorku.ca; or聽Tom Watt, director of food services, Ancillary Services, at聽watttm@yorku.ca.

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YSpace, 91亚色's innovation hub, has partnered with 91亚色 Region to launch the new ELLA Incubator program, an initiative designed to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs in the technology industry by offering essential resources and mentorship to help them grow and scale their business ventures beyond their launch.

YSpace ELLA was created to support women entrepreneurs in launching and growing their businesses. Since 2020, it has achieved significant success, supporting over 150 women entrepreneurs in raising over $10 million in capital, generating over $20 million in revenue and creating numerous jobs.

The ELLA Incubator program is part of YSpace鈥檚 broader Project JumpSTART initiative, which focuses on driving economic development and innovation within 91亚色 Region. The collaborative effort brings together YSpace, the Schulich School of Business鈥檚 Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the Treefrog Accelerator and 91亚色 Region to foster a supportive environment for entrepreneurs.

The new program is membership based, offering participants access to networking events, educational workshops and webinars, regular check-ins with advisors and more.

"Our goal is to provide women entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship and community they need to achieve their business aspirations,鈥� says Nicole Troster, ELLA entrepreneurship manager. 鈥淭he ELLA Incubator is dedicated to create an environment where innovative ideas can flourish.鈥�

David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace, adds: "The ELLA Incubator program represents our commitment to fostering innovation, supporting women entrepreneurs.鈥�

The ELLA Incubator is part of YSpace's broader mission to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering collaboration between industry leaders and emerging entrepreneurs. This program is now open to women entrepreneurs in the technology sector, with a primary focus on companies that are based in or looking to expand into 91亚色 Region.

To learn more about the ELLA Incubator program and how to apply, visit YSpace's ELLA Incubator web page.

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On this day, August 1, we annually mark the day when the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire. Black and Indigenous people were once enslaved on the land that is now Canada, indelibly shaping Canadian society through their struggle, resistance, endurance and fortitude. This day is a call to learn more about slavery and its legacy, to respect the strength and perseverance of communities that have been subjected to the practice of slavery, and to reject ongoing anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination.

91亚色 answers this call in many ways, including by:

• Contributing to the collective efforts of the Action Plan on Black Inclusion. The third Annual Report details these efforts. While 80 per cent of the actions are complete, on-track or progressing, there are ample opportunities for community members to play a role in countering anti-Black racism at 91亚色.
  
• Supporting spaces where Black community members can engage, connect and experience a sense of place and belonging. This includes the work of the program for Black students, the YU Black Staff Network, the YU Black Alumni Network, and in Black student spaces in McLaughlin College and in the HNES building (for EUC students).
  
• Cultivating research, teaching, and learning dedicated to Black Canadian histories, communities, and experiences. Examples of this include the to include a Major, and the support of Organized Research Units such as the Harriet Tubman Institute and CERLAC.
  
• Dedicating resources to support Black students thriving, such as those available from the and .

I invite you to about Emancipation Day and slavery in Canada and to engage in activities to advance Addressing Anti-Black Racism: A Framework on Black Inclusion and the .

Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.

Laina Y. Bay-Cheng
Vice-President Equity, People and Culture

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Le 1^er ao没t est le jour o霉 on c茅l猫bre l鈥檈ntr茅e en vigueur de la 芦 Slavery Abolition Act 禄 de 1833 (Loi sur l鈥檃bolition de l鈥檈sclavage), partout dans l鈥橢mpire britannique. Dans le pass茅, des membres des communaut茅s noires et autochtones ont 茅t茅 r茅duits en esclavage sur le territoire qui est aujourd鈥檋ui le Canada, ce qui a profond茅ment marqu茅 la soci茅t茅 canadienne par leur lutte, leur r茅sistance, leur endurance et leur force d鈥櫭e. Cette journ茅e est une occasion d鈥檈n savoir plus sur l鈥檈sclavage et son h茅ritage, de respecter la force et la pers茅v茅rance des communaut茅s qui ont subi cette pratique et de s鈥檈ngager dans la lutte continue contre le racisme et la discrimination 脿 l鈥櫭ゞard des communaut茅s noires et des peuples autochtones.

91亚色 r茅pond 脿 cet appel de plusieurs mani猫res :

• Contribution aux efforts collectifs du Plan d鈥檃ction sur l鈥檌nclusion des personnes noires : le troisi猫me rapport annuel d茅crit en d茅tail ces efforts. Bien que 80 % des actions sont achev茅es, en bonne voie ou en cours de r茅alisation, les membres de la communaut茅 ont de nombreuses possibilit茅s de jouer un r么le dans la lutte contre le racisme anti-Noirs 脿 91亚色.
• Soutenir des espaces dans lesquels la communaut茅 noire peut s鈥檈ngager, se rencontrer et avoir un sentiment d鈥檃ppartenance. Ceci comprend le programme pour les 茅tudiantes et 茅tudiants noirs, le R茅seau du personnel noir de 91亚色, le R茅seau des dipl么m茅s noirs de 91亚色 et les espaces r茅serv茅s aux 茅tudiants noirs au Coll猫ge McLaughlin et dans le b芒timent HNES (pour les 茅tudiants de l鈥橢UC).
• Appuyer la recherche, l鈥檈nseignement et l鈥檃pprentissage sur l鈥檋istoire, les communaut茅s et les exp茅riences v茅cues par les Canadiennes et Canadiens noirs. On peut citer, 脿 titre d鈥檈xemples, l鈥櫭﹍argissement du programme d鈥� en majeure et le soutien apport茅 aux unit茅s de recherche organis茅es comme l鈥�Institut Harriet Tubman et le CERLAC.
• Le et les , qui consacrent des ressources 脿 l鈥櫭﹑anouissement des 茅tudiantes et 茅tudiants noirs.

Je vous invite 脿 en sur le Jour de l鈥櫭﹎ancipation et sur l鈥檈sclavage au Canada, ainsi qu鈥櫭� participer 脿 des activit茅s pour faire progresser la lutte contre le racisme par le biais du Cadre d鈥檌nclusion des personnes noires et du de l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色.

Merci. Thank you. Miigwech.

Laina Y. Bay-Cheng
Vice-pr茅sidente int茅rimaire de l鈥櫭﹒uit茅, des personnes et de la culture

The post D茅claration 脿 l鈥檕ccasion du Jour de l鈥櫭﹎ancipation appeared first on 91亚色.

Dear colleagues:

I am delighted to announce the current Interim Vice-President Equity, People and Culture (VP-EPC), Laina Y. Bay-Cheng, has been appointed in the continuing role as the VP-EPC, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Professor Bay-Cheng was appointed as the interim VP-EPC on Jan. 1, 2024, after a comprehensive search chaired by me. Over the past seven months, she has demonstrated strong leadership and a steadfast commitment to the University, incorporating her academic background and prior experience.

During this past year, Professor Bay-Cheng has supported Labour Relations, most notably through bargaining with CUPE 3903 and now with YUFA, led the successful and timely search for a new CHRO and AVP human resources, supported the AVP Indigenous initiatives to bring major projects to fruition, collaborated with others, including the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion (CHREI) to enrich 91亚色鈥檚 relational culture at 91亚色, and sought to embed and advance equity 鈥� in all forms and for all groups 鈥� throughout 91亚色鈥檚 communities and practices.

Professor Bay-Cheng joined 91亚色 in July 2022 after spending 17 years on faculty at the University at Buffalo, including as associate dean for faculty development. Her achievements show her dedication to working from the ground up to build diverse, equitable and fruitful intellectual communities.

Professor Bay-Cheng was hired at 91亚色 to serve as the inaugural associate vice-president, faculty affairs. In that role, she was charged with cultivating an environment in which faculty members across the institution would thrive in their careers as scholars, educators and colleagues. Building the portfolio from scratch, she developed supports to serve faculty colleagues in all career stages and roles, including welcoming new assistant professors on the tenure track; mentoring associate professors pursuing promotion to full professor; ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of 91亚色鈥檚 faculty hiring processes; and building capacity and networks of support among academic leaders.

Professor Bay-Cheng has a faculty appointment in the Department of Psychology and maintains a research program examining the impact of interlocked social injustices on young women鈥檚 sexual rights and lives. She remains grateful for her undergraduate education at Wellesley College and her doctoral training in social work and psychology with Dr. Abby Stewart at the University of Michigan.

This is an important time for 91亚色 as it continues its work to decolonize and address issues of equity and inclusion, strengthening our reputation as a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong. In the role of vice-president equity, people and culture, Professor Bay-Cheng will draw on her expertise and past work to further drive the implementation of 91亚色鈥檚 Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, facilitate the 91亚色 U Forward Action Plan for sustainability and support the continued development of the division in its efforts to facilitate the University Academic Plan.

Please join me in congratulating Professor Bay-Cheng. I look forward to working with her over the coming years as we continue to strengthen equity, people, and culture initiatives across 91亚色 and with our community partners.

An internal search for a new associate vice-president faculty affairs will commence shortly.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor

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Chers coll猫gues, ch猫res coll猫gues,

Je suis heureuse de vous informer que Laina Y. Bay-Cheng, qui occupe actuellement le poste de vice-pr茅sidente int茅rimaire de l鈥櫭﹒uit茅, des personnes et de la culture (VP-EPC), a 茅t茅 nomm茅e 脿 ce poste 脿 titre permanent au 1^er janvier 2025. J鈥檃i eu l鈥檋onneur de diriger une vaste recherche qui a abouti 脿 la nomination de M^me Bay-Cheng en tant que VP-EPC par int茅rim le 1^er janvier 2024. Durant les sept derniers mois, elle a d茅montr茅 un leadership solide et un engagement sans faille envers l鈥橴niversit茅 gr芒ce 脿 son exp茅rience et 脿 son parcours universitaire.

Au cours de l鈥檃nn茅e, M^me Bay-Cheng a appuy茅 les relations de travail, notamment en participant activement aux n茅gociations avec le SCFP 3903 et, plus r茅cemment, avec YUFA. Elle a 茅galement men茅 脿 bien et sans d茅lai la recherche d鈥檜ne nouvelle dirigeante principale des ressources humaines et VPA des ressources humaines. De plus, elle a aid茅 la VPA aux affaires autochtones dans ses projets. Elle a aussi collabor茅 avec diverses unit茅s, y compris le Centre des droits de la personne, de l鈥櫭﹒uit茅 et de l鈥檌nclusion (CHREI), afin d鈥檈nrichir la culture relationnelle de 91亚色. Enfin, elle a travaill茅 脿 int茅grer et 脿 favoriser l鈥櫭﹒uit茅 sous toutes ses formes et pour tous les groupes dans l鈥檈nsemble des communaut茅s et des pratiques de 91亚色.

La professeure Bay-Cheng est arriv茅e 脿 91亚色 en juillet 2022, ayant travaill茅 durant 17 ans au sein du corps professoral de la University at Buffalo, y compris comme doyenne associ茅e au recrutement et au d茅veloppement du corps professoral. Ses accomplissements refl猫tent sa d茅termination 脿 b芒tir des collectivit茅s savantes, vari茅es, justes et prosp猫res en partant de z茅ro.

M^me Bay-Cheng a 茅t茅 embauch茅e 脿 91亚色 au poste inaugural de vice-pr茅sidente associ茅e aux affaires facultaires. 脌 ce titre, elle a contribu茅 脿 la mise sur pied d鈥檜n environnement propice au d茅veloppement professionnel des membres du corps professoral, que ce soit en recherche ou en 茅ducation. 脌 son arriv茅e en fonction, elle a instaur茅 divers dispositifs pour appuyer ses coll猫gues du corps professoral, quel que soit leur statut ou leur fonction, notamment en accompagnant les professeur飧眅飧眘 adjoint飧眅飧眘 en d茅but de carri猫re vers la titularisation, en encadrant les professeur飧眅飧眘 agr茅g茅飧眅飧眘 qui souhaitent devenir titulaires, en supervisant de fa莽on rigoureuse et efficace les processus de recrutement acad茅mique de 91亚色 et en d茅veloppant des comp茅tences et des r茅seaux de solidarit茅 au sein de la haute direction.

La professeure Bay-Cheng est membre du corps professoral du d茅partement de psychologie. Elle s鈥檌nt茅resse 脿 l鈥檌nfluence des discriminations soci茅tales connexes sur le bien-锚tre sexuel et reproductif des adolescentes. Elle est toujours reconnaissante pour ses 茅tudes universitaires au Wellesley College ainsi que pour sa formation doctorale en travail social et en psychologie avec Abby Stewart, Ph. D., 脿 l鈥橴niversit茅 du Michigan.

C鈥檈st une 茅tape cruciale pour l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色, qui poursuit son travail de d茅colonisation et se penche sur les questions d鈥櫭﹒uit茅 et d鈥檌nclusion, renfor莽ant ainsi sa r茅putation d鈥檈nvironnement accueillant o霉 chaque personne se sent 脿 sa place. Dans son poste, M^me Bay-Cheng s鈥檃ppuiera sur son exp茅rience et ses r茅alisations pass茅es pour continuer 脿 mettre en 艙uvre la Strat茅gie de d茅colonisation, d鈥櫭﹒uit茅, de diversit茅 et d鈥檌nclusion de l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色. Elle contribuera 茅galement au plan d鈥檃ction En avant 91亚色 pour favoriser une approche durable, ainsi qu鈥檃u d茅veloppement continu de la Division dans ses efforts pour promouvoir le Plan acad茅mique de l鈥橴niversit茅.

Veuillez vous joindre 脿 moi pour adresser nos f茅licitations 脿 la professeure Laina Y. Bay-Cheng. Je me r茅jouis de collaborer avec elle dans les ann茅es 脿 venir pour poursuivre nos efforts en faveur de l鈥櫭﹒uit茅, de la diversit茅 et de la culture, non seulement 脿 91亚色, mais aussi avec nos partenaires de la communaut茅. Une recherche interne pour trouver la nouvelle personne au poste de vice-pr茅sidence associ茅e aux affaires facultaires d茅butera prochainement.

Sinc猫res salutations,

Rhonda Lenton
Pr茅sidente et vice-chanceli猫re

The post Nomination de Laina Y. Bay-Cheng au poste de vice-pr茅sidente de l鈥櫭﹒uit茅, des personnes et de la culture appeared first on 91亚色.

Chers coll猫gues, ch猫res coll猫gues,

Beaucoup d鈥檈ntre vous ont sans doute lu l鈥檃nnonce du lancement du plan d鈥檃ction En avant 91亚色聽聽. Cette initiative pluriannuelle cruciale contribuera 脿 assurer le succ猫s continu de notre 茅tablissement en tant qu鈥檜niversit茅 d鈥檈nseignement et de recherche de premier plan consacr茅e 脿 l鈥檃m茅lioration du bien-锚tre des communaut茅s que nous servons.

脌 l鈥檌nstar de nombreux autres 茅tablissements de l鈥橭ntario, nous sommes confront茅s 脿 des d茅fis importants en raison d鈥檜ne s茅rie de facteurs externes, notamment le gel des droits de scolarit茅, le plafonnement des visas pour les 茅tudiants internationaux, l鈥檌nflation et les effets persistants de la pand茅mie. Parall猫lement, les besoins, les int茅r锚ts et les attentes de la population 茅tudiante ne cessent d鈥櫭﹙oluer. Ce plan d鈥檃ction trace la voie 脿 suivre pour assurer notre viabilit茅 financi猫re de mani猫re 脿 r茅pondre 脿 ces changements et maintenir l鈥櫭﹍an que nous avons pris pour r茅aliser la vision audacieuse de 91亚色 pour l鈥檃venir.

Notre succ猫s d茅pend de l鈥檈ngagement collectif de notre communaut茅. Nous devons passer 脿 l鈥檃ction rapidement et de fa莽on judicieuse. Cette initiative nous oblige 脿 nous concerter, de mani猫re diff茅rente et cr茅ative, pour red茅finir ce que l鈥橴niversit茅 peut accomplir.

Le chemin 脿 parcourir ne sera pas toujours facile, mais il est n茅cessaire. En 茅tant transparents au sujet des d茅fis 脿 surmonter, nous pourrons atteindre un consensus et aller de l鈥檃vant avec les changements n茅cessaires si nous voulons continuer 脿 r茅pondre aux besoins de notre population 茅tudiante et de la soci茅t茅. En adoptant ce plan, nous garantissons que notre universit茅 reste pertinente et influente.

J鈥檈ncourage chaque membre de notre communaut茅 脿 lire les informations contenues dans YFile et 脿 s鈥檈ngager dans le plan d鈥檃ction En avant 91亚色. Votre engagement est primordial tandis que nous g茅rons ensemble ce processus transformateur. Nos id茅es nouvelles, notre ouverture au changement et nos efforts de collaboration nous conduiront vers une Universit茅 91亚色 plus forte et plus r茅siliente.

Merci pour votre d茅vouement et votre soutien ind茅fectible.

Rhonda Lenton
Pr茅sidente et vice-chanceli猫re

The post R茅solution envers des changements positifs et un avenir solide pour l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色 appeared first on 91亚色.

Advancing YU is a mentorship and scholarship program in 91亚色's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) that links Black and/or women third- and fourth-year students with experienced alumni mentors, and provides professional and personal development opportunities.

A critical component of the Advancing YU program is matching student mentees with alumni mentors who share identities and experiences, and who have faced similar barriers.

鈥淏y connecting them with alumni mentors who share aspects of their identities, and many of whom have navigated similar challenges, we provide contexts within which our participants can excel and where they receive supports to encourage success in their academic and professional pursuits,鈥� says Michele Johnson, interim dean of LA&PS.

Advancing YU consists of two streams 鈥� Advancing Black Students and Advancing Women 鈥� and offers a $1,000 scholarship upon completion of the program requirements. The program has benefited over 300 LA&PS students since 2020.

"Advancing YU has been a game changer for our Black and women students, offering targeted mentorship and resources that are meant to address some of their specific needs and aspirations,鈥� says Johnson.

Within the program, students are organized into 鈥渜uartets鈥� consisting of one mentor and three students. They are required to invest 40 hours total (10 hours per month) into meeting with their mentor, joining workshops and personal reflection.

The program has engaged over 70 mentors in the past three years and continues to provide accomplished Black and/or women mentors a platform to give back to the 91亚色 U community.

Alumni mentor Anika Holder, vice-president of human resources at Penguin Random House Canada, had this to say about the program: 鈥淥ne of the reasons I wanted to participate in the Advancing YU program is because, at this point in my career, I felt it was time to reach back and lift up. It鈥檚 helpful [for students] to have a real-life example who can offer their thoughts and help them to uncover and shape their vision.鈥�

Lynette Furtado, a past participant in Advancing YU who now works as a policy consultant and mental health advocate, calls the program transformative in helping her navigate post-graduation life.

鈥淸It was] vital in allowing me to network and develop strong connections, while providing resources tailored to my needs,鈥� Furtado says. 鈥淢y mentor guided me in the complexities of the legal field and helped me explore paths available to me.鈥�

Keisha Porter, a recent mentee in the Advancing Black Students stream, echoes that being accepted into the program was life changing, both professionally and personally.

鈥淎side from building great contacts and networks, this program has taught me how to show up and advocate for myself in a variety of situations and environments. As a result, I am empowered and prepared to face both future obstacles and victories.鈥�

鈥淭his program exemplifies our commitment to supporting diverse groups within our community and creating pathways for the advancement of Black and women scholars,鈥� says Johnson.

Advancing YU student applications are open now until Oct. 4. Students must be in their third or fourth year of study in an LA&PS program, with聽a minimum of 54 credits completed. To learn more and apply for the 2024-25 Advancing YU program, students can visit the Student Information page.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to share Advancing YU program information and the application deadline with students.

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