March 3 to 6 marked a celebration of NC’s commitment to being a welcoming and diverse community as the College hosted the first-ever Inclusion Week.
Throughout the week, students, staff and faculty engaged in a variety of learning opportunities and activities coordinated by the EDIA team in collaboration with campus and community partners.
To kick-off the week, the EDI Catalyst team behind a new reflection tool for inclusion hosted a hybrid session to empower faculty and staff to foster inclusive academic experiences and environments. The ‘IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Reflection Tool’ will be piloted shortly, and those interested in participating can contact Matthew Sajn.
On Tuesday at the Welland Campus, and Wednesday at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, 15 departments were on display at EDI Fairs, each showcasing how they contribute to EDI at the College. The fairs were well-attended by engaged NC students.
Inclusion Week was the ideal venue to launch the College’s new Inclusive Language Guide. NC’s Samah Sabra,
Director, EDI and Accessibility, Karl Dockstader, Indigenous Education, Cultural Advisor, and Whit Ross, Associate Director, Educational Development, debuted the guide, giving students and employees gathered in person and online a background on how and why the guide was created.
A PDF of the Inclusive Language Guide is available here.
Collectively, the trio underscored the difference that language makes in helping those from diverse backgrounds feel included. They provided some considerations for employees who are looking to incorporate the guide into their daily practices, studies and work at NC. Three students – Dave Pantano, Magdalene John, Mercy Deborah Santhana Krishnan – joined the panel to share their diverse experiences on campus and the difference that inclusive language can make.
On Wednesday, Inclusion Week coincided with Women in Construction Week, with NC collaborating with the Niagara Home Builders Association on a panel featuring inspiring women from the construction industry. With opening remarks from Vice-President, Fiona Allan, and closing remarks from President Sean Kennedy, panelists spoke to their experiences working in the male-dominated field and opportunities for women in construction.
“Today’s discussion is a chance to listen to and become empowered by some incredible women at various stages of their careers who are making a difference in the construction industry,” said VP Allan.
The panelists included Danielle Rinaldi (Rinaldi Homes), Rebecca Rogers (Chamberlain Construction Services Ltd.), Kelly Gonzalez (Cotton Inc.), NC professor Lisa Caruso, and NC alum Sezen Aktan (A.W. Hooker Associates Ltd.)
The week of events closed with adaptive boccia ball tournaments at both campuses in which athletes of all abilities were welcomed to learn about the sport and take on a friendly competition.
