2019: Donna Janiec, Ishana Gopaul, Nicole Dalglish, Alison Cummings, Llynwen Osborne, and Catherine Gaudreau
Uniting efforts, Donna Janiec, Ishana Gopaul, Nicole Dalglish, Alison Cummings, Llynwen Osborne, and Catherine Gaudreau have been the driving force behind creating and implementing the Stewarding Inclusivity Across the VPFA Portfolio lunch and learn series. Aiming to create and advance an EDI culture, these enriching lunch and learn sessions have paved the way in further educating VPFA staff and colleagues, resulting in strengthened relationships.
Background and Eligibility
The Employment Equity Act requires employers to engage in proactive measures to improve employment opportunities for the groups listed above. Queen's policies on inclusion, however, go well beyond the four designated groups by including sexual and gender diversity considerations in its measures as well.
In acknowledgement of the spirit of employment equity, Queen's would like to formally appreciate exemplary efforts and progress as demonstrated by students, faculty, staff, and external community members to Queen's that create a positive impact on the University community. Established in 2011, the Queen's Employment Equity Award is given annually to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups, or organizations that through their ongoing diligence and commitment, are going above and beyond legislated requirements or their institutional mandate, thereby helping Queen's become a truly representative and inclusive workplace. There are no restrictions on how many times an individual can be nominated for the award, unless they have previously held the award.
Who can Nominate
Any member of the Queen's community including students, staff, faculty, or alumni, as well as members of the general Kingston community and surrounding area who have an interest in Queen's University may submit nominations.
The Selection Committee will consider the following factors as it evaluates nominees for the Employment Equity Award:
- Positive impact on the University community's diversity and inclusivity
- How has this effort changed the culture, landscape, etc. of Queen's University?
- Sustainability
- In what ways will this effort have lasting benefits for the University community?
- Broad community partnerships
- How has this effort encouraged partnership/cooperation between the University and communities, both internal and/or external to Queen's? Have any new or revitalized relationships been forged or strengthened through the effort?
- Innovation
- What makes this effort innovative and creative?
Examples of efforts in advancing employment equity could include (but are not restricted to):
- Exemplary efforts in recruiting and mentoring diverse candidates and colleagues across all equity-seeking groups
- Scholarly work, including paper presentations, lectures, or publications on equity
- Innovative strategies for creating a climate of equity on campus (e.g., flexibility in the workplace to take into account the scheduling needs of all employees)
- Service to faculty, staff, and student groups in the area of fostering a climate conducive to employment equity
- Providing mentorship, guidance, and support in the workplace to members of equity-seeking groups on campus, including peer mentoring
- Excellence in teaching and innovative curriculum design to further the cause of employment equity
- Partnering with organizations to promote greater awareness of career opportunities for equity-seeking groups
Through academic publications and advocacy efforts, Dr. Baranchuk is raising awareness and initiating dialogue within Cardiology to promote gender equality and female representation within the field of medicine.
Dr. McKittrick was the driving force behind the development of a Queen’s National Scholar opportunity in Black Geographies taking Queen’s one step closer in diversifying our faculty and attracting new students from various backgrounds.
The 2017 Employment Equity Award was presented to Michael Fisher, Human Resources Manager at the Smith School of Business and Erin LeBlanc, Adjunct Lecturer in the Smith School of Business. Michael Fisher and Erin LeBlanc worked together to initiate the development of Transgender Transitioning Guidelines for the Smith School of Business.
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The Employment Equity Award was presented to Sheila Devine. While at Queen’s University Sheila worked in the Faculty Relations Office as the Associate Vice-Principal. Described as a collaborative and cooperative university administrator, Sheila built positive and inclusive relationships with colleagues and partners. She acted as a mediator between Queen’s University administration and Queen’s University Faculty Association during collective bargaining processes. Sheila was also instrumental in positioning Queen’s University as a leader in employment equity, a legacy which endures today.
The Employment Equity Award was presented to the Young Women at Queen’s Employee Resource Group. Formed in 2015, this group aims to provide professional development and mentorship programming specifically for women on campus. The Young Women at Queen’s group is part of the larger ERG initiative which was developed as a way to promote the career development of equity seeking groups on campus. The mandate of Young Women at Queen’s is to build a professional and social community of women, to interact and share knowledge about women and work, to advocate for women, to strategize career and professional development at Queen’s, to create a framework for mentorship and to leverage the system.
The 2017 Employment Equity Award was presented to Michael Fisher, Human Resources Manager at the Smith School of Business and Erin LeBlanc, Adjunct Lecturer in the Smith School of Business. Michael Fisher and Erin LeBlanc worked together to initiate the development of Transgender Transitioning Guidelines for the Smith School of Business.
For the year 2013, the Employment Equity Award went to The Queen's Black Academic Society (QBAS) for its efforts to improve the experience of black students at Queen's through open discussion, collaboration with one another, and relationship building and mentorship between current students, staff and faculty.
The QBAS provides an atmosphere where students meet and discuss salient international, national and local issues through musical performances, poems, stories, literature, panel discussions, presentations and other forums. QBAS also organizes a variety of academic and social events focused on bringing to light contemporary and historical issues and challenges related to the black community.
Victoria Nkunu accepted the Employment Equity Award from Deputy Provost Laeeque Daneshmend on behalf of the Queen's Black Academic Society.
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For the year 2012, the Employment Equity Award went to Dr. Mark Green. Mark served for 8 years as the Co-Chair of the Indigenous Council for Queen's University. During his tenure he was effective in raising awareness of Indigenous student issues and was involved in many initiatives that enhanced the climate here at Queen's for Indigenous students, staff, and faculty.
Mark was instrumental in bringing the Indigenous Access to Engineering Program to Queen's in 2011, the only program of its kind in Ontario. This program enables students of Indigenous ancestry to pursue an education in engineering by offering academic and person support to Indigenous engineering students, as well as outreach to high school students. This program has enabled Queen's to recruit Indigenous faculty and staff to the Faculty of Applied Science.
His work is reflective of his determination to eliminate barriers and see more Indigenous students access post-secondary education and attend Queen's.
The Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Alan Harrison presented the inaugural 2011 Employment Equity Award to Wendy Powley, a staff member in the School of Computing.
Ms Powley founded Women in the School of Computing (WISC) at Queen's, an informal support, networking and social group for all women faculty, staff and students. The group has provided outreach and mentorship to young women in the Kingston community through the LEGO robotics program with the hope of educating and inspiring more girls to consider a career in computing.
A Council on Employment Equity initiative, the Queen's Employment Equity Award is awarded annually to recognize and celebrate achievements of individuals and groups who, through their ongoing diligence and commitment, are helping Queen's become more representative and inclusive.
