Bridging Campus and Community: Collaborating for Impact
Date
Wednesday October 1, 20251:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts - LobbyThis special event highlights Queen’s progress in advancing community-engaged work across research, teaching and learning, and partnerships. It celebrates collaborations between students, faculty, and organizations, while fostering dialogue around shared goals and challenges. We hope to spark future projects, strengthen trusting relationships, and lay the foundation for sustainable, reciprocal partnerships.
Hosted by Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and Michelle Searle, Special Advisor to the Principal on Community Engagement, the event also features the launch of the university’s new Community Engagement Framework, designed to guide and strengthen our community-engaged learning collaborations moving forward.
Program
12:30 pm - Doors open
Networking and Learning
Posters featuring community-engaged teaching and research projects will be available for viewing.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm - Welcome, opening remarks, and speakers
Opening in a Good Way
Te ho wis kwûnt Allen Doxtator will lead us into the afternoon with reflection, positivity, and wisdom.
Opening Remarks
Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor will formally begin the afternoon with remarks.
Presenting our Framework
Wendy Craig and Michelle Searle, two key leaders of community engagement at Queens, will present the newly launched framework.
Indigenous Perspectives
Lisa Maracle, Associate Vice-Principal, Indigenous Initiatives, will offer Indigenous perspectives of community engagement.
Guidance from the Rector
Rector Niki Boytchuk-Hale, the voice of Queen’s students, will provide a student perspective on the importance of community engagement.
Hearing from a Community Partners
John DiPaolo, Vice President of Corporate Services of the KFL&A United Way, will consider the ways that the community and Queen’s work together.
Conclusion of Speeches
Sadiqa de Meijer, Poet Laureate of Kingston, will conclude our speaking program with a spoken poetry collaboration on what is community engagement.
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm – Interactive Gallery Walk and Networking
Guests are invited to take a break, enjoy refreshments, and network while visiting poster displays.
2:45 pm – 3:20 pm – Meaningful Thematic Discussions
Small groups will come together to identify shared interests and plan forward. Now’s your chance to dive into a theme in a small group to exchange ideas, share experiences, and spark new possibilities with others who chose the same topic.
3:20 pm – 3:40 pm Sharing Insights and Next Steps
We’ll close by coming together to reflect on insights from the small group discussions, consider next steps with Michelle Searle and Wendy Craig, Heather Aldersey, and Jenn Tomasone. We will also hear words of reflection from Sadiqa de Meijer as we celebrate our time together.
3:40 pm – Ending on a Good Note
Principal Patrick Deane will deliver thanks and closing remarks.
Te ho wis kwûnt Allen Doxtator
Elder and Member of the Bear Clan, Cultural Advisor, Office of Indigenous Initiatives
