UNIVERSITY NEWS
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Alla Kushniryk
Krista Ritchie
Laurie Reid
Delvina Bernard aspires 2020 Teaching Excellence Award recipients to close gaps and Congratulations to the recipients of the 2020 Teaching Excellence Awards. The President and Vice-Presidents’ Advanced Career Teaching Award, the Alumni achieve social change Early Career Teaching Award, and the Alumni Part-Time Teaching Award were presented Ensuring that equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility are woven into the fabric of Mount Saint Vincent University is Delvina Bernard’s focus in her new role as the university’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Advisor. That role is a continuation of the vocation that has shaped her life’s work. “I am looking forward to working with MSVU faculty, staff, students, and the campus community at large to create flagship initiatives and programs that will set MSVU apart as a true advocate of opportunity and belonging,” Bernard says. Bernard is a sixth generation African Nova Scotian and has been instrumental in the growth and development of the Canadian Afrocentric education movement. She brings more than two decades as an institutional change strategist focusing on EDIA and is a recognized advocate for Indigenous rights, gender equality, and social equity for marginalized populations. MSVU recently released a new strategic plan, Strength Through Community, that reflects the university’s longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. EDIA is a core element of the institution’s purpose statement, a dedicated strategic plan theme, and an element of several of the plan’s other themes. FM 8
to Dr. Alla Kushniryk of the Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Krista Ritchie of the Faculty of Education, and Professor Laurie Reed of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, respectively. The awards were established to recognize teaching excellence at every level, including senior and junior full-time faculty and part-time faculty. They reflect the University’s strong commitment to leadership in teaching and learning. FM
MSVU joins prestigious Women’s College Coalition MSVU has joined the prestigious Women’s College Coalition (WCC) – a network of colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada committed to fostering educational opportunities for women. We are only the second Canadian institution to join the Coalition. Membership in the WCC will provide MSVU with partnership opportunities on key events, enable sharing of online feminist and other resources, and facilitate presidential/leadership connection and knowledge sharing. Dr. Emerald Archer, Executive Director of the Women’s College Coalition says, “We are thrilled to welcome Mount Saint Vincent University into the Coalition. A core part of our shared mission is
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to facilitate the development of strong and effective leaders. When women understand their potential and the responsibility that comes along with being a leader they take it very seriously, and they don’t stop after leaving our campuses.” MSVU was founded almost 150 years ago as a place of higher learning for young women and has emphasized the advancement of women and girls since its establishment. Today, the university is home to a diverse student body and has as its purpose to foster the education of women and other engaged thinkers while committing to social justice and to an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible community. FM
Tuition waiver program for former youth in care Mount Saint Vincent University is the first university in Atlantic Canada to launch a tuition waiver program specifically for former youth in care. The announcement was made in November 2020. “We could not be more thrilled to be launching this program at Mount Saint Vincent University. At MSVU, we embrace the diversity of our community and are committed to efforts that advance equity, inclusion, and accessibility across all facets of our university and beyond,” says Dr. Mary Bluechardt, former MSVU President and Vice-Chancellor. “MSVU was founded more than a century ago based on a commitment to removing barriers to education and this commitment still runs deep,” she notes. “We are home to a higher percentage of non-traditional students, and we pride ourselves on providing the personalized, supportive environment they need to thrive.” The MSVU Post-Care Tuition Waiver Program will cover 100% of participating students’ tuition and compulsory fees. A pilot phase of the program started in January 2021, with a full program launch planned for September 2021. “Education holds the power to transform lives. Through this program, we will provide a tuition-free opportunity for immeasurable personal, scholarly, and professional growth for eligible students. Whether they are coming to us from high school or have been out of school for many years, we look forward to welcoming these new students to the MSVU community and supporting them on their educational journey,” says Dr. Julie
McMullin, former MSVU Vice-President Academic and Provost who played an instrumental role in the development of the program. An MSVU navigator will be available to participating students to help them navigate their MSVU experience – from completing the tuition waiver program application to completing their degree. The navigator will ensure students are supported and connected with the resources they need. “As a former youth-in-care, I am grateful to MSVU for making post-secondary more accessible for people like me. Their leadership in helping to bring these opportunities coast to coast is an inspiration,” says Jane Kovarikova, founder of the Child Welfare Political Action Committee and a doctoral candidate at Western University. “One day it won’t matter where in Canada you are born or where you wish to study, thanks to institutions like MSVU who care about your future.” To be eligible, a student must have been in the foster care system for at least one year as a child/youth and meet the admission criteria for their chosen program. Students straight from high school and mature students are eligible, appreciating that not everyone’s journey to university is a linear one. Additionally, students must be in or entering their first degree and not currently part of the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services’ Educational Bursary Program for Children in Care. Special gratitude to Drs. Fernando Nunes and Shane Theunissen of MSVU’s Child and Youth Study department for their incredible leadership in bringing the program to reality. MSVU will fund the program and it will also benefit from the generous support of donors to the university. Those interested in supporting former youth-in-care on their MSVU journey can contribute through msvu.ca/donate. FM Folia 2021
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