91社区 Outreach Symposium
September 28, 2023
Join us in creating a community outreach event with a focus on best practices in youth engagement, promoting access to education for all, working with historically underrepresented populations, as well as incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion in planning and efforts. The ultimate objective of the 91社区 Outreach Symposium is to create a space where attendees exchange ideas, gain new insights, and collectively work towards building more equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities.
The听schedule at a glance
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sarah Pash
Dr. Sarah Pash holds a PhD in Educational Success for First Nations Students, a Master鈥檚 degree in Education focused on Community & Parent Involvement, and two Bachelor degrees as well as certificates at the post-secondary level.
During her earlier career, she served as a secondary teacher, curriculum developer, and consultant with the Cree School Board. From 2015 to 2018, she led the in Ouj茅-Bougoumou as Executive Director, and currently serves on the Reconciliation Council of the , and the national Indigenous Heritage Circle.
She was elected to the Office of the Chairperson of the Cree School Board for two terms, one in July 2018 and the other in July 2021.
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9:30 AM - Opening Remarks
Gillian Nycum, University Registrar and Executive Director
Yolande E. Chan, Dean, Faculty of Management
Ann Deer, Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives
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String Quartet
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Justin Almazan
Winner of the Sylva Gelber Foundation Award and the Eleanor Stubley Recording Prize, Justin Almazan is a Canadian-American violist and researcher based in Montr茅al. As an orchestral musician, Justin has performed with the Seattle and Toronto Symphony orchestras and toured internationally with Montre虂al and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras.
As a chamber musician, Justin has performed with Kim Kashkashian, Joseph Silverstein, James Buswell, and Philip Setzer of the Emerson String Quartet. He was selected to compete in several international quartet competitions, including Premio Paolo Borciani in Italy and the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition in Norway. Justin also toured Italy with the Milton String Quartet as part of Fischoff Competition鈥檚 Grand Prize .
Currently a doctoral candidate at 91社区鈥檚 Schulich School of Music, Justin studies with Andre虂 Roy and Victor Fournelle-Blain. Previously, Justin studied at the Colburn School and Cleveland Institute of Music with Arnold Steinhardt, Paul Coletti, Lynne Ramsey, Jeffrey Irvine, and Robert Vernon.
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Aaron Chan
Born in Canada, Aaron was raised in Hong Kong where he was granted a full scholarship at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts鈥� Junior Program, where he also studied viola as a double major.
Aaron received a Bachelor of Music at the Cleveland Institute of Music and 91社区鈥檚 Schulich School of Music, where he studied with Jinjoo Cho, and also minored in Music History. He then continued on to his Masters鈥檚 degree at Rice University鈥檚 Shepherd School of Music.
In 2018, Aaron won the classical concerto competition and chamber competition with his quartet (Quatuor Lafontaine) at 91社区, granting him performances at the Pollack Hall and the Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur.
Currently, Aaron is a resident of the Rebanks Family Fellowship and International Performance Residency Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
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Ladusa Chang Ou
Montreal born, Ladusa has won several competitions, including the Canadian National Music Competition鈥檚 Grand Prize and laureate of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra competition.
Ladusa has appeared as guest soloist with the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra, I Musici de Montr茅al Chamber Orchestra, the Montreal Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Appassionata Chamber Orchestra and les Violons du Roy Chamber Orchestra.
She has worked with many renowned violinists such as Masuko Uchida, Michael Frischenschlager, Pinchas Zukermann, Patty Kopec, Sylvia Rosenberg, James Dunham, David Finckel. and has collaborated with world class musicians such as Martin Beaver, Rafael Rosenfeld, Wolfgang Redik. As a member of the Lorne Quartet, she has won the 91社区 Chamber Music competition, and has attended Aspen Music Festival's Advanced String Quartet fellowship program, and 91社区 International String Quartet Academy.
Ladusa is a graduate of 91社区's Schulich School of Music and recently completed her master's in violin performance at Yale University's School of Music.
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Braden McConnell
Based in Montreal, Branden studied with Amir Eldan at the Oberlin Conservatory, Susan Moses at the Indiana University String Academy, and Richard Aaron at the University of Michigan before attending 91社区 to study with Brian Manker. Braden toured Brazil and Argentina with the Indiana University Violin Virtuosi and performed at Carnegie Hall with Gilles Apap.
As a member of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, he performed two more times in Carnegie Hall with Leon Fleisher. Braden earned first prize at the David Popper International Cello Competition in V谩rpalota, Hungary. He has also won first prizes in the 91社区 Concerto Competition, the Sigma Alpha Iota Competition and the Cleveland Cello Society Competition.
A National Merit Scholar, Braden received a Bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Michigan, triple-majoring in Cello, Mathematics, and Economics and a Master of Music from 91社区. He also has been a part of both the Pers茅e String Quartet and the Myriade String Quartet, and has collaborated with artists including Andrew Wan, Philip Chiu and Jamie Parker.
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10:30 AM - Morning Plenary
Communities Speak: Building effective and equitable relationships with under-represented learners听
91社区鈥檚 recent student census and other existing research identify Indigenous, Black and learners in/from foster care as being the most underrepresented and underserved in higher education. The invited speakers are community-based advocates who identify among the previously listed groups and who will bring forward their experience and best practices in creating solid bonds with under-represented learners.
Invited speakers are community-based advocates who identify as Indigenous, Black and having lived experience in Quebec's child protection system.听
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Meet the speakers
Jayne Malenfant
Jayne Malenfant is an Assistant Professor in Social Justice and Community Education at the Department of Integrated Studies in Education at 91社区. Their work looks at the intersections of the right to education and the right to housing, with a focus on community leadership in research, advocacy, and action.
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Micha毛le Aubourg
Micha毛le Aubourg is a U2 undergraduate student at 91社区. She is completing a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Cognitive Science. She is interested in philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, linguistics and social sciences. She is currently involved in a research project chaperoned by the BCRC with two other Mcgill Undergraduates where she examines the non-financial factors that could explain the low graduation rate of black students in higher education.
Marcelle Partouche
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Drake D'Souza
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Kadiata Kaba
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13:10 - Kitchen Table Conversation on Indigenous Outreach
Imagine yourself gathered with diverse individuals, in an informal and welcoming environment that will create the perfect space for engaging in conversations on fostering stronger connections with Indigenous communities.鈥� As we explore the subject of Indigenous outreach鈥痑t 91社区,鈥痺e'll鈥痙elve into the multifaceted aspects of building meaningful relationships, promoting cultural understanding, and working toward reconciliation.鈥疨articipants will have the opportunity to share personal experiences, insights, and innovative ideas, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and learning.
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Meet the speakers
Lynnsey Chartrand
Lynnsey works with Branches as its Advisor for Indigenous initiatives, including the IMPRESS program. In this capacity, she is committed to working collaboratively to increase access and remove barriers to higher education for Indigenous students.
Prior to working with Branches, Lynnsey spent six years doing policy work within the innovation sector, including on issues related to equity, diversity and inclusion within higher education. Lynnsey鈥檚 background is in Sociology.
Lynnsey鈥檚 work with 91社区 aims to support the Calls to Action laid out in the Provost鈥檚 Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education, as well as those of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission more broadly. Lynnsey was born and raised in Treaty 4 and her father's family is Red River M茅tis.
Matthew Fidel Coutu-Moya
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Thomasina Phillips
Associate Director, Indigenous Student Success, Office of Indigenous Initiatives
Kim Martin
Dean of Indigenous Education at John Abbott College
Geraldine King
Assistant Professor; Senior Advisor, Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy (Office of Indigenous Initiatives)
Alex Allard-Gray
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13:10 - EDI at 91社区: Getting our house in order before inviting others in
The intent of this roundtable is to explore how EDI work at 91社区 attempts to make the campus accessible and a welcoming space for learners historically under-represented in higher education. Ensuring our house is in order needs to happen in parallel with recent efforts to increase outreach to these learners, otherwise, we risk causing more harm and negatively impacting retention and graduation rates.
Meet the Moderator and Speakers
Nia Fernandez
Inaugural Manager of E-IDEA (Engineering Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Advancement)
Brittany Williams
Karrie-Noelle Plohman is an experienced non-profit director and intergroup dialogue facilitator with a long track record of supporting and growing non-profit organizations and programs in the areas of anti-oppressive practice, transformational justice and structural change.
With a career based in Manitoba, she has spent over twenty years playing key leadership roles in the child welfare and disability sectors; Karrie-Noelle has prioritized community and relationship building as a pathway towards radical change, the institutionalizing of equity practices and transformative growth. Karrie-Noelle has placed a high value on volunteer work and serving the community; in 2006 she co-founded a coalition called Connecting Communities which advocated on behalf of Indigenous and Newcomer populations confronting the challenges of HIV/AIDS, in 2012 she was appointed President of the Child and Youth Care Workers鈥� Association of Manitoba and went on to become a steering committee member and training coordinator for the Braids of Strength Community Network.
Karrie-Noelle values the principles of transparency, community led movement and revolutionary growth through dialogue. Most recently, she served as the Program Director for two restorative justice programs in Winnipeg.
Claudia Flynn
Claudia Flynn is a learning and development specialist with E-IDEA (Engineering, Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Advancement) and is a natural-born go-getter with a passion for learning and working with others. She holds a BSc in Chemistry and Mathematics from Dalhousie University and is currently at 91社区 pursuing a MA in Teaching and Learning, specializing in Science and Technology. From the west coast of Newfoundland, Claudia is a founding member of the Qalipu Mi鈥檏maq first nations band and draws on her past experiences to shape her views of the future.
Karen Diop
Associate Director, Black Inclusion, Success, and Strategic Initiatives
Karrie-Noelle Plohman
Assistant Dean of Students / Dean鈥檚 Lead, Black and Indigenous Flourishing听路听91社区 鈥� Faculty of Law
13:10 - Making knowledge accessible and research relevant for youth and families
The goal of this discussion is for researcher-practitioners to discuss best practices, obstacles and aspirations for presenting the work and use of academic research to young people in a way that can get them inspired about embarking on a university and possibly a research path.鈥疎specially for those whose families and ancestors only knew research as harmful, filled with empty promises and producing myopic public policy. We could also talk about鈥痟ow scholars can make complex information and phenomena both palatable and exciting for young people (i.e. understanding diverse theoretical frameworks, positionality, etc).
Meet the Moderator and Speakers
Gregory Gooding
Gregory Gooding is currently completing his Master鈥檚 Degree in Experimental Medicine at McGIll. As a Black Community Program assistant with Branches, he participats in developing, revising and organising the Pick Your Path program.听
Tanya Matthews
Dr. Tanya Matthews is a speech language pathologist with a Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders from 91社区. Her doctoral research focused on the differential diagnosis and development of interventions to treat children diagnosed with severe speech sound disorders. She was awarded the 91社区 Third Century postdoctoral research fellowship, supporting her research investigating the relationship between income inequality and reading outcomes. She is conducting an ethnographical study to document the oral language and preliteracy practices in the homes of Black families in Montreal. Her other research goals are to foster reading acquisition by developing e-books that aim to mimic one-on-one parent interactions and to create health literacy tools that are culturally sensitive to the health needs of individuals in Black communities.
Emily Booker
Emily Booker is a settler of mixed European heritage. She grew up and is currently located on the shared unceded territories of the x史m蓹胃k史蓹y虛蓹m (Musqueam), S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh (Squamish) and S蓹l虛铆lw蓹ta蕯/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations (Vancouver, BC). She completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2016 and a Master of Arts in 2020, both from 91社区. Emily has worked in research addressing community-specific issues relating to sexual and gender-based violence through youth-led, arts-based and creative methods with the More Than Words project since 2019.
Carolina Cruz-Vinaccia
Trottier Space Institute Program Administrator for Inreach, Outreach EDI
14:20 Black Outreach: Enhancing Access to University
91社区鈥檚 Action plan addressing Anti-Black Racism on campus was launched in 2020. As a predominantly white institute, 91社区 has to develop concrete strategies to enhance Black student access in order to be consistent with the objectives of this plan. This roundtable will bring together people who have launched and/or work in programs established across the university to enhance black student access to higher education, more precisely to 91社区. Amongst the topics related to this topic, the roundtable will focus on the multiple approaches and initiatives taken to enhance 91社区's relationship with Black Students and connect actively with Montreal's Black community to allow our campus to reflect our city鈥檚 strong demographic diversity.
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Meet the Moderator and Speakers
Camille Georges
Camille joined the Branches team as the Black Community Outreach Associate. She is dedicated to facilitating access to higher education for Black youth as part of 91社区鈥檚 Anti-Black Racism Action Plan. She collaborates with 91社区 and Montreal Black communities to co-develop mentoring programs that address the systemic challenges faced by Black communities in accessing University.鈥� Outside of 91社区, Camille works closely with non-profit organizations on projects that drive social change. Rooted in a community-centered approach, Camille鈥檚 experience is in leading and co-creating programs related to the social inclusion of racialized youth with non-profit organizations in Montreal.
Charles Gyan
Dr. Charles Gyan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at 91社区. Dr. Gyan embodies a harmonious blend of intellectual pursuits and a deep-rooted passion for effecting social policy change, transnational social work practice, and community development. His multifaceted journey has seamlessly interwoven his academic and research interests with a profound dedication to advancing social justice. At the heart of Dr. Gyan's scholarly pursuits lies a conviction that society can be transformed through the pursuit of equity and fairness. His program of research reverberates with a resolute commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and championing the rights of marginalized communities. In every inquiry, he seeks to unveil the invisible threads that perpetuate inequality and inequity, striving to pave a more just and inclusive path forward. Dr. Gyan is the founding chair of Black Access 91社区 (BAM), an initiative that echoes his unwavering mission to create pathways that empower Black students within the 91社区 School of Social Work. Under his leadership, BAM has ignited transformative pathways, forged avenues that amplify outreach, recruitment, retention, and the graduation of Black students within the 91社区 School of Social Work. He was the recipients of the 2023 91社区鈥檚 Award for Equity & Community Building - Academic Staff category.
Ommu-Kulsoom Abdul-Rahman
The Frederick Phillips Summer Program
A B.C.L. & J.D. candidate at 91社区's Faculty of Law. Ommu-Kulsoom holds a joint-honours B.A. in Political Science and Islamic Studies. Experienced and highly skilled in research, document review, drafting reports, social media and branding. Her interests are largely business law, international human rights law, global politics and diplomacy.
Antoine-Samuel Mauffette Alavo
Antoine-Samuel Mauffette Alavo (BA 鈥�07) joined the equity team as Black Student Affairs Liaison. In this role, Antoine-Samuel is responsible for connecting with and supporting Black students across 91社区 at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, to ensure that their needs and interests are communicated effectively to the University and addressed in a timely and effective manner. Antoine holds an MA in International Studies from Universit茅 de Montr茅al. He has worked as a Liaison Officer and Field Studies Officer with 91社区鈥檚 Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science. He also worked as a coordinator for the C么te-des-Neiges Youth Center. Antoine wants to help all Black students reach their full professional and academic potential and connect with the Montreal Black community.
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Hendrick Paquette-Ambroise
Director, Outreach & Advocacy, Black Medical Student Association; Mentor, Community Supports Program in Medicine and beneficiary of Black Candidate Pathway
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14:20 - EDI in Student-led Outreach groups听
Join a discussion amongst some members of 91社区鈥檚 student outreach groups. Listen to these students' insights on how they approach outreach, their goals and what gaps in education their group addresses. The work that goes into making cross-campus collaborations work, with other student groups, faculties and admin units as well as the work into building community partnerships. How is impact measured when working in these groups?
Meet the Moderator and Speakers
Victor Sanchez-Lopez
Victor Sanchez Lopez is Associate Director, Student Involvement for Campus Life and Engagement at 91社区. For more than ten years, he has held different positions focused on youth development including Entrepreneurship Program Manager at LOJIQ 鈥� Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Qu茅bec, International Trade Advisor for creative industries at the Minist猫re de l'脡conomie, de l'Innovation et de l'脡nergie and Deputy General Manager at the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal, a volunteer-led non-for-profit organization.
Anna Maria Zubieta
Content A
Jessica Ford
PhD Candidate at 91社区,听Graduate Association of the Redpath Museum (GARM) and STEMM Diversity @ 91社区
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Chidiebere Okarah
Black Student Network (BSN)
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Gajanan Velupillai
L.E.X. (Law-脡ducation-Connexion)听
14:20 - WORKSHOP: Sociocultural sensitivity working with newcomers and refugees听
Participate in interactive training developed for health professionals to integrate sociocultural sensitivity into working with newcomers and refugees. A simulation-based activity will be facilitated for participants.听
Meet the Facilitator and Co-facilitators
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Seeta Ramdass
Seeta Ramdass, Patient &Community Advocate and Associate Director, Office of Social Accountability and Community Engagement (SACE) of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences听听听
She has over 25 years鈥� experience in healthcare communications, community, and media relations within the fields of public health and education and is known for her advocacy for socioculturally safe and equitable health care, inclusion and respect for culturally diverse, vulnerable and marginalized populations.听
A graduate from 91社区 in the field of Clinical Psychology, she has several certifications and diploma courses which include: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Core Competency course in Gender and Health, the Training Program on Human Factors in Patient Security and Safety, and Prevention of Harassment in the Workplace at APER Sant茅 et Services sociaux. She served as a member of the FMHS Social Accountability and Social Engagement Task Force, the Quebec government Groupe Action Contre le Racisme, and is a member of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada Standing Committee on Social Accountability. Co-Chair of the MUHC鈥檚 Committee for Action on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, she is known for her role as co-lead researcher and author of a report highlighting systemic racism and discrimination in Quebec.听
Audrey Sika Mvibudulu-Feruzi
Audrey Sika Mvibudulu-Feruzi is the equity, diversity, and inclusion outreach administrator at the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences. As a former educator, fellow, policy advocate for English Learners, and a teaching leadership institute cadre member in Nashville, Tennessee, Mvibudulu-Feruzi actively works to promote STEMM disciplines and the dentistry career to underrepresented high school and CEGEP students in Montreal and Quebec. Mvibudulu-Feruzi is passionate about promoting outreach initiatives, inclusivity, minority affairs, diversity, and equity at 91社区 and in Montreal
Grant Eshoo
Grant joined the 91社区 School of Continuing Studies鈥� new SEED Initiative as the program administrator in March 2023. In this role, he is crafting and implementing the program with a goal to increase access to professional education and career advancement. Previously, he served as a specialist for the Office of Homeless Services of Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay Area where he focused on creating and accessing permanent supportive housing opportunities for the most vulnerable of the county鈥檚 thousands of unhoused residents. Prior to working at the county, Grant worked as a specialist for the City of Alameda鈥檚 Rent Program where he implemented the rent stabilization ordinance that had been recently enacted by the city council in an attempt to mitigate the rapidly rising cost of rent and increased evictions in the community. Before working in municipal government, Grant administered fair housing programs at several non-profit organizations in the Bay Area, with a mission to ensure that equal opportunity and non-discrimination laws were observed in the rental, sale, advertising, and management of housing.
Questions? Reach out!
If you have any questions or need more information about the 91社区 Outreach Symposium, feel free to contact us.
