On April 16, 2013, I was one of three panelists for an event celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where the theme was “Reflections on Diversity and Excellence – OAMI Through the Years”, and the panelists were asked to answer 4 questions that touched on that … [Read more...]
Women and Leadership – Doing it Her Way
March is Women’s History Month, and it is a designated time to reflect on the accomplishments of women as leaders, and how much farther we have to go. On Ryerson University’s campus we celebrated Viola Desmond Day and International Women’s Day. Both celebrations underscored how women leaders are essential to advancing the status of women in North America. Julia … [Read more...]
What Is a Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)?
In 2012, I was named the inaugural Assistant Vice President/Vice Provost of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for Ryerson University, which is located in Toronto, Ontario. As such, my mandate is to provide leadership, advocacy, and coordination for the institution such that all members of our Ryerson community have the opportunity to learn, work, and live in an … [Read more...]
Celebrate and Embrace Diversity!
Diversity is a fact of life. We will find it in people that we believe ‘resemble' us and in people we believe are ‘different' from us. We are all unique and are different in some aspect - it can be in thoughts and perceptions, physical looks, cultures, or beliefs. Our perceptions play a great role in differentiating people with whom we associate. From … [Read more...]