Initiatives by Student Community and Leadership Development

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Throughout the summer, SCLD hosted a series of Student Organization Showcases. At the York 101 sessions, students from all years and programs were invited to come check out student organizations like the Robotics Society, YAMA Anime and Manga Association, York Cheerleading and more. 

Learn More About the Student Organization Showcase
20+
student organizations joined the showcase series.
Creating an intersectional holistic society

A recent speaker series featured Jack Saddleback baring raw stories with humorous musings to uplift spaces for identities like his, a Cree, two-spirit, transgender gay man. Weaving experiences of personal resilience and community compassion, Saddleback inspires an intersectional holistic society. 

Learn More About the Intersectional Futures Speaker Series
“I really enjoyed the personal nature of the session and would definitely recommend this session to the larger York community. Super well organized and great energy. So glad I listened in!"

The new Student Organization Conference provided student leaders with training, development and networking opportunities. This conference is a mandatory component for student organizations to be recognized by York and also offers an opportunity to connect student organizations with campus partners.

Learn More About the Student Organization Conference
160+
student organization leaders attended the conference and training sessions.
Making a bracelet to celebrate Pride

York community members celebrated, decorated and made their own bracelet in support of Pride! Hosted by the Student Community & Leadership Development’s student engagement team, materials and delicious snacks were provided.

Learn more about the event
30+
members of the York community dropped in to this event to make a bracelet, take pictures, or enjoy a cupcake!
Training the next generation of leaders

SCLD hosted a skills and development conference for students in paid and volunteer positions on May 13. This year's event featured a keynote presentation by YorkU Top 30 Under 30 Alumni, Farkhunda Muhtaj, who shared her journey as a humanitarian and sport activist and what resiliency means to her.

Learn more about peer leadership training
Attendance at the Peer Leadership Training is added to students Co-Curricular Record.

The first YODA Symposium brought together staff and students involved in the planning of orientation activities. The symposium, hosted by SCLD, featured a panel of York alumni sharing their experiences as orientation leaders and how their involvement at York supported their career growth.

50+
staff and students attended the YODA Symposium

Due to the success of January's Care Ambassadors Program, SCLD re-visioned the ASK ME Program. Stationed at four locations throughout York’s Keele campus, ASK ME ambassadors answered questions about wayfinding, campus services and York’s health and safety requirements. 

Ask Me Ambassadors responded to approximately 800 inquiries throughout March 2022. Over 50% of questions were regarding masks.

The Vari Hall Kiosk re-opened in late January to support students returning to in-person activities at York's Keele Campus. The kiosk is open from Monday to Thursday and is run by the Student Engagement Team who can answer questions, such as wayfinding, services and getting involved on campus.

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1,100+
inquiries that Student Engagement Ambassadors have responded to since reopening Jan. 31
Learning to lead after the pandemic

Students and graduates attended the Spark: Winter Leadership Summit, organized by The Office of Student Community & Leadership Development and Alumni Engagement, to help attendees build leadership capacity with the return to society and help them thrive in the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic.

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80
students, staff and alumni registered for the conference.
Welcoming students through Winter Orientation 2022

The Division of Students offered a wide variety of orientation programming for all new and incoming students on Jan. 7. Students attended a virtual welcome session which included a panel of students providing advice to new students on how to be successful in their first year at York.

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Students joined Winter Orientation 2022 from 25 countries (including Canada and the U.S.).
Welcoming students during Winter 2022 Orientation

Winter Orientation 2022 offers a wide variety of programming for all new and incoming students. It is a great way for new students to meet new people, discover campus resources and learn all about their degree while providing students with a smooth transition to York.

Learn More about Winter 2022 Orientation
Census Days drives survey completions

Census Days, led by SCLD, took place on Oct. 19 and 27 to help encourage students to complete the Student Equity & Diversity Census Survey. With support from volunteers across the Division, students were invited to complete the survey while being treated to candy and additional prizes.

Learn more about the Student Equity & Diversity Census
10,000+
students completed the survey, with over 200 students completions as a result of Census Days.
Community Welcome for Black Students

SCLD, along with Black Student Associations and other student governments, held the first ever Community Welcome for Black students. The 2-day event included both virtual activities and an outdoor gathering for students to meet various communities on campus that support Black students.

The event had over 150 registrants and was seen as a huge success by students and staff alike. The event could not have happened without the collaborative efforts of York's Black student leaders.
Virtual & In-Person Fall Orientation

New students attended virtual and in-person Fall Orientation activities. York Orientation Day was held virtually on September 3, 2021, which included Academic Orientation and a Welcome Ceremony video. The video has been seen over 3,688 times.

Watch the Welcome Ceremony
York's Welcome Ceremony was a pan-university collaboration that included video submissions from staff across the Division of Students, Athletics & Recreation, YFS, and student clubs.

To support students returning to campus, the Division of Students organized Ask Me Booths from September 13 to 17, 2021. More than 15 volunteers interacted with students outside of the Bennett Centre for Student Services, the Kanneff Building, and inside the Vari Hall Kiosk.

15
volunteers from across the Division of Students signed-up to participate in the Ask Me Booth program.

In April, the SCLD hosted the 12th Annual Peer Leadership Training Conference. Student leaders participated in asynchronous training modules, networking sessions, live workshops and an alumni keynote panel featuring some of York's Top 30 Under 30 Changemakers.  

 

 

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16 developmental sessions, 2 live sessions, 14 learning modules, 150+ participants.
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