Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has launched the Black Student Success and Engagement website, a one-stop resource to provide Black students with easy access to vital information about programs, services and opportunities.
Stemming from the Anti-Black Racism Student Advisory Committee's (ABRSAC)
Review of Recommendations report, the new website is one way to help foster community engagement and a sense of belonging, while supporting Black students' academic, personal and professional success.
Black students have shared that while programming, opportunities and supports are available, they can be difficult to track down because they often reside across multiple departments and websites. Students shared that this leads to missed opportunities for connection and support. To address these challenges, the Student Communications unit in the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students led a project to make the information more accessible in one single website.
The new website for Black students at TMU is valuable, says Shaniqua Browne, a student in the Child and Youth Care program. "It serves as a one-stop hub, offering Black students easy access to a wide range of resources and opportunities designed to empower them across campus," says Browne, who is also a community and leadership mentor in the Tri-Mentoring Program.
"I see this as a blueprint for social justice reform, highlighting the incredible work being done to uplift our community. For students who may have previously felt uncertain about where to turn for support, this website provides a clear starting point, helping to overcome the barriers we've long faced."
Key features of the Black Student Success and Engagement website
The Black Student Success and Engagement website consolidates events, resources and support services tailored for Black students. Students will find information about:
Community engagement and cultural events
Information about how to access the Black Student Lounge and events, like the Black Excellence Mixer, Black Excellence Graduation and the Black Flourishing Conference, live on the new website. Additionally, students can explore the many clubs and organizations on campus that bring Black students together over shared identities, experiences and interests. These community engagement opportunities provide ways for Black students to connect with peers and mentors. TMU's Black Student Support Facilitator in Student Life and Learning Support further uplifts Black students by hosting advising appointments, and facilitating events and programs that promote their success.
Mental health and wellness programs
Counselling services, support groups and physical health initiatives are highlighted on the website so that Black students can more easily access programs that support their well-being. Information about Consent Comes First is also available for those affected by sexual violence and gender-based violence, offering free, confidential, trauma-informed, and healing-centred support.
Financial assistance
The website has a section that informs Black students about awards, scholarships and bursaries. Linking to the AwardSpring database
offers all students access to $20 million in award options, including those specifically dedicated to Black students to help them achieve their academic goals.
Academic support
The website includes information about academic advising and the Tri-Mentoring Program. Black students can connect with upper-year mentors for career support, one of the key services offered through the Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre in the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students.
Stay tuned for new relevant programming and initiatives on the website.
An online hub to foster community and a sense of belonging at TMU
The Black Student Success and Engagement website helps foster community and a sense of belonging on campus for Black students. Events designed to connect Black students, faculty and staff can build networks and support the sharing of knowledge, culture and history.
Responding to the anti-Black racism campus climate review
The Black Student Success and Engagement website is a response to the Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report, published by the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) in 2020. One of the report's recommendations was to strengthen funding for student-led initiatives that support and centre them, such as the new website.
This project is one of many that TMU is taking to address and dismantle barriers that hinder the success of Black students.
"We are committed to evolving our programming and resources to better meet the needs of Black students, and to creating physical and virtual spaces that support Black flourishing within our community," said Jen McMillen, vice-provost, students. "The Black Student Success and Engagement website is the latest of many initiatives university wide that aim to centre the Black student experience, and strives to make it as simple as possible to find information that will support their individual journeys."
At TMU, the Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism (PICCABR) continues to provide leadership and direction on implementing the 14 recommendations from the Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report, confronting anti-Black racism and cultivating Black flourishing."This website serves as a holistic resource for Black students, fostering a sense of belonging in our community," said Tanya (Toni) De Mello, vice-president, equity and community inclusion.
"This work is about access and empowerment, and we hope it will go a long way in helping Black students to thrive in a fully-participatory campus environment. The collective impact of these efforts is significant, and the dedicated work done so far lays the groundwork for embedding equitable practices throughout the university experience."
To learn more about the transformative opportunities available, visit the website.
