On September 28th, staff, faculty, and community members came together for the inaugural McGill Outreach Symposium. Initiated by Branches - McGill's Community Outreach Program in Enrolment Services, the symposium inspired collaboration across the University. The McGill Outreach Symposium was a transformative experience reaffirming our commitment to unity, community engagement, and progress. Roundtable discussions and panels centred on access to education and outreach to youth facing barriers received enthusiastic participation.
This event was made possible through the partnership of representatives from Campus Life & Engagement (CL&E), First Peoples’ House, Indigenous Health Professions Program (IHPP), McGill faculties (Continuing Studies, Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Engineering, Law, Desautels-Management, Medicine & Health Sciences, Schulich School of Music, Science), Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Social Accountability and Community Engagement (SACE) and The Neuro.
The McGill Outreach Symposium was a transformative experience reaffirming our commitment to unity, community engagement, and progress. Roundtable discussions and panels centred on access to education and outreach to youth facing barriers received enthusiastic participation.
The day began with opening remarks from Gillian Nycum, University Registrar and Executive Director, Yolande E. Chan, Dean, Faculty of Management and Ann Deer, Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives introduced the day's events and positioned the Symposium within Indigenous Awareness Week. Dr. Sarah Pash, Chairperson of the Cree School Board, gave a heartfelt keynote speech before Seeta Ramdass, Associate Director, Office of Social Accountability and Community Engagement, FMHS, brought the day to a close.
Interrupting the narrative of isolation, the symposium facilitated connections and conversations between departments paving the way for future collaboration; reimagining how we engage with our history, as an institution and as individuals, while also moving forward. The McGill Outreach Symposium was a resounding success, a testament to our commitment to building more equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities.