Queen’s recently celebrated individuals and groups on campus that support the advancement of equity, human rights, accessibility and inclusion within the university community.

Principal Daniel Woolf handed out the Employment Equity Award, the Human Rights Initiative Award, and the Steve Cutway Accessibility Award during a ceremony at Richardson Hall earlier this week.

“The contributions by these deserving recipients help ensure that individuals have the opportunity to achieve their full potential at Queen’s,” Principal Woolf says. “The recipients went above and beyond what was expected of them to build and nurture a university community that’s inclusive for all.”   

John Witjes, Associate Vice-Principal (Facilities), accepted the Employment Equity Award for his commitment to creating a working environment that is supportive and welcoming of diversity and inclusion. Mr. Witjes played a leadership role in piloting the Equitable Hiring of Custodians initiative. The lessons learned from the initiative will help inform the equitable hiring of all staff across the university.

The African and Caribbean Students Association (ACSA) received the Queen’s Human Rights Initiative Award for its annual Culture Show. As Kingston’s largest celebration of culture, identity, and self-expression, the Culture Show is an outstanding example of respect for diversity and community building. In producing the Culture Show, ACSA has formed lasting partnerships with groups such as the Queen’s Indian Students Association, Queen’s South American and Latin Students Association and the Great Panda Society to name but a few.

Access Champions accepted the Steve Cutway Accessibility Award for its efforts to provide accessibility assistance to anyone or any event on campus. Founded by Ellen Flanagan (OT’14), Access Champions started as a one-off meant to ensure access and inclusivity for alumni and other visitors during Homecoming 2013. Under Ms. Flanagan’s tutelage, the program expanded to include Orientation Week 2014. Since then Sam Wade (OT’15) and Nicole Krasko (OT’15) have taken up the Access Champions baton with more than 16 OT students willing and able to provide accessibility assistance.