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The Program Areas Leads (PALs) initiative was established to develop a dynamic network of staff and faculty in various units and departments across campus, each with a role committed to advancing anti-racism and equity within their teams. Built around four powerful objectives, the initiative aims to drive anti-racism and equity efforts across campus; support the implementation of institutional priorities; create a centralized process for relevant and related work and provide insights into systemic and interpersonal barriers on campus.  

Through three progressive iterations, participants engaged in a transformative journey by completing online learning modules, attending workshops, collaborating in group discussions, and analyzing case studies. To date, approximately 35 PALs from 14 academic support units, six faculties, and two affiliated colleges have taken part in this program. Feedback from participants has been positive.

Today, the PALs network consists of employees with formal equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism roles across campus. These employees meet regularly to stay informed on relevant issues on and off campus, share progress on their work, and support each other’s efforts.  This continuous collaboration maintains momentum, while fostering a robust network of professionals dedicated to advancing equity and anti-racism on campus.  

Even with the successful implementation of PALs, we recognize that numerous other staff and faculty are interested in engaging in this work through individual projects and/or by joining relevant committees or working groups.  For this reason, the EDI-R Community of Practice (EDI-R CoP) was launched. The EDI-R CoP aims to cultivate a collaborative space where members can share their work, learn from each other, and exchange effective strategies and best practices for implementing their work.  

In the last reporting period, the EDI-R CoP facilitated six virtual presentations, creating valuable opportunities for members to exchange ideas and experiences. Additionally, over 25 initiatives and events were showcased on the EDI-R CoP Teams site, reflecting the community’s commitment to collaboration and building impactful networks. 

Feedback from participants has been positive. One member praised the initiative's focus on "transformational change rather than transactional change," highlighting the community’s commitment to addressing systemic issues collaboratively.   Another noted the value of the "human-centered approach" in creating a supportive environment for tackling complex challenges.   

Campus community members have expressed that although they are interested in building their competencies in equity and anti-racism, they often feel uncertain about where to begin, continue, or navigate their educational journeys.  To empower and guide them, the Office of EDI-R has developed two comprehensive roadmaps—one focused on anti-racism and the other on gender and sexuality equity.   These roadmaps are designed to move learners forward, featuring key learning resources, which include, but are not limited to: 

• Introduction to Equity
• Anti-racism and Anti-oppression Modules
• Confronting Anti-racism e-Learning Course
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Fundamentals
• Pronouns FAQ.

With these resources, community members can confidently embark on their educational journeys, equipped to drive meaningful change. 

The new student-centered Amplify podcast reflects our innovative spirit and commitment to elevating diverse student voices. The podcast offers students a fresh and engaging platform for meaningful conversations, empowering voices who have been marginalized to lead the way in rethinking and reshaping familiar issues with new episodes released each semester. Each season is developed and hosted by co-op students who interview their peers about their experiences navigating academia amidst systemic barriers and societal expectations. By focusing on the challenges and triumphs of these students, the podcast aims to raise awareness of their unique student experiences and the appropriate ways to support students from marginalized, excluded and racialized communities. 

In the last reporting period: