Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Our EDI Strategy

Lambton College believes that every person should have the opportunity to live a full, authentic life.

Our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy will act as a road map for the College, providing direction on everything from our curricular and pedagogical practices to enhancing student supports, research infrastructure, leadership development, and organizational culture.

Biannual Update

As a community leader in equity, diversity, and inclusion, Lambton College has a significant responsibility to continue building on the important work we have done to create a college community in which everyone has the opportunity to live a full and authentic life.

We are committed to providing a biannual update on our EDI strategy so we can measure our progress and ensure we are enacting meaningful change that impacts the lived experiences of our community members.

Strategic Pillars & Actions

There are seven strategic pillars that form the basis of Lambton College's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy (pdf) - below are the highlighted pillars and actions taken:

Pillar 1

We will Indigenize and decolonize our spaces - Executive Sponsor - Rob Kardas, President & CEO

Pillar 2

We will foster more inclusive, equitable, diverse, and accessible working and learning environments - Executive Sponsor - Kurtis Gray, Associate Vice-President, Student Success

Pillar 3

We will increase diversity of staff and faculty - Executive Sponsor - Spencer Dickson, Senior Vice-President, Strategy & Corporate Services

Pillar 4

We will develop inclusive curriculum and support the ability of faculty to teach students from diverse backgrounds - Executive Sponsor - Mary Vaughan, Senior Vice-President, Academic & Student Success

Pillar 5

We will provide more responsive student programs and services - Executive Sponsor - Kurtis Gray, Associate Vice-President, Student Success

Pillar 6

We will ensure that community connections and partnerships meet the needs of our diverse college community - Executive Sponsor - Spencer Dickson, Senior Vice-President, Strategy & Corporate Services

Pillar 7

We will strengthen research excellence through embedding Indigeneity, inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility considerations throughout the research process - Executive Sponsor - Mehdi Sheikhzadeh, Vice-President, Research & Innovation

EDI in Action

Inclusive Spaces Committee

The Inclusive Spaces Committee is a student-led group that works to identify and mitigate physical barriers on campus and eliminate other barriers to inclusion. We plan informational workshops and barrier-free activities for students and employees, and we work with College departments and services to improve accessibility. We also provide space for students to grow their advocacy skills to communicate their rights and needs.

Our hope is that anyone who might doubt they could succeed at college will instead know they will be supported and embraced here for who they are and what they offer, making this an even more diverse and inclusive community.

Amber Harding

CICE Learning Specialist

Nicholas Schnarr-Rice

Student

A CICE learning specialist and a student

Striving for a more equitable and inclusive learning environment.

Mental Health & Gender Equity Certificate

The Mental Health and Gender Equity Certificate is a series of professional development sessions that empower employees to support individuals with mental health challenges and address issues related to gender inequality. Suitable for employees at all points in their own learning journeys, the sessions increase understanding and build practical skills for identifying and responding to people in times of distress and vulnerability.

This program aims to help create a safer and healthier environment where students and employees alike feel a greater sense of belonging, ultimately resulting in improved wellness and increased persistence and retention.

Catharine Dishke, Dean, Academic Excellence & Teaching Innovation
Lori Brush, Manager, Counselling & Wellness, Accessibility Services, Testing, & Student Success Navigators
Pam Noordam, Organizational Development Coordinator, Teaching & Learning

CICAN Award 2024

Lambton College’s strategic commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) has been celebrated with the top award amongst Canadian colleges. The College is honoured to have received the 2024 Gold Award of Excellence in EDI from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), the organization that represents publicly supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics in Canada and internationally.

Inclusivity Assessment

Lambton College conducted an assessment in 2021 with the help of Turner Consulting Group Inc. - a third-party consultant. The assessment considered:

A review of employment policies and practices
A review of student policies and practices
Consultations with students, staff, and faculty through focus groups and online surveys
One-on-one interviews with senior leaders, human resources staff, and union representatives
Consultations with stakeholders in the college community

The results of this assessment we compiled into a two-part report and formed the basis of our EDI Strategy.