Two Queen鈥檚 alumnae have been named associate vice-principals at Queen鈥檚 to help advance inclusivity, equity, and reconciliation initiatives across campus.
Kanonhsyonne (Janice Hill), Ed鈥99, and Stephanie Simpson, Artsci鈥95, Ed鈥97, MEd鈥11, have accepted the inaugural positions of Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation) and Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion) respectively.
In these roles, Ms. Hill and Ms. Simpson will work closely with Teri Shearer, Deputy Provost (Academic Operations and Inclusion), to provide strategic guidance on equity, inclusion, and Indigenous initiatives at Queen鈥檚.
鈥淚n creating these Associate Vice-Principal positions, we are making a statement that our commitment to reconciliation, equity, and inclusion is unwavering and growing.鈥
鈥淚 commend Kanonhsyonne and Ms. Simpson on their efforts to foster a more inclusive environment at Queen鈥檚,鈥 says Dr. Shearer. 鈥淚n creating these Associate Vice-Principal positions, we are making a statement that our commitment to reconciliation, equity, and inclusion is unwavering and growing.鈥
Since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Task Force and the Principal鈥檚 Implementation Committee on Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (PICRDI) reports 18 months ago, the university鈥檚 leadership team has worked diligently to implement the reports鈥 most pressing recommendations and advance the goals of equity and reconciliation at Queen鈥檚.
In their previous roles as Director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Executive Director (Human Rights and Equity Offices) and the University Advisor on Equity and Human Rights, Ms. Hill and Ms. Simpson made significant contributions to the university鈥檚 ongoing inclusivity efforts. Elevating their positions to the level of Associate Vice-Principal ensures that they are positioned to help shape the strategic initiatives of the university and advance equity, inclusion, and reconciliation alongside their fellow members of the Queen鈥檚 community.
Kanonhsyonne received the Alumni Mentorship Award in April during the Queen鈥檚 University Alumni Association Awards Gala in honour of her decades of work helping hundreds of Indigenous students and community members on campus.
This story originally appeared in the Queen鈥檚 Gazette.
