College tells students "You Matter Here"

WHITEHORSE – Students heading back to class this week at Yukon College will learn that "You Matter Here".

The statement, featured on posters and postcards around campus, is part of efforts to ensure a welcoming atmosphere for the College’s diverse student population.

The campaign is spearheaded by Mitch Miyagawa, coordinator of the College’s Yukon Cultures Connect project. Miyagawa hopes the campaign will spark discussion among students and staff and help them appreciate each other’s differences.

"I’ve been spending a lot of time building bridges between Yukon’s cultural groups and saw a way to do this inside the College also,” said Miyagawa. “I would really like to help the College continue to grow as a leader and role model in the community, promoting and celebrating our diverse community here."

Michelle McHardy, Residence Mentor at the College, worked with Miyagawa to develop the campaign.

"Diversity encompasses all of our unique characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and our varying abilities. These are all represented in our College community. We have students in all stages of their lives pursuing everything from adult basic education to graduate degrees.  We have international students, francophone students, and a lot of students from Yukon and Northern First Nations and all of them are dealing with the pressures of coursework, deadlines and whatever personal challenges they might be facing," said McHardy.

"Everyone matters here at Yukon College.  Regardless of who you are, where you come from or what your current circumstances are, it’s important that you feel welcome, supported and safe here."

The red, yellow and blue-coloured posters and postcards direct people to the Yukon College website where they can find information about the College’s commitment to inclusion and diversity. It also includes links to specific programs like Campfire to College for rural students, the Learning Assistance Centre, and personal counseling services.

Miyagawa said the College already has a lot in place, but has never grouped its initiatives under the banner of inclusion.

"We have really strong value statements in our strategic plan and policies and programs promoting inclusivity, but could do better at communicating our values to students and the public."

Yukon Cultures Connect will host a Diversity Meet and Greet, with food from around the world, on Friday September 14th as part of Yukon College’s orientation activities.

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For more information, contact:

Michael Vernon
Communications Coordinator
College Relations
Yukon College
867 668 8786
867 332 4722
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca

Kirsti Wallace
Acting Director
College Relations
Yukon College
867 456 8619
kwallace@yukoncollege.yk.ca