Celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a partnered campaign that encourages students to foster an entrepreneurial mindset by participating in related activities and discovering recommended resources. In 2023, McMaster Entrepreneurship Week aimed to inspire participants to explore diverse entrepreneurial resources at McMaster and recognize the value of “non-traditional” career pathways and opportunities.

Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Month

As part of Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Month, the Student Success Centre (SSC) supported a team of students to participate in the Alberta Not-for-Profit Association (ANPA) 2024 External Case Competition, which involved connecting with not-for-profit industry leaders, attending networking events and taking on the challenge of creating a major business and funding plan for a real charity organization. These experiential learning experiences were fully funded in partnership with the Office of the Registrar: Aid & Awards. 

“Overall, it was an opportunity to make a tangible difference and inspire the next generation of non-profit leaders in addressing real-world challenges.” — Cassandra Chan, participant 

Developed New Co-Creation Models to Centre the Student Voice

Student Affairs’ Marketing, Communications and Community Engagement staff developed new co-creation models for social media and digital communications. These models prioritize student-generated content and insights to foster belonging and a dynamic campus community. 

Enhancements for Academic Accommodations and Support for Students with Disabilities

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) continues to work collaboratively with key partners to improve accessibility in teaching and learning at McMaster. This year, SAS collaborated with the Office of the Vice-Provost (Teaching & Learning), on journey mapping activities with students, instructors and university administration as part of a STEER/R project. Additionally, the development of a Faculty-based model of service delivery resulted in designated staff to support faculty/instructors in the accommodation process. This model allows SAS staff to develop knowledge in teaching and learning within the respective Faculty, resulting in streamlined communication in the accommodation planning process. 

Experiential Learning and Skills Development Initiatives

The Student Success Centre (SSC) partnered with the Faculty of Social Sciences to deliver experiential learning and career development activities in two different courses. This initiative engaged approximately 300 students with career development content and provided access to employer and community partners. Networking and industry connection sessions included more than 35 partners, including McMaster alumni and local and national organizations. 

Additionally, the Digital Skills Program, funded by a MacPherson SEED grant, curated LinkedIn Learning courses focused on digital skills training and offered students hands-on project experience to apply their knowledge. 

EXPLORE Celebrates Its Second Year with More Opportunities and Student Engagement

The Experiential Learning Opportunities Resource (EXPLORE), a partnership between the Student Success Centre and Office of the Vice-Provost (Teaching & Learning), celebrated its second year of connecting students with diverse curricular and co-curricular options to diversify their university experience based on their personal goals and interests. Additionally, through a peer-led panel event held in the winter term, students learned more about the value of experiential and interdisciplinary learning and discovered the benefits of the EXPLORE tool to customize their options.

New Partnership with Queen’s University to Better Support Incoming Students with Disabilities

The Student Success Centre (SSC) and Student Accessibility Services (SAS) worked with the Regional Assessment Resource Centre (RARC) at Queen’s University to pilot online modules designed for students with disabilities transitioning into the post-secondary learning environment through the MacStart Transition Program. The course occurred throughout August and was supplemented by synchronous workshops on academic skills, note-taking, assistive technology and a guest lecture. A total of 265 students with disabilities enrolled in the course. 

Permanent INSPIRE Course Fosters Student Leadership in University Transition

INSPIRE 1PL3: Personal Leadership for University Transition has become a permanent offering, receiving approval from the undergraduate curriculum committee. The course, developed in collaboration between Housing & Conference Services (HCS), the Student Success Centre (SSC) and the INSPIRE Office of Flexible Learning, is a for-credit open elective course to help first-year students connect and develop valuable transition and executive functioning skills. INSPIRE IPL3 empowers students to self-direct their learning within the framework of the first-year curriculum and co-curricular learning opportunities provided by HCS and the SSC.

Providing Health Education on Campus

The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) collaborated with the Hamilton Public Health department to provide access to students to free STI testing on campus to reduce stigma and enhance sexual health knowledge. More than 450 students accessed testing through the Pee for Pizza program. Additionally, the SWC became an official pick-up location for HIV self-testing through collaboration with the I’m Ready to Know program. I’m Ready is a national program that is implementing, scaling up and evaluating low-barrier options to access HIV self-testing. The SWC also implemented a #BeKind campaign to educate students on the importance of being kind to their minds, body and others.

A Snapshot of Entrepreneurial Support and Engagement at The Forge

Through courses such as Innovate3EX3 and Innovate4EX6, undergraduate students have collectively dedicated 1,440 hours to hands-on entrepreneurship experiences, preparing them to make transformative impacts in their future careers. Additionally, Student Entrepreneur Speaker Panels and Forge Office Hours have offered 108 hours of interactive learning and mentorship opportunities to over 200 students. These initiatives connect students with successful entrepreneurs and provide personalized guidance, fostering an environment that elevates teaching as a professional discipline and equips our students with the necessary skills to drive transformative change in their communities and beyond. 

Over the past academic year, entrepreneurship workshops have engaged over 780 participants. These workshops provide students with critical skills in customer analysis and startup ecosystem navigation, which are essential for their success in innovative and entrepreneurial endeavours across various disciplines. 

Working with Instructors to Increase Access to Writing and Academic Skills Support

The Student Success Centre (SSC): Writing and Academic Skills team created six course-integrated skills development modules for instructors to integrate with their course on Avenue to Learn. This gives equal access to students, who may not attend other avenues for skills development. Topics included navigating university, critical thinking, time management, MLA citations, APA citations and Chicago Style citations.

Additionally, the team offered four Faculties (Social Sciences, Science, Humanities and DeGroote School of Business) a five-week holistic program to support reinstated students in identifying and meeting their academic goals.