K.W. Michael Siu, Kaye Johnson, Jeff Berryman, Douglas Kneale, Kirsty DuncanInterim president Douglas Kneale makes the University of Windsor the latest signatory of the Dimension Charter, with federal science minister Kirsty Duncan and (standing) VP research K.W. Michael Siu; Kaye Johnson, executive director of the Office of Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility; and acting provost Jeff Berryman.

University inks commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Windsor is the latest signatory of the federal government’s Dimensions Charter. Interim president Douglas Kneale and Minister of Science and Sport Kirsty Duncan signed the document during the minister’s visit to the University on June 26 to officially open the Essex Centre of Research (Essex CORe).

In May, Duncan launched Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada, a pilot program inspired by the United Kingdom’s internationally-recognized Athena SWAN program. Dimensions aims to address systemic barriers, particularly those experienced by members of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups, including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2+ communities.

Minister Duncan also unveiled the Dimensions Charter, which is available to all research disciplines and fields of study at all post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges, CEGEPs and polytechnics). Institutions that endorse the Dimensions Charter commit to embed principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in their policies, practices, action plans, and culture.

“The launch of Dimensions, along with new grants and a robust charter, will help remove systemic barriers and improve access for everyone to equal opportunities, treatment and recognition in research,” Duncan said. “This truly is a critical and transformational step for Canadian post-secondary institutions. We know that when we bring together diverse points of view, our health, environment, communities and economy can thrive.”

Dr. Kneale noted the University of Windsor’s roots in Canada’s fourth-most culturally diverse city in pledging it to be a leader in equity, diversity, accessibility, and intentional inclusion.

“Part of what makes our universitas special is our diversitas, in which we embrace the students, staff, faculty, and alumni from nearly 100 nations, representing many different backgrounds, languages, faiths, orientations, and identities,” he said. “We are pleased to affirm the principles articulated in the Dimensions Charter.”

Matthew SteckleMatthew Steckle is the founder of North Ridge Greens, a participants in the 2019 RBC EPIC Founders program.

Start-up founder hoping to teach community about agriculture

With a goal of teaching people how to grow their own food and becoming his own entrepreneur, a UWindsor student is participating in the annual RBC EPIC Founders program.

Matthew Steckle is the founder of North Ridge Greens, a vegetable farm and micro greenery that operates in six counties. His business focuses on teaching his community how to grow their own food and preserve world skills.

Steckle had heard about this opportunity through a previous participant, Dane Fader, and decided to expand his business idea with the program.

He hopes the program will help him gain entrepreneurial logic: “I want to learn how to think like a business person, communicate in the business world and how to communicate and persuade people to be part of my business and to work with me.”

After the program is finished, Steckle hopes to see his new business grow within his community and expand their resources.

“I want more partnerships with local restaurants, the largest presence at the farmers market and maybe even in the future have a small community supported agriculture program where we will deliver food boxes to people in the community,” he says.

This is the second in a series of articles introducing this summer’s participants leading up to a showcase of their prototypes in August at the EPICentre. Learn more on the centre’s website.

—Dana Roe

Participants in an inaugural course from Windsor Law.Participants in an inaugural course from Windsor Law in June learned about the business aspects of running a practice.

Windsor Law introduces crash course in business for legal professionals

More than three-quarters of Ontario lawyers work in small or solo practice, which brings with it a mountain of challenges in a competitive market.

A new course from Windsor Law provided legal professionals an immersive and practical curriculum on how to turn their ideas into viable business strategies and start their own law practices.

More than 30 legal professionals attended “The Business of Law: Start as You Plan to Continue” over two weekends in June, learning from several industry leaders who discussed the idea, the rules, the innovation, and the pitch — four different elements required for a law practice to succeed.

Program lead Francine Herlehy, assistant dean for student services at Windsor Law, said the guest lecturers shared the lessons of their experiences.

“A strong foundation will undoubtedly pave the way to success,” she said. “The Business of Law is a practical and essential course to prepare law students and legal professionals to successfully launch and grow their sole or small practice.”

Third-year law student Vince Di Vito said he looks forward to applying what he learned to his future practice.

“The Business of Law course has been the single greatest investment I have made in law school thus far,” said Di Vito.

Kadey B.J. Schultz, program chair and a partner at Schultz Frost LLP in Toronto, said the first offering of the course has proven its value.

“We hope to make this an annual opportunity for lawyers to develop concrete skills, confidence, and an action plan to succeed in and at the business of law,” she said. “I am incredibly proud of Windsor Law’s leadership and acknowledgment that in 2019, we must empower law students and recent grads purposefully with practical skills.”

The course equipped attendees with a toolkit, networking opportunities, and connections with industry leaders.

—Rachelle Prince

People in the EPICentreRead about the activities of the Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) in its 2018-19 annual report.

Document details a year’s worth of EPICentre activities

The Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) enjoyed a busy but fulfilling year in 2018-19, says director Wen Teoh. A hub supporting the transformation of ideas into enterprises, it has released its annual report, sharing achievements of its faculty, staff, and partners.

“Our flagship programs and events continued to benefit students and community members interested in entrepreneurship and social innovation,” Teoh says, noting almost 4,500 participants in a total of 131 programs.

Read about the centre’s research projects, educational activities, and support for startup ventures in its report.

Mary Jo Haddad, Datta Pillay, Paul HenshawDatta Pillay (centre) receives an honorary degree from chancellor Mary Jo Haddad and is hooded by engineering professor Paul Henshaw during the University of Windsor’s 111th Convocation.

Cogeco to telecast spring Convocation ceremonies

Cogeco television will air video recordings of the University of Windsor’s 111th Convocation ceremonies, starting this weekend.

The sessions are scheduled for the following timeslots on cable channel 11 and 700HD:

  • 3 p.m. Saturday, July 13 — the 10 a.m. May 28 session, featuring grads of the Odette School of Business and the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
  • 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14 — the 3 p.m. May 28 session, featuring grads of the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
  • 6 p.m. Monday, July 15 — the 10 a.m. May 29 session, featuring grads of the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
  • 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 19 — the 3 p.m. May 29 session, featuring grads of the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
  • 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20 — the 10 a.m. May 30 session, featuring grads of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
  • 3 p.m. Saturday, July 20 — the 3 p.m. May 30 session, featuring grads of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
  • 3 p.m. Sunday, July 21 — the 10 a.m. May 31 session, featuring grads of the faculties of Education, Human Kinetics, Nursing, and Graduate Studies;
  • 10 p.m. Sunday, July 21 — the 3 p.m. May 31 session, featuring grads of the Faculty of Law.

Each of these videos, produced by Public Affairs and Communications, is also available for streaming through the Convocation website.