2025 People, Equity & Inclusion Awards Celebration

Dr. Rachel Aleks

The 2025 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award in the Faculty category is presented to Dr. Rachel Aleks, Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director, Odette School of Business. The following are some excerpts from the nomination that highlight Dr. Aleks’s unwavering commitment and contributions to this important work:

• Dr. Aleks led the initiative to create the Odette School of Business (OSB) Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Reconciliation (EDIBR) Committee by drafting the terms of reference and bringing a motion to Faculty Council to create the committee. The founding of the committee marked the beginning of a culture shift at OSB in which EDIBR became meaningfully, intentionally, and authentically integrated into decision making at OSB. 
• Dr. Aleks oversaw the development, distribution, and analysis of an OSBEDII Climate Survey. Each year, the OSB now benchmarks and tracks progress, and makes targeted changes.
• Dr. Aleks led a session at the Odette Research Retreat on ‘Integrating EDI in your research papers and grant applications’ to further build a research culture with an EDI lens.
• She served as an Equity Assessor (Fall‘23-Winter‘24) and on the Black Scholars Hiring Committee (Winter ‘23) and co-planned the 2023 Indigenization of Business Education event and has also organized events for women at OSB.
• Dr. Aleks has attended numerous University and CTL professional development initiatives with an EDI focus. She co-wrote a successful COPE grant to Indigenize curriculum (Fall ’23); received an SSHRC grant to research workplace sexual harassment; and has also published EDI related research.
• She has organized and chaired conference panels about justice for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system and is also involved in community efforts to advance the fair treatment of individuals who are part of the criminal legal system.

Thank you, Rachel, for your contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.

 

Esentsei Staats Pangowish

The 2025 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award in the Faculty category is presented to Esentsei Staats Pangowish, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & Sessional Instructor, Faculty of Law. The following are some excerpts from the nomination that highlight Esentsei’s unwavering commitment and contributions to this important work:

• Professor Staats Pangowish deeply embeds equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigenization in her teachings and her activities outside of lectures.
• She has led a new approach in her Public Administration class, which proposes solutions for issues impacting Indigenous peoples, including access to clean water and MMIWG2S+. A portion of this class is also dedicated to collaborating with others to improve on our potential solutions using a traditional Haudenosaunee council set-up. This approach reinforced EDI concepts of consensus-building and promoted Indigenous approaches to decision-making, which students will take to the workplace and beyond.
• Professor Staats Pangowish asked students to build a classroom treaty for her Indigenous Treaties class. The classroom treaty was built around the core EDI beliefs of inclusion and respect for diversity.
• Professor Staats Pangowish gives voice to other Indigenous nations she is not a part of, such as the Inuit and Métis, through guest lectures and documentaries with first-hand accounts. She is promoting the notion that Indigenous nations should have the same respect as other nations around the world and highlighting that the University of Windsor is located on Indigenous lands.
• Outside of her teaching, she is also involved in other EDI initiatives, such as leading the effort to raise Indigenous flags in the CAW Centre. By raising Indigenous flags, Professor Staats-Pangowish is creating positive environments for Indigenous students so that they feel welcome. She is wholly committed to EDI initiatives at the University of Windsor through her actions both in an academic setting and across campus.

Thank you, Esentsei, for your contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Mariah S. Chandler

The 2025 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award in the Staff category is presented to, Mariah S. Chandler, former assistant coach of Lancer women's basketball.  The following are some excerpts from the nomination that highlight Mariah’s unwavering commitment and contributions to this important work:

• Mariah has embedded equity, diversity, and inclusion into every aspect of her role. As a Black and bisexual woman, Mariah brings lived experience and intersectional awareness to her work, and she ensures that every player feels safe, heard, and valued.
• Coach Mariah embedded equity, diversity, and inclusion into her teaching, classroom presentations in the Human Kinetic department, and in engagement activities. She made sure that everyone involved in spaces they were in felt welcomed to enjoy all the aspects of fellowship offered judgement-free. She consistently created spaces for discussion of topics beyond basketball, like identity, race, mental health, and the challenges faced by minorities. It was noted that “she helped me find my voice, stand up for myself, and navigate life with a deeper understanding of what it means to be Black in spaces that weren’t always built for us.”
• In group conversations, she intentionally makes space for everyone to share. For example, it was noted that “on our team, some players are naturally more outspoken than others. Coach Mariah makes a point to invite input from those who are quieter, creating space for them to share their thoughts without pressure and ensuring their voices are genuinely heard.”
• Mariah's leadership style dismantles traditional hierarchies and uplifts the voices of those often overlooked.
• Mariah actively participates in initiatives that challenge systemic barriers. She is involved in conversations and collaborations that aim to change the culture of athletics and university life to be more inclusive and just.
• Coach Mariah participated actively in committees, working groups, and collaborations designed to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization such as the newly-ratified Black Student Athlete Association and her close collaboration with Kaitlyn Ellsworth, Black Student Coordinator.

Thank you, Mariah, for your contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Vanessa Budimunda

The 2025 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award in the Student category is presented to, Vanessa Budimunda, Juris Doctor 2025 and Former Varsity Athlete.  The following are some excerpts from the nomination that highlight Vanessa’s unwavering commitment and contributions to this important work:

• Vanessa has made a significant and lasting impact on Lancer culture, creating a safer, more welcoming environment for Black student-athletes while removing barriers to inclusion.
• Vanessa co-founded the Black Student-Athlete Association (BSAA) in the summer of 2024, securing ratification from the UWSA and launching the association that fall. The BSAA is guided by the core values of Camaraderie, Community, and Collaboration, providing Black student-athletes with a safe and empowering space to connect, share experiences, and grow together. Since its launch, the BSAA has hosted a wide range of events, from social gatherings like game nights and BBQs to academic study halls and professional development workshops.
• She has driven meaningful change at both the institutional, league and cultural levels. As a Lancer student-athlete and BSAA president, she has led the coordination of impactful events and awareness campaigns, has initiated outreach programs in local elementary and high schools to promote health, education, and the potential to succeed as elite student-athletes. These efforts provide role models for youth, particularly those from underrepresented communities.
• Vanessa has prioritized mentorship and career readiness by organizing events such as a Black alumni panel on “Life After Athletics”, and a resume and interview preparation workshop to support students’ post-graduation success.
• Vanessa was awarded the OUA Champion of EDI Award in 2025. Through her work, she has helped bridge gaps in representation and fostered a stronger sense of identity, support, and community within Windsor Lancers Athletics.

Thank you, Vanessa, for your contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Kyle Sipkens

The 2025 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award in the Alumni category is presented to Kyle Sipkens, owner and founder of INCIRQUE. The following are some excerpts from the nomination that highlight Kyle’s unwavering commitment and contributions to this important work:

• Kyle is a multi award-winning street performer, actor, circus artist, curator, and entrepreneur. As founder of INCIRQUE, an equity-focused sole proprietorship, he delivers world-class entertainment to festivals and events while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the arts sector.
• His company, INCIRQUE, advocates to prioritize paid opportunities for historically marginalized artists (including 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and performers with disabilities) while upholding equitable pay standards, dismantling hierarchies in the performance world, and building entertainment programs based on performers' abilities.
• Through INCIRQUE, he has delivered performances at Pride Toronto, Blue Mountain Pride, Pride Manitoulin, and York Pride, enhancing 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility and community engagement. He curated Pride Brunch at St. Lawrence Market and Pride Toronto’s Busker Team encouraging performers to freely explore identity through art. He returned as Busker Curator for Pride Toronto in 2025 for a third year.
• During the pandemic, he created “Juggling Mental Health”, an online video series and workshop using circus skills to teach mindfulness and coping tools. He’s delivered this presentation (of the same name) sharing these lessons to organizations including the Greater Essex County School Board, Art Starts Toronto, and the UWindsor Alumni Association.
• Kyle serves as President of the Executive Board of Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO), supporting the industry that helped build his career. At the 2024 FEO Conference, he introduced and co-presented on a panel for Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) in festival programming.

Thank you, Kyle, for your contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Kaitlyn Ellsworth

The 2025 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award in the Aspire category is presented to Kaitlyn Ellsworth, Black Student Support Coordinator, Division of Student Affairs. The following are some excerpts from the nomination that highlight Kaitlyn’s unwavering commitment and contributions to this important work:

• Kaitlyn is committed to supporting and advocating for the holistic success and overall well-being of Black, Caribbean and African students at the University of Windsor. She offers culturally grounded, trauma-informed, Black-inclusive support services to students.
• Her unwavering commitment is evident in everything that she does. She frequently stays late to ensure Black student group events run smoothly, and her guidance has led to the creation of four new Black student groups in the past year alone. Kaitlyn is currently working on a project to document the history of Black student groups on campus, ensuring that student creators are recognized for their work in combating anti-Black racism and building spaces to cultivate joy and safety.
• Kaitlyn's influence extends beyond campus life. She has contributed to working groups, policy reviews, and student-centered programming aimed at dismantling systems of exclusion. She also serves on multiple boards—including the Hour-A-Day Study Club (Canada’s oldest Black women’s charitable organization), the Essex County Black Historical Research Society, the Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators, and the Distinguished Women of International Service.
• As an educator, she teaches the Fundamentals of Race and Anti-Black Racism course through the University, introducing learners to critical frameworks rooted in Black feminist thought, African Indigenous knowledge systems, and intersectional analyses. She builds a classroom culture that is inclusive, radically affirming, and intellectually liberating. She models what it means to indigenize and decolonize curriculum through both content and practice.
• Her achievements have been recognized externally, with her being named one of Canada's Top 100 Black Women of Excellence to Watch and winning the Visionary Award at the 2025 WEST International Women's Day Gala.

Thank you, Kaitlyn, for your contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Indigenization, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization Circle

(Team members: Jamie Crawley, Faculty, Nursing (Co-Chair); Noeman Mirza, Faculty, Nursing (Co-chair); Rachel Elliott, Faculty, Nursing (Co-chair); Dr. Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine, Dean, Faculty of Nursing; Natalie Bownes, Learning Specialist, Nursing; Eric Tanlaka, Faculty, Nursing; Sara Williams, Learning Specialist, Nursing; Brooke Wuerch, Learning Specialist, Nursing; Jody Ralph, Faculty, Nursing; Laura Little, Clinical Therapist, Nursing; Heather Sweet, Faculty, Nursing; Sebastian Gyamfi, Faculty, Nursing; Kelly Farrugia, Manager of Comprehensive School Health and Acting Chief Nursing Officer, Windsor Essex County Health Unit; Martin Thompson, Manager, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion/ Spiritual Health – Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare)

The 2025 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award in the Team category is presented to, Indigenization, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity Decolonization (IJEDID) Circle.

The following are some excerpts from the nomination that highlight the team’s unwavering commitment and contributions to this important work:

• The primary objectives of the IJEDID Committee have centered on building awareness and deepening understanding across cultural boundaries. Committee members have successfully secured grants to acquire essential resources and facilitate immersive experiences that enable our faculty to implement meaningful changes.
• The committee's first strategic action involved acquiring literature by Indigenous and non-white authors to diversify our curriculum. This initiative has transformed the pedagogical approach, with all faculty now routinely including literature that challenges conventional Western paradigms.
• Faculty members participated in a traditional Sweat Lodge ceremony followed by a feast. Under the guidance of an Indigenous healer, individuals learned about the ceremonial significance, participated in constructing the lodge, and experienced the ritual firsthand. This immersive experience fostered a profound connection to the land and to fellow participants while providing valuable insights into Indigenous traditions and their integral relationship to health and wellbeing.
• Committee members organized an art workshop facilitated by a local Indigenous artist who shared the cultural significance of his work, particularly focusing on the interconnection between humans, animals, and the land. This experience illuminated alternative forms of expression and knowledge transmission that challenge the predominantly scientific framework of nursing education.
• One committee member and one graduate student representative participated in a collaborative initiative with the Faculty of Education in Tanzania. The project delivered essential supplies and healthcare expertise to Tanzanian communities and represented the first international field experience of this nature for nursing students.
• The IJEDID Committee continues to pursue funding opportunities to support intercultural initiatives that foster respect, inclusion, and appreciation for diverse perspectives.

Thank you, Indigenization, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity Decolonization (IJEDID) Circle, for your contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.

The Hour-A-Day Study Club

The 2025 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Award in the Community Group category is presented to The Hour-A-Day Study Club. The following are some excerpts from the nomination that highlight the group’s unwavering commitment and contributions to this important work:

• Established in 1934, The Hour-A Day Study Club is the longest running, non-profit, Black woman driven organization in Canada. The Club is committed, in word and action, to justice, education, and equity. They are an organization who has advocated for reimagined curriculum to centre Black ways of knowing, led research grounded in community, challenged anti-Blackness in institutions, and created spaces where marginalized voices are not only heard—but empowered.
• The Club presently focuses on advocacy and provides African-Canadian youth, that are descendants of the Underground Railroad and historically Black Canadian communities, with scholarship funds to help finance their post-secondary education. Over the past five years they have disbursed over $100,000. Several of the recipients are currently attending UWindsor, are employees at UWindsor and/or are proud alumni.
• In November 2024, during their 90th anniversary celebration, they gave out $30,000 in scholarships, continuing their mission to dismantle financial barriers to post-secondary education for Black youth.
• The Club has hosted trailblazers and visionaries, including:
  • Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress
  • Lincoln Alexander, Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
  • The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Canada’s first Black Governor General and the first Black woman to ever hold that post.
• The Club has contributed to hosting historic Emancipation Day Celebrations helping to bring people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Daisy Bates, Mamie Till and more to Windsor. They have also contributed to the Civil Rights Movement both in Canada and the U.S.
• In 2017, their work was recognized with the City of Windsor Mayor’s Heritage Award.

Thank you, The Hour-A-Day Study Club, for your contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion.