Student Experience fosters equitable learning environments in which all students can thrive to their full potential. Through our commitment to integrating research, theory, and practice across all of the programs, resources, and supports we provide, Student Experience leads an ecosystem of people, places, and spaces that empower student thriving. Our vision is for all Mustangs to discover their personalized pathway through Western’s rich, wholistic learning environment; engage in brave conversations with our diverse community on and off campus, and develop the courage to be uncomfortable without fear of failure in order to thrive throughout their degree and after graduation. At Western, the Student Experience portfolio is organized into three inter-dependent pillars that provide the programmes and supports that inspire Western Students to discover themselves; engage with their communities and thrive as learners. These pillars are: Wellness & Wellbeing (comprised of the following departments: Health & Wellness, Student Support & Case Management and Wellness & Equity Education), Sport & Recreation (comprised of the following departments: Recreation & Active Well-being, Sport and Spirit & Connection), and Leadership & Learning (comprised of the following departments: Academic Support & Engagement and Careers & Experience). Professional and student staff working across these three pillars collaborate with student organizations and academic and administrative leaders throughout campus to foster inclusive and wholistic learning environments that maximize the potential of each student.
Wellness & Wellbeing cultivates student thriving by providing evidence informed programmes, resources, & supports that prioritize proactive and responsive care in order to foster individual and collective student well-being. Through a commitment to empathy and collaboration, our student-centred approach to wellness adopts an intersectional lens that is adaptive to the needs of individual students and the campus community. Our vision is for students to discover their strengths and values allowing them to actively engage in their personal development and experience Western as safe place where they can learn through failure and continue to thrive.
Health & Wellness understands that our collective work begins with the shared belief that the physical and mental healthcare we provide students is deeply relational and fundamentally focused on teaching individuals how to make informed decisions about their physical and mental health care needs. The professional health and mental healthcare and supports we provide are supplemented through peer support programmes that guide students, staff and faculty through understanding and maintaining their diverse health needs and ongoing health and wellness journey. The Health & Wellness Pillar supports campus community members with a responsive partnered approach to care delivery, utilizing prevention strategies, early identification and treatment, and crisis management through individual and group visits. By working collectively in this way, we foster increased academic and social engagement allowing students to engage, discover and thrive.
As part of the recruitment process, at the time of interviews, we will ask that all applicants provide us with their Diversity Statement. This Statement should provide an applicant’s broad perspective on their past and present contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion in their professional career. The purpose of the diversity statement is to assist the search committee in recognizing candidates who display a social justice lends, champion equitable thriving in their experiences and have a willingness to engage in activities that contribute to our mission in these areas.
We encourage all applicants to review the Guiding Values in the Student Experience Strategic Plan.
