Welcome to LA&PS Through the Ages, a series where we speak to longtime members of the LA&PS community about how they got to York University, what their roles are like and even some of their fondest York memories.
In the spring of 2022, Paulette Burgher was welcomed as the new Executive Director of Strategy & Administration at LA&PS, becoming the first Black woman to hold the title in the University’s history. Since getting her start at York as a Work/Study student in 1999, the alumna has worked in varied roles across the University creating positive change throughout the community. Fast-forward to today, Paulette is busy working to build a more equitable, diverse and inclusive LA&PS through initiatives that empower and support BIPOC staff, faculty and students. We sat down with Paulette to discuss this important work, what it’s really like to blaze new trails and her incredible journey to York University.
Tell us about your York University journey. What first sparked your interest in working at York?
My journey at York University initially began in 1999 with an opportunity to obtain additional training and advance my education. At that time, I never saw York as an employer; I was going to pursue my degree, then move back to Jamaica. I was hired as a Work-Study student, in Counselling & Development and the Writing Department. There, I had the opportunity to work with students with special needs and it was incredible to witness students from all walks of life, abilities, races and genders, receive the care and support they deserve as well as the passion that went into ensuring they had the opportunity to thrive. This experience inspired me to use my time at York to contribute to efforts to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at various levels.
Making a positive impact on the community is very important to me. In my previous role as Course Director for the School of Administrative Studies for nearly a decade, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to impart knowledge to first-year students in the School while helping to shape them as future leaders. Simply put, representation matters. When I think back to my time as a university student, it was disappointing to not have been taught by a single Black professor. So, having the opportunity as a Black instructor to help inspire Black students and show them what is possible was incredibly rewarding and helped to fuel my passion for making a difference.
How would you describe your role as Executive Director, Strategy & Administration at LA&PS?
In my current role, I work in collaboration with the Dean, Associate Dean, Academic Leaders and our leadership team at LA&PS to support the development, implementation and assessment of strategies to advance the Faculty’s priorities. More broadly, I work with the leadership team to direct and monitor strategic planning, implementation and operationalization and ensure connection and collaboration between continuous improvement of student services, academic support services and operations administrative functions.
My work with the Faculty also entails leveraging strategic leadership and advancing EDI initiatives. Working to help eradicate anti-Black Racism and anti-oppression, and reducing systemic racism means constantly navigating the university ecosystem to listen, learn and find ways to take collective action. I believe that senior leaders, like me, should make strong efforts to build trust with the York community daily through our actions to achieve progress.
You are the first Black woman to hold this title at LA&PS. Can you tell us what that means to you?
Everything. It signals an important evolution at the University that has been a long time coming. This achievement goes far beyond simply highlighting my individual accomplishments. It illustrates a transforming institutional mindset about the importance of BIPOC leaders. We are leaders who value perseverance, resilience, innovation, strength and community. Now more than ever we need traditionally under-represented groups in positions of power. This, I believe, is vital to living up to York’s mission to “right the future”.
Having the opportunity as a Black woman to help dismantle anti-Black Racism and anti-oppression on campus as well as reduce systemic barriers faced by BIPOC members of the York community is a dream come true.
What impact on the York community do you hope to make?
York is known to be a leader in EDI, however, this does not mean that there is not work to do. I want to use this opportunity to help shape policies that benefit racialized groups and work towards dismantling systemic discrimination as well as advance efforts around dismantling anti-Black racism. Together, we can achieve these aspirations by staying true to LA&PS 2021-2026 academic plan, Rising Together: Building a Better Future Through Excellence and Inclusion. The strategic priorities outlined in the plan represent our collective goals for enhancing the strength of LA&PS and identifying areas for further growth.
York is a diverse, vibrant and dynamic community. And it is this that inspires me to create a better LA&PS for the future. I hope that through working collaboratively with students, faculty and staff of varying backgrounds and hearing their voices, I can help to enrich the LA&PS experience in meaningful ways to better support our friends, colleagues and peers.
It’s Black History Month, can you tell us what this month means to you?
Black History Month gives us the platform to be recognized for our accomplishments and to celebrate Black Excellence on a global scale. It is that time of year when we honour and acknowledge those who have paved the way for us, despite our ongoing struggles; to have a seat at the table and continue to rise and shine. As we celebrate our achievements, let’s not forget to reflect on those important advocates from our past and our present, and take solace in knowing their strengths will guide us as we rise together to build a better future through excellence and inclusion.
And finally, what keeps you busy outside the office? Care to share any fun facts about yourself?
I’m a huge sports fan! When I’m not at work, you’ll be able to find me at all sorts of games from baseball to tennis. Anyone who really knows me, knows I’m also a superhero junkie. The caped crusader, aka Batman, is my all-time favourite because he demonstrates how power and privilege, when used for social good, can be a source of great change in society and make a positive impact.
Aside from catching a game and checking out the latest Marvel or DC flick, my family and friends across the globe always have my attention. Supporting them and making time to celebrate and enjoy life with them is incredibly important to me.