Experts have long recognized education as one of the most significant social determinants of health, with impacts ranging from physical health to economic well-being and career success. At York, we are committed to ensuring that education is accessible to all, and that no talent is left behind.
As we continue to grow and diversify our student body through new enrollment action plans, we are also fostering an inclusive environment marked by a holistic approach to student well-being, from easing the process of applying for financial support to introducing new mental health care programs.
On a broader scale, we are amplifying diverse voices and perspectives and introducing initiatives and programs to break down systemic barriers that marginalized and racialized groups face in disciplines such as law, science, technology, engineering, and math to ensure everyone not only has access to a quality education but is set up for a future of success.
By the Numbers
Feeling welcomed at York University inspired me to teach fellow immigrants like me the importance of education, helping them make positive career decisions and confidently navigate their new environment.”
Ahmat Nokour Mahamat, Alumni, LA&PS
As a professor, community activist, and former K-12 educator, I have a responsibility to foster powerful connections between communities, classrooms, school districts, and the academy to re/imagine emancipatory educational possibilities.”
Vidya Shah, Associate Professor, Leadership and Education, Faculty of Education
The Tentanda Via Award opened doors to help me pursue my education and continues to motivate me to create positive change in society.”
Adeline Chacko, Founder of SheRising and undergraduate student in the Faculty of LA&PS
The Atkinson Centre for Mature & Part-Time Students has supported me during my post-secondary journey by connecting me to foundational resources, which helped me build confidence and gain new skills in order to be successful.”
Clifton Grant, Student, LA&PS
Being a Schulich Leader helps keep me focused on my passion for STEM and my goal of becoming an impactful engineer who hopes to aid in sustainable development.”
Hannah Alli, Founder of Tyrra Cosmetics, Events Chair of the Lassonde Engineering Society and undergraduate student at the Lassonde School of Engineering
From Access to Success Highlights
Cultivating diversity through strategic enrollment
York University is home to one of the most diverse communities in Canada, with the latest annual Census Survey demonstrating that approximately 70% of York’s students identify as a racial minority.
Supported by the University’s longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and informed by numerous studies demonstrating the role of systemic inequality in low enrollment and retention rates for equity deserving-groups, York implemented a robust Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) Framework Action Plan in the 2023-2024 academic year.
The new SEM Action Plan will enhance coordination, integration, and strategic alignment in enrolment processes with the goal of improving student recruitment, retention, and diversification. It is further augmented by an International Strategic Enrolment Management (ISEM) working group, whose mandate is to stimulate global, student-focused collaboration and inclusivity initiatives that ensure no talent is left behind.
Creating a culture of service excellence and connectivity
Through the Student Systems Renewal Program (SSRP), York is demonstrating its commitment to service excellence, accessibility, security, innovation, and community collaboration.
Four of the seven transformation projects have delivered major releases, with three deployed in 2023-2024 and one in 2024 into 2025.
The first release of the NextGen SIS project, the Financial Aid, Awards and Scholarships solution, is streamlining processes to make it easier for the York community to search and apply for funding opportunities, track applications and receive financial support in a digital environment shaped by heightened standards of responsiveness, engagement, and transparency.
Similarly, the first release of CRM has been tailored to enable faculty and staff to easily communicate with each other and students, improve prospect engagement through the recruitment cycle and foster personalized engagement and support for students throughout their academic journey.
Paving the way for inclusive STEM education
For four years, the Lassonde School of Engineering’s kindergarten to industry (k2i) academy has been empowering women and Black youth to envision themselves as future leaders in STEM fields through experiential learning shaped by the SDGs, inclusive innovation, and professional mentorship.
In July 2023, thanks to a generous $400,000 donation from 407 ETR, the academy introduced new funds to continue breaking down barriers in STEM education. The first fund will support a micro-credential program that provides experiential learning opportunities to high school students; the second will allow k2i to expand its offerings to women, Black and Indigenous youth, and low-income students.
The new programs will build on the academy’s successes in fostering systemic change in STEM, which includes engaging over 80,000 students, teachers, families, and community members and generating almost $7.5 million in funding.
Inspiring community action on food insecurity
In line with its dedication to ensuring the holistic well-being of its communities, York University is augmenting its efforts to address food insecurity, a persistent public health issue for students.
Central to these efforts was the launch of a food resources website to increase student awareness of on-campus food supports. The new website is bolstered by a myriad of initiatives, including many led by students.
Student groups spearheaded unique workshops designed to combat food insecurity. The Learning Spirit Alliance, an Indigenous student-led group, hosted three “Food is Medicine” workshops where participants were taught how to make traditional Indigenous foods. Meanwhile, students in the President’s Ambassador Program, in collaboration with Food Services, developed workshops that trained their peers in preparing healthy, affordable meals with ingredients from on-campus food support centres.
Collaborating to ensure student well-being
In October 2023, the YorkU CARE team celebrated its first anniversary after a successful year of providing proactive interventions, promoting awareness and capacity building, and developing comprehensive resource plans for students across a spectrum of support services.
The multidisciplinary team is comprised of the Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR), Student Counselling, Health & Well-being (SCHW), Student Accessibility Services (SAS), and Campus Safety, and actively collaborates with other ad-hoc members whose mandates range from sexual violence response and prevention to student housing and international student advising.
By addressing student needs that may fall beyond the scope of OSCR intervention, York is ensuring that comprehensive student well-being and community safety continue to be prioritized.
Advancing inclusive legal education
York University is increasing representation and diversity to legal education through initiatives like the Davies Fellowship and Raise the Black Bar.
Through the generous donation of alumni at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, the Davies Fellowship at York’s Osgoode is providing support to promising first-year Juris Doctor students and championing alumni who positively impact their communities.
Additionally, Raise the Black Bar (RTBB) is a groundbreaking initiative for Toronto-area Black high school students interested in law careers. Spearheaded by the Osgoode chapter of the Black Law Students’ Association and Osgoode’s Admissions Office, and with the support of the Toronto District School Board, RTBB is leveraging awareness, community engagement, and mentorship to empower future Black lawyers and shape a more diverse and just legal landscape.
