Alectra Inc. and York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) announce the establishment of the Alectra Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Undergraduate Awards to provide scholarship opportunities for Black and Indigenous students accepted into an EUC undergraduate program.
“We are proud to have Alectra as one of our partners and are very grateful for their sustained and active involvement with the York University community, especially in support of students, research and transformational initiatives,” says EUC Dean Alice Hovorka. “The Alectra EDI Undergraduate Awards will empower students to become champions of justice and sustainability – and will increase equitable access to post-secondary education. In EUC, we are committed to providing accessible education, embracing diversity and empowering all students as changemakers in their own lives and in the lives of others. The Alectra EDI Undergraduate Awards will ensure sustainable pathways and financial support to historically underrepresented students.”
Alectra will contribute $84,000 (over four years) to support two domestic undergraduate Black and/or Indigenous students with full tuition, a flex fund, textbooks and supplies for their full-time degree at York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. The Alectra EDI Undergraduate Awards will create opportunities for Black and Indigenous students and drive positive change.
"At Alectra, we believe that making positive change requires dynamic and diverse thinking,” says Brian Bentz, president and CEO, Alectra Inc. “We’re excited to support the efforts of York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change to expand opportunities for under-represented students to thrive in a program devoted to addressing the serious urban and environmental challenges that are facing us today.”
In 2020, Alectra began to launch a series of broad-based EDI initiatives and has supported local anti-racism programs delivered through activism, community building and education. The partnership with EUC is the first undergraduate scholarship program for racialized students that Alectra has sponsored.