Professor Raymond Sewell MA'14
Indigenous students at 91爆料成人片 are receiving more opportunities for financial support through a new bursary.
Made possible through a generous donation from Saint Mary鈥檚 University Board of Governors member and alumnus Richard Flynn EMBA鈥97 and his wife Nancy, the endowed bursary will be awarded annually starting this Fall. The Richard and Nancy Flynn Bursary for Indigenous Students will be available to Indigenous undergraduate students enrolled in any program at Saint Mary鈥檚 who are in financial need and meet the minimum academic requirements. The bursary was created in honour of Richard Flynn鈥檚 late mother, whose ancestry was Newfoundland Mi鈥檏maq.
鈥淪aint Mary鈥檚 is committed to advancing support for Indigenous students. We recognize that Indigenous students may face鈥痓arriers in accessing and completing their education, and we are focusing on expanding the resources available to them,鈥濃痵ays 91爆料成人片 President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. 鈥淭he Richard and Nancy Flynn Bursary for Indigenous Students is a special investment, which will help Saint Mary鈥檚 in its commitment to a more inclusive and improved student experience. We are very thankful for the generosity of Richard and Nancy Flynn.鈥濃
鈥淵oung people are our hope for a better and more tolerant future, and having the means, I feel compelled to make a contribution that will help our future leaders,鈥 explains Flynn. 鈥淭he bursary is our way of helping Saint Mary鈥檚 in its commitment to being an institution that encourages, supports and nurtures Indigenous students to aspire to life-long learning and recognize the importance of tolerance and diversity in society at large.鈥
Former Indigenous Student Advisor and Founder/Inaugural Chair of Atlantic Association of College & University Student Services (AACUSS) Indigenous Services Division at Saint Mary鈥檚, Raymond Sewell MA'14, is thankful for the Richard and Nancy Flynn Bursary for Indigenous Students. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the creation of this new bursary, which will help support our Indigenous students,鈥 Sewell says. 鈥淚鈥檓 really excited about the future cohorts that will receive this and what they will do. It鈥檚 part of our culture growing and blossoming at Saint Mary鈥檚.鈥
Saint Mary鈥檚 is committed to recruiting more Indigenous students to the university and fosters an environment that reflects the important cultures, histories, and traditions of Indigenous students. In 2017, Sewell was appointed as Saint Mary鈥檚 first full-time Indigenous Student Advisor situated in the Indigenous Student Centre. In this role, he welcomed, supported and engaged with Indigenous students helping them navigate the transition to university. 鈥淢y door was always open to everyone. I helped students with any issues they had and took the time to connect them with support and services,鈥 Sewell explains. 鈥淭hat could be writing centre support, mental health issues, career services, anything really. I troubleshooted with the student, figured out what they needed and helped them.鈥
Third-year Bachelor of Arts student Spencer Morris experienced barriers to university. He was the first person in his family to obtain a post-secondary education and like many students, he required financial support. Morris was also navigating post-secondary as a person with a disability. Connecting with the indigenous student advisor and receiving guidance and support made a significant difference for him and his academic experience.
鈥淎t first, I was anxious to put myself out there and look for the resources available,鈥 says Morris. 鈥淭he Indigenous Student Advisor understood how higher education could be daunting or even frustrating for Indigenous students, and he made me feel heard and understood. He helped me by being extremely knowledgeable, approachable, and full of resources and connections on and off-campus.鈥
In June 2019, Saint Mary鈥檚 took another step forward on the path towards reconciliation by signing an important memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Mi鈥檏maq Native Friendship Centre (MNFC), which has strengthened connection and collaboration. Saint Mary鈥檚 consults MNFC on developing appropriate protocols for on-campus activities and enhancing support for Indigenous students, faculty and staff. Part of the agreement was providing an Elder on Campus, Elder Debbie Eisan, four hours per week.
For more information on the Indigenous Community at Saint Mary鈥檚 University, please visit /indigenous-community/welcome.html
For information on bursaries, scholarships, and awards available to Indigenous students, please visit /indigenous-community/financial-aid.html
Charitable registration: # BN11918 9900 RR0001
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