McMaster University’s Community Outreach team in the Faculty of Engineering was honoured with the Actua Experience Award for their exceptional contributions to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programming geared towards Black youth. The award was presented at Actua’s national conference in Ottawa, Ontario on February 7.
Actua, in collaboration with a nationwide network of universities and colleges, is committed to providing transformative STEM learning experiences to youth across Canada, fostering critical employability skills and confidence among participants. McMaster Engineering has been an active member of the Actua network for more than a decade.
Leah Rosenthal, Associate Director of Engineering Student Recruitment and Community Outreach, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This is a tremendous honor that underscores our leadership in youth outreach that’s making a meaningful impact both locally and nationally.”
In 2023, McMaster Engineering launched the Black Outreach STEM Series (BOSS), a groundbreaking program designed to integrate culturally relevant topics and memorable educational experiences into STEM workshops. BOSS initiatives include the Hair Care Series and Kente Cloth Design Series, engaging more than 2,100 Black youth since 2023.
The BOSS program complements other Black youth programming at McMaster Engineering, including the Black @ Mac Eng Showcase event held in December and the Mac-ISTEP: McMaster Black Youth STEM Enrichment Program.
The Actua award selection committee commended McMaster Engineering for its “culturally relevant content, intentional curation of on-campus visits, and commitment to providing youth leaders a platform to share their lived experiences.”
Sarah Alizerig, Manager of Community Outreach & Engagement, emphasized the importance of providing barrier-free access to STEM opportunities from an early age, particularly for Black youth.
Our programs celebrate Black identities and inspire a passion for STEM from pre-school through high school.
Heather Sheardown, Dean of McMaster Engineering, reiterated the Faculty’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM, stating, “McMaster Engineering firmly believes that Engineering is for everyone. Through intentional outreach efforts, we strive to provide unfettered access to STEM education for underrepresented communities. Our Community Outreach team works tirelessly to shift perceptions and increase participation.”
This marks the second time the Faculty of Engineering has been recognized by Actua, following a previous honor in 2022 for its outstanding STEM outreach initiatives for girls. The Faculty’s commitment to community outreach resulted in connections with 28,641 youth, many from historically underrepresented communities, in 2023 alone.
McMaster Engineering’s Community Outreach team members include: Leah Rosenthal, Associate Director, Engineering Student Recruitment and Community Outreach, Sarah Alizerig, Community Outreach and Engagement Manager, Jodi-Anne Buckley, Black Recruitment Officer and Career Advisor, Emily Waldron, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Events and Administrative Coordinator, Melissa Pyefinch, Community Outreach Officer, Shelby Amponsah, Outreach Team Lead, Venture Academy