By Keziah Mukalel, Inclusion Coordinator and Bachelor of Social Work student
The position of Inclusion Coordinator is held by students in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) undergraduate program. Offered to two BSW students as their practicum for the 10-month academic year, recruitment begins in late April and concludes by June. By the start of the fall term, the coordinators complete a week-long training and are prepared to take on their responsibilities. I had the privilege of being one of the first individuals in this role, as it was newly created and officially launched in September 2024.
Renison values collaboration and diverse perspectives. The college intentionally recruited two placement students who could bring meaningful change and connection through their lived experiences and skill sets. I am incredibly grateful to work alongside my classmate and colleague, Summer Wu. Together, we’ve accomplished a great deal and learned so much from one another.
In our first term, we focused on integrating into the Renison community by promoting our role, supporting events, and building relationships with community members. We also gained insight into the Belonging Project, which helped clarify our purpose and what students hoped to see from us. As this was the first year the position existed, we worked actively to make students aware of our presence and commitment to improving student life.
Keziah and Summer kicking off Renison's involvement in the Moose Hide Campaign.
In September, I facilitated the Racialized Student Hangout to hold space for our diverse student population. I also hosted awareness booths during Consent Week and the Moose Hide Campaign, encouraging dialogue about consent and gender-based violence. That same month, we supported RASC's successful Mel’s Diner Breakfast event.
Student Housing & Experience (SEAH) events picked up in October, and I helped execute initiatives such as College Dinner, Pizza with Profs, and Succulents & Ice Cream. We also hosted the Link Inclusion Lounge Open House, inviting students and staff to tour the space and learn about its purpose. The positive feedback we received confirmed the importance of such a hub for all individuals, including our equity-deserving students. I continued to host the Racialized Student Hangout and brainstormed ways to make it more inclusive and accessible. I also joined the Student Wellness & Advocacy Committee (SWAC), which led to my involvement with the Food Security Subcommittee.
In November, I began meeting students one-on-one. I also joined the Accessibility Matters Committee (AMC). As someone living with a disability, I appreciated the opportunity to offer my perspective as both a student and staff member. The committee’s commitment to inclusivity inspired me to raise a long-time concern about building navigation, which was met with enthusiasm and support. Together, we advocated for accessible classroom signage at Renison. These signs, installed at eye level, feature large, bold font, braille, and color coding to make campus navigation easier for everyone. Despite some delays in manufacturing and logistics, they were successfully installed by April and are now available to all.
An example of new accessible classroom signage installed at Renison.
Although programming slowed during exam season, I participated in passive initiatives, such as an awareness booth for the International Day for Persons with Disabilities and a low-stress holiday card-making activity for local seniors. This quieter period allowed me to plan for the winter term, focusing on peer health outreach booths and Wellness Wednesday programming.
This month also sharpened my technical skills—I regularly used Canva, Calendly, and Teams for meetings, documentation, and the creation of posters and presentations. I also assisted Student Experience with winter term peer leader interviews by taking notes and contributing to candidate selection discussions.
The new year brought a fresh agenda. Every Wednesday, I hosted Wellness Wednesdays which was a drop-in event for students to unwind. Activities ranged from crafts like Playing with Clay to movement-based sessions like Yoga and Just Dance. These accessible, low-pressure events fostered a safe and relaxing atmosphere. In January, I also created a trifold board on safe dating practices, which sparked conversation and provided students with helpful resources.
In February, I launched a second peer health outreach booth on safe sex, timed for Valentine’s Week. The creative visuals were a hit, and I made sure to restock popular resources. I also partnered with WUSA student-run services to bring additional student supports and resources to campus. This effort was well-received and encouraged future collaborations.
By March, I took on more administrative responsibilities. I developed a handover report, designed Qualtrics surveys for food security, and wrote a proposal for the Student Life Endowment Fund (SLEF). The survey gathered input on what food options students would like to see in our community fridge and cupboard. The proposal requested funding to upgrade the Link Inclusion Lounge with a kitchenette, giving students access to hot water, food storage, and heating options. I’m proud to be part of the behind-the-scenes work that makes these initiatives possible.
As the term wrapped up, we hosted fewer major events, but I still found joy in organizing a Bollywood Movie Night to share my Indian culture. It was a hit, and students eagerly asked when the next one would be. I hope to bring it back in future terms. My involvement with the AMC continues, and by the end of April, we aim to conduct a workshop for staff and faculty on making their courses and interactions more inclusive and accessible for students. Developing this workshop has been a pleasure, and I hope it inspires others to commit to fostering a more inclusive society for all.
This past year has been a true blessing. Through this position, I finally felt like a genuine part of the Renison community, something I hadn’t experienced during my SDS undergraduate years. I’m deeply thankful to the staff and students who supported and challenged me throughout this journey. This placement has been a defining experience that I’ll carry with me for life. To the future BSW students stepping into this role: you're in good hands. I’m excited to see the creativity and passion you’ll bring to continue making Renison a better place for all.
A Wellness Wednesday event!
Keziah hosting a Safe Dating outreach booth.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities booth outreach.
To learn more about the Inclusion Coordinators and our Belonging Project, visit our Link Inclusion Lounge webpage.