Red River College is proud to be named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the fourth year in a row.

This prestigious recognition was awarded to 70 Canadian organizations today, highlighting employers that stand out through their efforts to create diverse, inclusive workplaces for employees.

“We often spend the majority of our waking hours at our places of work, so creating an environment that is open, welcoming and safe for our all staff and students is always a top priority for the College,” says Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resource Officer at RRC.

“Equity and inclusion are embedded in our practices and demonstrated throughout the College, and I know I speak for the entire College community when I say how honored we are to be recognized for this important work and with this distinction for the fourth year in a row.”

The College was recognized for a number of programs and initiatives that encourage diversity and inclusivity, including a series of Indigenous workshop for all staff offered by RRC’s Elders in Residence; the College’s LGBTT and Healthy Minds, Healthy College Initiatives; its Girls Exploring Trades and Technology Camps; and a workforce audit to determine representation of designated group members in the workforce.

New and noteworthy was the addition of Rebecca Chartrand, Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy, who will oversee the ongoing development of RRC’s Indigenous strategic framework and guide the College to a bold, inclusive new future.

The College also created a new online Gender and Sexual Diversity Awareness Course — the first of its kind in Canada — which provides 24/7 access to awareness-building courses and training to all staff and students.

As well, RRC completed an Inclusive Campus Climate Review that gave members of the College community a voice in shaping and developing an inclusive and supportive workplace for everyone.

As the College continues to make improvements in the area of diversity and inclusivity, a new Inclusion Coordinator position has been created. The new position will be responsible for leading the College’s ongoing commitment to inclusion — with a focus on Indigenous recruitment and retention strategies — while also coordinating the Accessibility initiative that will ensure RRC remains an open, safe and supportive environment.

“We continue to see expansions across the College with the opening of new campuses, and rapid growth and enrolment in program areas like our School of International Education,” says Gudmundson.

“We must look ahead for more effective ways to integrate, expand and enhance Diversity and Intercultural services across the College, and support more staff and students than ever before.”