Today@Dal

Today, the Globe and Mail announced Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2013 and Dalhousie University made the prestigious list. This is the first time the university has been recognized with the award.

Canada’s Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across the country that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs, including initiatives covering five employee groups: women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, aboriginal peoples and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered/transsexual (LGBT) peoples.

“I was so pleased to hear that Dalhousie was named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers,” says Michelle Mahoney, who works in Occupational Therapy. She was born with a disability and has overcome many challenges throughout her life. Michelle obtained a university degree and lives and works independently, including obtaining her driver's license. (She commutes to campus in a sporty car that has been adapted for her needs).

Michelle started at Dal as a work placement student several years ago, and has worked in a number of university departments, including ITS where she met her husband. She also sits on Dalhousie’s Employment Equity Council, and received the Faculty/Staff Recognition Award from the School of Occupational Therapy in 2010 and again this year. During her time at Dal, Michelle became a diversity trainer and each year she shares her experiences to the Occupational Therapy students discussing the challenges she faces and how she has overcome them.

“Working at Dal has provided me with so many opportunities, and I’ve made a career for myself here. I hope that my experience can encourage others to strive for what they want and to recognize that there are employers out there that respect workplace diversity,” says Michelle.