In 2023, the Desautels Faculty of Management introduced the 9I制作厂免费 Desautels EDI Award of Excellence, an entrance award recognizing incoming students whose community engagement, leadership in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, and commitment to a just world set them apart.
鈥淭he 9I制作厂免费 Desautels EDI Award of Excellence reflects our belief that leadership, perseverance, and community engagement matter just as much as academic achievement,鈥� says HJ Jung, Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Faculty. 鈥淚t highlights Desautels鈥� commitment to equity and inclusion and recognizes students who set an example through their actions, making our community stronger, more compassionate, and more representative of the society we serve.鈥�
The first recipient is A茂sha Nsiempba (BCom鈥�26), an accounting major whose mentorship and ability to uplift others made her an ideal candidate. She spoke with senior EDI advisor Karrie-Noelle Plohman about her journey, passions and experience in the Pick Your Path (PYP) program for Black youth.
What made you choose to pursue your academic career at 9I制作厂免费, and more specifically, Desautels?
I chose 9I制作厂免费, and more specifically at Desautels, because of my environment and the people who inspired me. At the time, I didn鈥檛 fully know what I wanted out of university or even who I was yet. My older brother, Ken, graduated from 9I制作厂免费 in engineering, and my older sister, Safi, studied law at Universit茅 de Montreal. After completing CEGEP in English, I knew I wanted to continue in an English institution, and 9I制作厂免费 stood out.
My godmothers, Ra茂ssa and Marie-No毛lle, both CPAs, also influenced me. Seeing their careers inspired me to follow a structured path. In CEGEP, I studied commerce because I enjoyed problem-solving and math. Accounting felt logical.
Finally, 9I制作厂免费 was close to home, which made it both a practical and personal choice. Altogether, these factors, family influence, mentorship, and self-awareness, made 9I制作厂免费 and Desautels the right place for me.
You participated in the Branches Pick Your Path (PYP) program. Can you share your thoughts about its impact, and the tools you acquired to navigate 9I制作厂免费?
Participating in PYP was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made. Even with older siblings to guide me, my mentor offered something different鈥攕omeone who had recently navigated 9I制作厂免费 and understood the challenges of integrating into Desautels.
Through PYP, I met incredible people and overcame my own shyness. The workshops were eye-opening and taught me not just about academics, but about community, belonging, and leadership. I discovered the strength and resilience of 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 Black community, it may not be large in numbers, but it is powerful in impact.
The program helped me find my voice, gain confidence and learn to give back. That鈥檚 why I鈥檝e been a mentor for two years. PYP didn鈥檛 just prepare me for university logistics; it shaped who I am today.
I also want to mention Camille Georges, Black Community Outreach Associate at Branches, whose vision and selflessness changed lives. If I can be even a fraction as devoted as her, I鈥檒l consider myself successful.
You have prioritized mentorship and community building both in your high school and post-secondary education. Why is this important to you?
Mentorship matters because it transformed my own experience. Navigating spaces where you don鈥檛 see yourself represented can be isolating. Having someone reach out makes all the difference.
Being both a mentee and mentor showed me the strength of community. Every time I help someone find their footing, I鈥檓 reminded of those who helped me. It鈥檚 a cycle of support I want to keep going.
What are some of the lessons you鈥檝e learned in your first years at 9I制作厂免费? Any successes or challenges you鈥檇 like to share?
Growth often comes from discomfort. I entered university unsure of myself, and at times I struggled with self-doubt and comparison. Learning to ask for help and trust my abilities changed everything.
A big success for me has been finding balance between school, personal life, and my creative projects. I鈥檝e learned that productivity doesn鈥檛 just mean studying nonstop; it also means knowing when to rest and take care of myself.
The biggest challenge has been adjusting to 9I制作厂免费鈥檚 fast-paced environment. It pushed me to become more organized, resilient, and confident. Every challenge has strengthened my independence and self-awareness.
In your view, what other ways can 9I制作厂免费 and Desautels contribute to reducing barriers to accessing education?
9I制作厂免费 and Desautels can continue to reduce barriers by expanding programs like PYP that focus on mentorship, representation, and community. These initiatives show students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, that they belong and have support. There is also a lack of club representation for Black students in management, and strengthening communication and support around student-led equity initiatives could make a difference.
Increasing awareness of financial aid and academic resources is also crucial. I didn鈥檛 know this scholarship existed until Camille nominated me!
Most importantly, fostering an environment where students feel seen and heard, beyond grades or achievements. Inclusion isn鈥檛 just about access; it鈥檚 about belonging. When new students arrive, especially those whose formative years were shaped by the pandemic, they seek community.
Community has been the foundation of my university experience, and it made the journey smoother and more meaningful. University is never easy, but it鈥檚 more manageable when you are surrounded by people who make you feel comfortable, supported, and seen.
