The winners of the inaugural President’s Fund Special Project Program were celebrated at an on-campus event on May 23, 2025. Funded through generous donations from MSVU alumni and friends, the President’s Fund supports priority initiatives identified by the President in consultation with the MSVU community.
Launched as a five-year pilot, the Special Project Program provides one-time funding for projects that reflect MSVU’s mission and values, prioritize equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), and enhance the student experience, community engagement, well-being, and innovation.
“We were looking at the President’s Fund and asking, ‘What would benefit students and the MSVU community the most?’” said MSVU President and Vice-Chancellor Joël Dickinson in her opening remarks. “I thought, it’s not me who has the expertise in this — it’s the Mount community. So why not open it up and see what ideas come from the people who work with students and the community every day? And, the response was amazing!”
Awarded Projects
Student Experience
The Student Experience category recognizes projects that enrich students’ academic, personal, or social lives.
3D Printing: A New Dimension of Learning: Led by faculty member Paige Drake, this project will enhance classroom and lab learning while fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and staff.
Student-Led Projects
The Student-Led category recognizes impactful student-driven initiatives. Two initiatives were funded under this category.
Crafternoons: By student Skyler Anadkat, supported by the Library Team, this project fosters student engagement through creative, collaborative activities.
A Taste of Home: A Cultural Cookbook by Students: By Joshua van Nostrand and Daniela Aguilar, this initiative will produce a cookbook celebrating cultural diversity through student-contributed recipes.
Healthy Campus
The Healthy Campus category supports initiatives that promote the well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
Understanding EDIA Initiatives in Universities: A Pan-Canadian Policy Scan: Led by faculty members Jeannie Larson, Johan Woodworth, Phillip Joy, and Kelly Resmer, this project will examine EDIA-related policies at Canada’s top 50 universities.
Community Engagement
The Community Engagement category supports projects that build strong, collaborative ties with external communities.
Two-Eyed Seeing Library Art Project: Spearheaded by faculty member Krista Collier-Jarvis and collaborators Cathy LeBlanc, Cheyenne Hardy, Jessica Jeron, Jeannie Bail, Theresa Meuse and Cheryl Delorey, this initiative will create a Mi’kmaw art installation in the MSVU Library, strengthening ties with Indigenous communities.
Congratulations to all recipients on their outstanding contributions to the MSVU community, and we look forward to next year’s submissions!