News

By Sophie Webb
Photos: Cody Turner

Dalhousie’s third annual Engagement Day brought faculty and staff together on May 8th for a full day of presentations, workshops and discussions centered on the future of the university and the communities it serves.

Hosted across the Weldon Law Building and Kenneth C. Rowe Building in Halifax, the event invited participants to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities and connect with colleagues from across disciplines.

From conversations surrounding responsible AI use and student advising to discussions on democratic resilience, workplace burnout, global engagement and inclusive teaching practices, the event showcased the breadth of work taking place across Dalhousie's campuses and faculties. Interactive workshops, panel discussions, research presentations and networking opportunities encouraged attendees to exchange ideas while reflecting on the university’s evolving role within Nova Scotia and beyond.

The day began with a welcome from Elder Ann (Annjij) LaBillois before attendees dispersed into dozens of concurrent sessions designed to encourage collaboration, discussion and innovative ideas. In addition to presentations and panel discussions, Engagement Day also featured an interactive research expo, behind-the-scenes campus tours, networking opportunities and a closing social gathering.

A common theme throughout the event was connection; both within the university and within the broader communities Dalhousie serves.

For the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture, that theme was especially evident during Dr. Heather Bruce’s presentation of the Faculty of Agriculture’s 2025-2030 strategic plan, Cultivating Community.

The plan outlines the Faculty of Agriculture’s vision for strengthening relationships, collaboration and belonging while continuing to position the Bible Hill campus as a leader in sustainable agriculture, food systems and community well-being. During the presentation, Bruce highlighted four strategic priorities that will guide the faculty over the next five years: program design, campus life, community engagement and research impact.

Community engagement emerged as one of the central focuses of the strategic plan, articularly through efforts to strengthen relationships beyond campus and create more opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of sectors and communities.

The emphasis on inclusion and connection carried into a particular session in the afternoon, Advancing Equity in Uncertain Times: Program Leadership, Impact, and Vision, which explored how equity-focused initiatives across Dalhousie are supporting students and adapting to evolving challenges in higher education.

This panel featured leaders from several programs affiliated with Dalhousie, including the Transition Year Program (TYP), Imhotep’s Legacy Academy (ILA), Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS), and Truro Start.

Among the speakers was Ashley Coffin, who discussed Truro Start, a Faculty of Agriculture-connected initiative that allows students to begin their studies at Dalhousie’s Agricultural Campus before transitioning to Halifax to complete their degrees.

The program offers first-year pathways in Science, Arts and Recreation Management while providing students with smaller class sizes, one-on-one advising, residence opportunities and additional support during the transition to Halifax.

Coffin described the initiative as a stepping stone for students from marginalized communities to explore science and agriculture while building confidence, community and a sense of belonging. Since launching four years ago, Coffin said both the program and student participation have continued to grow significantly.

Other panelists emphasized the importance of mentorship, representation and culturally supportive learning environments. Mariam Sulyman discussed how PLANS supports Black representation in healthcare through mentorship, leadership opportunities and academic support from junior high through post-secondary education. Asher Trim-Gaskin highlighted ILA’s expansion across Nova Scotia through academic enrichment, coding initiatives, mentorship and cultural programming for students from marginalized communities. Amber Bernard also reflected on the long-standing impact of the TYP program, which has supported students for more than five decades through cohort-based learning and community support.

Together, the sessions presented during Engagement Day reflected many of the priorities shaping Dalhousie’s future, including collaboration, accessibility, innovation and meaningful community engagement.

From the Faculty of Agriculture’s vision for cultivating stronger partnerships and campus community to university-wide discussions surrounding equity, student support, sustainability and AI, the event highlighted how faculties and programs across Dalhousie are working collectively to create a more connected, inclusive, and forward-focused university.

As Dalhousie continues evolving to meet the needs of its students and communities, Engagement Day 2026 offered a clear look at the ideas, partnerships and people helping drive that progress forward.