Pethrona Russell, Interim Equity Officer
Able to provide support and consultation to all members of the university community on all issues concerning equity, diversity, accessibility, inclusion, discrimination and harassment. Available to provide connections to on-campus and off-campus resources and supports. Pethrona is also King’s Human Resources Manager.
Email pethrona.russell@ukings.ca or call 902.422.1271 x246 to make an appointment.
Racial Equity Liaison Services
The University of King’s College Racial Equity Policy serves to encourage diversity and awareness of equity issues within the faculty and student body, as well as community outreach. It provides students with information relating to diversity and equity issues, and counselling and mediation, through both the Racial Equity Committee and an External Equity Consultant. The Racial Equity Committee, itself, is also closely associated with the Dalhousie Black Students Advising Centre and the Indigenous Student Centre.
The University of King’s College also has available an External Equity Consultant who is a trained mediator responsible for resolving disputes. The External Equity Consultant is available to all members of the King’s community.
Please see the University Racial Equity Policy in the Yellow Book on the policies site.
Racialized Students Collective
The Racialized Students Collective is a closed space for racialized students here at King’s. It is located in the Link (next to the KSU office). Students can drop in, stay a while, take a break. To access this room, the KSU office has a key, or you can call King’s Security at (902) 430-7938 and they will come unlock the door for you.
Black Student Advising Centre (BSAC)
The Black Student Advising Centre at Dalhousie provides support to prospective and current King’s students of Black/African descent through advocacy, academic advising and mentorship programs. They also organize events and networking opportunities to connect with other students of Black/African descent, both on-campus and in the larger community. The centre is intended to foster a sense of support and community among these students, with other students and to increase intercultural awareness.
Advisors provide confidential services and programming for individuals and/or groups, which may include impartial observation, relevant resource materials and referral services, which may benefit students’ academic, personal and social development on- and off-campus. There is a student resource room for meeting, peer support, reading and/or studying.
The centre is located at 1321 Edward St., Halifax. Open from Monday to Friday – 9 a.m.–4 p.m. You can reach them at 902-494-6648 or bsac@dal.ca
Black Youth Helpline
Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth-specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.
Nova Scotia Sisterhood
The Nova Scotia Sisterhood is a province-wide, free program for Black women to access health care in the community and to improve overall health and wellbeing.
The team delivers health promotion and wellness education; offers navigation to health and community resources; assists in managing ongoing health conditions; develops partnerships with community groups; provides medical care and clinical therapy with a therapist on staff.
Nova Scotia Brotherhood
Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative is a free program for Black men to access health care in the community to improve overall health and wellbeing. A team of health care professionals provide culturally-appropriate primary medical care plus health and wellness services for men of African descent across Halifax Regional Municipality.
Black Mental Health Canada
Black Mental Health Canada provides culturally safe, accessible and affordable mental health care to Black Canadians.
Association of Black Social Workers
The key mission of the ABSW is to act as support group and professional development resource for African Canadian workers.
PREP Academy
The PREP Academy is a community based non-profit organization that inspires and prepares African Nova Scotian high school students for college, university and beyond. They coach students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 to plan, prepare and pursue college and university – and continue to provide wrap around supports as they navigate their education and transition into their chosen careers. King’s has a special partnership with the PREP Academy. PREP will work with King’s to raise the profile of its programs and opportunities among African Nova Scotian students and communities, and King’s will devote a minimum of $7,500 in scholarships each year for incoming PREP students, on top of waiving application and applicable registration fees in efforts to remove barriers to access.
Isaac Wright, (they/them), Student Support Advisor
Available to talk to students looking for support in resource navigation, mental health, goal setting, or problem-solving. If you’re not sure where to go, Isaac can help find the answer. Able to help students access services at Dal Health and Wellness or in the community.
Email isaac.wright@ukings.ca to make an appointment.
Jordan Roberts, (she/her), Sexual Health & Safety Officer (SHSO)
Available to support students who have experienced sexualized violence. Jordan can provide trauma-informed active listening and help individuals decide what avenues and supports are best for them. Jordan can be reached by e-mail, phone call, or text. All communication is confidential. Email jordan.roberts@ukings.ca to make an appointment. Confidential call and text also available at 902-229-6123.
Michelle Mahoney, (she/her), Accessibility Officer
Michelle guides and supports the university’s implementation of King’s Accessibility Plan and works with faculty and staff to ensure that the university meets relevant standards to offer an accessible campus by 2030. Michelle also helps students to get the full benefit of King’s and Dalhousie’s shared Student Accessibility Centre. Michelle can be reached at michelle.mahoney@ukings.ca.
Peer Support Workers
The Peer Support Workers are King’s students available to provide peer support – this can look like active listening, problem solving, supportive discussions, or just hanging out in a quiet space. Each Peer Support worker hosts 4 support hours per week in the A&A building. The Peer Support workers also host events throughout the term. Peer Support drop-in hours, events and updates are posted on Instagram at @ukcpeersupport. You can also email peersupport@ukings.ca to get in touch.
Academic Advising Team
The Academic Services team is here to support you throughout your whole degree at King’s. Whether you are wondering about course registration, degree requirements, program requirements, Honours applications, or anything else to do with King’s—we are here to help you.