Conestoga College’s Student Engagement team hosted its final African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) drop-in session of the semester at the Waterloo campus on March 12, providing students an opportunity to network with their peers and enjoy snacks. The event aimed to foster a sense of belonging among ABC-identifying students.
“It was not only limited to ABC-identifying students,” said Esther Hayford, student engagement programmer for inclusion and belonging. “As long as you show respect to other participants, you are highly welcome.”
Beyond networking, the drop-in session also featured interactive activities, including trivia games and discussions that focused on cultural identity, career aspirations, and personal development. Students were encouraged to share their experiences while learning about opportunities that could help them reach their goals.
Hayford said the session also introduced students to resources available in the community to support their academic and career growth.
“Such as the public library, volunteer opportunities, agencies, and community organizations that cater to the ABC communities,” she said. “These resources can help ABC students develop their careers, find jobs, and become good citizens in their communities.”
Prince Osuala, a first-year student at Conestoga College, said attending the event helped him feel a sense of belonging as a new international student from Nigeria.
“When you are around people who talk about their challenges, and you find out that it is not just you who is going through those challenges. At the same time, you get opinions from other people who have passed through those fazes, it helps a lot,” said Osuala.
The ABC event was initially created to celebrate Black History Month, but over the years, it has expanded to three major events, ensuring that at least one is held at each Conestoga College campus per semester.
“We now have the ABC Welcome Night, which is part of Conestoga’s orientation activities, the Black History Month celebration, and the ABC drop-in session, which happened today,” said Mae Enriquez, student engagement and experience programmer.
Enriquez credited student volunteers for the event’s success, especially Student Ambassadors who identify as ABC and help promote the sessions among their peers. She said that student involvement has been crucial not only in spreading awareness about these initiatives but also in planning, preparing and anchoring some of the activities at the event.
“Volunteering as a Student Ambassador in these events has opened doors and opportunities for me as an event management student,” said Adesua Odigie, a Student Ambassador for ABC events. “It has given me hands-on experience in organizing events, working with diverse groups, and developing leadership skills that will benefit me in my career.”
As the ABC events continue to offer a platform for students to build meaningful connections and access essential resources, the organizers of the event said they aim to broaden the activities that will be in place next semester by introducing more guest speakers, career workshops, and mentorship programs.
