Session

The changing student demographic at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has posed some challenges and complexities for how the institution conceptualizes and implements student support strategies. With an ever-increasing international student population, SAIT’s culturally and linguistically diverse student population requires a unique institutional effort to support student success and inclusivity. This session will present a model approach implemented by SAIT to foster a culturally responsive pedagogy and an inclusive, culturally responsive student support service. Using a multi-departmental, multi-faceted, and integrated approach model, SAIT’s International Centre, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Office, and the Centre for Academic Development and Innovation (CADI) launched a model that includes inter-connected supports and resources that foster the development of EDI knowledge and competencies, cultural knowledge and competence, and intercultural skills for staff, faculty, and leaders at the institution. This model for collaboration was launched under the auspices of the SAIT’s Intercultural Support Strategy. This holistic approach included: Student and faculty support roles, micro-modules on EDI and intercultural competence for SAIT community at no-cost, four culturally responsive teaching strategies micro-learning modules for faculty, as well as one-on-one coaching service with two intercultural specialists. The session will conclude with a discussion of the emerging impact of this intercultural support model on teaching and learning, student support services, student experience and outcomes, and leadership. Final discussions will explore the implications of this novel model for building inclusive campus environments and supports, fostering quality education, reducing inequalities, and fostering an overall campus climate where social justice can thrive.