The University of St. Michael’s College is pleased to announce a new equity-focused award for participants in the Diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability Program offered by its Continuing Education division. Ivy Lumia, CEO & Founder, Best in Governance Inc. (BIG), announced the $25,000 commitment at the SR&S Alumni event on October 26. The donation will provide a $5,000 Award each year for five years.
“We are so pleased to announce the BIG Award in Social Responsibility and Sustainability,” said Ivy Lumia, “This award supports students from equity-deserving groups and students who are committed to advancing an equitable and inclusive social responsibility and sustainability practice through the Graduate Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. This award is an expression of our BIG values of Integrity, Diversity and Inclusion of Thought, Accountability, and Best in Class Service.”
“The University of St. Michael’s College is grateful for BIG’s commitment to support our students’ journey,” noted Michael Salvatori, St. the University’s Director of Continuing Education. “Many students transitioning to the social responsibility and sustainability field face significant financial barriers, and this is particularly true of equity-deserving groups. Awards like this empower our students to develop their unique gifts and carry them forward in service to the world.”
The first BIG Award in Social Responsibility and Sustainability will be awarded to a student in the SR&S 2024/25 Cohort. Applications will open in January, 2024.
About Best in Governance (BIG) — Best in Governance Inc., commonly referred to as BIG, is a boutique firm specializing in sustainable corporate governance and ESG solutions, driven by Integrity, Diversity and Inclusion of Thought, Accountability, and Best in Class Service.
About the Graduate Diploma in Social Responsibility & Sustainability — The BIG Award in Social Responsibility and Sustainability joins the Ron Knowles Bursary and the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto Award for Indigenous Students at Indspire. The SR&S Program hopes to build the complement of awards available to students, to increase accessibility of the program with an emphasis on Black, Indigenous, and other equity deserving groups.
Forty participants are accepted annually to the St. Michael’s program, which attracts students from across Canada and around the world from sectors as diverse as banking and manufacturing to education and NGOs. This “work as you learn” program enables participants to take their career in Social Responsibility and Sustainability to the next level. Participants tackle and resolve a Sustainability/ESG challenge in their company in a major Action Project under the mentorship of faculty and co-learners; learn from global thought leaders; experience practical “real world” change management through the ExperienceChange™ Simulation, and join a prestigious community of St. Michael’s Alumni in continuing education, sharing and networking. Graduates receive the post-nominal letters G.Dipl.SR&S.