Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

Laura Mitchell has recently joined the Camosun community as the Director of Student Affairs. When asked what being on the panel for the “Connecting Camosun Women” Tea & Chat means to her, Laura shared that she has benefited from inspiring and exceptional female leaders throughout her career. She strives to embody the diverse leadership approaches that she has admired – compassionate, student-focused, and process-driven – in her own leadership style. Laura is proud of forming connection points with her team and the broader college community, and is looking forward to sharing her story during the panel discussion.

Background: Originally from Scotland, where she earned an M.Sc. in psychology from the University of Strathclyde and a PhD in Health Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University, Laura began her career in post-secondary as an educator. She came to Canada during a sabbatical year at McGill in Montreal, where she fell in love with the city and much to her surprise, decided to stay! Laura held faculty positions at McGill and Bishop’s universities, and later served in the roles of Director, Student Success Centre and Executive Director Student Experience at Concordia University in Montreal. In these positions, Laura had direct oversight of all student life (including athletics and residence life), student success, advocacy and student conduct, Indigenous student services and academic advising supports as well as mental health, physical health and accessibility services. About her new role at Camosun, Laura shared that it is a dream job, and she is grateful for her wonderful team.

Deirdre McNeil, known to all as Dee, is the Assistant to the Executive Director in Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen, the Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections (IECC).  When asked what the “Connecting Camosun Women” Tea & Chat event means to her, Dee expressed excitement to be a part of this International Women’s Day discussion panel because she will have a chance to speak to her experience, how she managed to get to this position, and her journey through education. Dee recently finished a History degree at UVic and through this, she has a position of leadership, which is a personal goal that she has had for a number of years.

Background: Dee is of Irish and French-Canadian descent. She’s been a grateful visitor on these lands of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples since 1996.  Dee was born in Edmonton but raised in Kwikwetlem Territory (lower mainland area). Her passions are family, knowing traditions, and working with students and children to see their potential. Dee has worked at Camosun for 2 years, starting her journey as the Operations Assistant in Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen in September 2022, and just recently moving to the Assistant to the Executive Director position, working with Executive Director Todd Ormiston. In her new role, Dee is responsible for leading the administration team and ensuring the budget is being monitored and adhered to. She also books appointments for their extremely busy Executive Director!

Tehmina Khwaja started in her role as Camosun’s inaugural Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion just last month. Regarding the Tea & Chat event, Tehmina shared that it is an absolute honour for her to be invited to participate in this International Women’s Day panel with her wonderful Camosun colleagues. She said she is thrilled that this panel is a collaboration between students and employees and aptly reflects the power of women coming together, noting, “we are unstoppable when we do that”. Tehmina emphasized that International Women’s Day is a reminder that our predecessors have fought hard to get us where we are, and now it is our turn to continue the work toward greater inclusion for women and all our equity-denied siblings.

Background: Tehmina was born and raised in Pakistan and considers herself fortunate to call Victoria her new home. As an uninvited guest and immigrant settler, she is honoured by the hospitality and welcome from her generous hosts, the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples who have cared for these lands since time immemorial.

Tehmina has extensive postsecondary experience as an international higher education scholar-practitioner in Pakistan, the United States and Canada. Her research interests include equity, diversity and inclusion in higher education, gender and academic leadership, academic culture, and qualitative methodology. Tehmina’s passion for social justice led her to a career in equity, diversity and inclusion planning and implementation. She earned her PhD in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership in Higher Education from the College of William & Mary, United States, where she was a Fulbright scholar from Pakistan. Tehmina is a published author in peer-reviewed journals and co-editor of the bookCritical Approaches to Women and Gender in Higher Education.

Debbie Hlady is the Dean of the School of Arts & Science, which she came to after years of experience teaching English both internationally and within Canada. Debbie is proud to be participating in the International Women’s Day Tea & Chat panel discussion, and she stressed the importance of the event, noting that although we are very fortunate to see women leaders across the college, there are still regular reminders that “though we have come a long way, we are not there yet.”

Background: Debbie is originally from Winnipeg, and first came to Victoria when she was doing her masters studies at UVic. Debbie‘s work at Camosun began in 2003, and over the past 2 decades, she has consistently contributed to the college and its success. She has taken advantage of many opportunities to contribute, as faculty Board member, Education Council and the Integrated Curriculum Committee as well as numerous other committees. 

Debbie is committed to Camosun and cares deeply about its success. She truly loves that her role as Dean of Arts & Science keeps her connecting and working with people from all across the college. She has learned to let go of expectations that she has to “understand it all”, and instead appreciates the knowledge and expertise of her school and the college community. Debbie shared that it takes all of us to succeed and to ensure the success of our students.