McMaster employees pull together to build a community of belonging
On Oct. 5, 2023, 10 teams from McMaster University managed to pull a shuttle bus 100 feet to the finish line in the 8th Annual Pull4Mac McMaster Bus Pull event. Amid the laughter and the kidding around, they managed to raise more than $8,400 for the United Way Campaign.
On Oct. 5, 2023, 10 teams from McMaster University managed to pull a shuttle bus 100 feet to the finish line in the 8th Annual Pull4Mac McMaster Bus Pull event. Amid the laughter and the kidding around, they managed to raise more than $8,400 for the United Way Campaign.
“It’s important for us to strengthen our community by creating meaningful opportunities and enriching people’s connections,” says Melanie Garaffa, Associate Director, Talent, Equity and Development at McMaster. Interactive events such as the bus pull and the annual McMaster Children’s Party in December help “build trust, respect, inclusivity and teamwork,” she says. “And they strengthen relationships.”
That’s crucial because “the diverse perspectives, skills and strengths of our people are our greatest asset,” says Dr. Barrington Walker, McMaster’s Vice-Provost, Equity and Inclusion. “It truly is a community at McMaster, and we have a collective responsibility to work together to build a positive environment, where everyone feels valued, respected and included.”
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As one of the area’s top employers, McMaster currently employs 18,000 faculty, researchers, staff and students, in a variety of roles. Employees can access a range of generous benefits and perks, including comprehensive health coverage, on-campus child care, a tuition assistance and bursary program, flexible work arrangements, and leadership development programming.
McMaster has also invested time and resources to offer opportunities for employees from all backgrounds to grow and develop. Two years ago, the university implemented an employee resource group for Black, Indigenous and racialized employees that offers support to its members through community connections, career growth and learning and development opportunities. And as part of McMaster’s Black cohort hiring initiative, 18 emerging and established Black academics joined the McMaster team across all six faculties since 2020.
That’s only fitting, says Walker, because “we wouldn’t be able to achieve our collective priorities and bold ambition as an institution without the combined efforts of our faculty and staff who do incredible work.”
