- About Joy
- Priorities
- Conversations
- Statements
- 2022
- Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson named SFU’s first Vice-President, People, Equity and Inclusion
- Chris (Syeta’xtn) Lewis joins SFU in advisory role on Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation
- A World of Difference: How universities must evolve in a post-COVID world
- Russian invasion of Ukraine
- SFU: What's Next?
- Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples day
- Please join us for the annual appreciation BBQ
- SFU begins process to become Living Wage Employer
- Staying engaged in an increasingly polarized world
- SFU: What's Next? - Message from the President to Faculty and Staff
- SFU: What's Next? - Message from the President to students
- Search Announcement: Provost and Vice-President Academic
- Statement from the VP, PEI: Addressing Racism and Hate at SFU
- 2021
- Welcome new SFU students
- UPDATED Jan. 6: My response to Dec. 11 event in SFU dining hall
- Celebrating Black History Month
- The University’s Role and Contributions to a Just Recovery Over the Next Decade
- Inspired by meetings with SFU Faculty and Staff
- Looking forward to Summer and Fall
- Opinion: This is why SFU is backing the Burnaby Mountain gondola
- External Review of December 11, 2020 Event
- Facing the future with hope
- President's statement on TransMountain Expansion Project and support for a fire hall on Burnaby mountain
- The road ahead
- Stronger Together: SFU, the pandemic and lessons for a better future
- SFU to observe moment of silence at 2:15 PM today
- Taking action: Reconciliation at SFU
- Join SFU President Joy Johnson for a tour of Burnaby campus
- Message from the President: Residential school findings
- Dr. June Francis appointed Special Advisor to the President on Anti-Racism
- My response to the open letter from SFU faculty and staff
- Resources and ways to support scholars in Afghanistan
- BC Vaccine Card
- Masks required on all SFU campuses, vaccine card required for residence, athletics, dining, events and others
- Vaccine declaration and follow-up screening at SFU
- Return to campus planning updates
- Welcome Back
- Work to review contract vs. in-house cleaning and food services
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- SFU and SFSS united in commitment to climate action
- Inclusion benefits us all
- Moving forward with kindness
- SFU commits to full divestment from fossil fuels
- Safety on SFU's campuses
- Thank you!
- Temporary shift to remote learning January 10 – 23, 2022
- 2020
- Statement on academic freedom
- Welcome back faculty and staff
- Welcome back students
- Statement on scholar strike
- Reflections on my first 30 days
- Taking care of ourselves, taking care of each other
- Equity, diversity and inclusion commitments
- Statement on SFU's Athletics Team Name Change
- Finding connection in times of adversity
- Wishing you a safe and restful holiday break
- Op-ed: SFU helping drive social, economic innovation in time of crisis
- 2022
- President’s Distinguished Community Leadership Award
Finding connection in times of adversity
In mid-November, I had the honour of hosting a panel on mental health in times of adversity.
I was joined at the SFU Alumni event by social scientist Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, Coast Mental Health CEO Darrell Burnham and psychologist Dr. Joti Samra (all brilliant SFU alumni). The conversation drew more than 400 people – alumni, staff, faculty and community members.
What this tells me is that we’re all struggling and looking for support. This concerns me. I care deeply about this community, and I worry about the impact of the pandemic on all of us. But it also gives me hope. In times of adversity our community looks to one another for support and connection. That’s who we are, and that’s how we’ll get through this.
In November, many of us recognized Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, celebrating community connection, and the triumph of light over darkness.
That spirit of community and belief in the transformative power of education was also reflected in former SFU soccer star Frode Strand-Nielsen’s generous donation. His recent $1-million gift to the women’s soccer program will help SFU athletes succeed on and off the field.
I spent most of my time this month in conversations with our community. I enjoy connecting in small group settings – even over Zoom. I love seeing your faces, listening to your priorities and concerns, and answering your questions.
Many of you have taken time to share feedback on my commitments to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Thank you for reaching out. Your notes and comments have meant so much to me and I’m honoured to see this show of support as we take this journey together.
I was particularly moved to hear from several graduate students who reached out via their professor to let me know that as queer scholars in academia, they felt supported by hearing my story. This means so much to me, and it’s a big part of why I share it. I encourage you to tell your own story if you can, in places where you feel comfortable. You never know who you will inspire and encourage.
I look forward to connecting with many of you in the days ahead. Please take care of yourselves and support each other. Reach out and stay connected with friends, family and loved ones.
SFU is a remarkable, caring community and together we’ll get through this.