As an international student myself, “The unique community” always makes McGill so special. The people here are dedicated to supporting equity, diversity and inclusion and make the ease of access to both student and staff-led equity initiatives, groups and resources. Antoine-Samuel Mauffette Alavo (BA ’07 Development Economics & Internatinal Development) joined the equity team as Black Student Affairs Liaison since 2021. After completing the MA in International Studies from Université de Montréal, he has worked as a Liaison Officer and Field Studies Officer with McGill’s Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science.
He also worked as a coordinator for the Côte-des-Neiges Youth Center. As Black Student Affairs Liaison, Antoine-Samuel is responsible for connecting with and supporting Black students across McGill at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, to ensure that their needs and interests are communicated effectively to the University and addressed in a timely and effective manner. He has helped countless students find life-changing opportunities and is continuing in his contributions to the McGill community and dedicate himself to improving the Black student experience. Today we speak to Antoine about his involvement in the Equity Office including how McGill Arts background contributed to his role as Black Student Affairs Liasion, and he pointed us to some useful resources to keep in your back pocket.
I’d like to begin with your position as Black Student Affairs Liaison at Equity Office. Why did you choose to join the Equity team at McGill?
Antoine: I had always been working closely with Black Student Associations and advising individual students during my time at the Arts Internship Office. When I understood that the University’s Plan to address-Anti-Black Racism was being initiated I wanted to contribute to its implementation.
What are some major duties and responsibilities that come with connecting with and supporting Black students across McGill?
Antoine: As the Black Student Affairs Liaison my role is to help Black student’s flourish and reach their professional and academic objectives. That means trying to help make as many University resources available to them by contributing to their accessibility. I help student associations strategize and develop their initiatives, promote various Faculty programs and help make them sustainable. I am also here to listen to students and help them navigate life on Campus as well as communicate their feedback to the broader McGill institutions.
What are the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of your work?
Antoine: The most rewarding is the student success I can say I played a small role in supporting. Black Grad celebration is my favorite day of the year and getting emails about successful Grad school or scholarship applications is beyond rewarding. However, maintaining students’ motivation and helping them traverse rough patches and systemic obstacles is most challenging. I hope that by listening , planning and supporting solutions with the students I can help them grow and go beyond whatever hurdles they face.
On January 24th, the Student Wellness Hub offered the Achieving Wellness for Black Graduate Students event. How did students engage with this event? Will the Wellness Hub hold similar events in the near future?
Antoine: The event was a very important moment for Black Grad students to gather amogst their peers and share. I think they welcomed the opportunity to connect and have been working on more Grad student programming in the near future. Their will be additional Black Student Wellness events during the Winter Semester most likely taking place in the Black Student space on campus (Ferrier room 216)
Are there any Black student support groups on campus (or specifically associated with the Hub) for prioritizing mental wellbeing? What kinds of events and workshops does the Hub host for black students, and how can they get involved?
Antoine: We are luck to have Angelah Ahenkorah present as the Black student Wellness Advisor and Melissa Cobbler occupying the position for BIPOC students. They provide year-round programming for students as well as individual meetings to help Black Students focus on wellness. We also have Black councilors that Student’s can book appointments with through the Hub.
As a McGill Arts alumni, were there certain skills you developed during your experience at McGill that helped you get to where you are today?
Antoine: The networking, analytical and communicating skills I learned throughout my time at McGill has been priceless in taking me where I am at today. Furthermore, as a staff and student my contacts and knowledge of the broader University network and intricate structures is what I try to share with the students I work with today.
Right now, all the many cracks in our social and political systems have been exposed and it seems like we have an opportunity to restructure so much that it is not working. As we seek to rebuild, what kinds of shifts do you think are possible and necessary to build a more equitable and just community?
Antoine: Truly listening to each other and acting with integrity and with a mindset focused on sustainability and accountability is what is needed both personally and institutionally if we are to collaborate with each other in undoing centuries of oppression and its omnipresent impact.