Beyond the Classroom: Building Belonging, Confidence and Success
Saturday, September 12, 2026
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba
The Loy Excellentia Initiative invites Black post-secondary students—including students of African and Caribbean heritage—to a full-day professional development workshop focused on the knowledge, skills, relationships and resources that support success during and beyond university or college.
The workshop will bring students together with professionals, facilitators and fellow learners for practical and engaging conversations about academic achievement, personal well-being, career preparation, financial literacy and building a meaningful sense of belonging in Canada.
Registration deadline: September 4, 2026
About the Workshop
Black students bring diverse identities, backgrounds and experiences to post-secondary education. These include African and Caribbean students, Canadian-born students, international students, newcomers and students who have lived in Canada for many years. Depending on their circumstances, students may experience isolation, cultural adjustment, difficulty finding meaningful community or barriers that are not always visible in the classroom.
Success in post-secondary education involves more than attending classes and completing assignments. Students must also learn to manage competing responsibilities, protect their well-being, build supportive relationships, navigate financial decisions and prepare for life after graduation.
For Black and African-descended students, these experiences may also involve adjusting to a new cultural and educational environment, overcoming isolation, finding meaningful community and navigating barriers that are not always visible in the classroom.
This workshop provides a welcoming space where students can learn practical strategies, ask questions, connect with professionals and share experiences with others who understand their journeys.
Workshop Topics
The program is informed by topics identified by students and will include interactive sessions on:
- Time management and productivity
- Networking and building meaningful connections
- Mental health and well-being
- Academic success strategies
- Career pathways and job readiness
- Leadership and personal development
- Financial literacy
Sessions will emphasize practical strategies and resources that students can apply in their academic, personal and professional lives.
What Participants Can Expect
Participants will have opportunities to:
- Learn practical strategies for succeeding academically
- Strengthen time-management and productivity skills
- Explore career pathways and employment preparation
- Develop confidence in networking and professional communication
- Learn approaches to budgeting, saving, investing and financial planning
- Discuss mental health, stress, belonging and personal well-being
- Connect with professionals, mentors and other post-secondary students
- Identify resources and supports available within the university and wider community
Who Should Attend?
The workshop is designed primarily for Black post-secondary students, including students of African and Caribbean heritage studying in Brandon and the surrounding area. Canadian-born students, international students, newcomers and students from different Black communities are warmly invited to participate.
Whether you are beginning your post-secondary journey, returning for another academic year or preparing to enter the workforce, the workshop will provide relevant strategies, connections and resources to support your next steps.
Meet the Presenters and Facilitators
The workshop will feature professionals and facilitators with experience in education, mental health and well-being, financial planning, employment, career development, leadership and community engagement. Together, they will offer practical knowledge and perspectives relevant to the diverse experiences of Black students, including African, Caribbean, Canadian-born and international students.
Presenter photographs, biographies and session descriptions will be added to this page as they are confirmed.
Please return to this page for presenter announcements and program updates.
Program
The workshop will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will include professional-development sessions, interactive activities, opportunities for questions, networking and conversations with other participants.
The detailed program and session schedule will be published shortly.
Register to Attend
Advance registration is required to assist with event planning and preparations.
Registration deadline: Friday, September 4, 2026
Register for the Black Students Professional Development Workshop
Participants who register will receive additional information about the workshop before the event.
Event Convener and Project Lead
Dr. Aloysius Anyichie is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Student Services at Brandon University and Founder of the Loy Excellentia Initiative. His teaching, research and community engagement focus on student motivation, engagement, self-regulated learning, culturally responsive pedagogy, mentorship, belonging and the academic success and well-being of culturally diverse students.
Dr. Anyichie is the project lead and convener of the Black Students Professional Development Workshop.
Event Organization and Support
The workshop is organized by the Loy Excellentia Initiative in collaboration with Brandon University.
It is supported through a Brandon University Research Committee (BURC) Event Grant for the project: Beyond the Classroom: Lived Experiences, Belonging, and Success of Post-Secondary Students of African Descent in Brandon.
Through this initiative, we hope to create opportunities for students to strengthen their skills, build meaningful connections, share their experiences and develop a stronger sense of belonging within their institutions and the wider Brandon community.
Stay Connected
This page will be updated with presenter profiles, session descriptions and the complete workshop schedule. Follow the Loy Excellentia Initiative’s communication channels for announcements and registration reminders.
We look forward to welcoming you on September 12 for a day of learning, connection and professional growth.