Beyond the Classroom: Building Belonging, Confidence and Success
Saturday, September 12, 2026
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Education Building, Room 101, and Rowe Theatre, Room 209 Brandon, Manitoba
Doors open for registration at 8:30am with a light breakfast and early networking. The formal program begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.
Register Free: Workshop registration form
Free registration closes Friday, September 4.
The Loy Excellentia Initiative invites Black post-secondary students—including students of African and Caribbean heritage—to a practical day of learning, professional development and meaningful connection.
Participants will engage with experienced professionals and explore strategies for academic success, financial well-being, career development, entrepreneurship, leadership, healthy relationships, personal well-being and belonging during and beyond post-secondary education.
Why this Workshop Matters
Success beyond the classroom requires more than academic knowledge. Students also need access to trusted information, supportive relationships, professional networks and practical resources that can help them make informed decisions about their education, careers, finances and well-being.
This workshop creates a welcoming environment in which Black students from diverse backgrounds can learn, ask questions, share experiences and build connections with professionals, community leaders and fellow students.
What You Will Explore
| Topic | Brief description |
|---|---|
| Financial Literacy: Foundations and Future Planning | Budgeting, saving, insurance, taxation, banking, credit and pathways to homeownership |
| Academic Success Toolkit | Research questions, search strategies, credible sources, academic writing and integrity |
| Career and Community Connections | Navigating the transition from post-secondary education into employment and community life |
| Entrepreneurship and Leadership | Creating opportunities through entrepreneurship, networking and community leadership |
| Student Well-Being and Healthy Relationships | Practical conversations about mental health, sexual health, relationships and student well-being |
| Student Voices | Lived experiences, belonging, challenges and success during and beyond university |
Meet Our Facilitators
The workshop brings together professionals, educators and community leaders with expertise in finance, academic research and writing, career development, entrepreneurship, leadership, mental health, sexual health and student support.
Explore our facilitator magazine to meet the people contributing to the workshop, learn about their professional backgrounds and preview the sessions they will facilitate.
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.
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, current students and recent graduates from different Black communities are warmly invited.
Whether you are beginning your studies, returning for another academic year or preparing to enter the workforce, you will find relevant knowledge, connections and resources to support your next steps.
Reserve Your Place
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.