SUCCESS STORIES
Discover the experiences of graduates, instructors, and employers that highlight the benefits of inclusive education and employment through our IPSE and GSS programs
Graduate Success Stories
Jeremy (he/him)
IPSE GRADUATE
In IPSE I enjoyed online workshops and hanging out with other students and Facilitators. I enjoy the job hunting process and using online resources such as ALIS, etc. to help me build skills needed for the job search. I learned hiring teams like when one has previous experience volunteering and working and sometimes you have to work with people you might not always get along with. Teamwork is important. Additionally, it's not always about being perfect but about doing your best. Before you get paid you have to add in the number of hours you have worked and cover letters are not mandatory but are strongly encouraged. Always be clear and concise. I feel more confident in myself and have started thinking more about what career I am interested in. Through participating in class assignments and group projects I have learned more about myself and my abilities. One of my favourite memories from IPSE is participating in campus events such as daily morning prayer, the UCalgary festival, pet therapy and buying posters.
Siobhan (she/her)
GSS GRADUATE
With the help and support of my GSS Facilitator, I was able to find two amazing jobs. I have been at both jobs for over 3 years. One job is at Old Navy. My position there is with customer service where I help people in the fitting rooms, greet customers and fold clothes when I work on the floor. I also work at Safeway in customer service. At Safeway I bag groceries for customers, gather all the carts and also black baskets and sweep the floors. I also help customers do carry outs to their vehicles.
I really enjoyed my weekly meetings and coffee with my facilitators. The most valuable skills I learned in GSS were costumer service, becoming more independent, resume writing, time management, appropriate social media use, and learning how to use tools for stress management.
The GSS program changed my life because I have two amazing jobs that allow me to make my own money. I can save to go on nice vacations, buy my own clothes and go out with my friends for social activities. I have made some friends at both my jobs. I learned to be more independent example, fill out request forms for days off and vacation, take public transit and have become more confident to ask for help. The best and most memorable thing that happened was I got to be a background performer for two years on the CBC tv show Heartland. I love acting so this was my dream come true. I hope to do more background performing in the future.
Instructor Success Stories
INCLUSIVE INSTRUCTOR
University of Calgary - School of Creative and Performing Arts
Andrea Downie (she/her)
Our dance course community was deeply enriched by the IPSE student’s presence and participation. He was a model student, distinguished by reliable attendance, a positive approach to learning, and active involvement in all aspects of the course. Of note were his contribution to a small group collaborative choreography and his strong performance in the culminating event we presented to the public on the final day of the course. He further impacted the broader dance and University of Calgary communities by participating in an optional community dance series that provided student-teachers in the Dance program with the opportunity to develop their teaching skills. In all these activities, the IPSE student’s participation affirmed the significance of diversity to building strong and inclusive communities.
INCLUSIVE INSTRUCTOR
St. Mary's University - Entrepreneurship & Social Responsibility Program
Olayemi Olabiyi (he/him)
Initially, I was uneasy about the challenge because I had never had the privilege of teaching IPSE students in my nearly two decades of teaching at post-secondary institutions. However, everything seemed seamless as the instructions continued, and I attributed this to two factors. First, the IPSE student was eager to learn and participate actively in class discussions, often asking insightful questions and sharing perspectives. Second, the non-IPSE students provided exceptional support for the IPSE student, frequently encouraging participation and offering assistance. I cherish that the IPSE student was not shy about asking for help, as evidenced by how earnestly the student utilized office hours, often scheduling multiple appointments each week. As the semester progressed, a trend emerged: if no student showed up during office hours to ask questions, the IPSE student would be present, seeking clarity. The conversations we had were always thought-provoking and meaningful, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
INCLUSIVE INSTRUCTOR
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology - Academic Services Department
Tonalee Andrews (she/her)
Upon learning that I was about to take on two IPSE students in my business communications course, I was both curious and a little apprehensive. Having no formal training in teaching students with disabilities, I was unsure of what to expect. I have to say that the experience was so rewarding that I’m looking forward to having more IPSE students in my classes. Their participation and growth in the areas of group work and public speaking was commendable. I believe they, the students who interacted with them and I came out of the semester feeling that we had grown our skillsets. I would not hesitate to welcome more IPSE students into my courses going forward.
Employer Success Stories
INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER
Fiesta Market & Restaurant
Emigdio Valenzuela (he/him)
Our experience with inclusive employment has been extremely positive. Welcoming an employee through this program has brought enthusiasm, dedication, and a strong sense of pride to our workplace. The employee assists with organizing merchandise and helping with customer engagement activities, always approaching tasks with a positive attitude and willingness to learn. Over time, we have seen increased confidence, independence, and comfort interacting within the workplace environment. The support provided by the Facilitator has been invaluable, helping ensure clear communication, smooth integration, and ongoing success. Inclusive hiring has enriched our team, reinforced our commitment to community involvement, and demonstrated how valuable diverse talents and perspectives are in creating a welcoming workplace.
Emanuel (he/him)
INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER
Villages Calgary
The IPSESA clients in our non-profit environment bring fresh perspectives to the work we do and demonstrate an inspiring enthusiasm to learn, grow, and take on responsibilities as part of our team. In their time here so far, they have developed a comprehensive understanding of fair trade and the many communities we support around the world. It has been a positive experience to watch them develop their interpersonal skills with customers and other team members, becoming more confident in their abilities with each month that passes. We are grateful for our IPSESA clients and they assist us in many impactful ways as well as bring warmth to our team with the stories they share.