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The Black Student Success Centre is dedicated to supporting and championing the holistic (academic, personal and professional) success and overall well-being of Black/African descent students and fostering a positive Black student and athlete experience. The Centre is a safe space where students can meet, share, socialize and access specialized support and services.

BSSC Team

Portrait of Faith Ogunkoya

Iyobosa, Faith Ogunkoya, M.Ed.

Manager, Black Student Success

Email: uyinmwef@mcmaster.ca
Phone: 905.525.9140 x 21786

 

Faith Ogunkoya is an adaptive leader and experienced Higher Education, student success professional with core competencies in leading in the design and implementation of holistic integrated student services, including Experiential Learning, Co-op programs, and services. She is well-recognized for her ability to implement modern and evidence-based student success models, with a deep and wide network of internal and external partners, including employers and equity leads, spanning various sectors.

A headshot of Clare Warner

Dr. Clare Warner

Senior Advisor (Equity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism)

Email: warnec4@mcmaster.ca
Phone: 905.525.9140 x 27614

 

Dr. Clare Warner is the inaugural Senior advisor of Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism in the Department of Student Affairs at McMaster University. She supports the promotion of equity and inclusion values and goals through the vision, mission and mandate of the division and provides strategic guidance focused on building, strengthening, and evaluating inclusive programming, environments, policies, and processes within Student Affairs.

Ola M. Kuforiji, M.A., RP

Black Student Wellness Counsellor

Email: kuforo1@mcmaster.ca

 

Ola brings 10 years of experience working in the mental health field across community-based, non-profit and institutional healthcare settings.

He is a person-centred counsellor who draws on the modality of CBT in his work.

Portrait of Efe Chehore

Efe Chehore

Black Student Outreach & Transition Coordinator

Email: chehoree@mcmaster.ca

 

Efe brings 8 plus years in student engagement and success across post-secondary and community settings, with a deep and proven commitment to advocating for the holistic wellbeing and academic success of Black students in higher education. Efe worked most recently, as the Imani Black Academic Mentorship Program and Black Student Engagement Facilitator within the Student Life & International Student Center at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.

A headshot of Chinazo Okereke

Chinazo Okereke, CHRP

Black Student Career & Post Graduate Specialist

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Hiring

Program Coordinator

Email: bss@mcmaster.ca

Student Staff

A headshot of James Esemu-Ezewu smiling.

James Esemu-Ezewu B.Arts Sc. '24

BSSC Marketing and Communications Associate

Email: bss@mcmaster.ca

 

James Esemu-Ezewu is a Nigerian student enrolled in his third year of the Arts and Science Program at McMaster University. He is passionate about creating equity in academic settings and supporting close tight-knit bonds between Black students at McMaster. In his spare time, he loves to rap, film videos, read and produce music.

A headshot of Malikca Lawrence smiling.

Malikca Lawrence B.Arts Sc. '24

BSSC Communication Assistant and Student Navigator

Email: bss@mcmaster.ca

 

Hailing from Montego Bay, Jamaica, I am a third-year undergraduate student enrolled in the Arts and Science Program here at McMaster University! I have a strong enthusiasm for connecting students to resources and opportunities available to them on campus as well as for building community through my involvement in the McMaster Black Student Association, the McMaster Association of Caribbean & West Indian Students and MSU Diversity and Equity Network.

Portrait of Timi (Oluwatimisola) Toyon

Timi (Oluwatimisola) Toyon B.A. '24

BSSC Program Support Assistant (Welcome Week Lead)

Email: bss@mcmaster.ca

 

I am a Nigerian student enrolled in the Honors Economics at McMaster University. I am one of the co-presidents of Blackspace, a student club focused on the empowerment of Black Women and Non-binary individuals. I also play an active role in Mcmaster Musical Theatre as a Costume Designer. I enjoy creative writing, fashion design, and I am passionate about being able to play a role in fostering an inclusive and empowering campus environment for Black students at McMaster. 

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Hiring

Outreach & Transition Program Support Assistant

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Hiring

Peer Mentor, Career & Post-Grad

Service Delivery Partners

A headshot of Glenda van der Leeuw

Glenda van der Leeuw, MSW, RSW

Social Worker, Student Counsellor, Student Wellness Centre

Email: vandeg5@mcmaster.ca
Phone: 905.525.9140 x 23920

 

An Afro-Surinamese born registered social worker & Mac alumni. Utilizes a trauma informed and anti-oppressive approach with critical attention to intersectionality to honor the full expression of each student. Offers a space for Black students to reclaim their mental health to achieve psychological fortitude and emotional freedom through exploring and expanding meaningful Blackness.

Portrait of Leon Cox (Staff Member)

Leon Cox, MBA

Student Services Professional, Office of the Registrar

Email: coxl5@mcmaster.ca

 

Well versed in McMaster’s aid & award programs. Currently in McMaster’s MBA program, and alumni of George Brown’s Applied Business program. Leon takes great pride in his roots working in the Hospitality industry where he developed proficient operations management skills and a strong customer-centric approach.

Portrait of Jodi-Anne Buckley

Jodi Buckley, M.A. '24

Black Recruitment Officer and Career Advisor, Faculty of Engineering

Email: bucklejn@mcmaster.ca

 

Jodi- Anne Buckley is a first-generation Jamaican Canadian born and raised in the GTA. She graduated from with high distinction from the University of Toronto in 2018 with an honors Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a minor in History as well as Women and Gender Studies.

Portrait of Alexandria Montague

Alexandria Montague, B.A.

Black Student Mentorship Program Coordinator & Project Coordinator, ACFAM Initiatives

Email: bsmp@mcmaster.ca

 

Alexandria has dedicated many hours to building collaborative and empowering online and in-person spaces throughout her professional and academic career. Her passion for community building is proven through the non-profit organizations and social enterprises she has founded such as BLK OWNED Hamont. At McMaster, she provides project support for the BSMP, MACLeads and ACFAM.

Mailing address:

1280 Main Street West
Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL)
Room M07
Hamilton, Ontario
L8S 4S4