This day also acknowledges the lasting impact of this system on Indigenous communities in Canada, with a call for non-Indigenous Canadians to meaningfully contribute to reconciliation.

Within Student Affairs, we believe that supporting students is about caring for the whole person, including their emotional, spiritual, mental and physical well-being.

Indigenous Student Services offers wellness counselling and culturally relevant services. I am grateful to the team at Indigenous Student Services, under the leadership of Chrissy Doolittle, for providing culturally affirming services and support. 

Belonging is about nurturing supportive communities where every student can find their place. This year, we are increasing the physical space for Indigenous Student Services on campus, providing students and communities with a welcoming and inclusive place to gather and feel that sense of belonging.

I remain committed to ensuring that Indigenous learners have the support they need and amplifying Indigenous student leadership and stories so that we can continue to learn and grow alongside our students.

Today is a significant day, as is the continued act of reconciliation. It is McMaster’s ongoing responsibility to learn and understand the role this community can play in supporting and uplifting Indigenous knowledge and voices.

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Learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events and resources at McMaster.

“The experiences and opportunities I have had at McMaster have been invaluable to me and I’m grateful to all the people I have worked with over the years. Collaboration across Student Affairs and with faculty, staff and students has allowed us to provide a robust environment where students can thrive and flourish. It has been a privilege serving this community together,” said Rosanne Kent. 

Rosanne’s journey at McMaster began in 1988, conducting research in thrombosis with Professor Emeritus, Dr. Jack Hirsh. In 1993, Kent transitioned to a leadership position as Manager of the Cardiac Surgery research team, working closely with Dr. André Lamy.  

Her commitment to healthcare broadened, and in 2006, she became Nurse Manager of what was then called Campus Health. Through Campus Health, McMaster offered mental health services for students for the first time, addressing the increasing volume of student concerns.  

Rosanne reflects on the significant mental health stigma, sharing that they even created checklists for student visitors to discreetly indicate the type of care they needed without having to say mental health aloud.  

“It was a big deal at the time. We knew mental health was an issue for students and wanted to find proactive ways to support them instead of reactive. We also wanted students to feel safe and to be able to ask for what they needed. This involved thinking of mental health as something that impacts us throughout our lives and health education as an important part of our overall well-being.” 

In addition to mental health, the team expanded McMaster’s health offerings, bringing in different forms of medicine, such as naturopathy and acupuncture. Counselling and psychiatry also grew.  

“Students were part of demonstrating the demand for this kind of care. Every time we put out a new service or added a staff member to the team, their caseloads were full.” 

In 2011, this approach to care led to developing an integrated campus model through the newly launched Student Wellness Centre, with Rosanne as its inaugural director. The Student Wellness Centre brought together medical and counselling services on campus.  

By integrating the services, students could receive the right care from the right provider. This collaborative care model set the stage for preventive management of mental health illness.  Under Rosanne’s leadership, the Centre expanded McMaster’s healthcare offerings and supported the community through difficult times, such as through the team’s frontline service during COVID-19.  

Now, almost 15 years later, the Centre has grown significantly, with more than 50,000 student visitors per year who access clinical and counselling services.  

“Every encounter and experience at McMaster has shaped my path and equipped me for this job. I am thankful for the time we’ve spent together and our commitment to helping students.” 

“I want to thank Rosanne for her years of service and commitment to McMaster and our students. She has made a significant impact in such an important area of students’ lives, and through the many changes and challenges at the university and in the sector related to student health and well-being,” said Sean Van Koughnett, Associate Vice-President, Students.   

Looking ahead, Student Affairs will hire a Director of Student Wellness to oversee the Student Wellness Centre and the David Braley Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre.  

“This is a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic healthcare leader. The Director, Student Wellness is a member of the Student Affairs leadership team and a champion for student health and well-being.”  

The job is currently posted on Mosaic and will close the last week of March. 

Rosanne Kent will retire in the Spring.