The annual Aboriginal Student Achievement Plan (ASAP) Calendar features student, alumni and employee success stories.
While some calendars feature cute animals or silly jokes, the ASAP calendar seeks to inspire individuals by sharing some of the stories of Indigenous students
and employees who have found success with both personal and educational goals at Saskatchewan
Polytechnic.
"There are so many success stories we could share, it's often hard to pick only 12," says Jason Seright, director of Aboriginal Strategy. "This calendar is just one way to show people across the province, and across the country, that Sask Polytech puts a lot of effort into ensuring all of our students have an equal opportunity to succeed."
According to Seright, celebrating Indigenous success is about recognizing the importance of Indigenous peoples throughout Sask Polytech, within our home communities and to Saskatchewan's economy.
Each of the 12 stories are unique and describe how programs, such as ASAP and student services, helped the individual overcome challenges to achieve success. Erik Mayes, who is featured for the month of February, shares his story about travelling all the way from Whitehorse, Yukon, to attend the Computer Engineering Technology program in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
"They helped me figure out my way around the city and find a place to live," says Mayes. "It was a big help to know I didn't need to do all of that on my own."
ASAP is an institution-wide strategy to provide Indigenous students with a variety of services that enhance the student experience and remove barriers to success. Enrolment for Indigenous students at Sask Polytech has increased 31 per cent since the 2011-12 academic year. Currently representing 18 per cent of the total student population, Indigenous students are a valued part of the Sask Polytech community.
"We want to ensure that sharing Indigenous success stories is the norm at Sask Polytech, not the exception," says Seright. "This calendar is just one way we reach that goal and we're very proud of it.
For more information on ASAP programs and services or to check out the online version of the calendar, visit saskpolytech.ca/asap.
Published January 2017.