Our journey

Appointment of Special Advisor

Feb. 2023

Principal Patrick Deane appoints Special Advisor on Community Engagement.

Environmental scans

Mar. - Nov. 2023

The Special Advisor's team conducted literature reviews of Canadian and American universities for their community engagement initiatives. The team identified undergraduate and graduate courses at Queen's including community enagement.

Course review

July 2023 - Jan. 2024

Every undergraduate and graduate course at Queen's was reviewed for offering community engagement opportunities.

Community Engagement Council

Fall 2023

Twenty-three Queen's faculty and staff members formed the Principal's Advisory Council for Community Engagement.

Planning for assessment and evaluation

2024

Subcommittees held 21 meetings, and the full Council met four times to advance and give feedback on new community engagement initiatives.

Community Engagement Framework launched

Fall 2025

After inviting partners to provide feedback on its collective approach to community engagement, Queen's launched its Community Engagement Framework at Bridging Campus and Community: Collaborating for Impact. A highlight was posters that brought to life  across disciplines. 

Next steps

Developing a Community Engagement Record to allow students to systematically track their community engagement activities while identifying and reflecting on professional skills developed while attending Queen鈥檚. 

Step Activity
1

Record your community engagement:

Input your involvement with communities through coursework, extracurriculars, and research.

2

Develop your professional skills:

Take a professional skill self-assessment to identify your strength and growth areas.

3

Learn how to engage ethically: 

Learn how to engage ethically with the community and avoid the pitfalls that can occur by watching video modules.

4

Set goals to grow:

Make progress on your skill development by setting annual personal and professional goals.

5

Reflect on your impact:

Complete reflection exercises to recognize your motivations and track your professional skill development.

6

Download your record:

Download your record, a portfolio of your community engagement, to show employers your professional skills and experience.

 

We are currently establishing an interdisciplinary certificate available to all undergraduate students that focuses on sustainability and community engagement. This certificate will be granted upon completion of online course that introduces students to the SDGs and to collaboration, problem-solving approaches, and community engagement. 

Step Part Learning Outcomes Courses & Credits Format
1 Introduction
  • Identify the UN SDGs
  • Recognize opportunities
  • Collaboration basics
  • Problem solving basics
  • No community partner

1 course (3.00 units)

Online
2 Structured learning
  • In-depth, single SDG
  • Develop collaboration skills
  • Apply problem solving
2 courses (6.00 units) Online or in-person
3 Team-based learning
  • Collaborate with partner
  • Partner-identified challenges
  • Solution with impact
  • Team-based problem solving
2 courses (6.00 units) Online or in-person
4 Capstone or mentorship
  • Relationships with partner
  • Develop leadership
  • Solutions with impact
  • Mentor other students
1 course (3.00 units) Online or in-person

The following modules on community engagement and UN SDG are under development, and will be made available to students:

  • Module 1: Introduction to Community Engagement and SDGs
  • Module 2: Ethics, Engagement, and I-EDIAA
  • Module 3: Team and Partner Relations
  • Module 4: Methods for Engagement and Understanding
  • Module 5: Communication and Knowledge Mobilization
  • Module 6: Design Thinking and Problem Solving

In the media

Student mentor with mentees

Nov 26, 2025

Students mentoring students

The QSuccess program has grown rapidly and is now helping more than 800 first-year students flourish at Queen鈥檚 every year by connecting them with upper-year mentors.

a field of red poppy flowers. words reading "lest we forget"

Oct 29, 2025

Remembrance Day ceremony to be held at Grant Hall

On November 11, classes are cancelled from 10:30 to 11:30 am as the Queen's community gathers to remember.

We! mural

Oct 29, 2025

New mural added to Athletics and Recreation Centre

We! signals a future focused on celebration, healing, resilience, cultural diversity, and optimism.