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Equity Action Plan

Advancing equity through community-driven education

Submitted on behalf of the Faculty of Education.

For more than fifteen years, the UVic Faculty of Education’s Centre for Outreach Education (CORE) has been a resource for K–8 students across Greater Victoria, offering free in-person tutoring services from our learning centre on the UVic campus.

One notable example of this outreach is CORE’s partnership with the Songhees Nation, rooted in a shared commitment to improving educational outcomes for Indigenous students. In the past two years, this partnership has deepened significantly, supported by two $50,000 grants (2024, 2025) that enabled CORE to expand its tutoring services at the Songhees Wellness Centre. In response to the Nation’s goal of increasing high school graduation rates and post-secondary participation, Faculty of Education students provide after-school tutoring in a culturally grounded community setting.

Connection to the EAP

This activity advances Recruitment and retention, Action 4:

Build grade school (K-12) through university outreach programs and strengthen pathways programs to encourage systemically and historically marginalized groups to consider and thrive in post-secondary education. Lead: VP Academic & Provost

Impact

The impact of the partnership program is multifaceted. To date, students have built strong, trusting relationships with their tutors, fostering an environment of encouragement and empowerment. At the same time, UVic education students benefit from hands-on experience that sharpens their teaching practice through an equity lens. This collaboration offers a compelling example of how respectful, community-driven partnerships can create more equitable and inspiring educational pathways for K–12 learners.

“This partnership is about more than tutoring—it’s about creating space for our youth to thrive in a setting that reflects who they are. When our students see themselves reflected in their learning environment and feel supported by people who are willing to listen and learn alongside them, it makes a real difference. CORE has shown up for our community in a good way, and that trust has allowed us to grow this program together.” — Songhees Nation Education Partner

Learnings and reflections

The CORE team reflected that building a foundation of trust has been integral to the success of the partnership with Songhees Nation. Genuine engagement with community begins with deep listening and a commitment to show up, consistently and respectfully. The team has discovered that embracing flexibility (e.g., in program design) can unlock opportunities that may not otherwise have been explored.

To that end, co-creating solutions with community partners has enabled CORE to stay responsive to their educational goals in ways that are both respectful and impactful. Ongoing dialogue, shared leadership, and collaborative decision-making have been vital to maintaining momentum and accountability. Through the partnership, the CORE team has learned the value of slowing down, leaning into uncertainty, and allowing the community to lead the pace and direction of the work.