Witnessing injustice toward others spurred Dr. Nadia Mallay into action at a young age.
"I would speak up when I thought something unjust, and critically try to rationalize what I observed," she says. "In quick order, I found I had to take up the work in some of these areas out of necessity, and sometimes for survival in school, workplace, and community."
Mallay is Vice-President, Equity and Inclusive Communities at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). The new role is responsible for leading the development and implementation of key Indigenous, anti-racism, and equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies at the five-campus university.
The position emerged in part from the university’s Task Force on Anti-Racism, which recommended equity, diversity and inclusion projects, as well as decolonization and anti-racism projects, to be visible at the senior administration level. The position is responsible for leading initiatives that advance equity, truth and reconciliation, and decolonization, and for fostering the development of a diverse and inclusive university culture.
Entering the role, Mallay says she has many priorities.
"I want to ensure I take time to meet with as many people as possible to learn about the KPU community. My overarching goal is to actionize the great work done to date, and take measurable steps for KPU to foster belonging for everyone," she says.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to lead the next phase of equity work started by the KPU community, and to join the welcoming team. I will strive to make meaningful and lasting positive change for increased sense of belonging for all within and outside the KPU community."
KPU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alan Davis says establishing the role is an important part of KPU’s ongoing commitment to furthering an equitable and inclusive culture.
"Dr. Mallay brings vision and proven leadership to KPU that will support our commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and anti-racism. This new role presents an exceptional opportunity to work toward KPU’s mission of transforming lives and empowering positive change," he says.
Born in Ontario to immigrant parents from Guyana, Mallay's ancestry is linked to South Asia and Nepal.
"In Canada I was labelled 'Black' resulting in many barriers in Canadian education, social contexts and professional places," says Mallay. "A strong community of family, friends, and professionals offered support and encouragement along the way, and I will continue to work hard to support others experiencing oppression."
Mallay completed a bachelor of arts (honours) at Queen’s University and a teaching degree from the University of Exeter in England. She returned to Canada to complete her master’s degree in educational leadership and curriculum and pedagogy from the University of British Columbia. She earned her doctorate of educational leadership from Western University with a focus on leveraging institutional mechanisms for equitable change in post-secondary institutions.
Mallay is committed to supporting and advocating for people when they need help – and acting to bring about positive change.
"In high school I managed to have a teacher and administration seriously consider how harmful it was to make generalist, ultimately racist, comments about how people who are Black speak. This incident showed me the positive impact a single person can have when they question what they hear and see," she says.
Mallay’s experience working in higher education includes actionizing institutional equity initiatives, and she recently helped establish gender neutral washrooms on a post-secondary campus. Mallay is proud of her work in creating employment pathways for people who are neurodiverse, and advocating for BIPOC employees and candidates through the hiring process, as examples.
Her experience also includes improving equity for marginalized teachers in B.C. on B.C. Teachers' Federation committees, including its advisory panel to address racially discriminatory actions.