Feeling seen by others is a basic human need based in evolution. If your tribe didn’t see you, there was a risk you’d be left behind when the lifestyle of early humans required that they move. Being left alone meant certain death. But being seen goes beyond mere visibility; it is about being recognized, understood, and accepted for who we are at the core. When you are really seen you feel connected to others, understood, and appreciated, and you don’t have to explain or apologize for being yourself.
Adreen Muchini wants to make sure people at College of the Rockies feel seen, particularly members of the Black community.
Origin Story
Adreen’s path to Human Resources Coordinator at the College started more than 15,000 km away, in her home country of Zimbabwe. Bravely setting out on her own, Adreen travelled to Cranbrook, BC, where she attended College of the Rockies. Not only did she earn a Business Management diploma, but she also continued to earn her Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Operations. A very involved student from the start, Adreen was part of the Students’ Association and was a Community Leader in Student Housing.
Same place, new role
A few short years after graduating, Adreen returned to the College; this time as an employee. As an HR Coordinator, she is primarily responsible for recruitment, but in true Adreen style, she hasn’t stopped there. When an Advisory Committee for the Experience of Black Students and Employees on Campus was instituted by College president, Paul Vogt, Adreen signed on as the committee’s administrator. She is now also the co-chair of the committee.
“When I first came to the College, and to Cranbrook, I didn’t see very many people who looked like me,” she said. “When the first Black History Month celebration took place during COVID, I felt like part of a community, and I felt included. Being part of this committee allows me to represent people who look like me. DEI is something I’m passionate about. Being a person of colour, and just being human, I know the importance of making everyone feel seen.”
Feeling a sense of community and of belonging is a challenge for Black students and citizens in Cranbrook, partially due to the low numbers of Black people in our communities.
“When I came to the College, I think there was no more than 10 Black students here,” she said. “As important as it is to welcome and befriend people from different countries, there is a sense of belonging that comes with being with people who look like you, people who understand your culture, who share your history and heritage.”
Being in a pre-dominantly non-Black community brings up other struggles many of us might not consider. Whether it is food, hair products, or seeing familiar items in an African store, Black people in our communities miss out on a lot of things that feel familiar to them which can lead to a feeling of alienation – like they don’t belong in our communities and at our College.
Vision for the future
Driven by a desire to inspire the next generation of Black students, Adreen looks forward to being part of the College’s continued growth. Her lived experience as a minority has provided her with a deep understanding and now, as an employee, she feels she has a bigger voice and is in a position where she can implement change for students.
With the Committee only a few months old, much of their work will take place in the future, but they have established a social club to engage the larger Black community and create a space where people can come together and implement change. The committee will fulfill the College’s commitment to engage in on-going dialogue, better understand the experiences of Black students and employees and implement long-term, sustainable practices, processes, policies, systems, and cultures that result in excellent experiences for Black students and employees.
“The committee has given people a sense of belonging. The Black community feels seen and empowered, and now that we have a space where we are represented,” she said. “This committee has brought excitement from faculty and staff; everyone wants to be involved so though we’re new I can tell the future is bright and I’m very excited about what’s to come.”
One of the pillars of the College’s Strategic Plan is Student Success, something Adreen points out is deeply influenced by the classroom experience but also by having a space where Black students feel involved and appreciated.
“People never forget how you made them feel,” Adreen adds. “I want to celebrate our cultural diversity, promote awareness, and inspire positive change. Many of our Black students are international students, just as I was, and coming to Canada is a huge culture shock. Creating allyship, community, and belonging is not just a box to tick, it’s a responsibility. We are helping shape and our student and employee experience.
Adreen, we see you, we appreciate you, and we’re lucky to have you.