Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Goal 4 aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
Taking Action
Initiatives at Brock University
Financial Needs Assessment Policy
Brock University’s Financial Need Assessment Policy outlines that the University has funds available to help students who experience financial difficulty. Bursaries are available for those students who exhibit the greatest financial need. They are intended to supplement educational resources, such as government student loans, employment earnings, scholarships, externally administered bursaries and family contributions. Bursaries should not be considered a major part of a student’s plan for financing their studies.
Scholarship Opportunities
Brock University is increasing its overall Scholarship & Award opportunities for First Nations students who do not have access to funding through their Band Council. Brock is excited to offer the new Chancellor’s First Nations Award annually to one student coming directly from high school, who is First Nations and has a high level of academic standing.
The Caribbean International Scholarship – Awarded to two 1st year undergraduate students who show academic promise and financial need. Applicable countries: Cuba; Haiti; Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Trinidad & Tobago; Guadeloupe; Martinique; Bahamas; Barbados; Saint Lucia; Curacao; Aruba; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Grenada; Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; Cayman Islands; Saint Kitts & Nevis; Saint Maarten; Turks & Caicos Islands; Saint Martin; British Virgin Islands; Caribbean Netherlands; Anguilla; Saint Barthelemy and Montserrat
International Student Ambassador Award – is given out annually for up to 15 students that are examples of Brock University’s mission and vision. The award is due to their academic achievements on and off campus.
THE IMPACT RANKINGS
As part of Brock’s 2022 submission to THE Impact Rankings, we shared information on how the university is working toward achieving quality education. This information ranked us in the top 600 of over 1,100 institutions around the world and gave us a score of 57.2/100.
Some key information we summitted includes:
- Brock offers access and privileges of university material and resources to Brock faculty and staff, retirees, visiting scholars and adjuncts, persons working with faculty but not affiliated with the university, community members, alumni, as well as faculty, staff, and students studying or working at other Canadian universities.
- Brock provides a wide range of continuing and professional educational programs, including those offered by the Goodman Group (Goodman School of Business) and courses such as the Professional Leadership Development Certificate.
- Brock’s Community Engagement Strategic Plan emphasizes university-community engagement which refers to the multi-directional collaboration between institutions of higher education and broader communities for the mutual exchange of knowledge, resources, and experiences.
In 2021, Brock’s ongoing commitment to virtual learning opportunities resulted in the University receiving more than $500,000 in grant funding. The one-time Virtual Learning Strategy Funding, which came from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities via eCampus Ontario, was distributed to eight projects at Brock that explore collaborative and learner-driven online content and digital supports. An open access undergraduate level course entitled “Building Sustainable Communities: The Impact of Engagement” was one of the many projects developed.
Youth University is able to provide vulnerable youth in Niagara with opportunities for social, emotional and academic growth through the generous support of community organizations and individuals (Education outreach activities beyond campus).
In 2022, 37 Brock researchers made Stanford University’s global list of the world’s top two per cent of scientists with the most citations.
Initiatives in the Niagara Region
EarlyON Child and Family Centre
EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Niagara provide free, high-quality drop-in programs for children from birth to six years of age.
After School Matters
The After School Matters Program is a network of free after school programs that provide quality education, recreational and leisure activities. During the pandemic they have managed to arrange online program until it is safe for them to open.
THE Evidence
Brock University provides free access to educational resources for those not studying at the university.
The Navigate program, run by Brock LINC, is an 11-week program open to students, alumni, and community members at no charge, teaching start-up and entrepreneurial methodology. Participants who complete Navigate earn a Certificate of Completion and can continue with Brock’s LINCubator program for additional business skill development.
Brock also provides free access to campus facilities and equipment. The James A. Gibson Library is open to community members, who can use its resources and borrow materials with a library card. The Makerspace serves as a hub for creativity and collaboration, offering access to equipment and technology such as 3D printers, sewing machines, software, audio labs, and more.
In addition, Brock Library’s catalogue extends online, allowing community members to access online collections and open-access databases from off-campus. The university also hosts a variety of free research talks, skill-building workshops, and seminars, which are streamed online and available to non-Brock members.
Through these initiatives, Brock demonstrates a strong commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement, providing free access to courses, facilities, online tools, and educational programming for the broader public.
Brock University regularly hosts free educational events open to the general public that engage, educate, and connect the broader Niagara community. These include public lectures, exhibitions, cultural gatherings, and professional development opportunities that welcome participants beyond the university’s students and faculty.
Each spring, Brock’s World Water Day Celebration invites the public to explore issues of water conservation and global sustainability through research showcases, interactive stations, and keynote presentations hosted by the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. This annual event promotes community learning and dialogue around water security and environmental stewardship.
Similarly, the Brock Pow Wow—organized by the Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre—is a free, day-long celebration of Indigenous culture featuring traditional dance, drumming, and art. The event provides an inclusive space for cultural exchange and intercultural learning among students, faculty, and community members.
Information about these and other public events is shared through The Brock News and the ExperienceBU platform, where community members can explore a wide range of upcoming educational and cultural activities. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate Brock’s commitment to extending educational opportunities beyond campus and fostering open, community-oriented engagement across the region.
Brock University provides numerous opportunities for public learning and professional development through both ad-hoc and programmed offerings.
Through Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS), Brock offers learning experiences for working professionals, community members, and organizations beyond the traditional student body. PCS hosts a wide array of short courses and micro-certificates in areas such as leadership, communication, business, and environmental sustainability.
Similarly, the Goodman Group within the Goodman School of Business provides extensive executive education and professional development opportunities. Their programming includes customized training sessions, professional workshops, and leadership development courses tailored for both individuals and organizations.
In addition to these ongoing programs, Brock also hosts ad-hoc public learning events such as guest lectures, seminars, and community-focused workshops led by faculty and industry experts. These sessions provide open access to knowledge, foster collaboration between academia and the public, and encourage professional growth across disciplines.
Brock University actively engages in educational outreach activities that extend beyond its campus, fostering connections with local schools and the broader community. These initiatives encompass both structured programs and spontaneous events, demonstrating a commitment to community involvement and educational enrichment.
The Lab-in-a-Box initiative, led by the Faculty of Mathematics and Science’s Lab Links team, brings science education directly to schools and community groups. This program offers free, interactive science demonstrations, making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for students outside the traditional classroom setting.
Brock Talks is a series of public lectures hosted by the Faculty of Humanities that takes place at the St. Catharines Public Library and connects academic expertise with the public through engaging talks on art, culture, history, and society. Each session invites community members to explore new perspectives, ask questions, and participate in dialogue with Brock researchers, reinforcing the University’s commitment to accessible, community-based learning.
Brock University has comprehensive policies that guarantee equitable access to educational programs, services, and activities for all individuals.
The Discrimination and Harassment Policy applies to all members of the Brock community and visitors, both on and off campus, encompassing any university event, program, or activity. applies to all members of the Brock community and visitors, both on and off campus, encompassing any University event, program, or activity. Reviewed and updated in 2025, the policy reflects Brock’s continued commitment to equity, inclusion, and accessibility. It is further supported by related frameworks such as the Student Code of Conduct, the Academic Accommodations Process for Students with Disabilities, and other institutional policies that promote fairness and respect across campus life.
This policy aligns with the Ontario Human Rights Code, reinforcing Brock’s commitment to providing a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for learning and work.
