What is Mindful Campus?
The Project
Year one of the Mindful Campus Initiative at NSCAD University was a partnership with the Centre for Mindfulness Studies (@mindfulnessstudies), Canada’s leading organization for mindfulness programs for depression, anxiety and stress. It was funded through a Public Health Agency of Canada grant and led by OCAD University. In year one, MCI supported over 250 individual students through mindfulness courses, drop in gatherings, wellness pop-ups, student events and more.
A student from last year shared with us that “creating time and space to connect with other students and friends [through Mindful Campus] makes [them] feel closer and able to ask for help and support from this community!”
In year two of Mindful Campus at NSCAD we’re working to build on the learnings from year one while reimaging the possibilities of Mindful Campus at NSCAD. This fall you can expect:
- Mindful Gatherings in the FAB on Mondays from 4-5 p.m.
- Access to a video archive of mindfulness trainings, practices, podcasts, and more designed by OCAD U students specifically for art & design students (see link below)
- Stay tuned to @nscadstudentexperience on Instagram for updates
Explore the Program
Weekly Mindful Gatherings
Join us on Mondays from 4-5 p.m. for a Mindful Gathering in the FAB (1873 Granville Street). These gatherings provide students the opportunity to slow down and connect with themselves in an intentional setting through guided mindfulness practice, facilitated by Court Connor & Taq Bhandal from the Office of Opportunity & Belonging (with special guests!)
4:00-4:30 p.m. Guided Mindfulness Practice
4:30-5:00 p.m. Community Building & Nourishment Break
Doors open 15 minutes prior and close 10 minutes into practice to allow for focus.
Limited mats & meditation cushions are available, reach out to Court (cconnor@nscad.ca) with any dietary or access needs.
Dates for Fall 2024: November 5, November 18, November 25, December 2 & December 9
Learn at Your Own Pace
Visit the extensive archive of videos created by OCAD U Live student production house for the Mindful Campus Initiative. This collection features:
- Short ‘Did you know’ videos about mindfulness to help you learn more
- Profile videos of art & design students and their connection to mindfulness practice and their art to help inspire you on your personal journey
- Directed mindfulness practice videos for meditating at home
- Six Mindfulness Training Sessions with discussion & inquiry videos to lead your learning. These videos feature pre-recorded sessions with art & design students
- Talking Heads Student Highlight Videos
- Vulnerably Evolving Podcast
- Meditations Explorations Podcast
Meet the team
Questions? Want to learn more? Contact us.
Court Connor
Court is a Mi’kma’ki-based, queer, intersectional-feminist whose passion for youth leadership, community development, and changemaking has led them to myriad roles in the non-profit sector before initially joining the team at NSCAD to lead the Mindful Campus Initiative. In previous roles Court has worked with children & youth serving impact organizations including BGC Greater Halifax, JA Nova Scotia, and most recently the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning where they led the 2SLGBTQ+ Pilot, building safer spaces and affirming programming for queer and trans youth using creativity as a vehicle for social change. Court currently studies in the MA Women & Gender Studies program at MSVU and is the Managing Director of Intersecting Futures Lab (@intersectingfutureslab) a new start-up non-profit focused on 2SLGBTQI+ innovation, creativity and changemaking. Court is from the south-shore of the province and is of settler descent with roots in various European countries. They dabble with learning to play guitar, various creative pursuits, and they love sushi!
At NSCAD Court works on student engagement initiatives like Mindful Campus, Waves of Change, student events and is here to answer questions and support with navigating NSCAD and community supports and processes.
Court Connor (they/she)
Student Engagement Specialist
cconnor@nscad.ca
Taq Bhandal
Taq is a lifelong learner, academic, and professional with a focus on the future of learning, the future of health, and the future of work. Taq is driven by curiosity, optimism and the science of hope, with a healthy dose of living cyclical in good relationship with the earth. Taq’s previous work has included teaching and researching with a focus on social justice, decolonization, mental health, and healing trauma at UBC, York, and Dalhousie Universities as well as in recruitment with BIPOC Executive Search. Taq is also the CEO of I’m With Periods (@imwithperiods), a social enterprise aiming to spread worldwide love of periods and menstrual cycles. Taq is born and raised on the West Coast outside Vancouver and currently lives in Halifax on Mi’kmaq Treaty Territories. Her parents and ancestors are from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. She loves forest walks with her dog, reading, and enjoying a cozy cup of coffee or chai!
At NSCAD Taq manages the Office of Opportunity & Belonging which provides student services related to wellness, counselling, mental health, and accessibility. She also supports students who need to disclose experiences of bullying, abuse, sexual violence and/or harassment.
Taq Bhandal (she/her)
Manager, Opportunity & Belonging
tbhandal@nscad.ca
NSCAD Student Experience
Office of Opportunity and Belonging
2nd floor, Duke Block
Fountain Campus
5163 Duke Street
belong@nscad.ca
website