The Vice President, Equity and Inclusive Communities leads the development and implementation of key anti-racism, accessibility, gender equity, social sustainability, and broad Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategies in alignment with the university’s Strategic Vision and Academic Plan. The Vice President is responsible for providing strategic leadership to key initiatives that advance EDI while fostering the development of an inclusive university culture.
Explore the equity and inclusion work to date at KPU
Contact: oeic@kpu.ca
Dr. Asma Sayed is the Vice President, Equity and Inclusive Communities. She is also the Canada Research Chair in South Asian Literary and Cultural Studies in the Department of English. Previously, she served as Associate Vice President, Anti-Racism, leading KPU’s newly established Office of Anti-Racism. Sayed is a transformative leader who champions equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and antiracism through her activism and research. As the Chair of KPU’s Task Force on Antiracism from July 2020 – October 2022, she led an institution-wide initiative to foster antiracism. As the President of the Canadian Association for Postcolonial Studies (formerly CACLALS) from 2019-22, she led multiple initiatives focused on intersectional social justice. Sayed has served as an adviser on various boards and NGOs: South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (2019-25); Mise-en-scène, KPU’s film journal (2018-); and the Canadian Communications Foundation (2014-23).
Sayed’s work has been recognized through multiple awards and grants. In 2020, she was elected as a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. She is a recipient of KPU’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award for 2023 and Distinguished Scholarship Award for 2022. She has received, and currently holds, multiple grants from SSHRC and other granting bodies.
For details about Sayed’s research, please see here.
Zahra Mohamud (she/her) is the Executive Assistant in the Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities.
She holds a Bachelors in Psychology and English and has worked at KPU since 2019. She has previously served as the Dean’s Assistant in the Faculty of Arts and supported the Task Force on Anti-Racism from 2020-2022.
Steve Adames (he/him) is the Divisional Business Manager in the Office of Equity & Inclusive Communities.
He has served as an executive assistant for the last ten years with extensive experience in the management and support of processes and teams. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, a Master's degree in Political Studies and a Postgraduate degree in Government, Management, and Public Affairs. Among other professional careers, he was a full-time professor in the Master's Degree in Development Planning, and Director of Planning for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia.
Steve speaks English and Spanish. He performs his duties with tremendous enthusiasm and contributes his many years of experience and knowledge to the Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities.
Trina Prince (they/them), is Manager, Culture and Wellbeing.
Trina is a trans, non-binary, white, disabled, neurodivergent, fat person, with German and Polish ancestry. They grew up on Anishinabewaki and Algonquin territories, and they currently live on the lands of the Kwikwetlem, Qayqayt, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam First Nations.
Working for institutes such as Nipissing University and BCIT, Trina has devoted time to being actively involved in many meaningful initiatives which include supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and celebration, reconciliation, accessibility, mental health, sexual assault awareness, and ending gender-based violence. Trina is honoured to be the Manager, Culture and Wellbeing at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Outside of work, Trina has recently finished a 7-year term as the Board Chair for Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre. Most importantly, Trina is a very proud Entie to their 10 niblings. Trina absolutely loves orcas, dragons, Star Wars, LEGO, Titanic facts, dancing, and escape rooms. Trina tries to create safe(r) spaces everywhere they go and is a passionate advocate.
Romy Kozak (they/she) is the Director of Diversity in the Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities.