Chin-Loy Chang Award validates path for first generation student

The second annual World Access to Higher Education Day takes place on November 26, 2019. The global day of action focuses on increasing access and participation in higher education for those from low income households and other marginalized groups. Ryerson is a proud supporter of the movement and has established a variety of programs, like Spanning the Gaps and Tri-Mentoring, as well as a number of awards, grants, and scholarships to provide a bridge to education. Among the financial supports expanding access to communities underrepresented in post-secondary education are new awards created by Journalism ’78 alumna and active member of the Ryerson community, Donette Chin-Loy Chang.

“I gave the scholarships so students who are in need are able to complete their education, bettering themselves, their family and by extension their community,” says Chin-Loy Chang. “My hope is that the recipients will gain a balanced life and in turn pay it forward. Each one help one.”

The Chin-Loy Chang Awards are part of the President’s Awards to Champion Excellence (PACE). In their first year, the awards extended access to Ryerson University for half a dozen students, including two first generation students, two Caribbean students, and two Indigenous students. Among these students is Rebecca Xie.

From a young age, Xie knew she wanted a career in human resources. Oddly enough, it was an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show that sparked her interest in the field. The TV talk show host played a prank on the show’s human resources director and, when she explained what the position involved, Xie was hooked.

With parents who did not attend university, Xie had to overcome a number of challenges in order to access post-secondary education, including a lack of financial resources. Then, a concussion she suffered during her first year interrupted her studies, forcing her to go in and out of care throughout the year. Unwilling to give up, Xie persevered. She found additional support through the award created by Chin-Loy Chang.

“Receiving the award means I can take part in extracurricular activities and that my education doesn’t have to be in competition with part-time jobs or my health,” says Xie, now in her fourth year of the Human Resources Management co-op program at the Ted Roger School of Management. “It validates for me that I am on the right path and affirms that no matter what is thrown in my way, I’m going to be able to overcome it.”

After completing the co-op program and earning her degree, Xie plans to get her Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation and gain more work experience. Ultimately, she hopes to work in the healthcare sector and has her sights set on a position at SickKids.

The Chang family’s philanthropic involvement and guidance has been transformative for Ryerson University. Donette’s late husband, G. Raymond Chang, was Ryerson’s third chancellor and is Ryerson’s School of Continuing Education’s namesake. His children, Andrew Chang and Brigette Chang-Addorisio, continue to be involved with Ryerson and have made important contributions to the university’s entrepreneurship and innovation agenda. Chin-Loy Chang has also created an award in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, as well as one in her parents’ name for students in the Mental Health and Addictions certificate program. Today she provides strategic advice as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Faculty of Community Services.