Recognized as one of Manitoba's Top Employers (2025):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Mar 10, 2025)
Here are some of the reasons why University of Manitoba was selected as one of Manitoba's Top Employers (2025):
- University of Manitoba supports new moms with generous maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 100 per cent of salary for 17 weeks, followed by 95 per cent for 18 weeks), and provides parental leave top-up for new dads and adoptive parents (to 95 per cent of salary for 18 weeks) -- employees can also take advantage of on-site child care upon returning to work
- University of Manitoba invests in employees' education by offering 100 per cent tuition reimbursement for courses taken at the university, along with 50 per cent reimbursement for courses taken externally -- the university also offers entry-level job opportunities through summer employment, co-ops and paid internships
- University of Manitoba encourages employees to adopt healthy lifestyles through the formal Live Well program -- the university also provides subsidized memberships to on-site fitness facilities featuring a range of instructor-led fitness classes, including yoga, Tabata, abs and glutes, and more
Expanding horizons at the University of Manitoba
Change is baked right into Ghislaine Alleyne’s job description. Every day brings new challenges and there’s no such thing as the same old routine. And she wouldn’t have it any other way as she helps transform the University of Manitoba as specialist, organizational excellence and change management.
“There’s so much happening at the university and I love helping people move through changes so that they’re successful,” says Alleyne.
“I get to meet a lot of different people and see a lot of different parts of the university. There’s an amazing amount of variety and I’m not in any one particular place for very long – I like that.”
The University of Manitoba has over 5,000 full-time and another 5,000 part-time employees working at two main campuses in Winnipeg (Fort Garry and Bannatyne) as well as satellite campuses across the province. A leading Canadian research institution, it has 13 faculties, four schools and nine colleges.
As the university implements initiatives like a new strategic plan and continues to be at the forefront of technological change, Alleyne is kept busy, especially in the IT department. When the pandemic hit, she and her team had to work fast to enable faculty, staff and students to work remotely almost overnight. The quick response was helped in part by the educational support she’s received from the university.
“I like lifelong learning and I take a lot of courses. If you want to get another degree or your first degree, you can get reimbursed for the courses you take as part of our benefits package, which really helps with career development,” she says.
Skills training is part of a comprehensive support system that empowers employees to have multiple careers without having to leave the University of Manitoba, says René Ouellette, associate vice-president, human resources.
“We create a dynamic environment where there’s lots of energy, lots of great initiatives, and opportunities for you to grow your career,” says Ouellette.
“You can start here and follow many different career paths at the university if you wish and you’ll be supported every step of the way.”
The university continuously reviews and improves its benefits and working conditions with the help of an employee-led staff benefits committee. Using constant feedback from employees, improvements have recently been made in areas like mental health, massage therapy and other benefits.
Ouellette says the comprehensive approach helps the university attract and retain employees in the competitive higher education and research space.
“We’re a large employer in Manitoba, but we’re also competing against other large employers for the same talent,” he says.
“We have to make sure we do things that make us stand out so we continue to be that employer of first choice for people who are looking for a long, rewarding career.”
For all the diversity and transformation, Alleyne says there’s one thing that doesn’t change at the university – the sense of making a collective difference in the world while building your individual career success.
“I love working at a place where the mission matches my values,” says Alleyne.
“The mission is educating the next generation of workers, scientists, activists and artists. The University of Manitoba is a really exciting place to be because there’s always so much happening all the time. It’s a great place to kind of expand your horizons.”
Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2025):
By Kristina Leung, Chantel Watkins, and Cypress Weston, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Feb 24, 2025)
Here are some of the reasons why University of Manitoba was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2025):
- University of Manitoba established its first anti-racism task force in 2022, co-chaired by the vice-president of administration and the vice-president, Indigenous -- the task force will support the anti-racism pillar in the university's strategy and drive the implementation of the university's commitment to the Scarborough Charter (which recognizes anti-Black racism and provides concrete steps for action)
- One of University of Manitoba's strategic priorities is to create pathways to Indigenous achievement for various members of its community -- to support this priority, the university created Indigenous Connect, with meetings open to Indigenous faculty, staff, students, and allies who want to help create community through relationship building, education, advocacy and action
- University of Manitoba offers a number of tools and resources to support ongoing learning and understanding for employees, including training on 2STLGBQ+ inclusion, dismantling racism, and responding to microaggressions -- the university also established an Indigenous Cultural Competency training program, which combines online, in-person and land-based education led by Indigenous Elders, leaders, traditional teachers, university staff and faculty
Participating in diversity initiatives at [University of Manitoba] made me feel recognized and appreciated, as my perspectives and experiences were genuinely valued. These initiatives focus on social justice, cultural responsiveness, anti-oppression, and community engagement, creating a supportive environment for UM’s diverse community. They also prioritize retaining underrepresented individuals in the workforce while inspiring others to excel. Through workshops, courses, and training sessions, these programs have helped me develop professionally and personally, smoothing my transition from school to work and strengthening my ability to adapt. They’ve also improved my well-being, broadened my understanding of different perspectives, and helped me build meaningful connections. Israel Agada, project coordinator – Office of Equity, Access, and Participation, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Manitoba creates a culture of belonging
For Israel Agada, diversity isn’t something written down in a policy manual. It’s a daily all-hands-on-deck enterprise. That’s why he’s passionate about his job as project coordinator in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ office of equity, access and participation at the University of Manitoba.
“I don’t care if you’re white or blue or green, let’s just make sure we’re focused on the goal and the mission to help people who are challenged, because social justice starts with us,” says Agada.
“We are all working together collaboratively and we should appreciate the fact that we are all humans.”
The University of Manitoba is a top Canadian research institution with over 5,000 full-time – and another 5,000 part-time – employees. It has two main campuses, Fort Garry and Bannatyne, in Winnipeg, and satellite campuses across Manitoba. It has produced 100 Rhodes Scholars, more than any other western Canadian university.
With 6,675 of its 31,334 students being international, coming from some 121 countries, as well as another 9.6 per cent identifying as Indigenous, the university puts diversity, equity and accessibility at the core of its education and research mission. Its employees come from a wide variety of backgrounds, embracing and helping create a culture of acceptance.
Having arrived at the university from Nigeria, Agada has seen the progress as he earned his master’s degree in language education and then transitioned into his current position.
“The University of Manitoba has really grown and appreciates diversity. They work to see that it’s reflected in the university environment,” says Agada.
“You can be yourself and feel supported, especially when you’re chasing your academic and career goals. At the end of the day, I feel like I am contributing to humanity.”
Agada works with members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities and others to provide support and break down barriers while creating a safe space for people to be their authentic selves. His office is part of a comprehensive complex of initiatives put in place following the president’s task force on equity, diversity and inclusion in 2020.
While the culture of diversity enjoys support from senior leadership, what makes it really come alive is the buy-in from the entire university community, says Tina Chen, vice-provost, equity.
“It’s an exciting moment for the university to not just have diversity as a project on the side, but one that’s fundamentally placed in the very core of the institution,” says Chen.
“It’s wonderful to see the bringing together of students, staff and faculty and to support them in their learning. We also empower them to have self-reflective participation in the process.”
Employee resource groups provide training, workshops, retreats and other resources to identify practical steps towards making all university operations more inclusive. The office of the vice-president Indigenous provides leadership in all areas related to empowering and supporting Indigenous staff, students and faculty at the university.
Chen says every university department is working to develop its own reconciliation action plan informed by the overall reconciliation framework. The office of equity transformation is also empowering the broader community. It’s all part of a shared journey she says is filled with hope and optimism.
“I feel like there’s energy and commitment to doing the work that’s needed and none of us question that it’s hard and ongoing work. But people are not shying away from that because they feel empowered,” says Chen.
“It’s thrilling because it tells us that this is what people want the university to be and that they’re willing to put the time, effort and work with each other to make something new.”
The Career Directory
University of Manitoba has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
