Andrea McCluskey

For more than two decades, Andrea McCluskey dedicated her career to advocating for students who are overcoming cultural, social, and academic barriers.

Often the first point of contact for Indigenous and international students beginning their studies at The University of Winnipeg, she is known for creating a warm, welcoming environment for students navigating a brand-new world.

With both the Aboriginal Student Services Centre (ASSC) and International, Immigrant, and Refugee Student Services (IIRSS), McCluskey’s focus has always been to ensure every student that walks through her office door achieves their full potential.   

When asked to describe McCluskey, her ASSC colleagues said: “She leads by example — always with unconditional positive regard for students, faculty, and staff.”

Throughout her leadership with the ASSC, McCluskey worked countless hours developing a seamless student service model, incorporating academic supports as well as holistic, cultural, and spiritual accommodations all geared towards student success.

McCluskey was instrumental in developing the centre, which opened in 2004 and is a place many Indigenous students call their “home away from home.” Under her direction, Indigenous student retention and recruitment rates have steadily increased, reaching 11 per cent of the overall student population.

She was also integral in the development of the Transition Year Program, which helps new Indigenous students build the academic and personal coping skills to foster their post-secondary success.

A talented quilter, McCluskey volunteers her time teaching students the craft while building community, talking about education, and imparting knowledge. Upon the arrival of COVID-19, she began hosting a weekly virtual quilting workshop for Indigenous and international students as a way of welcoming and connecting them.

Over the years, McCluskey’s presence has positively affected so many lives at UWinnipeg. Everything she does is because she truly cares about the well-being of the students and her colleagues.

For always leading by example with kindness, compassion, and humanity, The University of Winnipeg is proud to award Andrea McCluskey the Stars of Spence Street Prize.