A look beyond the sessions at CAUCE 2026
SESSION: Sustaining Community Education Programs in Times of Financial Precarity
PRESENTER: Shanthi Besso, Director, Leadership + Community Building Programs, Lifelong Learning, Simon Fraser University (Presented with Amanda Pullishy)
What inspired you to submit this presentation, and why was this topic important for you to share with the CAUCE community?
My colleague Amanda Pullishy and I submitted this presentation because we were wrestling with a question that many continuing education units across Canada are facing: how do we sustain equity-focused community education programs during a time of significant financial pressure? Our session, Sustaining Community Education Programs in Times of Financial Precarity, grew directly from both our professional experience and my doctoral research, which explores the role of universities in supporting low-barrier, community-based learning opportunities for equity-denied learners.
At Simon Fraser University, we have spent more than two decades developing community-engaged educational initiatives designed for and with people who have been excluded from or harmed by mainstream education systems. One of the most significant of these initiatives is the Community Capacity Building Certificate, a tuition-free program developed to recognize and support the rich knowledge, leadership, and expertise that exist within communities.
The topic felt particularly important to share because many of us in continuing education are trying to balance institutional financial realities with our commitment to public service, equity, and community engagement. Rather than presenting a success story with easy answers, we wanted to create space for an honest conversation about sustaining our values, relationships, and community partnerships during difficult times.
What makes this topic particularly relevant to your institution, and why did you want to share those insights with others?
The presentation was deeply connected to our institutional context. In 2024, like many Canadian post-secondary institutions, Simon Fraser University faced significant financial challenges. As part of that environment, the Community Capacity Building Certificate was suspended and funding was redirected elsewhere. But our commitment to the communities with whom the program was created did not disappear. That experience raised important questions about sustainability, public responsibility, and the role of continuing education within universities.
While the circumstances were specific to our institution, the underlying challenges were clearly being experienced across the sector. We wanted to share lessons learned from developing, funding, delivering, and, ultimately, attempting to sustain community-based education programs over time. We also wanted to contribute to a broader conversation about how continuing education units can build partnerships, align with institutional priorities, demonstrate social impact, and continue creating opportunities for learners who might otherwise never see themselves reflected in post-secondary education.
How would you describe your experience presenting at the CAUCE Conference, and what stood out most to you about engaging with attendees?
Presenting at CAUCE was both energizing and affirming. What stood out most was the willingness of attendees to engage openly with the challenges we discussed. The session was intentionally designed as a workshop rather than a lecture because we believed the collective wisdom in the room was as valuable as anything we could present. Through discussion, storytelling, and shared reflection, participants exchanged ideas, strategies, and experiences from institutions across the country.
What I left with most was a renewed appreciation for the CAUCE community itself. Continuing education professionals are often navigating complexity, uncertainty, and competing priorities, yet there remains a strong commitment to creating educational opportunities that strengthen communities and expand access. The conversations reminded me that none of us are doing this work alone. There was tremendous generosity in the willingness of attendees to share both successes and struggles, and that spirit of collaboration and mutual support was, for me, the highlight of the conference. It reinforced my belief that sustaining community-focused education will require not only programs and funding but also strong relationships across our institutions and throughout the continuing education sector.