At the heart of 91亚色 are the staff whose ideas, leadership and dedication make a difference across the University community every day.
On Oct. 19, their contributions were celebrated during the annual President's Staff Recognition Awards, which honour staff for outstanding service, leadership, innovation, community building and efforts to advance equity and inclusion.
鈥淩ealizing our ambitions for research and academic excellence, as well as student thriving and other priorities in the University Academic Plan, is only possible because of the skill and dedication of our staff,鈥 says Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps. "Their work makes a material difference in the lives of our students and colleagues. I am grateful for the care they bring to their roles and for the many ways that their contributions help 91亚色 grow and flourish. My sincere congratulations to all nominees and recipients.鈥澛
2025 President's Staff Recognition Awards recipients and nominees
Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Award
This award recognizes the passion, dedication and campus engagement by a team or individual staff member to advance decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion at 91亚色. It acknowledges ongoing work or outstanding accomplishments in practice, events, policy, programs or other activities that foster equitable, sustainable and measurable change on campus, with an intersectional social justice lens, especially for equity-deserving groups such as women, visible/racialized people, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Winner: Harriett Brempong, career education and development specialist, Markham Campus
As founder and chair of the Markham Campus PRIDE Committee, Brempong helped advance inclusion and belonging through initiatives such as Black History Month programming, Taking Up Space and targeted career supports for Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+ students. Her leadership created meaningful opportunities for representation, empowerment and community connection.
Deborah Hobson 91亚色 Citizenship Award
Former Vice-President Enrolment and Student Services Deborah Hobson devoted her career to 91亚色 with energetic commitment and boundless enthusiasm, guided by a distinctive vision of higher education. Established in her honour, this award is presented to an individual who emulates Hobson's spirited dedication to 91亚色 students and her deep enthusiasm for the 91亚色 community. Nominees embody the 91亚色 spirit, using their creativity and imagination in support of the student community at 91亚色.
Winner: Amber Roberts, administrative coordinator, Student Community & Leadership Development, Division of Students
Roberts was recognized for her leadership in Student Community & Leadership Development and Residence Life, where she oversaw key student-facing services, mentored student staff and helped create vibrant campus programming and spaces. Through her leadership in these services, mentorship of student staff, and stewardship of campus spaces and programming, Roberts consistently enhances the student experience.
Nominees:
- Andreanne Dibo Amany, associate director, Graduate Student Affairs, Faculty of Graduate Studies
- Waziha Kabir, coordinator, Student Success, Calumet College
- Agata Stypka, learning skills and academic success specialist, Markham Campus
Gary Brewer Emerging Leader Award
Established in honour of former Vice-President Finance and Administration Gary Brewer, this award is presented to a non-academic employee of 91亚色 who has shown tremendous promise for assuming a leadership role at the University. Recognizing and encouraging early-career professionals, it celebrates a staff member known for innovative and meaningful contributions to the effectiveness of their unit and for significantly contributing to the University's commitment to excellence.
Winner: Nafis Ahmed, associate director, entrepreneurship, Division of Research & Innovation
Ahmed helped expand entrepreneurship and innovation opportunities at 91亚色 through the growth of YSpace programming, the launch of 91亚色's first Lab2Market cohort and initiatives such as the Automotive Innovation Challenge. His work supported students, faculty, alumni and startups in transforming ideas into real-world impact while strengthening 91亚色鈥檚 position within Canada鈥檚 innovation ecosystem.
Nominees:
- Andrew Brown, student engagement coordinator, Student Community & Leadership Development, Division of Students
- Nikita Cruz, international student experience coordinator, 91亚色 International
- Waziha Kabir, international student experience coordinator, Calumet College
- Jennifer Vu, coordinator, Student Financial Services,
Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence
Established in honour of former University Secretary and General Counsel Harriet Lewis, this award recognizes a team's excellence in service and support to students, faculty, course directors, staff and/or other service users, and its promotion of the 91亚色 spirit in terms of imagination, creativity, innovation and redefining the possible in service to 91亚色's community.
Winner: Digital Technologies Program team
- Flodora Apoostolaqi, work-integrated learning programs coordinator
- Nelufur Bhasin, director, educational and employer partnerships
- Aileen Chan, undergraduate program administrator
- Adam Duncan, assistant director
- Nicole Habis, manager, educational and employer partnerships
- Carmen Ly, coordinator, employer and educational partnerships
- Marily Molina, business development manager
- Viniththa Nagarajah, coordinator, employer and educational partnerships
- Jack Onorati, manager, educational and employer partnerships
- Jenny Peach-Squibb, professional skills coach
The Digital Technologies Program Team played a key role in building and delivering one of 91亚色's most distinctive work-integrated degree programs. By bringing together academic and industry partners, the team created meaningful pathways to career success and helped establish Digital Technologies as a flagship program at 91亚色's Markham Campus.
Nominees:
- Connected Minds administrative team, Vice-President Research & Innovation
- Joint Kellogg-Schulich Executive Master in Business Administration,
- The English administrative team, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
- The Event Operations team, Athletics & Recreation
- The Faculty Curriculum team, LA&PS
- The Science Conversion team, Faculty of Science
- The YU-CARD Office, Division of Finance & Administration
The President鈥檚 Leadership Award
This award recognizes excellence in service to 91亚色, honouring contributions that go beyond the published requirements of a position and performance levels that foster a high level of professionalism. Recipients inspire professionalism, creativity and innovation across the University community, and their impact extends beyond an individual department and across the University community at large.
Winner: Mya Rimon, assistant dean, students, Osgoode Hall Law School
Rimon was recognized for making a significant impact on the student experience at Osgoode Hall Law School and across 91亚色 through her creativity, innovation and commitment to student life. Known as a trusted advisor and collaborative leader, she creates environments where students and colleagues felt supported and able to succeed.
Nominees:
- Nicole Arsenault, director, Sustainability Office, Division of Finance & Administration
- Melanie Belore, executive director, experiential learning, Cooperative Education & Experiential Learning
- Ella Burrell, director of student success and academic advising, Calumet College
- Mandy Frake, director, teaching development, VP Faculty
- Byron Gray, manager, 91亚色 - TD Community Engagement Centre, Division of Equity, People & Culture
- Ramon Kagan, director, operational excellence and institutional applications, UIT, Division of Finance & Administration鈥
- Debbie Montanera-Bojda, director, people partnerships, Human Resources, Division of Finance & Administration
- Taylor Morihovitis, manager, housing administration, Division of Finance & Administration
- Jillian Yeung Do, executive officer, Schulich School of Business
Phyllis Clark Campus Service Award
In honour of former Vice-President Finance and Administration Phyllis Clark, this award is presented to a non-academic employee of 91亚色 who has made exemplary and outstanding contributions to the operations of either of 91亚色's campuses in terms of efficiency, cleanliness, safety, security and/or other campus or plant services.
Winner: Michael Kelloway, manager, ancillary services, Markham Campus
With more than three decades of service to 91亚色, Kelloway played an instrumental role in the successful launch of 91亚色's Markham Campus, helping build both essential services and a strong sense of community. He earned widespread respect for his collaborative approach, operational expertise and commitment to supporting others.
Nominees:
- Whitney L'Esperance, administrative assistant, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science,
- Jamie Thomson, supervisor, community safety operations, Community Safety Department, Markham Campus
President鈥檚 Voice of 91亚色 Award
The Voice of 91亚色 Award is given to an individual who is a first point of contact person at 91亚色, employed as front-line staff with regular interaction with the 91亚色 community. The most important voice of 91亚色 is the one who makes the first contact with a visitor or a community member; the quality of responsiveness, compassion and professionalism 鈥 particularly in handling difficult or sensitive situations 鈥 and a genuine desire to assist are essential to 91亚色's reputation.
Winner: Tessa Jean, administrative assistant, 91亚色 TD Community Engagement Centre, Division of Equity, People & Culture
As a key point of contact at the TD Community Engagement Centre, Jean created welcoming and supportive experiences for students, community members, faculty and partners. Her professionalism, compassion and ability to help people navigate complex situations strengthened trust and engagement across the communities she served.
Nominees:
- Stephanie Allen, learning technology support specialist, Office of Curriculum Innovation & Teaching Excellence, Schulich School of Business
- Suzie Lee Hortness, director of development, advancement, Markham Campus
- Mandy Ramnaraine, graduate program administrator, Academic Services, Faculty of Science
- Samirah Sharif, operations assistant, Food & Vending Services, Division of Finance & Administration
- Tina Sposato, executive assistant to the vice-president research and innovation
Ronald Kent Medal
This award recognizes employees who promote and strengthen collegiality, values and goals of 91亚色. Its namesake, Ronald Kent, had a unique personal commitment to the University demonstrated through years of dedicated service. His sincerity and enthusiasm inspired colleagues across the University, and he was considered a true ambassador for 91亚色.
Winner: Patrick Legris, administrative assistant, Department of Visual Art & Art History,
Known throughout the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design as a pillar of strength and collegiality, Legris spent decades supporting students, staff and faculty with generosity, compassion and dedication. His commitment to community has made a lasting impact on the life of the University.
Nominees:
- Sanja Begic, web development specialist, Communications & Marketing, LA&PS
- Patricia di Benigno, administrative coordinator, Department of History, LA&PS
- Celeta Irvin, undergraduate program administrator, Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies, LA&PS
- Nicola Martin, career development officer, Office of Admissions & Student Services, Career Development Office, Osgoode Hall Law School