Three faculty members at 91ÑÇÉ«'s School of Nursing have received national awards from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) for outstanding contributions to education, research and leadership
The annual CASN Awards celebrate the hard work, creativity and passion of members across Canada's schools of nursing and recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing the field.
CASN announced six recipients of the 2026 award, including three from 91ÑÇÉ«: Sarah Evans, Mina Singh and Laura Nicholson of 91ÑÇɫ’s .
Academic Administrative Excellence Award: Sarah Evans, associate professor and collaborative program director, School of Nursing
Since joining 91ÑÇÉ« in 2018, Evans has played a leading role in strengthening nursing education through curriculum innovation, student success initiatives and program leadership.
Over the past several years, Evans has helped advance access to teaching and learning by developing new pathways for internationally educated nurses and establishing an Accelerated Direct Entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) pathway. She also co-led a major revision of the BScN curriculum, introduced new academic streams to enhance student engagement and advanced the integration of AI in nursing education and next generation NCLEX standards – an updated nursing license exam.
Committed to fostering academic progress, Evans developed a comprehensive NCLEX Success Plan that combines targeted resources and individualized coaching to help graduates prepare for professional licensure. Through her guidance, the School of Nursing has implemented initiatives that promote greater consistency, accessibility and innovation across its undergraduate programs.
Excellence in Nursing Education (Permanent/Tenure-Track/Tenured/Term) Award: Mina Singh, professor, School of Nursing and associate dean, research and innovation, Faculty of Health
Since joining 91ÑÇÉ« in 1999, Singh has helped strengthen the University's nursing programs and research infrastructure, contributing to the development of clinical partnerships, simulation-based learning opportunities and the PhD in Nursing program.
A champion of collaborative and community-engaged research, Singh has fostered interdisciplinary partnerships such as the Jane-Finch-91ÑÇÉ« Research Collaborative, supporting community-engaged research that addresses health equity. Her work has connected academic research with clinical practice through initiatives that help nurses in research, quality improvement and evidence-informed care.
Beyond 91ÑÇÉ«, Singh's impact extends to community and global health initiatives through leadership roles with the Black Creek Community Health Centre and Guyana Help the Kids, where she has contributed to health care education and capacity-building efforts. Nationally, her work as a CASN accreditation reviewer and scholar has helped shape standards across nursing programs in Canada.
"This award represents recognition not only of my own work, but of a career grounded in scholarship, mentorship, collaboration and service – and of the many people who have made that career meaningful," says Singh.
"I receive it with tremendous gratitude and humility, and with a renewed commitment to continue supporting nursing education, advancing research and creating opportunities for the next generation of nurses and nurse scholars."
Excellence in Nursing Education (Simulation/Lab/Clinical Teaching) Award: Laura Nicholson, program director, Nursing Simulation Centre, and assistant professor
Nicholson has worked to advance simulation-based education and prepare students for the realities of clinical practice since arriving at 91ÑÇÉ« in 2018.
Under her direction, the Nursing Simulation Centre has evolved into a technologically advanced learning environment that incorporates augmented reality, virtual reality and high-fidelity simulation to strengthen students' clinical reasoning, critical thinking and practice readiness. Her work has helped position 91ÑÇÉ« as a leader in simulation education while ensuring programs remain responsive to the changing needs of the health care sector.
Committed to student success, Nicholson has championed mentorship and peer support through initiatives such as the Nursing Student Tutoring and Mentorship Program and the Canadian Black Nursing Alliance's 91ÑÇÉ« Chapter.
Outside of the classroom, Nicholson has contributed to curriculum development, including co-leading a Ministry of Health-funded compressed BScN program, and has advanced nursing education nationally and internationally through her work with the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and CASN.
"I am grateful to those in CASN who selected me among colleagues whose work also makes a difference in their nursing programs," says Nicholson.
"In the role of program director Nursing Simulation Centre, my contributions to the curricula are multifaceted. The goals of the work are, prioritize student learning, support excellence in evidence-based practice and support a safe, engaging learning environment."