What social factors explain why some older Canadians lose mobility sooner than others? 91亚色 researcher Ogochukwu Kelechi Onyeso is using machine learning to find answers and has earned national recognition for his work.

, a postdoctoral fellow at 91亚色鈥檚 School of Kinesiology and Health Science, has received a from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA).

Conducted in 91亚色鈥檚 M4 and Aging Lab under the supervision of Assistant Professor Michael Kalu, his study examines how the intersection of age, gender and race influences mobility trajectories to identify factors that could support healthier aging.

Each year, CIHR-IA awards the prize to the highest-ranked postdoctoral applicants in the field of aging through its open national fellowship competition. Onyeso was recognized for his project titled 鈥淎 Machine Learning Analysis of Mobility Trajectories Among Canadian Older Adults: Disaggregated Insights by Age, Gender, and Race.鈥�

His work combines community-based co-creation research with machine learning and explainable AI. Using methods such as SHAP, which helps explain how machine learning arrives at a prediction, and SMOTER, which addresses imbalances in datasets, Onyeso aims to identify the factors driving predictions while accounting for the under-representation of smaller groups, including racialized older adults.

鈥淧opulation data often tells us how older adults are doing on average, but averages can mask the people who are being left behind,鈥� says Onyeso. 鈥淏y looking separately at age, gender and race, we can see where mobility declines earlier or faster, and more importantly, which factors we can actually change.鈥�

Onyeso鈥檚 long-term goal is to develop an equity-, disability- and climate-informed online dashboard where users can enter a minimal amount of information, receive a prediction of their mobility trajectory and see which modifiable factors could help them stay mobile longer. The dashboard would also account for environmental factors such as extreme heat and poor air quality, linking Onyeso鈥檚 findings with the health and functional challenges associated with a changing climate.

Onyeso says the recognition reflects a collective effort, and credits Kalu, his mentors and colleagues for their role in his work. 鈥淭his achievement belongs to more than just me,鈥� he says. He also acknowledges older adults as the inspiration behind the work, noting 鈥渓ived experiences, resilience and voices drive this work.鈥�

Onyeso holds a PhD in population studies in health from the University of Lethbridge, where he received the Governor General鈥檚 Academic Gold Medal. He is a clinician-scientist with a background in physiotherapy and musculoskeletal epidemiology and an alumnus of the Consortium on Analytics for Data-Driven Decision-Making (CAnD3).

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Recognizing the importance of this relationship, 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS), through its Graduate Supervision Support Hub, has developed The Graduate Supervision Journey, a five-module course on YU Learn designed to strengthen graduate supervision.

The course combines practical guidance with opportunities for reflection, encouraging faculty to consider their values, clarify expectations and explore how their supervisory approaches influence students' experiences and development.

Drawing on experiences and research-informed practices, the course uses illustrative scenarios to connect supervisory principles to everyday practice. Mentorship frameworks, including Indigenous relational approaches, offer additional perspectives on effective supervision and broaden understandings of supervisory relationships.

The modules explore principles and styles of supervision, co-supervision, remote supervision and approaches to cultivating emotional intelligence and a growth mindset.

"Supervision is an art," says Tokunbo Ojo, associate dean, students. 鈥淚t requires time, dedication and sheer commitment from both the supervisor and the supervisee to produce the best outcome.鈥�

The course addresses goal setting, milestone planning, feedback and feedforward strategies, conflict resolution and navigating difficult conversations. It also explores how supervisors can respond to students in distress and better support neurodivergent students and those from diverse backgrounds through inclusive and responsive practices.

"By highlighting the voices of our colleagues, the course effectively demonstrates that supervisory excellence is a fundamental part of our culture and reflects how we define excellence in service, leadership and student success," says Mary Goitom, associate professor at the School of Social Work, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

The course also guides faculty through supporting students toward degree completion, including preparation for defence and conversations about future career pathways. Recognizing that graduate supervision can place demands on faculty, it addresses supervisory stress, mental health and well-being, as well as strategies for sustaining supervisory practice.

Throughout the course, participants are invited to develop a philosophy of supervision statement, reflecting on the values and expectations that guide their approach. This exercise offers a reference point they can revisit as their practice evolves.

Designed as an asynchronous professional development resource, The Graduate Supervision Journey allows faculty to work through practical resources, scenarios and opportunities for reflection at their own pace. The course encourages a thoughtful and intentional approach to supervision while recognizing its important role in graduate student success and 91亚色's broader research culture.

Faculty can register for The Graduate Supervision Journey through . 

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Bowman will combine music history, live performance and immersive cultural experiences through , a travel cruise series launched with 91亚色 alum and media specialist Jenny St. Germain.

The venture pairs luxury river cruises with lectures and discussions led by Bowman, offering a new experience for music enthusiasts.  

The inaugural trip, Jazz in France, is a seven-night voyage through the Seine River scheduled for June 2027 and marks the first in what organizers hope will be a series that explores a range of destinations and musical genres. 

For Bowman, a Grammy Award-winning ethnomusicologist and professor emeritus at 91亚色鈥檚 , the project is a natural extension of a career dedicated to making music scholarship accessible beyond the classroom.聽

"I've always been interested in reaching the general public," says Bowman. "My lectures are fun and performative, but the bottom line is I teach critical listening. I literally can change the way people hear music that lasts beyond any given lecture and ultimately changes the way that they interact with music for the rest of their life." 

The idea for Legendary Soundwaves came from St. Germain, a former student of Bowman who now works in the travel industry. Having seen the impact his lectures had on students and music enthusiasts, St. Germain approached Bowman with an idea: combine immersive travel with his distinct approach to storytelling and music education. 

"I think this is exciting," says Bowman. "I have, on occasion, worked on projects with other former students but lecturing on a cruise will be a whole new experience." 

The inaugural voyage will cruise through Normandy's historic ports, cultural landmarks and Impressionist landscapes and will feature privately curated jazz talks and dinner performances.  

"Participants will learn about various aspects of jazz history, hear some great music and see some amazing film clips," says Bowman. 

Through guided listening sessions, Bowman will explore how timbre, time, melody, harmony and instrumentation shapes what we hear, a concept he calls "critical listening." By connecting these elements to the cultural history of each destination, he aims to deepen participants鈥� understanding of the music and places that helped inform it. 

While the first voyage focuses on jazz, Bowman says the long-term vision for Legendary Soundwaves will focus on a variety of genres. 

"Future voyages will look at classical music, rock 'n鈥� roll, rhythm and blues and so on. I think it will be a whole lot of fun," he says.  

The travel series continues Bowman鈥檚 commitment to sharing more than 50 years of music knowledge with audiences beyond the classroom. 

"I believe it is valuable to make knowledge available as widely as possible," he says. "I can make what some would describe as musical academic knowledge accessible to the general public by removing much of the jargon." 

For Bowman, Legendary Soundwaves offers another way to take decades of music scholarship outside of academia and connect it with new audiences.

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Hosted by the Korean Office for Research and Education (KORE), War and Peace at the DMZ will bring graduate students together at 91亚色's Keele Campus in June 2027 for an intensive two-week program examining the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea, and what it means to Koreans.  

Co-ordinated by Professor Thomas Klassen at the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, the summer school will be taught by two internationally recognized scholars: Professor Dong Jin Kim of Hanshin University in South Korea and Professor Steven Lee of the University of British Columbia. 

"The DMZ is a unique space representing division but also a hope for reunification,鈥� says Klassen.  

The first week will explore the division of the Korean Peninsula following the Korean War and the domestic and international conflicts that shaped the region during the 20th century. The second week will place the Korean DMZ in a broader global context by considering peacebuilding initiatives and the role of civil society organizations.  

"The DMZ represents both a unique place and history, but also a more general example of international conflict, reconciliation and attempts at unification," says Klassen. "The summer school will connect to broader debates about peace and conflict in other regions of the world, especially the role of civil society actors in contributing to peace." 

The 2027 program builds on KORE's previous summer school initiatives and expands the scope of study to include North Korea, South Korea and the relationship between the two. 

Open to graduate students interested in international relations, East Asia, North and South Korea, as well as peace and conflict studies, the program gives students an opportunity to learn from experts in the field while studying the continuing division of the Korean Peninsula.聽

Applications are due before Dec. 21. 

For more information, visit War and Peace at the DMZ: Korea Graduate Summer School. The summer school is supported by funding from the .

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, the appointments will advance research spanning AI, health technologies, Indigenous data sovereignty and human perception. The cohort includes four new Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs and one renewed Tier 1 Chair.

The CRC program attracts and retains some of the world's most accomplished and promising researchers, supporting leading-edge research that advances knowledge and delivers benefits for society, the economy and the environment.

"These Canada Research Chair appointments reflect the breadth and ambition of research underway at 91亚色," says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. "By supporting researchers pursuing ambitious questions with potential for meaningful impact, this investment will help to advance new knowledge and strengthen 91亚色鈥檚 research capacity across a diverse range of fields."

Ines Arous 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Human-Centered Generative Artificial Intelligence (Tier 2) 

Arous is an assistant professor at 91亚色's Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and director of the ARIN research lab specializing in human-AI collaboration, natural language processing (NLP) and generative AI.  

Her research focuses on designing frameworks that leverage human intelligence to enhance NLP models and tailoring them for applications with significant societal impact.  

Brittany Intzandt 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Health and Technology (Tier 2) 

An assistant professor at 91亚色鈥檚 School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Intzandt's research focuses on sex- and gender-based analysis, exercise physiology and neurodegeneration.  

Intzandt also received $80,000 through the Canada Foundation for Innovation鈥檚 John R. Evans Leaders Fund which supports research infrastructure projects through its partnership with the CRC program.  

Shweta Mahajan 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Multimodal Generative AI (Tier 2) 

Lassonde School of Engineering

Mahajan, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, studies computer vision and machine learning.  

The aim of her research is to advance generative modelling, multimodal learning and visual inference through the development of statistical and machine-learning methods. Her work seeks to improve how AI systems synthesize data, understand complex scenes and learn from multiple forms of information, including images, video and text. 

Danica Pawlick-Potts 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Data Sovereignty (Tier 2) 

Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Pawlick-Potts is a research associate at 91亚色's Department of Communication & Media Studies and a member of the Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation, specializing in Indigenous data sovereignty.  

Through her work with national Indigenous organizations and research collaborators, she supports the development of ethical approaches to data infrastructure and explores the implications of emerging technologies for Indigenous communities. 

Nikolaus Troje 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Reality Research (Tier 1, renewal) 

Faculty of Science

A professor in the Department of Biology, Troje is a leading researcher in human perception, computer vision and social interaction. 

His research examines how people perceive and understand one another through movement, appearance and communication. Through behavioural, physiological and computational approaches, he investigates how the brain constructs representations of reality and how those processes shape human interaction in both face-to-face and virtual environments. 

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91亚色, through YSpace and the , is a founding academic partner of Audacity North, a new not-for-profit innovation hub backed by independent Canadian engineering lab Megalab Group Inc.

The partnership brings 91亚色鈥檚 entrepreneurship, venture development and business expertise together with specialized laboratory, testing and product-development capabilities.

For 91亚色 researchers, students and entrepreneurs, the partnership is expected to create additional routes for commercializing research and developing ventures while fostering connections with industry.

The hub will provide resources to develop medical devices, biotechnology and digital-health products. These resources will include a wet laboratory space, testing for devices requiring medical safety certification, clinical validation and data-governance support for digital health and medical AI startups, and a venture studio focused on company development and acceleration.

"By connecting 91亚色 researchers, students and entrepreneurs with industry expertise and commercialization opportunities, this partnership will help create stronger pathways for promising innovations to move from ideas to real-world solutions," says David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation, YSpace.

YSpace will support the development of Audacity North鈥檚 venture studio programming, while Schulich will contribute expertise through its Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Krembil Centre for Health Management and Leadership.

The initiative builds on 91亚色鈥檚 existing entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem and brings to life the vision of Schulich alum Keith Loo (MBA 鈥�12), co-founder of Audacity North with Megalab Group Inc. President and CEO Garry Lee.

鈥淐anada has never had a discovery problem, but what has been missing is the capacity between discovery and market: testing, validation, manufacturing alongside people who have done it before,鈥� says Loo. 鈥淎udacity North will provide that capacity, spanning ideation and prototyping through production, testing, regulatory support, commercialization, capital and first customers.鈥�

The hub will be home to the Logan Institute for Rare Disease Research, founded by Loo for his son Logan, who lives with an ultra-rare genetic condition. The institute will fund research and develop resources for studying rare diseases.

Audacity North is also in discussions with local hospitals about potential partnerships related to clinical trials and community and patient engagement.

"This initiative further expands 91亚色鈥檚 efforts to connect research, entrepreneurship and industry, helping researchers and innovators translate ideas into technologies, ventures and other real-world applications," says Chris Carder, executive director at Schulich's Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

Programming will begin in 2027 at Audacity North鈥檚 Aurora campus, located at Megalab鈥檚 45,000-square-foot engineering and product-compliance testing facility. Plans for the hub also include a Whitchurch-Stouffville campus on 86 acres of land purchased by Megalab, with seven buildings and additional expansion capacity proposed.

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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 91亚色: Sarah Evans, Mina Singh and Laura Nicholson of 91亚色鈥檚 .

Academic Administrative Excellence Award: Sarah Evans, associate professor and collaborative program director, School of Nursing

Since joining 91亚色 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 鈥� 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 91亚色 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-91亚色 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 91亚色, 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 鈥� 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 91亚色 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 91亚色 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 91亚色 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."

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Released by the Action Committee on Access to Justice, the report titled argues that the justice system should be understood as both a service available through courts and a means of helping individuals meet their basic needs, exercise their rights and participate fully in society. 

The paper builds on the Action Committee's 2013 Roadmap for Change, which identified a crisis in access to justice in Canada. More than a decade later, people-centred justice initiatives have grown but significant barriers remain including housing insecurity, economic uncertainty and complex legal needs.  

As one of the report's co-authors, together with Osgoode alum Justice Andromache Karakatsanis of the Supreme Court of Canada, Farrow helped develop a framework calling for an accessible, prevention-oriented justice system focused on outcomes and sustained through collective responsibility. The paper highlights the roles of governments, courts, legal professionals, community organizations, educators and the public in creating a justice system that better serves Canadians.  

"The purpose of this report is to advance a new vision for access to justice in Canada," says Farrow. "We see justice as a common good, framing it as a shared public foundation, necessary for the proper functioning of the rule of law, democratic life and individual and community well-being." 

A leading scholar in legal process and access to justice research, Farrow has spent decades examining how legal systems can better meet the needs of the public. His research explores the social and economic impacts of unresolved legal problems and the importance of accessible, people-centred justice systems. 

Farrow says the need for reform remains urgent. 

"For more than a decade, the state of access to justice in Canada has been described at crisis levels," he says.  

"Notwithstanding that Canada arguably has the best judges, lawyers, justice administrators, academics and other justice sector stakeholders in the world, the general public does not have cost-effective, timely and ready access to the necessary tools of justice." 

Together with a renewed vision for justice focused on the common good, the paper also outlines principles and practices for future action, including community-based supports, legal navigation services, prevention, clear pathways to legal help and inclusive service design. 

"This report, grounded in the charter鈥檚 values of dignity, true equality and fairness, situates access to justice as the mechanism through which these values take on meaning in peoples鈥� lives," says Farrow.聽

"It also offers specific principles and practices for action, grounded in the expertise and experiences of justice system users and legal system experts and providers." 

 The Action Committee invites Canadians to help advance a more accessible, equitable justice system that supports individuals and communities before problems escalate into crises. 

"Research shows that most Canadians will experience some form of significant legal issue over the course of their lifetime," says Farrow.  

"Put simply, this should matter for everyone."

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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� 

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, student success coordinator, Calumet & Stong Colleges,
• 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, student success coordinator, Calumet & Stong Colleges, Faculty of Health聽
• 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
• Dragica Burrell, director of student success and academic advising, Calumet & Stong Colleges, Faculty of Health聽
• 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 

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The (YET) brings together community-identified milestones from across the University鈥檚 history in an interactive resource designed to grow through participation.聽

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and retirees can explore the timeline, engage with 91亚色鈥檚 equity journey and contribute perspectives that can help the timeline continue to grow. 

Built with contributions from 91亚色 community members, the timeline captures experiences and developments that have helped shape equity at 91亚色. Milestones range from incremental changes to bold initiatives and may relate to particular social issues, identity groups, academic or staff units, or have broader relevance across the University. 

The project builds on a community consultation launched in 2025 that invited submission of events, initiatives and experiences. 聽

The digital timeline allows visitors to navigate an interactive collection of key moments across 91亚色's history, search by topic and learn more about the events, initiatives and experiences included. 

Community members can provide instant feedback on milestones by selecting a reaction, sharing reflections and suggesting additions. 

Feedback is reviewed by the YET team and helps inform the timeline鈥檚 continued development of an engaging living resource that encourages storytelling, connection and dialogue across generations of the 91亚色 community. 

The project traces its roots back to 91亚色's founding vision. At his installation as the University's first president, Murray Ross described 91亚色 as a "new university" with a responsibility to foster social progress, critical thinking and human development. The timeline invites community members to consider how that vision has taken shape through decades of collective action. 

"This timeline, created by 91亚色 community members, charts the University's path toward equity, starting with its founding," says Laina Bay-Cheng, interim provost and vice-president academic, who led the project in her former role as vice-president equity, people and culture.  

"I hope it helps people reflect on how far we've come, celebrates moments where 91亚色 has led the way and reinforces the next steps toward equity.鈥� 

The project supports 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to advancing decolonizing, equity, diversity and inclusion across the institution. It recognizes the work reflected in 91亚色鈥檚 DEDI Strategy while highlighting the decades of contributions from the community who have helped shape a more equitable University.聽聽聽

聽"The timeline is a creative way to bring together different perspectives on what equity means, how we can advance it and how we measure progress across the 91亚色 community," says Parissa Safai, interim vice-president, equity, people and culture.聽聽

"I hope it helps build a shared sense of pride and belonging and encourages people to stay involved." 

For Bay-Cheng, one of the strengths of the project lies in its ability to place individual moments within a broader story of institutional change. 

"I know from my own research how meaningful life history calendar methodologies can be. Creating a timeline isn't just about identifying events, it's a chance to see past experiences in context: what came before, what was going on at the same time and what came after," she says.  

"The timeline allows us to understand the history of equity at 91亚色 and to consider what we want it to be in the future." 

The 91亚色 Equity Timeline is a living project that grows through community participation. While it captures many significant moments in 91亚色's history, community members are encouraged to continue contributing milestones, stories and perspectives that help tell a fuller story of the University's ongoing pursuit of equity. 

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