Administrative Staff Awards

Call for nominations

Submission deadline: February 5, 2024

We are now accepting nominations for the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s Administrative Staff Awards. Nomination packages should be submitted as one pdf document to:

Carolyn Farrell
Director, Awards and Honours
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
carolyn.farrell@utoronto.ca

  • Previously unsuccessful nomination packages may be resubmitted, but all materials (CV, nomination letter and reference letters) must be updated. Resubmitted nominations which have not been updated will not be considered.
  • Self-nominations are accepted for all awards. Those planning to self-nominate are encouraged to contact Carolyn Farrell, Director, Awards and Honours, for advice on preparing a nomination package.

Information on last year’s recipients can be found here.

 


Agnes Kaneko Citizenship Award

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals only.

Nomination Package:

  • Letter from the nominator, which details the nominee’s achievements and contributions and explains how they go “above and beyond” in their job performance.
  • Three letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions, which address the criteria and the nominee’s impact. Letters of support signed by multiple individuals are allowed and count as one letter. (No more than three letters will be accepted).
  • The nominee’s CV.
  • The nominee’s job description.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award.

Selection Committee: The Administrative Staff Awards Committee.

Criteria: Recognizes excellent Faculty citizens; staff who have served the Faculty with distinction and made contributions to the Faculty’s mission above and beyond their job description over a long period of time. The nominees should be held in high regard by their colleagues, be viewed as a role model to other staff, and/or contribute to a positive and inclusive working environment.

 


Harpreet Dhariwal Emerging Leader Award

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals only.

Nomination Package:

  • Letter from the nominator, which details the nominee’s achievements and contributions and explains how they display leadership and go “above and beyond” in their job performance.
  • Three letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions, which address the criteria and the nominee’s impact. Letters of support signed by multiple individuals are allowed and count as one letter. (No more than three letters will be accepted).
  • The nominee’s CV.
  • The nominee’s job description.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award.

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: a member of the Administrative Staff Awards Committee, a previous winner, and a member of Senior Administrative Management.

Criteria:

  • Impacts their workplace by continually improving business processes to better serve the Faculty’s and the University’s mission.
  • Leads by example in their “above and beyond” dedication to the Faculty’s mission.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to a culture of inclusivity and diversity
  • Is held in high regard by faculty, staff and/or students.
  • Displays an ongoing commitment to the Faculty and the University through outstanding service outside the nominee’s job requirements.
  • Demonstrates significant potential to assume a more senior leadership role in the Faculty.
  • Has probably worked in the Faculty for less than 10 years.

 


Catherine Gagne Sustained Excellence in Leadership Award

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals only.

Nomination Package:

  • Letter from the nominator, which details the nominee’s achievements and contributions and explains how they display leadership and go “above and beyond” in their job performance.
  • Three letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions, which address the criteria and the nominee’s impact. Letters of support signed by multiple individuals are allowed and count as one letter. (No more than three letters will be accepted).
  • The nominee’s CV.
  • The nominee’s job description.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award.

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: a member of the Administrative Staff Awards Committee, a previous winner, and a member of Senior Administrative Management.

Criteria:

  • Has demonstrated leadership in supporting the Faculty’s education and/or research endeavours over a sustained period (typically 10 years or more).
  • Has had a significant impact on the Faculty over a sustained period of time through continuous improvement of processes and services.
  • Leads by example in their “above and beyond” dedication to the Faculty’s mission.
  • Is held in high regard by faculty, staff and/or students.
  • Displays an ongoing commitment to the Faculty and the University through outstanding service outside the nominee’s job requirements.
  • Supports a culture of inclusivity and diversity within the Faculty.

 


Innovation Award

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals or teams

Nomination Package:

  • Letter from the nominator.
  • Three letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the impact of the innovation. (*Note that these letters must address the impact of the innovation being nominated). Letters of support signed by multiple individuals are allowed and count as one letter. (No more than three letters will be accepted).
  • Detailed description of the innovation (maximum 2 pages).

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award (members of winning teams will receive $500 each to a maximum of $2000 in total. Larger teams will share a $2000 award).

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: two members of the Administrative Staff Awards Committee and a previous winner. One member must be in a position to evaluate any candidates who have been nominated for an innovation related to research.

Criteria: Recognizes staff members who, during the past three years, have developed an innovative new method, technology or system to improve on current practice; made innovative improvements to an existing technology or system; or created an innovative solution to a problem.

  • This award is given in recognition of a specific innovation. Nominations must detail the specific innovation, rather than a general record of innovation on the part of the nominee.
  • The innovation (which need not be technical) may have enhanced research, teaching, administration, or any aspect of the Faculty’s business, and/or advanced the University’s strategic objectives (enhancing the student experience, enriching the employee experience and promoting equity, diversity and community connection).
  • The innovation will be assessed using the same criteria as the University’s Excellence Through Innovation Awards: transferability, impact on quality, impact on productivity and transformative value.

 


Barbara McCann Quality of Student Experience Award for Frontline Staff

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals or teams

Nomination Package:

  • Letter from the nominator, which details the nominee’s achievements and contributions and explains how they go “above and beyond” in their job performance.
  • Three letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions, which address the criteria and the nominee’s impact. At least two letters must be from students. Letters of support signed by multiple individuals are allowed and count as one letter. (No more than three letters will be accepted).
  • The nominee’s job description.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award (members of winning teams will receive $500 each to a maximum of $2000 in total. Larger teams will share a $2000 award).

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: a member of the Administrative Staff Awards Committee, a previous winner, a representative of the Engineering Society, one additional undergraduate student and a graduate student.

Criteria: Recognizes staff members who, working directly with students, have made significant improvements to the quality of student experience in the Faculty through their outstanding student service. This applies to both the graduate and undergraduate student experience. This can recognize the creation or improvement of services for students, or simply a record of excellent student service.

Successful candidates should meet some of the following criteria:

  • Ensures that every student has the best possible experience in the Faculty.
  • Enhances the feeling of community for the students and/or enhances services in response to students’ diverse needs.
  • Improves communications with students and/or student access to important information.
  • Responds to students’ unique needs and challenges and ensures access to all available institutional support and learning communities.

 


Quality of Student Experience Award for Behind-the-Scenes Staff

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals or teams

Nominations: Anyone can nominate.

Nomination Package:

  • Letter from the nominator, which details the nominee’s achievements and contributions and explains how they go “above and beyond” in their job performance.
  • Three letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions, which address the criteria and the nominee’s impact. Letters from students are encouraged. Letters of support signed by multiple individuals are allowed and count as one letter. (No more than three letters will be accepted).
  • The nominee’s job description.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award (members of winning teams will receive $500 each to a maximum of $2000 in total. Larger teams will share a $2000 award).

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: a member of the Administrative Staff Awards Committee, a previous winner, a representative of the Engineering Society, one additional undergraduate student and a graduate student.

Criteria: Recognizes staff members who, working behind the scenes, have made significant improvements to the quality of student experience in the Faculty through the creation or improvement of services for students. This applies to both the graduate and undergraduate student experience.

Successful candidates should meet some of the following criteria:

  • Ensures that every student has the best possible experience in the Faculty.
  • Enhances the feeling of community for students and/or enhances services in response to students’ diverse needs.
  • Improves communications with students and/or student access to important information.
  • Responds to students’ unique needs and challenges and ensures access to all available institutional support and learning communities.