As part of York University’s commitment to fostering employee engagement and recognizing excellence, the University celebrates the achievements of its dedicated staff each year through the President’s Staff Recognition Awards. This year, as in previous years, a number of nominations were put forward for these awards. After careful deliberation by selection committees, York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton is pleased to acknowledge the recipients and nominees of the 2017 President’s Staff Recognition Awards.

“The recipients of the President’s Staff Recognition Awards represent the very best of York University: Their hard work and commitment facilitates the high-quality teaching and learning, research, scholarship and creative activities for which our community has become known,” said Lenton. “These awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the excellence that our dedicated staff members demonstrate and the meaningful impact they are making at the University and beyond.”

The winners will be honoured, and their achievements celebrated, at an awards dinner on May 2.

The Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LA&PS) congratulates all of our award recipients and nominees :

The Ronald Kent Medal

Suzette Aleung, senior academic advisor, Academic Advising, Faculty of LA&PS

This medal recognizes the contributions of employees who promote and strengthen the collegiality, values and goals of York University.

Congratulating the additional nominees from LA&PS for this award:

• Vita Lobo, administrative assistant, School of Administrative Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;
• Alda Lone, undergraduate programs coordinator, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;

The Gary Brewer Emerging Leader Award

Lisa Rumiel, manager, Research Priorities & Strategic Partnerships, Office of the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies & Research

This award is presented annually to a non-academic employee of York University who has shown tremendous promise for assuming a leadership role at the University, is known for their innovative and meaningful contributions to the effectiveness of their unit and has significantly contributed to the University’s commitment to excellence. The award recognizes and encourages early-career professionals who have demonstrated significant promise of leadership in their career.

Congratulating the additional LA&PS nominee:

• Adam Duncan, student academic advisor, Academic Advising, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

The Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award

This award recognizes employees who have demonstrated a high level of service to students and who promote York’s spirit in terms of creativity, innovation and redefining the possible in service to the university community.

Congratulations to the nominee from LA&PS :

• Mavis Griffin, undergraduate program assistant, Department of Equity Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;
• Melissa Falotico, undergraduate program secretary, Department of Politics, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

The President’s Voice of York Award

The Voice of York Award is given to an individual who is a first-line-of-contact person at York University. The most important voice of York is the one who makes the first contact with a visitor or a community member. Compassion and professionalism, particularly in handling difficult or sensitive situations, is essential to our work at York University.

Congratulating the nominees from LA&PS for this award:

• Carolyn Cross, administrative secretary, Department of Politics, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies;
• Anne Ralph, undergraduate program assistant, Department of Geography, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.