York University community members were honoured this week at the President’s Staff Recognition Awards, an annual event that acknowledges the exceptional contributions made by staff to realize the University’s vision. The awards recognize contributions made in areas such as supporting student success, academic excellence, strengthening community engagement and enhancing York’s global impact.
“York University is a leading institution of higher learning committed to enhancing the well-being of the communities we serve through our academic programs, the student learning experience, research and innovation, and community engagement efforts, all of which would not be possible without the dedicated and talented staff we have,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “Each of the nominees and award recipients embodies the spirit of collaboration, professionalism, dedication and leadership needed to advance our priorities and spark meaningful change. My heartfelt congratulations to each of the nominees and recipients.”
The nominees and recipients of this year’s President's Staff Recognition Awards are:
President’s Voice of York Award
The most important “Voice of York” is the one who makes the first contact with a visitor or community member. The quality of responsiveness and the genuine desire to assist in the most difficult or sensitive situations is essential to York’s reputation. Nominees for the President’s Voice of York Award are employed as front-line staff, who have regular interaction with the York community. This award was established in 1999 by President Emerita Lorna R. Marsden.
Winner: Jacqueline Marie Désirée Angoh, graduate program co-ordinator, French Studies, Francophone Studies, Translation Studies, Glendon Campus.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
- Yvonne Masso, administrative co-ordinator, Department of French;
- Tina Sposato, executive assistant, Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation; and
- Audrey Nacmi Tokiwa, graduate program administrator, Department of Sociology.
Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award (individual)
Established in honour of former vice-president enrolment and student services Deborah Hobson, the Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award is awarded to an individual who emulates vice-president Hobson’s energetic commitment to York students and boundless enthusiasm for the York community. Nominees for this award embody the York spirit and use their creativity and imagination in support of the student community at York.
Winner: Rina Pugliese, operations manager, Career Centre.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
- Lesley Bartlett, governance and records officer, Glendon;
- Sabina Lackner, graduate program administrator, School of Administrative Studies;
- Tara Lilley, student success and academic advisor, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS);
- Jillian Oinonen, co-ordinator of system development, University Information Technology; and
- Maedeh Sedaghat, program manager, Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) Program, Lassonde School of Engineering.
Excellence in Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Award
This award was established by President Lenton to recognize the passion, dedication and campus engagement by staff to decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion at York. The award can recognize an individual or a team.
The Excellence in Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes outstanding achievement 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 (e.g. women, visible/racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+). The award recognizes ongoing work or an outstanding accomplishment at a point in time.
Winner: Amy Gaukel, senior executive officer, Vice-President of Equity, People and Culture.
The other nominee for this award is:
- Collette Murray, graduate program assistant, Critical Disability Studies and Health.
Gary Brewer Emerging Leader Award (individual)
Established in honour of former vice-president finance and administration Gary Brewer, the award recognizes and encourages early-career professionals who have demonstrated significant promise of leadership in their career. The award recognizes a staff member 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.
Winner: Aimee Mitchell, research officer, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
- Byron Gray, manager, Community Engagement Centre;
- Joanne Huy, alumni officer, Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change;
- Lindsay LaMorre, associate director of experiential education, Office of the Dean, Academic Programs;
- Michelle Tsui-Woods, associate director of operations and development, k2i academy; and
- Victoria Wilson, co-ordinator, business development and operations.
Phyllis Clark Campus Service Award
Established in honour of former vice-president finance and administration Phyllis Clark, the award recognizes a York employee who has made outstanding contributions to the University in terms of efficiency, cleanliness, safety, security or other campus/plant services.
Winner: Nadarajah (Nada) Sathianathan, caretaker/custodian (retired in February 2024).
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
- Johnny Caruso, team leader, custodial services, campus services and business operations;
- Florante Cornista, caretaker/custodian, custodial services, property management;
- Diane O'Grady, security official;
- Miguel Rivero, caretaker/custodian, custodial services, property management; and
- Michael Wu, control mechanic, facilities services.
The President’s Leadership Award
The President’s Leadership Award recognizes excellence in service to York University. Individuals nominated for this award perform at a level that inspires professionalism, creativity and innovation across the University community.
Winner: Lindsay Hillcoat, executive director, Student Services & International Relations, Schulich School of Business.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
- Patrick Cernea, director, data strategy and governance, Office of Institutional Planning & Analysis;
- Debbi Collett, academic resource co-ordinator, Office of the Associate Vice-President Faculty Affairs;
- Wesley Moir, associate director, graduate academic affairs;
- Richard Ooi, SEO/AVP academic administration and resourcing;
- Natacha Sam, director, budgets and planning;
- Graham Sue, manager, graduate studies and research services, Osgoode Hall Law School; and
- Paulette Wilson-Franks, manager, faculty affairs.
Ronald Kent Medal
This award was established in 1979 by President Emeritus H. Ian Macdonald. The award’s namesake, Ronald Kent, had a unique personal commitment to the University showcased through years of dedicated service. His sincerity and enthusiasm inspired colleagues across the University. He was considered a true ambassador for York University. A dedicated member of President's Macdonald's staff, Kent passed away suddenly on campus in the late1970s.
Winner: Yemi Adebisi, graduate program administrator, School of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, LA&PS.
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
- Todd Rich, program manager, School of Continuing Studies;
- Josie Sansonetti, administrative co-ordinator, Deptartment of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics, LA&PS; and
- Rosananthi Selvarajah, digital learning applications specialist.
Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence
Established in honour of former University secretary and heneral counsel Harriet Lewis, the Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence recognizes excellence in service and support to students, faculty, staff and/or other service users.
Winner: Student Engagement team, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Colleges.
- Aiyni Agasee, administrative assistant;
- Erica Alusio, student engagement co-ordinator;
- Mannix Chan, student life and engagement co-ordinator;
- Marisa Di Leo, learning consultant, transition and elearning services;
- Alicia A. Di Stefano, student engagement co-ordinator;
- Andrew Fenech, student engagement co-ordinator;
- Heather Lynee Grebler, student engagement co-ordinator;
- Nasra Mahad, student engagement co-ordinator;
- Kimberly Moore, college operations co-ordinator;
- Bhanu Priya Sharma, student engagement co-ordinator;
- Gauri Persad, student engagement co-ordinator;
- Filomena Pestana, administrative assistant; and
- Lavina Sadhwani, student engagement co-ordinator.
The other services nominated for this award are:
- School of Nursing;
- Office of Research Ethics;
- Employee Self-Identification Survey Revisions team;
- Student Services Faculty of Education;
- Academic and Student Financial Services, Glendon; and
- Athletics and Recreation – Business Development and Operations.