Staff Excellence Awards
Nominations for the 2024-2025 С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ Staff Awards are now open! Nominate an outstanding С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ staff member by February 27, 2025.
Nominations are submitted by members of the С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ community including faculty, staff and students, as per the following nomination procedure.
Recognition of С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ's excellent staff complement acknowledges the importance we place on the integral role administrative staff play within the organization. Supporting and promoting staff excellence through mentoring, professional development, and reward systems remains a key priority for the Institute.
The Long Service Awards
The Long Service Award recognizes any С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ employees who have reached 30 years of service. No nominations are required for this category.
Nomination-Based Award Categories
The following awards categories have been established to honour our excellent administrative staff members:
Dr. Claire Alleyne Staff Excellence Award
The Dr. Claire Alleyne Staff Excellence Award was established in 2007-2008, in recognition of Dr. Alleyne's retirement after more than 35 years of exemplary service at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ, as well as her enormous dedication to and respect for administrative staff.
Claire Alleyne began her career at the University of Toronto more than 35 years ago. She was Registrar at FEUT from 1988 to 1996 and Registrar at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ from 1996 until 2009. Throughout her career, Claire modelled a strong commitment to excellence and innovation in serving the needs of students and faculty. This was recognized in 1994 when she was awarded the Chancellor's Award of Excellence at the University of Toronto.
Claire has always believed that administrative staff play a key role in the work of the university and should be recognized for their enormous contributions to our community. For this reason she was an early advocate for the establishment of the С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ Staff Excellence Award. Please note: This award is open to individual nominations only; team nominations will not be accepted.
Award Criteria
Open to С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ staff members who have been employed at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ for a minimum of three (3) years.
- Demonstrates exceptional dedication to delivering outstanding service that exceeds expectations for students, faculty, and colleagues.
- Creates meaningful, long-term contributions that improve the work environment or strengthen relationships within the unit/department or OISE and its community.
- Actively supports and advances С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ’s mission of fostering innovation, equity, and excellence in education and research.
- Models professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to continuous improvement, inspiring others to strive for excellence.
- Cultivates strong relationships, collaborates effectively across units, and uplifts colleagues by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Embodies the values of the award’s namesake by showing a deep respect for the role of administrative staff and advocating for their contributions to the С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ community.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award recognizes a staff member who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ community. Please note: This award is open to individual nominations only; team nominations will not be accepted.
Award Criteria
Open to С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ staff members who have been employed at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ for a minimum of two (2) years.
- Commitment to community building through active participation in committees, working groups, or initiatives.
- Excellence beyond their job responsibilities, setting and maintaining high professional standards, and a client-centered approach to their work.
- The ability to motivate and inspire others to achieve outstanding results while fostering collaboration and sharing responsibilities, authority, information, and credit.
- Intentionally supporting and uplifting initiatives that promote the University’s principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Efforts to improve efficiency, sustainability, and the overall С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ experience.
- A positive impact on the С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ community through meaningful projects or initiatives.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award recognizes staff who have developed and implemented creative solutions that enhance productivity, improve processes, and contribute to the research, teaching, or administrative missions at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ. Special consideration is given to collaborative initiatives spanning multiple departments or units.
Award Criteria
This award is open to both individual and team nominations, and there are no minimum length-of-service requirements.
- Development of innovative solutions that improve efficiency, productivity, cost savings, or the overall culture and climate at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ.
- Potential for the solution to be adopted by other departments or divisions, with evidence of successful adoption where applicable.
- Measurable improvements in service delivery, working conditions, or operational productivity.
- Demonstrated cost savings or additional revenues resulting from the initiative.
- Significant changes to services, culture, or strategic direction.
- Contributions that foster an inclusive culture and create equitable opportunities for all members of the С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ community.
Collaboration Catalyst Award
The Collaboration Catalyst Award celebrates the power of teamwork and the extraordinary outcomes achieved through collective effort. Introduced this year to align with the priorities of С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ's new academic plan, this award recognizes staff members who have come together across departments, units, or roles to accomplish a shared goal or initiative that strengthens the sense of community, highlights the work being done at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ, and fosters collaboration at the Institute.
Award Criteria
Nominations for this award are open only to cross-functional teams (for example, a working group or project team) and there are no minimum length-of-service requirements. Open to teams of two (2) or more С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ staff members and/or С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ Library staff collaborating with С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ staff members.
- Evidence of genuine teamwork, trust, and shared responsibility in achieving the group’s goal, bridging silos, and fostering meaningful relationships.
- The extent to which the team’s efforts enhanced the sense of community, improved the work environment, showcased or highlighted work being done at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ, or positively impacted stakeholders within or beyond С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ.
- Ways in which the team intentionally included diverse perspectives, promoted equity, and ensured inclusivity throughout their work.
- The team’s effectiveness in planning, communication, and coordination to achieve their objectives.
- The project’s potential for lasting impact, growth, or serving as a model for future collaborative efforts at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ.