Division of the Vice-President and Provost Staff & Team Recognition Program

About

The Staff & Team Recognition Program for the Division of the Vice-President and Provost (DVPP) is an opportunity for senior executive leaders to formally recognize exceptional individuals and team performance in the DVPP. This will also create a pipeline for existing University-wide award programs, such as the Simcoe Hall Vice-Presidential Staff Awards, the President’s Excellence Award or the Chancellor’s Leadership Award, as well as external awards for service in higher education.

2024 Recipients

Margaret Francis
Cook, Food Services, Office of the Vice-Provost, University Operations
Caring Community Award

Fahim Kazemi
Assistant Registrar, Admission Systems, University Registrar’s Office
Caring Community Award

Rajaratnam Krishnagopal
Cook, Food Services, Office of the Vice-Provost, University Operations
Caring Community Award

Melodie Buhagiar
Associate Director, Academic Policy & Process, Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty & Academic Life
Innovative Service Award

Christine Concannon
Assistant Registrar, Student Financial Systems, University Registrar’s Office
Emerging Leader Award

Vice-Provost, Academic Programs (VPAP) Team
Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs and School of Graduate Studies
Collaborative Team of the Year Award

University of Toronto Enrichment Academy Team
University Admissions & Outreach, Office of the Vice-Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management
Innovative Team of the Year Award

Individual Awards Criteria

Caring Community Award

Presented to an individual who exemplifies the values of the Division of the Vice-President and Provost in their daily work or interactions with DVPP stakeholders, especially including students, and who serves as a model and mentor for others within the Division. Recipient embodies collegiality and is well-respected for their efforts to foster a sense of belonging and caring community within the larger University community.

Emerging Leader Award

Presented to an individual who demonstrates excellence and whose work has supported the mission and vision of the Division of the Vice-President and Provost or their unit while positively influencing those around them. This individual is highly regarded by their colleagues and actively demonstrates equitable, diverse, and inclusive leadership with their co-workers and/or team members.

Innovative Service Award

Presented to an individual who demonstrates innovative thinking and ingenuity in their work. The recipient of this award has shown an ability to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems. Their innovative ideas and approaches have helped propel the Division of the Vice-President and Provost forward and have made a positive impact on the University in relation to a business process, student service, or other activity. This award is in recognition of the recipient’s creativity and resourcefulness and a celebration of the impact their ideas..

Team Awards Criteria

Collaborative Team of the Year Award

Presented to a group or team that has collectively achieved outstanding results and gone above and beyond to achieve a specific goal, such as delivering services to students or other stakeholders, launching a new project or initiative, or streamlining or improving a process.

Innovative Team of the Year Award

Presented to an innovative team of people who have achieved extraordinary success through their creative and collaborative efforts. They have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to inclusive excellence and have consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible. They have gone above and beyond to ensure that their work has a positive and lasting impact for stakeholders of the Division of Vice-President and Provost. Preference will be given to teams demonstrating collaboration across different portfolios within and outside of the DVPP.

Nomination

Submission deadline: Please check back in the fall for an updated deadline.

Nomination package and submission details: To submit a nomination please visit the True Blue Recognition Platform, under the Recognize Someone Today section, and select “DVPP Team Recognition Award” (for the team awards) or “DVPP Individual Staff Recognition Award” (for the individual staff awards). The submission should include (1) a brief letter of the nominee’s/team’s specific contributions and (2) a brief description of the nominee/team to be used for public communications.

Additional submission guidelines: Any employee or supervisor within the DVPP can nominate a staff member for a DVPP staff award. An individual may only be nominated for one award in any given year. There are no restrictions on the amount of time that the nominee must have been employed within the Division to receive an award.

Eligibility: Appointed staff members (USW, PM, C1, C2) who report to a Vice-Provost, the Assistant Provost, or CAO.

Prize awarded: Recipients will receive a framed certificate. Recipients of an individual award will have access to a $1,000 fund to be used for professional development. Recipients of a team award will have access to a $2,000 fund as a group, to be used for professional development. Recipients will also be recognized at an event with the Vice-President & Provost.

Enquiries: Questions regarding the awards and the nomination process should be directed to dvpp.awards@utoronto.ca.