Congratulations, 2024 TMU and FCS award recipients!

Dr. Metersky is a professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing. She is transforming nursing and collaborative education through innovative approaches to teaching. From creating the CLLEAR framework for delivery of complex theoretical courses and exploring best practices with student artificial intelligence (AI) use, to writing and incorporating poetry in the classroom, and designing, in connection with Indigenous community, assignments and simulations to enhance Indigenous content in undergraduate curricula, Dr. Metersky is a visionary. Dr. Metersky is praised by students for creating an inclusive learning environment where each opinion is valued and respected. Dr. Metersky is an award-winning educator; having received numerous teaching awards and having been nominated as Affiliate Scientist with The Institute for Education Research at the University Health Network (TIER@UHN).

Dr. Miranda is a professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and has been a full member of the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (YSGPS) since 2011. During that time, she has mentored, supervised, and supported graduate students across several disciplines and provided opportunities for career and professional advancement both within and outside of the university. For example, Dr. Miranda supported a student in the publication of their manuscript based on their practicum experience. The impact of Dr. Miranda's support for students has resulted in many students moving onto complete doctoral and post-doctoral degrees, as well as transitioning into the role of scientists and academics.

Dr. Boakye is a professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and an exceptional educator. She stands as a beacon of teaching excellence, committed to student inclusion, equity, diversity, and innovative scholarship. Dr. Boakye's transformative impact is seen in her dedication to addressing anti-Black racism in healthcare, both in her teaching and research. Her culturally responsive pedagogy empowers students to be scholars and advocates, while her educational approach promotes racial equity awareness and consciousness raising. Students laud her caring and compassionate approach, which fosters a deep sense of belonging. Her unwavering commitment to excellence in nursing education makes her an exemplary role model, deserving of this prestigious award.

Dr. Roberts is a professor in the School of Child and Youth Care and a highly deserving nominee for the Dean's Teaching Award. She has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to teaching excellence. Dr. Roberts has made substantial contributions to curriculum development, equity-focused teaching, and innovative pedagogy, impacting both undergraduate and graduate students. Her dedication to fostering a sense of community within her classrooms, even in challenging circumstances like the pandemic, is particularly noteworthy. Dr. Roberts' commitment to mentorship and her role in international teaching initiatives further underscore her exceptional teaching leadership.

Dr. Lecompte is an adjunct professor in the School of Occupational and Public Health and highly deserving of the Dean's Teaching Award - Contract Lecturers (CUPE 1 and 2). His commitment to outstanding classroom leadership, innovative teaching, and student engagement aligns with the award's key criteria. Dr. LeCompte's dedication to implementing best practices, fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion, and achieving remarkable learning outcomes has resulted in tangible improvements like enhanced exam performance and increased course enrollment. His transformative influence on student learning, through innovative teaching materials and mentorship, extends beyond the classroom. Dr. LeCompte is a highly deserving candidate who embodies the award's spirit by inspiring.

Janet Deacon is a contract lecturer in the School of Nutrition. With an extensive background spanning over 30 years as a registered dietitian in various healthcare settings and corporate healthy eating programs, along with a remarkable 25 years of teaching experience, Janet blends professional knowledge with her vibrant and positive teaching style. Janet's instructional approach includes hands-on experiential learning in the quantity food and nutrition lab courses, offered both to undergraduate Nutrition and Food students, as well as the Internationally Educated Nutrition Professionals program. Her individualized support and mentorship contribute significantly to the growth and success of her students, who she warmly calls 'my future colleagues'.

Dr. Wong is a professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and holds the position of Research Chair in Urban Health. Her research is underpinned by the principles of epistemic justice, knowledge democracy, and health equity. She attends to the structural and sociocultural determinants of health practices. Drawing on her extensive expertise in critical public health, she works closely with systematically marginalized communities, locally and globally, to co-design rigorous community-centred research and innovative interventions to address health disparities. She has an exceptional ability to mobilize different knowledge systems and translate them into social innovations. She is pursued for her generous and empowering approaches in research mentorship.

Dr. McCartney is a professor in the School of Urban and Regional Planning. She is an internationally distinguished scholar and licensed architect in contested territories of marginalized peoples in Canada's near-north and global south. Her innovative scholarship is at the forefront of efforts documenting failures of the First Nations housing system and with how community-based solutions can end the current housing crisis. Her focus on process and models of partnership which promote co-creation through interactive workshops have resulted in several initiatives that remove barriers from highly siloed technical disciplines to engage community members in transforming housing built form and systems, to a community-based, decolonized system.

Dr. Juutilainen is a professor in the School of Nutrition, and dedicated to community-driven research informed by Indigenous epistemologies. She is the principal investigator on the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) -funded study, "Truth Telling: gardens, farming and food experiences at the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School", in partnership with Six Nations of the Grand River and the University of Waterloo. While leading to academic papers, Dr. Juutilainen’s research is most importantly responding to advancing understanding of reconciliation (call to action #65 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission), and contributing towards decolonizing Canadian dietetic practice (as co-PI on Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research grant).

Dr. Munroe is the interim director of TMU's Black Scholarship Institute and previously, manager of the Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism. She embodies the values and aspirations embedded in this award. She has demonstrated commitment to building an environment that is welcoming and inclusive. Dr. Munroe recognizes that excellence in academic settings is equity-driven and has redefined the experiences and capacities of Black faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Munroe lives out an incredible commitment to equity that extends beyond the scope of her role. She is building a culture of inspiration and influence for equity transformations.

Dr. El-Masri is a professor who has been providing leadership to the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing during extraordinary times, punctuated by a global pandemic that highlighted issues of health care gaps in Ontario, including the shortage of nurses. In this context, Dr. El-Masri has demonstrated incredible collegiality, professionalism, expertise, and equity, diversity and inclusion/inclusivity (EDI)-focused commitments to support Canada's largest nursing school. He has done so by advocating for and organizing a diverse faculty and staff group, leading multiple partnership and regulatory tables, and taking charge of reasonable and sound approaches to managing the enormous pressure to graduate more nurses.

Julie Cabantan has been program assistant in the Midwifery Education Program for over 24 years. She demonstrates extraordinary client service – going far beyond her regular job responsibilities. Julie is highly regarded by applicants, students, graduates, staff and faculty in our university and by those in the Consortium. She is greatly appreciated: for her ability to listen and warmly engage with others; for the meticulous attention to the complex details of her work; for her ability to quickly and skillfully respond to crises with intelligence, grace and resourcefulness; and for her capacity to consistently collaborate and support others, always in an equitable, fair and highly professional manner.

Dr. Sekercioglu is a professor who provides exceptional service to the School of Occupational and Public Health, the Faculty of Community Services, and Toronto Metropolitan University by participating in numerous internal committees ranging from the departmental to university level, such as the Academic Integrity Office, Research Ethics Board and the Program Advisory Council. He exceeds expectations to provide service not only to the university but also to the broader community and public health profession. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, the Environmental Foundation of Canada and the Association of Supervisors of Public Health Inspectors of Ontario.

Dr. Yuan is a professor who deserves a Dean’s Service Award for her exceptional service to School of Nutrition students and for building the reputation of the school and TMU within the food science profession. This service began in 1998 as the 'faculty liaison' with the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology and continues through 2022-2023 as president of the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) and conference chair in 2022 and 2023. She has enhanced student experiential learning through her mentorship during product development competitions and case competitions. With the success of our students, her service has supported their professional growth, the reputation of the school and TMU.

Dr. Land is a professor in the School of Childhood Studies. She participates in collective work to invigorate early childhood education as a responsive, situated, and intensive pedagogical space. In collaboration with early childhood educators and young children, she is interested in co-creating curriculum that supports children’s meaningful and complex relationships with bodies and movement. Building the professional role of the pedagogist, a figure who contributes to deepening strong pedagogical work with early childhood educators, informs Dr. Land’s commitment toward crafting post-developmental pedagogies that answer to local, everyday ethical and political concerns affecting contemporary childhoods. She co-directs the Pedagogist Network of Ontario and the Early Childhood Pedagogies Collaboratory, is a co-editor for the Journal of Childhood Studies, and holds leadership roles in the Canadian Association for Research in Early Childhood and Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education. Her scholarship is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Spencer Foundation.

Dr. Ignagni is a professor in the School of Disability Studies (DST) and interim director of DST and the School of Social Work. Beleaguered by losses and many internal transitions, the School of Social Work needed a seasoned administrator to help us through a difficult time and listen to our hopes and aspirations. Supporting the school through many new hirings, a return to in-person gatherings and healing after the loss of colleagues, Esther gave us the space to find consensus and growth. Tenaciously, kindly, humbly, this transformative changemaker became champion, consensus builder and inspiration. Esther is that person who endears others, leads with positivity in crisis, insightfully takes administrative strides and meets spoken/unuttered needs; Esther leads with grit and grace.

Amber Rebello is the graduate program administrator for the School of Nutrition. She has been an essential collaborator since our 2007 launch with 15 students to 2024 with three unique cohorts totalling 66 students on 250 sites across the Greater Toronto Area. And she miraculously serves the same role for the School of Child and Youth Care. Our transformations have required diligence and attention to detail which Amber has supported with enthusiasm and professionalism. Her mentorship of anxious students, faculty, and staff through concerns about admissions, technological challenges, and program delivery are consistently met with a calm and soothing patience and “can do” attitude. This engenders confidence in all of us and reflects positively on our school, faculty and university. With her warmth, smile and kindness, Amber’s commitment to campus life, her ongoing support for special events, including convocation and her joyful participation in the Faculty of Community Services choir make our school a better place to work.

Sharon McLeod has been a lecturer in the School of Social Work for 18 years. She has spent 25 years as a professional in the addiction and mental health sector while simultaneously using that clinical gaze to inform her approach to teaching undergraduate and graduate classes at TMU. She stands out in stimulating students to think creatively and critically. Her unique approach goes beyond traditional teaching, challenging students to actively participate in critical reflection and assume responsibility for their learning journey. Furthermore, she consistently integrates real-world events and experiences into the course material, providing students with a current and relevant educational experience. Her mentorship goes beyond theoretical understanding, urging students to transcend self-limiting perspectives and actively understand the power structure in the workplace setting.

Professor McLeod’s encouragement fosters a profound understanding of the significance of dignity in social work practice, equipping us to approach these interactions with sensitivity. She urges them to serve as catalysts for initiating change and striving for equity, emphasizing the importance of proactive engagement rather than being compelled into competency-based social work. Her teaching methods and her commitment to holding us to high standards are truly exceptional.

Dr. Van Wagner is a professor in the Midwifery Education Program. Her methods of teaching allow for rich in-depth appreciation of the topic … such that one feels confident not only in the theoretical knowledge but truly understands the concept and application of the technique. She prompts her students to consider care through different lenses. She shares insights based on her years of active involvement working in a large tertiary care centre, attending home and birth centre births and working alongside Inuit midwives in remote communities. Through her unwavering encouragement and mantra of, “you are the change that needs to come," she empowers students to recognize their potential as catalysts for transformation. She leads students in a compassionate, motivating, personal style which represents the kind of care midwives strive to provide.