Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Employee Award Recipients
The Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) provides the strategic leadership, advocacy, education and coordination needed to address equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the entire TMU community and to foster an inclusive, welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff. Alan Shepard was provost and vice-president, academic of TMU from 2007 until 2012, and a champion for equity, diversity and inclusion. OVPECI is proud to sponsor the Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Employee Award, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals or teams/committees who advance EDI through their work and/or their volunteer contributions within the TMU community.
Recipients may be awarded in any of the following categories:
- Staff member
- Faculty member
- Senior leader
- Lifetime achievement
- Team/Committee
Individual recipients receive a certificate and a one-time monetary award of $3,000 (subject to applicable deductions).
Team recipients (a group of two to ten individuals) receive individual certificates and a total one-time monetary award of $4,000 (subject to applicable deductions) to be shared equally among members.
Although this award recognizes staff and faculty, students or student groups who demonstrate excellence in the area of EDI are also eligible to receive an award. Student or student groups, please visit the AwardSpring page on the Office of the Registrar awards website and log in to find the Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Student Award.
Key criteria: Equity, diversity and inclusion
2024 recipients
Art Blake
Faculty of Arts
In the past year Dr. Art Blake has been a tireless mentor to many, has engaged in successful academic program development and led innovative research initiatives at TMU all of which champion equity, diversity, and inclusion: as TMU Director of the federal Dimensions Pilot Program; as proponent and champion of the new Minor in 2SLGBTQ+ Studies; through his work with the Positive Space Faculty and Staff Network; in leading formation of a 2SLGBTQ+ SRC Network at TMU; and as an advocate of the VPFA's Advisory Group to develop and present new training workshops for Equity Advocates role on institutional committees.
Grace-Camille Munroe
Faculty of Community Services
Dr. Grace-Camille 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.
Positive Space Faculty and Staff Community Network
Positive Space is the most partnered-with network at TMU. This extraordinary achievement is generated by four volunteers committed to genuine, energetic relationship-building to facilitate an environment where 2SLGBTQ+ people can thrive. They are the only network that provides programming for their own people and, with no additional resources, provides events and training for the majority. In the past year they have delivered over 24 events, partnering with at least as many departments. This is a massive undertaking of practical and emotional labour--the labour on which TMU's reputation for EDI depends. The Positive Space team exemplifies the "above and beyond'' commitment.
- Dan-Arwin Cantiller, Ted Rogers School of Management
- Ryan Kerr, Office of the President
- Andrea Ridgley, Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
- Michael Turco, The Creative School
Past recipients
- Susan Silver
Faculty of Community Services - Yu-Ching (Jean) Tsai
Student Wellbeing - Anti-Asian Racism Awareness Team
- Gabriel Ciufo, Office of the President
- Josel Angelica Gerardo, Faculty of Arts
- Josie Lee, Office of the General Counsel and Board Secretariat
- Wincy Li, Student Affairs
- Janet Lum, Faculty of Arts
- Yumi Numata, Faculty of Arts
- Melissa Yu Vanti, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion
- The Tri-Mentoring Program Team
- Rena Jennifer Barcelona, Student Affairs
- Shailee Koranne, Student Affairs
- Tashana Mcdonald, Student Affairs
- Eboni Morgan, Student Affairs
- Rudhra Persad, Student Affairs
- Samantha Tome, Student Affairs
- Julian Hasford
Faculty of Community Services - Krishan Mehta
University Advancement - Michael Mihalicz
Ted Rogers School of Management
- Riley Kucheran
Faculty of Communication and Design - Antoinette Mercurio
Office of the President, Central Communications - Inclusive Media and Design Centre
- Deborah Fels, Ted Rogers School of Management
- Margot Whitfiel, Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management
- Kimberlee Collins
Faculty of Community Services - Laurel Walzak
RTA School of Media, Faculty of Communication and Design - FCAD School Fashion Main Office
- Ben Barry, School of Fashion, Faculty of Communication and Design
- Audrey Colphon-Reynolds, School of Fashion, Faculty of Communication and Design
- Sadia Kamran, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Design
- Grahame Lynch, School of Fashion, Faculty of Communication and Design
- Cira Nickel, School of Fashion, Faculty of Communication and Design
- Jeanine Webster, School of Fashion, Faculty of Communication and Design
- Tracey King
Human Resources - Kathryn Underwood
Faculty of Community Services - Housing and Residence Life - All-Gender Housing Development Team
- Imogen Coe
Faculty of Science - Sricamalan Pathmanathan
Human Resources - Anver Saloojee
Ryerson International - Career Centre Team
- Positive Space Co-Chair Team
- Kerri Bailey
Facilities Management and Development - O'neil Edwards
Spanning the Gaps, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education - Myer Siemiatycki
Department of Politics and Public Administration, Faculty of Arts