Dean's Service Award Recipients

2024 recipients

Kiana Basiri

Ted Rogers School of Management

Dr. Basiri exemplifies a profound dedication to academic excellence and community service. Her substantial contributions extend well beyond her active involvement on faculty and department committees. Her voluntary service to enhance the visibility and reputation of the department at various events demonstrates a commitment to elevate its visibility and reputation within academic and professional communities. Moreover, her instrumental role in organizing impactful research seminars has significantly bolstered the department's intellectual landscape, enhancing its scholarly standing. Her dedication and exceptional service make her an ideal recipient of this prestigious accolade.

Stephanie Cassin

Faculty of Arts

Dr. Stephanie Cassin has provided exemplary service to the Department, University, academia, profession, and community during the 2022-2023 academic year. Among her many accomplishments, in her role as Director of Clinical Training, Dr. Cassin oversaw and mentored 60 MA and PhD students as they applied for and completed competitive clinical training placements. She led the program's highly successful reaccreditation with the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). She founded the program's Internship Interview Preparation Group to support students in a competitive and highly stressful application process. She modeled leadership in the program's highly productive Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice Clinical Committee.

Evan Cleave

Faculty of Arts

Evan Cleave's dedication to service at the university and in the field of geography is extensive. Two key characteristics of Evan's service are his willingness to volunteer when there is a job to be done, and his dedication to providing the best opportunities for students. Evan is a mainstay on committees and has served as the department council chair for two terms. In the wider profession, Evan is a leader within the Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG). He has been the primary organizer for two key conferences: the 2022 CAG and the 2023 CAG Ontario Division Annual Meetings.

Eric Da Silva

Faculty of Science

Dr. Eric Da Silva merits the Dean's Service Award for his dedication to upholding academic integrity at Toronto Metropolitan University, particularly through his leadership in the Designated Decision Makers Council (DDMC). Since its inception in 2015, he has been a cornerstone of the DDMC, acting first as a member and later as Chair where he personally managed 343 misconduct concerns. Eric's contributions have been critical in preserving the value of TMU degrees amidst growing challenges to academic integrity, underscoring the profound impact of his work on the institution's reputation and the success of its students.

Tom Griffin

Ted Rogers School of Management

Dr. Tom Griffin's contribution to the university goes beyond the expectations of a faculty member since arriving. While he is an exceptional teacher and consistent research contributor, he is a selfless service champion within the School of Hospitality and Tourism. Upon hearing the school was having enrollment challenges in F22, Tom started a high school recruitment initiative that has led to 600+ students spending the day on campus and visiting the Royal York and Sheraton Centre Hotels. The visits have positively impacted enrollment and we hope for them to be a regular community outreach initiative for the school.

Lauren Kirshner

Faculty of Arts

Dr. Lauren Kirshner's service leadership has enriched TMU's reputation for both literary arts and diversity and inclusion. While maintaining impressive SRC and teaching profiles in the English Department, she has launched celebrated initiatives at TMU and in the broader community that have deeply impacted creative writing in Toronto. Most notably, Dr. Kirshner is Founding Creative Director of Sister Writes, an organization that offers free writing instruction and mentorship to women affected by poverty, houselessness, and significant life transitions. She has mounted over 300 free writing classes, partnered with dozens of community organizations, and secured substantial funding to serve marginalized women.

Mehrab Mehrvar

Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

Dr. Mehrab Mehrvar is Professor and Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, at the Department of Chemical Engineering. He is dedicated to the academic community through his invaluable contributions in various capacities such as administration, committees, editorships, and conferences. Dr. Mehrvar has exhibited remarkable dedication and service to the Chemical Engineering Graduate Programs he leads. As the chair of several conferences, he enriched scholarly dialogues and fostered interdisciplinary connections. Dr. Mehrvar epitomizes the spirit of academic service, and his visionary leadership has been instrumental in promoting our institution's mission. His tireless efforts have placed our institution in the world academic map.

Jennifer Orange

Lincoln Alexander School of Law

Prof. Orange has worked exceptionally hard to build Lincoln Alexander Law and to make studying or working here an enjoyable experience. She sits on two of the School's most demanding committees (the Admissions and Graduate Committees) and has been instrumental in founding and shaping the International Law and Global Justice research initiative. She also makes constant efforts to support the well-being of students, staff, and faculty. Through her advocacy, she has ensured that the School maintains a focus on the physical and mental health of all members of our community. At every turn, she embodies thoughtfulness, kindness, compassion, and integrity.

Fatih Sekercioglu

Faculty of Community Services

Dr. Sekercioglu provides exceptional service to the School of Occupational and Public Health, 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, 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.

Layal Shuman

The Creative School

Layal Shuman, an Associate Professor in the Graphic Communications Management Program, joined our institution in the challenging year of 2020, when the pandemic forced a shift to virtual learning. She has not only adapted but excelled in this environment. Layal is the Founder and Director of the Design & Learning Research Lab, leading in areas such as design education, creativity, feminist and anti-racist pedagogies, and social justice-driven design. She is deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, actively contributing to committees at various levels. Her leadership extends to the broader academic community, where she plays key roles and chairs conferences.

Sharareh Taghipour

Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

Dr. Taghipour provided outstanding service to the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Mechatronic Engineering, FEAS and TMU. She has been a member and the Chair of DHC and DEC for several consecutive years and served as a member of several other committees including NSERC's Research Tools and Instruments Selection Committee for Civil, Industrial and Systems Engineering. She has served as the Regional Editor of the Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, and the Associate Editor for the Reliability and Maintainability Symposium being held annually in the United States as well as the Journal of Prognostics and Health Management.

Yvonne Yuan

Faculty of Community Services

Yvonne Yuan deserves a Faculty Service Award for her exceptional service to School of Nutrition students and 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 CIFST and Conference Chair in 2022, 2023. She has enhanced student experiential learning through her mentorship during Product Development Competitions and development of Case Competitions. With the success of our students, her service has supported their professional growth, the reputation of the School and TMU.

Past recipients