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Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Employee Award

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

Nomination guidelines

Who can be nominated?

  • TMU faculty and staff (i.e. Senior Administrator or Director, MAC, CUPE 233, CUPE 3904, or OPSEU), with at least two years of service, employed on a career or term basis.
    • Note: Individuals who have EDI-related responsibilities are included for consideration; however, it is understood that nominees’ contributions that go above and beyond their work responsibilities will be considered.
    • Individuals can only be nominated for one award per year.
  • Nominations are only valid for the year in which they are submitted and must be based on achievements within the past year.
  • Recipients of this award may not receive the same award for the following two academic years.

Faculty and staff can submit nominations. Students can also submit a nomination, however they should contact the Dean or Senior Director’s Office for assistance in doing so.

The award will celebrate employees who advanced equity, diversity and inclusion at TMU in one or more of the following areas:

Category

Examples

Champions and demonstrates behaviours reflecting TMU values of EDI
  • Serves on departmental, faculty, and/or university committees that champion EDI.
  • Demonstrates inclusive leadership.
  • Promotes the importance of EDI.

Identifies and addresses systemic barriers to full participation in university life
  • Develops, supports and/or implements administrative and organizational structures to coordinate and monitor EDI progress.
  • Institutionalizes systemic processes that minimize and/or eliminate barriers to EDI.
  • Champions policies and/or practices to make the learning environment more inclusive, equitable and accessible.

Develops innovative programs that enhance TMU’s ability to support the full participation of its members
  • Infuses EDI into curriculum and promotes pedagogical strategies that encourage student involvement and respect for diverse perspectives.
  • Recruits, hires, retains, and promotes employees who will enhance EDI across the university.
  • Provides professional development activities that assist employees in the understanding of their own and other cultures.

Serves and provides access and opportunities to students, faculty and staff from equity-deserving groups
  • Serves diverse demographic populations to increase access and participation in related programs.
  • Recruits and retains students from diverse backgrounds.
  • Creates and/or implements programs and activities to foster an inclusive campus environment.

  1. Obtain the nominee’s permission.
  2. Complete the nomination package as described below.
  3. Submit the nomination package via the Online Nomination Portal on the Recognition website.
  4. Nominee will receive a confirmation email with a link to provide online consent before the deadline. This step must be completed before the deadline.

The nomination package includes:

  • Citation (100 word maximum) – Highlight why the nominee deserves this award and any notable achievements. This citation will be included in related university communication if the nominee or team is selected.
  • Supporting Statement (two page maximum) – Describe the nominee’s achievements and impact by putting forward a persuasive argument that speaks directly to each of the criteria. For team nominations, briefly describe each team member’s specific contribution.
  • Minimum of two and no more than five Letters of Support (one page maximum each). Letters should include examples and reflect the broadness of the nominee’s contributions. Note: support letters cannot be written by the nominator or members of the Executive or Selection Committee.

Visit Tips for Preparing a Strong Nomination Package for more assistance.

Team nomination instructions:

  • Teams must have between two and ten individuals. Please contact the award administrator if your team has more than ten individuals.
  • Submit the nomination under the team lead's name. If there is no team lead, select one team member's name.

The selection committee’s mandate is to select high-quality candidates, whose achievements meet or exceed the award criteria and help advance TMU’s values. The selection committee will be broadly representative of the TMU community, including faculty, staff and students. The Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion will serve as chair and identity members to serve on the committee.

All nominations are reviewed, with priority consideration given to nominees who have not received a TMU award in the past. An award will not be given if the committee determines there is no suitable candidate.

Nomination deadline: November 5 at noon
Recipient notified by: December 18, 2024
Award presentations: The Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Awards Celebration; Toronto Met Awards Gala

Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion
ecieducation@torontomu.ca

Celebration details

This award is celebrated at The Alan Shepard Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Awards Celebration and the Toronto Met Awards Gala.