2023-24 VPSEM Staff Awards: Recognizing Excellence & Uniqueness
2023-24 VPSEM Staff Awards
Recognizing Excellence & Uniqueness
The Service Excellence Award recognizes outstanding service of staff within the Office of the Vice-Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management. This year’s recipients exemplify excellence as colleagues who consistently go above and beyond to support their teams with their creative problem-solving, leadership, and dedication. This year’s recipients were Michael Kwan, Senior Programmer Analyst, Anna Menezes, Tech2U Student Experience Coordinator, and Ning Yin, Financial Aid Counsellor.
Michael was nominated for the key role he played in implementing the Need Navigator App, a new tool launched in August 2023, used to assess students for financial need for UTAPS eligibility and divisional grants. Michael’s innovative solutions and expertise assisted in the Need Navigator’s seamless launch, resulting in automated processes and systems that have streamlined various operations.
Anna was nominated to acknowledge her invaluable leadership and how she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that the Tech2U team is well supported and positioned for success. Anna coaches and trains a team of 80 student Classroom Ambassadors (CAs), who provide hands-on technical support to instructors through the Tech2U program. Generous with her time and always willing to lend a hand and provide invaluable insights, Anna always ensures a positive work-integrated learning experience for the CA team.
Ning received her nomination for her contributions to the redesign of the UTAPS program. Her expertise and dedication have supported the success of the UTAPS implementation, in particular by operationalizing the changes made and reducing the amount of manual work required. Ning’s attention to detail, diligence, and thoughtful collaborations with other stakeholders have proven essential to devising solutions to complicated problems. Not only is Ning knowledgeable, she is also generous with her time and does not hesitate to ensure that team members have the information they need to understand this complicated project.
The Let’s Have SEM Fun Awards are lighthearted honours intended to recognize the unique talents or predispositions of VPSEM staff. This year’s recipients showcased a wide range of unique attributes.
Human ChatGPT
Beth Lebans, Assistant Director, Finance and Administration, VPSEM
Beth always has an answer when you need one, no matter what the topic, and she knows everything about everything.
Most Likely to Win the Office Bake Off
Pauline Ramirez, Admissions Counsellor, University Admissions & Outreach
Pauline’s baked goods have been declared “professional level”, and they make everyone “salivate before even taking a bite. Pauline has even travelled abroad in a quest to deepen her culinary skills.
Super Fan
Pauline Ramirez, Admissions Counsellor, University Admissions & Outreach
Pauline is a double award recipient and her “Super Fan” status is credited to her fandom of Taylor Swift, international superstar. According to Spotify, Pauline has spent 59,515 minutes listening to Taylor Swift this year!
Proudest Pet Parent
Tracy Wu, Admissions Counsellor, University Admissions & Outreach
Tracy won for her devotion to her beloved dachshund, Pickles. Her nominators fondly described how Pickles features in the majority of Tracy’s conversations, how she takes him on jaunts all over the city, and how he even has his own Instagram account.
Head Cheerleader
Leah Robertson, Recruitment Officer – Equity Outreach and Support, Office of Student Recruitment
Leah’s nominator described her as “the definition of a team player, always prepped and ready to go with a smile and energy.” She was also noted for being supportive, positive and motivating.
Fashion Icon
Lydia Gill, Assistant Director, University Student Recruitment – Equity & Outreach, Office of Student Recruitment Lydia’s nominator wrote she gives off “major Kate Middleton energy,” and that she always looks “professional and fashionable” while traipsing the globe, “making U of T look good.”
Globetrotter
Swati Naidu, Tech2U Instructional Support Coordinator, LSM
Swati’s nominator wrote that she is a “true child of the world” who loves to “deep dive into local culture and cuisine.” They also noted that she is a foodie with wonderful recommendations for where to eat in various locales.
Hidden Gem
Dennis Sung, Financial Aid Clerical Assistant, URO
This award recognizes individuals who may work behind the scenes, but shine doing so. Dennis’ nominators described how essential he is for processing the large volume of part-time OSAP and Noah Meltz applications, and for solving many issues related to part-time OSAP.
Greenest Thumb
Steven Bailey, Director, LSM
Steve’s nominator wrote that LSM is the “magical ‘Garden of Steve,’” which he has beautified with tropical flowers and plants. They also noted that he is very generous with advice for others who wish to greenify their space.
The Office Squirrel
Lynda Onorati, Manager, Admissions and Systems Support, University Admissions & Outreach
Lynda’s nominators wrote that her office is a “magical place” filled with everything a person could possibly need – band-aids, sewing kits, conference gadgets, magnets, umbrellas, old jam – and many other “odds and ends.” They noted that anyone who visits Lynda’s office will “probably leave with a snack, too!”
Mission Impossible
Mohammed Rawoof Shaik, Senior Developer & Project Supervisor, URO
Mohammed’s nominator described how he has made “several really cool systems and introduced technologies to the department,” and how, through his commitment to learning, he inspires colleagues to continue upskilling.
Mission Impossible
Luckshmi Thiagesan, Financial Aid Coordinator, URO
Luckshmi’s nominator described her as the “Jill of all trades” relating to student financial aid. They wrote, “You name it, Luckshmi is involved, and she needs to know detailed policy/procedure in all these areas – not an easy task to accomplish!”