From left to right: Coordinator of the Learning Zone Heather Evelyn and Collection Development and E-services Librarian Lindsay Gibb were the recipients of the 2021 Employee Equity Award while Alea Drain, Project Lead for the Customer Service Project Prism, was the recipient of the 2021 Christine Crosbie Heart of Gold Award.
Celebrating excellence among OCAD U employees
Guests attending this year’s Annual Employee Appreciation event, held in August, gathered together on the unique ohyay platform to celebrate the outstanding contributions of several employees.
Among those honoured for their long service were David Richardson, AV Specialist, IT Services, with 40 years of service and Nicky Davis, HR Director, with 30 years of service.
The University also acknowledged the long service, commitment, and contributions of three employees who retired in June:
- George Docherty, Permanent Technician in Studio Services, who started at the University in 1981,
- George Farmer, Permanent Technician in Studio Services, who joined the University in 1990, and
- Julie Staffieri, Admissions Coordinator, who was with the institution since 1987 when we were known as the Ontario College of Arts.
2021 AWARD FOR EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE
This year’s recipient Christine Crisol was recognized for her outstanding contributions to fostering the University’s research culture. Through her professionalism, deep knowledge of research ethics, and commitment to continuous professional development, she has contributed to the quality of research undertaken at OCAD U.
Crisol joined the University in February of 2007 as a member of the Research team and is now Manager, Research Policy. She has worked in collaboration with Research Office staff to develop and implement appropriate research ethics policies and with faculty and students to successfully shepherd them through the Research Ethics Board (REB) application, revision, and approval processes.
She continues to champion opportunities to support students through their research plans for their applications, and her insights and guidance help to support students in submitting their applications. Those who received REB approval emphasized that Crisol's informed assistance was instrumental to their successful submissions.
2021 EMPLOYEE EQUITY AWARD
This year, the award was presented to two staff members from the Dorothy H. Hoover Library for their significant contributions in fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse learning and work environment within our community: Lindsay Gibb, Collection Development and E-services Librarian, and Heather Evelyn, Coordinator of the Learning Zone.
Together, they drafted and created the Library’s Statement on Anti-Racism, which led to greater conversations among Library staff about equity and the importance of diversity and Indigenous knowledge, and the creation of an all-Library staff Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Advisory Committee.
They also worked in collaboration with Library staff to organize a program with Dr. Camille Isaacs as part of a broader program using the concept of a book club discussion group to elevate topics of anti-racism, Indigenous knowledge-ways, and LGBTQIA2S+ topics.
Additionally, they created a Subject Guide, as an open platform, which serves as both a resource for the OCAD U campus and larger community and focuses on timely topics and important issues that we all engage with in one form or another.
2021 ADVANCING EXCELLENCE TEAM AWARD
This year’s recipient was the Gradual Opening Implementation Team whose members were recognized for their dedicated and collaborative work in managing all of the activities related to supporting students and staff in working from home and transitioning to online learning.
At the time, with so many unknowns, this team absorbed the impact of the pandemic on the University from March 2020 to April 2021. The team met daily during this period to develop, review, and address the University’s strategy and response, and developed a Gradual Opening Strategy for Campus Facilities, which has served as a guide for University operations during the pandemic. The team also managed the implementation of key services for students and staff such as the Service Depot and Library Curbside services.
Additionally, the team created guidance and protocols for safe reopening measures and strategies, such as masking, signage, physical distancing, contact tracing, cleaning, etc. Their goal was to ensure the health and safety of all the members of the OCAD U community.
Congratulations to the following team members:
- Connie Arezes-Reis, Assistant Director, Human Resources,
- Leslie Aston Hurst, Executive Assistant, Office of Vice-President, Finance & Administration and the Vice-Provost, Students & International,
- Nick Hooper, Director, Facilities & Studio Services,
- Omita Mansur, Manager, Budget Planning, Institutional Analysis,
- Karen McCarthy, Senior Manager, Communications & Media, Marketing & Communications, and
- Louis Toromoreno, Director, Safety, Security & Campus Operations
2021 CHRISTINE CROSBIE HEART OF GOLD AWARD
This award was presented last year for the first time in honour of the memory of Christine Crosbie who was a valued colleague and member of the Marketing & Communications team and well-known for her generous and collaborative spirit, professionalism, and passion for excellence as Manager of Communications and Media at OCAD U.
This year’s recipient was Alea Drain, Project Lead for the Customer Service Project Prism, whose commitment to the OCAD U community represents the empathy, dedication, and fun-loving approach to teamwork that is represented by the Christine Crosbie Heart of Gold Award.
Drain was at the forefront of preparing and providing support, information sessions, and resources that were essential for faculty and students and their transition to online/remote curriculum delivery. She continues to be especially helpful with IT training and troubleshooting issues. Drain is extremely collaborative and creates IT updates and communications that are clear and easy to grasp.
She is a warm and patient problem-solver who will run, walk, and jump the last mile to offer support, dig deep into a technical and human problem and emerge with a flexible solution. Most recently, she has helped to build an inclusive research environment that incorporates OCAD U faculty, students, and external partners in Teams.
With a positive spirit, Drain always responds with grace and kindness and her larger-than-life smile. Her energy, quick wit, and talent have lifted the unease and work stress of many of us during this past year.