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Errol Aspevig Award for Outstanding Academic Leadership

The Errol Aspevig Award for Outstanding Academic Leadership recognizes up to two individuals who have advanced the mission of Toronto Metropolitan University through outstanding academic leadership and who have contributed significantly to the enhancement of academic life at TMU and beyond. It may be awarded for service at the Departmental, Faculty, or University level, enhanced by service to the community and profession, where appropriate.

Award recipient(s) will receive a certificate of recognition and a monetary award of $3,000 as a one-time payment (subject to applicable deductions)

Key criteria: Leadership

Nomination guidelines

There are two nomination categories:

  1. Any senior academic leader, including Vice-Provosts, Deans, Associate Deans and the Chief Librarian who has served in any one or any combination of these qualified positions , OR
  2. Any senior academic leader, including Chairs, Directors, Assistant Chairs, Assistant Directors, and Program Directors, who has served in any one or any combination of these qualified positions

Who can be nominated?

  • Nominee must hold the office at the time of nomination for at least two years or have been out of the office no more than three years.
  • Nominee may not have previously received this award.
  • MAC employees are ineligible.
  • Nominator and co-nominators must be current employees of Toronto Metropolitan University.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.

The award recognizes extraordinary contributions in one or more of the following areas:

  • Extraordinary contributions associated with the office held.
  • Innovative and productive approach contributing to achievement of the TMU academic plan.
  • A record of service demonstrating role model leadership reflecting exceptional beneficial impact on the community.
  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.

A completed nomination includes:

  • Citation (100 words maximum) – Highlight why the nominee deserves this award and any notable achievements. This citation will be included in related university communication should the nominee or team be selected.
  • Supporting Statement (five pages maximum) – Describe the nominee’s service and accomplishments as an academic administrator and how this leadership and impact contribute to the building of the unit, university and the broader community. Put forward a persuasive argument that speaks explicitly and directly to each of the criteria.
  • A co-nominator who submits their own supporting statement (two page maximum) OR who co-writes or co-signs the Nominator’s supporting statement.
  • Three to eight letters of support (one page maximum each) – Letters can come from inside or outside TMU and should reflect the broadness of the nominee’s contributions and provide examples related to the criteria of why the nominee should receive the award. Note: support letters cannot be written by the nominator, co-nominator or members of the Selection Committee.

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. Members of the Senate’s Awards and Ceremonials Committee include:

  • Provost's designate (Chair)
  • A Dean – one representative
  • A Chair/Director – one representative
  • Two faculty members

An award will not be given if there is no suitable candidate in the opinion of the committee.

Nomination deadline: November 7 at noon
Recipient notified by: December 21, 2023
Award presentation: Toronto Met Awards Gala

Kim McDonald
Manager, Ceremonials Office
kimmcdon@torontomu.ca
416-979-5000, ext. 3682

Celebration details

This award is celebrated at the Toronto Met Awards Gala.