Celebrating employee excellence and long service

On Oct. 21, OCAD University employees gathered at Onsite Gallery to celebrate the recipients of the Employee Excellence Awards and recognize several employees for major service milestones.

In her opening remarks at the employee appreciation event, OCAD U President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano congratulated everyone who was being recognized, both the award recipients and those celebrating years of service milestones. She also recognized everyone who was nominated for an award this year, saying that as a member of the selection committee, she was impressed by the thoughtfulness of the submissions and incredible contributions of those being nominated.

LONG SERVICE

15 years:

• Liam Crockard, AV systems lead
• Christopher Darby, maintenance coordinator
• Michelle D'Souza, senior inclusive developer
• Susan Ferguson, director, Teaching and Learning
• Deanne Fisher, vice-provost, Students and International
• Cindy Li, senior inclusive developer
• Iris Neher, manager, Inclusive Design Research Centre
• Justin Obara, senior inclusive developer
• Vera Roberts, senior manager, Research, Consulting and Projects
• Dean of Students Jennifer Robinson
• Bert Shire, assistive technologist and technical specialist
• Julie Thompson, stewardship officer
• Chris Thompson, manager, Enterprise Applications, Architecture and Security
• Laura Wood, executive director, Institutional Analysis and Budget Planning.

20 years

• Weifang Huang, coordinator, E-reserves and E- resources
• Sarah Mulholland, director, Office of Student Affairs
• Lisa Deanne Smith, senior curator, Onsite Galleries.

25 years

• Lance Straun, manager, Campus Operations.

EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Employee Excellence Award recognizes a non-teaching employee whose outstanding contributions have significantly enhanced OCAD U through exceptional service, leadership, innovation, dedication, and commitment to the University's mission and values.

This year’s recipient is Quality Assurance Officer and Associate Senate Secretary David Wagschal in the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost. Wagschal is widely recognized as a trusted advisor, collaborator, mentor, and source of expertise across the University.

He received many nominations that highlighted his patience, generosity, willingness to help others navigate complex institutional processes, and genuine commitment to helping others succeed. Colleagues consistently praised his professionalism, exceptional attention to detail, and deep knowledge of academic governance, quality assurance processes, Senate operations, and University policies and procedures.

Through his work, OCAD U has strengthened its quality assurance practices, governance processes, and institutional effectiveness while maintaining a collaborative and inclusive approach.

EMPLOYEE EQUITY AWARD

Advancing equity takes ongoing effort, and often it's the actions of individuals that make the greatest difference. Through leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and everyday interactions, these individuals help remove barriers, create opportunities, and foster a community where everyone feels respected, supported, and valued. The Employee Equity Award recognizes an employee who demonstrates this commitment through their work and contributions to the University.

This year’s recipient is Graduate Writing and Language Specialist, Inder Sidhu in the School of Graduate Studies. Inder has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to equity through his work supporting graduate students from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Through individual consultations, workshops, seminars and writing support initiatives, he has supported students in navigating academic expectations while ensuring that their unique perspectives, experiences and voices remain at the centre of their work. Colleagues consistently highlighted Sidhu’s ability to create supportive and accessible learning environments where students feel welcomed, empowered and capable of achieving success.

His work actively removes barriers that can limit participation and achievement, particularly for multilingual students, first-generation students, practice-based learners, and others who may face challenges navigating traditional academic expectations. What has made Sidhu’s work particularly impactful is the way he approaches equity not as an additional responsibility, but as a core principle that informs everything he does.

CHRISTINE CROSBIE HEART OF GOLD AWARD

The Christine Crosbie Heart of Gold Award honours the memory of Christine Crosbie, a valued colleague and member of the University's Marketing & Communications team. Christine was widely known for her generosity, collaborative spirit, professionalism and passion for excellence.

In honour of Christine's legacy, this award recognizes an employee who embodies those same qualities: someone who is caring, collaborative, resilient, supportive of others, and committed to making OCAD University a stronger community.

This year's recipient, Coordinator, Special Projects, Madge Yao in the Faculty of Art, is being recognized for her outstanding commitment to collaboration, community-building, student success, and for bringing heart, generosity, and positivity to her role and the workplace. Through her work supporting student projects, exhibitions, community partnerships, special events, and GradEx, Yao has played a vital role in creating meaningful opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and community partners to connect, learn and succeed.

Her colleagues repeatedly highlighted her collaborative spirit, professionalism and remarkable ability to navigate complex projects with creativity, care and calmness. Whether behind the scenes or at the centre of a major initiative, she is known for making everyone around her feel supported and valued.

Yao’s impact extends beyond her role through her curatorial and community-building work. Through exhibitions, public programming, and partnerships, she creates opportunities for emerging artists and strengthens connections between OCAD U and the broader creative community.

Above all, Yao is admired for the warmth, empathy, kindness, and genuine care she brings to every interaction. Her dedication to students, her commitment to community, and her ability to inspire collaboration truly reflect the spirit of Christine Crosbie and the values this award was created to celebrate.

ADVANCING EXCELLENCE TEAM AWARD

The Advancing Excellence Team Award recognizes a team whose collaboration, innovation, and dedication have made a significant contribution to the University and helped advance our mission and strategic priorities.

This year's recipient, the Government Relations and Public Policy Team, has demonstrated what can be accomplished through strong teamwork, shared purpose, and a commitment to making a difference. The team has made extraordinary contributions to OCAD U through strategic advocacy, policy development, research leadership, funding initiatives, and relationship-building at the municipal, provincial, and national levels.

Through years of dedicated advocacy, the team successfully helped secure a revised Weighted Grant Unit within Ontario’s post-secondary funding framework, strengthening the University’s long-term financial sustainability. 

The team also expanded OCAD U’s national leadership through coordinated advocacy efforts, helping Canada’s art and design universities build a stronger collective voice with government decision-makers. Through the Cultural Policy Hub, the team has established OCAD U as a trusted national voice in cultural policy research and public engagement, generating important conversations and knowledge that extend far beyond our campus.

The team’s success in securing significant external funding and building strategic partnerships has supported initiatives across the University while advancing research, accessibility, innovation, student success, and public engagement. What distinguishes this team is its ability to transform long-term strategy into meaningful results. Through collaboration, expertise, persistence, and innovation, they have strengthened OCAD U’s profile, partnerships, influence, and future.

Members of the team include:

• Graduate Research Assistant Safea Altef, Cultural Policy Hub
• Policy Advisor Clara Godbillon-Vasseur, Cultural Policy Hub
• Executive Director, Government and Community Relations and Public Policy Miriam Kramer
• Managing Director Samuel La France, Cultural Policy Hub
• Public Funding Specialist Crystal Melville
• Manager Julia Pereira
• Graduate Research Assistant Danielle Pierre, Cultural Policy Hub
• Policy Advisor Hamidreza Sheshjavani, Cultural Policy Hub.