2025 Faculty of Arts Awards: A springtime celebration of excellence
On May 13, 2025, members from across the Faculty of Arts gathered to celebrate the academic year's end and commend their colleague’s commitment to teaching and service excellence. The annual Faculty of Arts Awards celebration honours members of the Arts community who have made exceptional contributions through their teaching, innovation, meaningful collaboration, and dedicated service.
Interim Dean of Arts, Amy Peng; Department of Psychology Chair, Martin Antony; Psychology professor Kevin Leung; Interim Associate Dean of Innovation in Teaching and Learning, Kathleen Kellett-Betsos.
Photo by Arianna Guaragna.
During her remarks, Interim Dean of Arts, Amy Peng, expressed her gratitude and reflected on how the genuine support and collective efforts from faculty and staff have continued to positively impact Arts in curriculum development, research, student enhancement and community engagement.
Jazel Alejado (middle) with Dean Peng and Greg Fiorido, Director, Strategic Planning, Finance & Administration.
Photo by Arianna Guaragna.
The 2025 Staff Service Recognition Award recipients are Nadia Aboul-Hosn, Department Administrator in Criminology; Jazel Alejado, Front Desk Administrator in the Dean's Office; and Francesca Grillo, Department Administrator in Psychology.
Professor John Barnes (Languages, Literatures and Cultures) received the Slobodan Drakulic Cross-Disciplinary Teaching Award in recognition of teaching innovation and excellence. Professors Julián Zapata (Languages, Literatures and Cultures) and Fiona Thomas (Psychology) received the New Faculty Teaching Award for their contributions and impact.
Professors Becky Choma (Psychology) and Lahoma Thomas (Criminology) received the Faculty of Arts Award in Teaching Innovation and Inclusion for their dedication to excellence and commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression and decolonization. Professors Kevin Leung (Psychology) and Guytano Virdo (Politics and Public Administration) received the Faculty of Arts Contract Lecturer Teaching Award. Professor Kym MacLaren (Philosophy) received the Faculty of Arts Students’ Choice Award.
Faculty and staff from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures with Provost Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano (floral dress), award winners professor Julián Zapata (certificate), professor John Barnes (flowers) and Department Chair Enriqueta Zafra (right of Barnes).
Photo by Arianna Guaragna.
Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano shared warm wishes for the award recipients and reflected on the tenacious, vibrant and multidisciplinary community in the Arts. The event marked the end of the academic year and celebrated the meaningful contributions of staff and faculty.
The teaching awards are made possible by a dedicated adjudication committee, which includes Valerie Deacon, Manager of Academic Support and Curriculum Innovation; Kathleen Kellett-Betsos, Interim Associate Dean of Innovation in Teaching and Learning; and professors Lauren Kirshner (English), Nicholas Li (Economics), and Kristin Vickers (Psychology).
Congratulations to our 2025 award winners!