Errol Aspevig Award for Outstanding Academic Leadership Recipients
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
2026 recipients
Lorena Escandón
The Creative School
Dr. Lorena Escandon, Graduate Program Director of the Master of Digital Media (MDM) program, is recognized for her transformative and empathetic leadership. She skillfully guided the program's first Periodic Program Review, using it to implement fundamental, positive changes. Dr. Escandon increased program flexibility, created new industry-relevant streams, and fostered vital experiential learning partnerships. Her leadership has led to significant enrollment growth and the launch of a third intake. A dedicated champion for student success, she successfully advocated for new support roles and empowered student voices while deeply integrating an EDI lens into all program practices.
Kathleen Kellett-Betsos
Faculty of Arts
Dr. Kathleen Kellett exemplifies the highest ideals of academic leadership. Over more than three decades of service, she has provided visionary and compassionate guidance in roles including Chair, Associate Dean, and Interim Director. Her transformative leadership in curriculum renewal has modernized and diversified TMU’s academic programming while advancing the university’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and student success. She has expanded pathways, launched double majors and co-op programs, and built bridges across disciplines and communities. A tireless advocate for women in leadership, Dr. Kellett mentors with humility and generosity. Her legacy of excellence, integrity, and care makes her profoundly deserving of this award.
Past recipients
- Frederic Dimanche
Ted Rogers School of Management - Nancy Walton
The Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
- Maher El-Masri
Faculty of Community Services - Dana Thomas
Library
- Cynthia Holmes
Ted Rogers School of Management - Khaled Sennah
Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
- Christopher Gibbs
The Creative School - Daphne Taras
Ted Rogers School of Management
- Charles Falzon
Office of the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Design - Kathleen Pirrie-Adams
RTA School of Media, Faculty of Communication and Design - Carol Shepstone
Toronto Metropolitan University Library
- Lisa Barnoff
Office of the Dean, Faculty of Community Services - Marco Fiola
Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Faculty of Arts
- Maurice Roche
Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts - Pamela Sugiman
Office of the Dean, Faculty of Arts
- Madeleine Lefebvre
Office of the Chief Librarian, Library and Archives - Catherine Schryer
School of Professional Communication, Faculty of Communication and Design