Congratulations, 2025 TMU and FCS award recipients!

Professor in the School of Early Childhood Studies, Dr. Janelle Brady’s activism for social justice and care for students’ experiential learning highlights her appreciation for the diverse ways of knowing and being that students bring to class through their intersecting identities, social locations/positionalities and lived experiences. She has demonstrated excellence in experiential teaching by co-creating a new undergraduate course, redesigning a graduate course, and adding creative materials to two undergraduate courses between 2021 and 2023. Dr. Brady has received many awards, including the TMU Viola Desmond Faculty Award in 2022 and an Insight Development Grant Award from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada in 2023.

Professor in the School of Social Work, Dr. Jennifer (Jen) Poole, has delivered excellence in impactful learning and teaching at TMU for over twenty years. Her award-winning teaching practice and scholarship has focused on critical grief, decolonial and critical mental health pedagogies, and has upheld student voice, truth and access. Contributing to and innovating within the evolution of social work education, she is committed to collaborative and creative approaches in the classroom, supporting students to embrace transformative practice and intellectual growth through graduate supervision, research team membership, co-creation of curriculum and co-authorship.

Professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Dr. Josephine Pui-Hing Wong exemplifies the values embedded in the YSGPS Outstanding Contribution to Graduate Education Award. She has demonstrated joyful enthusiasm, strong commitment and creative strategies in: mentoring graduate students and postdocs in rigorous collaborative community-centred research practices; integrating principles of social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion; cultivating mutually supportive consensus-based teams whose members partake equally at every stage of the research process; encouraging the development of soft and technical skills towards gainful employment; ensuring that graduate students and postdocs have the requisite financial and supervisory support; and guiding all mentees in relevant literatures, theories, methodologies and community engagement.

Professor in the School of Disability Studies, cross appointed to the School of Social Work, Dr. Idil Abdillahi is a particularly deserving candidate for this year's teaching award. 2024/2025 has not been an ordinary year with students and faculty facing challenges related to the conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere, a severe housing crisis impacting students, and chaos and disruption experienced by international students. Dr. Abdillahi, known for her unapologetic activism and her profound and deeply critical pedagogical approach, stepped into this web of inadequacies with a level of commitment to all students that must be recognized for its depth and excellence

Professor in the School of Urban and Regional Planning, Victor Perez-Amado is specializing in aging-in-place studies, multigenerational housing-including 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and the equitable activation of public spaces. His commitment to teaching is recognized by 2SLGBTQI+ community partners, as well as by students and colleagues. As a leader in the Anti-Systemic Racism Working Group, he drives meaningful change within the school. His mentorship has led to students winning prestigious international and national urban planning competitions. Dedicated to education, he strives to train future urban planners to develop equitable, multigenerational spaces for underserved communities, including 2SLGBTQI+ older adults.

Professor in the School of Occupational and Public Health, Dr. Melissa Moos is an enthusiastic, patient and student-oriented educator, whose use of multimedia and current events promotes student engagement and interest. She has over 15 years of teaching experience in a variety of settings, and is highly regarded for her ease of communication and teaching methods. Melissa strives to learn new and innovative methods of teaching practices through professional development, and continues to grow as an educator.

Lecturer in the School of Child and Youth Care, Nerissa Innis-Boston demonstrates unwavering dedication and excellence in teaching, making a truly positive impact on her students. She is an inspiring leader, particularly for young Black women, and a role model for all those around her. She recently completed her master's degree at TMU, where she was honoured with the prestigious TMU Gold Medal for her outstanding academic achievements and significant contributions to the community. In addition to her academic success, she currently works as a child and youth care practitioner, supporting youth and families. Her accomplishments and commitment to youth make her a deserving candidate for this award.

Professor in the School of Occupational and Public Health, Dr. Aida Haghighi focuses on industrial safety, safety management and safety and digitalization. As an early career researcher, she has made notable contributions to research and collaborations, working with national and international institutions like IRSST and INSA. She supervises one PhD, five MSc, four BSc students and five RAs, resulting in four journal articles, one book, one book chapter and five conference presentations. She secured over $261,000 in funding and serves as a Review Editor for Frontiers in Public Health Journal, also evaluating grant applications and jurying graduate theses.

Professor in the School of Child and Youth Care, Dr. Tara Collins has demonstrated exceptional scholarly research and creative (SRC) achievements over the past academic year. She secured a significant Ontario Research Funds grant, expanded the International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership (ICCRP), and hosted a major intergenerational event with participants from around the world. She was also prolific in her publications, including a new book on children's rights and professional practices and a notable chapter in the Handbook of Public Participation in Impact Assessment. The ICCRP she leads, involving over 200 children and young people globally, and her publications have significantly advanced the field of children's rights, fostering innovation and global knowledge exchange.

Professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, and Associate Director of the Collaborative Nursing Program, Dr. Daria Romaniuk showed up every single day and for every single situation to lead this very challenging and complex program with unmatched commitment, dedication, vision and grace. Her positive attitude and patience enabled her to position the program for success through major milestones such as approval and accreditation processes, curriculum redevelopment and enrollment expansion.

Professor in the School of Nutrition, Dr. Nick Bellissimo is dedicated to exceptional service within TMU and the nutritional sciences community. His contributions have been multifaceted, spanning various committees and leadership roles. He founded the Nutrition Discovery Labs dedicated to experiential learning opportunities for TMU students and outreach activities within the community. He has actively contributed to the School of Nutrition Department Hiring Committee and TMU's 2025-2030 strategic research plan. Beyond TMU, he chairs the Canadian Nutrition Society's awards committee, provides expert guidance to the Washington D.C. Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutritional Sciences, and serves on the editorial board of several high-impact nutrition journals.

Academic Success and Promotions Coordinator for the School of Nutrition, Zena Alrawdah has been a deeply committed advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion at TMU for over two decades. She has contributed extensively to numerous, wide-ranging committees and advisories all across the university, bringing positive impacts to students, employees and the wider community.

Some of her contributions include work on initiatives and programming, such as TMU’s Advising Community of Practice, OPSEU Learning, Tri-Mentoring, Career Centre, training programs, professional development, and health and wellness programs. Her reliability, dedication, leadership, reliability, courage in speaking up, and advocacy for those who feel unheard have won her the admiration of colleagues, students, and many others touched by her influence and example.

Beyond policy, Zena’s impact is deeply personal. Drawing from her own journey as a racialized single parent, Zena has a talent for mentoring and creating spaces where students — particularly those from marginalized backgrounds — feel truly seen and supported by someone who understands their experiences. Beyond direct student interactions, she amplifies underrepresented voices and advocates for sustainable solutions to make TMU a more inclusive institution for all.

As a proud TMU alumna, she’s also a lifelong learner, now in her last year at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, practising as Student Gestalt Psychotherapy Therapist to support her ongoing capacity to stand for and with students and colleagues.

Graduate Practicum Coordinator for the School of Nutrition, Megan Omstead demonstrates outstanding leadership, innovation and dedication to student success. She has pioneered advancements in dietetic practical training, fostered key community partnerships, enhanced student-preceptor experiences, and developed sustainable scholarly initiatives. Her expertise in diverse dietetic practice environments and her exceptional relationship-building skills with students and external preceptors ensure our program remains at the forefront of practical training. Her efforts elevate dietetic practice in Ontario and position our graduates as leaders in the profession.

Manager of Operations and Administration at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Gerry Warner is a dedicated leader whose passion, mentorship and commitment to collaboration makes him a deserving recipient of the Janice Waddell Staff Collegiality Award. He has been instrumental in strengthening DCSN through operational excellence and relationship-building. His leadership fosters teamwork and adaptability, ensuring staff navigate change while maintaining high standards. His ability to address challenges with empathy makes colleagues feel heard and valued, creating a supportive and cohesive workplace. Beyond operations, he is a trusted mentor and problem-solver, enhancing workplace morale, streamlining processes, and strengthening institutional connections. He consistently goes above and beyond — troubleshooting challenges, supporting high-pressure projects, and championing the school’s values. His professionalism and dedication make him an invaluable member of the School, fully deserving of this recognition.

Research Accounts Support Officer at the Faculty of Community Services (FCS), Natalia Kovaleva’s contributions to FCS and TMU have been exceptional. She exemplifies excellence in collaboration, mentorship and support. Her contributions to FCS’s workplace culture are invaluable. The Janice Waddell Staff and Faculty Collegiality Award would be a well-deserved acknowledgment of her efforts. Her dedication to empowering faculty members — especially those new to the institution — demonstrates her profound impact on our academic community. Her commitment and generosity in building relationships and creating a sense of belonging are some of her most admirable qualities. Her unwavering support, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional collegiality have made a profound difference in the success of the FCS faculty. Without question, her dedication to fostering excellence in collaboration, mentorship and support makes her an exemplary candidate for this award.

Professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Dr. Areej Al-Hamad’s teachings were defining experiences in my nursing journey. She fostered a welcoming and engaging learning environment. Her lectures seamlessly integrated theory with real-world applications, and her personal anecdotes provided invaluable insights that extended beyond textbooks, bringing the realities of healthcare into focus. What set Dr. Al-Hamad apart was her ability to challenge us to think critically. She encouraged open discussions, pushed us to question assumptions, and empowered us to become advocates for our patients. Her lessons continue to shape my approach to nursing, reinforcing my passion for maternal and child health. The skills and values she instilled in me continue to guide my clinical practice and patient care, reminding me every day of the importance of compassionate, evidence-based nursing. As I pursue a career in this specialty, her teaching remains a guiding force in my journey, inspiring me to make a meaningful impact in nursing.

Lecturer in the School of Social Work, Karen Arthurton has impacted my learning in more ways than I can express. She strives to ensure an equitable environment in all class settings, and stresses the importance of a safe space for all students. I have never felt more welcomed in a space than in her class. As an educator, she is always going above and beyond to advocate for students’ rights and welcomes all critical conversations and reflections in the classroom. Thanks to her, I have learned the true values that make an inspiring Social Worker. I can confidently say that without her,  I would not be the person I am today, and I wish for nothing but the best for her.

Dr. May Friedman is a professor in the School of Social Work. We nominate her for her service and administration in not one, but five schools at TMU. She exemplifies relational and supportive leadership, transparent and transformative administration, a deep commitment to student, staff, faculty and community care, and a willingness to serve this university over and over again. She is humble, she is brilliant, and she makes all those around her better. We believe our Schools and our students are braver places because of her contributions and capacity to collaborate, advocate and co-create, and we believe that this award will go some of the way to recognizing her immense labour and love for this work.