Meet the long-time TMU legends being honoured this spring

Each year, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) honours employees who have reached major career milestones with the Long Service Milestone awards.

The 120 staff and faculty who have reached 25, 30, 35, 40 or 45+ years of service will be celebrated at the Toronto Met Awards Gala on May 8, 2025. Each individual has shown dedication to their students, colleagues and the university throughout their careers.

These valued TMU community members teach students and lifelong learners and help them find opportunities outside of the classroom through co-op jobs and alumni connections. From maintaining campus facilities to dishing up tasty meals at our dining halls to ensuring university departments run smoothly, TMU would not be the same without them.

Ahead of this year’s gala, four long-serving employees reflect on their time at TMU.

Anver Saloojee

Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration
Celebrating 47 years at TMU

Professor Anver Saloojee has helped shape the university we know today.

During his 47 years at TMU, he founded the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, helped establish the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation in the Faculty of Arts along with Professor Emerita Kenise Kilbride and Professor Emeritus Myer Siemiatycki and helped create Canada’s first graduate program in Immigration and Settlement Studies, which is celebrating 20 years.

Early in his career at TMU, Saloojee faced racial discrimination, however, he was welcomed by the Department of Politics and Public Administration and its chair at the time, Professor Emeritus Wayne Petrozzi.

“My career and its longevity at the university is a tribute to all the colleagues I came into contact with who were generous with their time and their advice. Without them I would not have survived,” said Professor Saloojee. 

“In some instances it was very challenging to work at the university but there was a core of phenomenally dedicated colleagues who worked tirelessly to create a better, more inclusive university, with policies and procedures to protect the vulnerable and the marginalized. The university we see and appreciate today is a testament to all these wonderful colleagues.”

Professor Saloojee helped make TMU more inclusive as president of the Canadian Union of Education Workers (CUEW), which represented contingent and vulnerable academic staff. He also served as grievance officer, vice-president and then president of what is now the Toronto Metropolitan Faculty Association.

As for the students he’s taught for nearly five decades, Professor Saloojee says they continue to be curious, socially committed and to know their rights.

“A mentor of mine in the Department of Politics, Professor Solly Patel, once told me never to forget that teaching is a privilege. I have held that close to my heart and it continues to inspire me,” he said. Saloojee believes that under the leadership of President Mohamed Lachemi and Provost Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, the university has achieved great things and is now poised to enter the top tier of universities in Canada.

Angela Glover

News Media Production Specialist, School of Journalism
Celebrating 30 years at TMU

TMU is one of Angela Glover’s favourite places to be. She first came to TMU as a RTA student, graduating in 1994, then became a media production specialist. She’s now celebrating 30 years of helping journalism students learn technical storytelling skills.

“When I first started, I was editing with reel-to-reel tape, grease pencils and razor blades. Fast-forward to now—everything’s digital and many of the programs I use come with built-in AI features. But the heart of what we do is still the same. We’re here to help students learn, spark their curiosity and encourage them to push past what they thought was possible. It's incredible to see what they're capable of,” said Glover.

She teaches students to use radio and podcast equipment, edit audio and video and provides voice training.

“One of my favourite things about this job is working with students. There's nothing like seeing someone's eyes light up when they accomplish something they didn't think they could do or push themselves to try something new.”

Glover has many great memories from her three decades at TMU. They include a student’s story about her wedding dress, students interviewing Canadian icon Mr. Dressup and the radio and documentary classes’ listening parties.

“We listened to great stories told by graduating students just before they ventured out into the industry. It's wonderful to see how they're all doing now. They've headed off into so many different fields: journalism, communications, finance, law, politics, content creation, medicine, teaching, and so many more.”

Glover has passed on her TMU connection to her family. 

“My oldest daughter graduated from TMU in 2022 and my youngest is set to graduate this year. I guess you could say this place is really part of the family.”

Daniela Ibarra

Co-op Program Specialist, Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre
Celebrating 35 years at TMU

What started as a gap-year job for Daniela Ibarra turned into a lifelong career. 

In January 1989, after immigrating from Mexico, she joined TMU as a receptionist in the Film and Photography Department. She returned to the role each summer while in university.

After graduating, she joined the Department of Applied Chemical and Biological Sciences and the School of Chemical Engineering, working as a co-operative education program assistant. This role would kick-start her career in co-operative education and led to her current position at the Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre.

“I've had the privilege of witnessing the remarkable growth of the co-operative education programs at TMU firsthand. The vision of John W. Easton and Bill Cott, who secured funding in 1990, paved the way for the Applied Chemistry and Biology and Chemical Engineering co-op programs, with the first co-op positions in 1991. Consequently, the majority of academic programs at TMU now incorporate co-operative education or other forms of experiential learning.”

Ibarra enriched the experience for students in TMU’s co-op programs with an innovative idea to help boost student engagement in the job search process.

“One of my most significant accomplishments, and something I'm incredibly proud of, is the establishment of the Co-op Peer Advisor Program. I proposed this initiative to my manager, Stefan Kerry, who was fully supportive of the idea. Launched in Fall 2016, the program has since exceeded expectations in engaging new co-op students and enhancing their preparedness.”

The co-op peer advisor program continues today, with students helping students navigate the job market. Ibarra cites the ongoing support of Thoywell Hemmings, associate director of Career Integrated Learning and Emily Jones, director of Student Success and Career Navigation for the program’s continued success.

Greg Turko

Contract Lecturer, The Chang School of Continuing Education
Celebrating 45 years at TMU

After completing his PhD at the London School of Economics, Greg Turko began teaching part-time at TMU around 1978, where he’s been ever since. 

Turko’s long career teaching Professional Communications at TMU has been paired with a rewarding career in government, international development and retail. His love for teaching and his own experiences at university keeps him coming back each semester.

“When I went to university, there was a history professor who took an interest in my academic work and did a lot to help me realize whatever potential I had. It’s because of him that I did my master’s degree and then my PhD. I made a promise to myself that if I were ever in a position where I could help students, I would make every effort to help them as I had been helped.”

Turko recalls helping a student who was struggling with her assignments develop ways to achieve her goals. She went on to complete her master’s degree and found a career she enjoys. Many other students have stayed in contact with Turko, including one who invited Turko to her wedding.

“I find teaching an extremely rewarding and enjoyable activity. I have a particular sense of accomplishment when I can help students realize their potential and excel in their studies.”

Over the years, Turko has seen many changes–from smoking in classrooms to more women taking his courses. His students’ creativity remains constant, including one who brought a ferret to class for a presentation and another who adopted a sloth in Turko’s name after submitting assignments late. He also keeps a list of “truly remarkable excuses” for late assignments. 

“These have ranged from surprise that there was no Wi-Fi on a famous mountain the student was climbing to a picture of a fresh surgical scar to document an extension request.”

Related:

• Toronto Met Awards celebrates exceptional faculty and staff