Faculty of Social Work Awards
Celebrating the achievements of our faculty
Recognition of Excellence Student Awards
Recognition of current and graduating students who excelled during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Congratulations to all of this year's recipients!
The gold medal is awarded annually to a graduating BSW student in the Faculty of Social Work with a highest distinction in scholarship as well as professional indicators such as practicum evaluation, overall impression of the student as a future social worker, contributions to the Faculty of Social Work, involvement in student government, and other factors.
This year’s winner is BSW student Zanne Cunningham
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Past winner
2022-2023 Fawzia Feroze (BSW)
2021-2022 Sonya June Salamon (BSW)
2020-2021 Ashley Teresa Labossiere (BSW)
The Dr. Gayla Rogers Legacy Medal in Social Work was created by her family, friends and colleagues to honor her contributions as dean of the Faculty of Social Work from 1998-2010. Her visionary leadership transformed the faculty into a strong and healthy organization that excels in teaching, research, scholarship and service; and raised the profile of the faculty, the University of Calgary, and the profession of social work.
The award is given annually to a Master of Social Work (MSW) student with the highest cumulative GPA and who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and in their field placement.
This year, the medal goes to MSW student Rita Motta
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Past winner
2022-2023 Erin Nicole Leech (MSW)
2021-2022 Maimuna Khan (MSW)
2020-2021 Christie Mellan (MSW)
The Recognition of Excellence in Student Leadership Award recognizes up to five students whose activities have significantly enhanced the educational experience of students in the Faculty of Social Work. Recipients’ leadership may be formal – for example, through involvement with student governance – or informal, which could be organizing social action or educational activities. This year we are very proud to recognize:
2023-2024
- Qadra Abukar (BSW)
- Nijila Rakesh (BSW)
- Marin McCue (MSW)
- Aubrey Watson, maskwa ka wî tah pî tak askiy (MSW)
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Past winners
2022-2023
- Stephanie Feldman (MSW)
- Meera Kassam (BSW)
- Christie McCaw (MSW)
- Hilary Nelson (MSW)
- Selena Sliger (MSW)
2021-2022
- Jade Asangbe-Atawah (MSW)
- Meera Kassam (BSW)
- Maimuna Khan (MSW)
- Brenda McClelland (BSW)
Group award: Brooke Gonzalez Woods, Julia Kavanagh, Madhu Pandey, Jillian Walsh (BSW)
2020-2021 - Ali De Souza (MSW)
- Tiffany Gloeckler (MSW)
- Janae Nahirney (BSW)
- Jovanna Rodney (BSW)
Group Award: Shona Hickmore, John MacPhee, Brenda McClelland, Nabeel Premji (BSW)
Clarice Chodak was a community activist who dedicated her life to civic engagement, volunteerism and social action. She was devoted to her family, community and to the principles of social justice. Her legacy of making a difference lives on through her children, Gayla Rogers, Fran Chodak and the late Eric Chodak.
The Clarice Chodak Recognition of Excellence in Social Action Award is annually presented to a maximum of five social work students, who demonstrate a commitment to social justice, civic engagement and volunteerism through actions against racism, anti-Semitism or other forms of injustice.
This award is available to all University of Calgary social work students, regardless of year or status. Students may receive the award more than once.
2023-2024
- Vanessa Berza (MSW)
- Susannah Forsyth (MSW)
- Jill Hunter Hoselton (PhD)
- Sarah Kimber (MSW)
- Brittany Faye Whitford (BSW)
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Past winners
2022-2023
- Victoria Ige (MSW)
2021-2022
- Aida Veronica Chirino Baker (MSW)
- Katie DeLucia-Burk (BSW)
- Janelle Amanda Leepong (MSW)
- Erin Leveque (MSW)
Group award: Tammy Firth, Kristin Foley, Robyn Healy, Dana Selk, Rachel Van Ee (BSW)
2020-2021
- Amy Cook (BSW)
- Monica Franco Baquero (MSW)
- Zipporah Greenslade (MSW)
- Tasnim Hasan (MSW)
- Nurudeen Musah (PhD)
Bruce Ramsay and Deborah Cullen endowed the Cullen Ramsay Recognition of Excellent Award for Personal Achievement to honor excellence that may not be reflected by traditional markers like grade point average or participation in formal student governance activities.
The award is given annually to a maximum of five students who have shown their commitment to social work education through their inspirational attitudes and behaviours in class, during their practicum or through their relationships with other students.
2023-2024
- Sarah Kimber (MSW)
- Michelle McCoy (BSW)
- Faith Muzongwe (BSW)
- Ingrid Sinclair (MSW)
- Nora Duska (MSW)
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Past winners
2022-2023
- Hibaq Abdi (MSW)
- Sydney Cherniawsky (MSW)
- Chinenye Juliet Ehirim (BSW)
- Amanda Lapotac (BSW)
- Clare Mbong (BSW)
2021-2022
- Jake Davies (BSW)
- Monica Franco (MSW)
- Camillia Sokwaypnace (BSW)
- Kayla Veillette (BSW)
- Breanna Webster (MSW)
2020-2021
- Willow Ayres (BSW)
- Zipporah Greenslade (MSW)
- Kamal Khatiwada (MSW)
Group Award: Veronica Nanooch, Viola Pleasant (MSW) Alyssa Scammell (BSW)
The Excellence Awards in Field Practicum are awarded to students whose activities and achievements in a field placement were outstanding during the academic year. This award acknowledges that, even though students are intended to be learners in their practica, they may also contribute meaningfully to their clients’ lives.
2023-2024
- Christine Chateau (MSW)
- Stefanie Desrochers (MSW)
- Karlee Durfey (BSW)
- Candace MacFarlane (MSW)
- Julia Sitter (MSW)
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Past winners
2022-2023
- Twyla Dean (BSW)
- Christie Anne Horak (BSW)
- Brooke Lightning-Montour (MSW)
- Shamsa Mistry (MSW)
- Kansas Provost (BSW)
2021-2022
- Stefanie Desrochers (MSW)
- Emma Megan Meulenkamp (BSW)
- Alexandria Millar (BSW)
- Val Titov (BSW)
- Connie Wong (MSW)
2020-2021
- Christina Blake (BSW)
- Tammy Blyan (MSW)
- Allison Iriye (MSW)
- Elizabeth Onofrychuk (BSW)
- Brittiany Sunshine (MSW)
Faculty of Social Work Teaching Awards
These awards are the most prominent form of recognition dedicated to teaching in our faculty and the recipients share an exceptional commitment to enriching the quality and breadth of learning for our students.
Congratulations to all of 2023-2024 recipients!
The Non-Academic Staff Award, recognizes those who have demonstrated excellence in the faculty’s work and supported the engagement of social work students during the previous academic year.
This year’s recipient is: Angela Judge-Stasiak
Past winner
2022-2023 Ann Chen & Stephanie Grant
2021-2022 Amy Fulton and Angela Judge-Stasiak
2020-2021 Maria Fernandez
The Award for Undergraduate Teaching recognizes the teaching excellence of colleagues who contribute particularly at the undergraduate level in their teaching.
This year's recipient is: Lola Emiko
Past winner
2022-2023 Chantel Large & Jason Stein
2021-2022 Alison Grittner
2020-2021 Jane Slessor
The Award for Sessional Instructor Teaching recognizes the teaching excellence of colleagues who contribute so much richness and depth to our faculty as sessional instructors.
This year's recipient is: Lana Bentley
Past winner
2022-2023 Dr. Kaltrina Kusari
2021-2022 Alysia Wright
2020-2021 Erin McFarlane
The Award for Graduate Teaching recognizes the teaching excellence of colleagues who contribute particularly at the graduate level in their teaching.
This year's recipient is: Carly-Ann Haney
Past winner
2022-2023 Patricia Smith
2021-2022 Monica Sesma-Vazquez
2020-2021 Charlene Richard
The Award for Student Supervision, Mentorship, and Supporting Teaching
This year's recipient is: N/A
Past winner
2022-2023 Dr. Monica Sesma-Vazquez
2021-2022 Lateef Habib
2020-2021 Liza Lorenzetti
The Educational Leadership Teaching Award
This year's recipient is: N/A
Past winner
2022-2023 Julie Mann-Johnson
2020-2021 Lorraine Letkemann
Faculty of Social Work Research Awards
Research excellence is an essential aspect of our Faculty of Social Work’s Strategic Plan. The University’s Eyes High Vision and Growth Framework also inspire us to enrich the impacts of our research. The Faculty of Social Work values your contributions and is proud to celebrate your outstanding achievement.
Congratulations to all of 2023-2024 recipients!
The Early Career Research Award is presented to a researcher who has undertaken research and scholarship for ten or fewer years as an academic staff member at the post-secondary level.
This year's recipient is: Dr. Patricia (Patti) Johnston
Past winner
2022-2023 Dr. Heather Boynton
2021-2022 Dr. Patrina Duhaney
2020-2021 Dr. Angelique Jenney
The Research Innovation Award is presented to a researcher whose work clearly demonstrates innovation as part of their scholarly activities. This award entails novel and substantial advancement that has emerged due to the Researchers’ work.
This year's recipient is: Dr. Marlyn Bennett
Past winner
2022-2023 Dr. Liza Lorenzetti
2021-2022 Dr. Yeonjung Lee
2020-2021 Dr. Kathleen Sitter
The Research Impact Award is presented to a researcher whose research has led to demonstrable impact within their field of research, and that impact clearly goes beyond academia. This entails important outcomes that have advanced (or are advancing) the Researcher’s field of inquiry.
This year's recipient is: Dr. Dora Tam
Past winner
2022-2023 Dr. Victoria Burns
2021-2022 Dr. Christine Walsh
2020-2021 Dr. Julie Drolet