SGPS Awards

The SGPS gives awards annually in order to recognize the exceptional work of its membership and the Queen’s University community. Check out the tabs below for all the information you need.

Past Winners

SGPS International Student Leader Award

2022 – 2023
Ramtin Mojtahedi, 
School of Computing

2021 – 2022
Harshavardhan Thyagarajan, Department of Biology

2020 – 2021
Maram Assi, School of Computing

SGPS International Student Scholarship Award

2022 – 2023
David Baidoo-Anu, Faculty of Education

2021 – 2022
Ramtin Mojtahedi, School of Computing

2020 – 2021
Amir Rasooli, Faculty of Education

2019 – 2020
El Zahraa Majed, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies

SGPS John G. Freeman Faculty Excellence Award

2022 – 2023
Thashika Pillay, Faculty of Education

2021 – 2022
Jennifer Kennedy, Department of Art History and Art Conservation

2020 – 2021
Yolande Bouka, Department of Political Studies

2019 – 2020
Dr. Shobhana Xavier, School of Religion

2018 – 2019 (tie)
Debra Haak, Faculty of Law
Ian Janssen, School of Kinesiology & Health Studies and the Department of Public Health Sciences

2017 – 2018
Kyra Pyke, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies

SGPS Staff Excellence Award

2022 – 2023
Lindsay Lee, Department of Chemistry

2021 – 2022
No nominations received

2020 – 2021
Christopher Bergen, Program Manager, Faculty of Arts and Science
Miguel Hahn – Head Career Counsellor, Career Services
Lindsay Heggie, Academic Skills Specialist, Student Academic Success Services
Colette Steer, Recruitment Activities Coordinator, School of Graduate Studies

2019 – 2020
No nominations received

2018 – 2019
No nominations received

2017 – 2018
Cheryl Wright, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

SGPS Student Contribution Award

2022 – 2023
Benjamin Tam, Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy

2021 – 2022
Kiera Liblik, School of Medicine

2020 – 2021
Vincent So, School of Medicine

2019 – 2020
Claudia Hirtenfelder, Department of Geography and Planning

2018 – 2019
Courtney Bannerman, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

2017 – 2018
Emma Esselink, School of Policy Studies

2016 – 2017
Piriya Yoganathan, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine

2015 – 2016
Raynold Wonder-Alorse, Department of Political Studies

2014 – 2015 (three way tie)
Rebecca Pero, Department of Geography and Planning
Erica Baker, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies
Tabitha Renaud, Department of History

2013 – 2014 (tie)
Sharday Mosurinjohn, Cultural Studies Program
Alison Fraser, School of Policy Studies

2012 – 2013 (tie)
Terry Bridges, Faculty of Education
Max Ma, Faculty of Law

SGPS Teaching Assistant/Teaching Fellow Excellence Award

2022 – 2023 (tie)
Gagan Minhas, School of Kinesiology & Health Studies
Mohamed Yusuf, Faculty of Education

2021 – 2022
Stephanie Woolridge, Department of Psychology

2020 – 2021
Katrina Marie Carbone, Faculty of Education

2019 – 2020
Taylor J Smith, School of Computing

2018 – 2019
Pelin Tan, Department of Psychology

2017 – 2018
Breah Talan, Department of Geography and Planning

2016 – 2017
Jeffrey Rice, Department of Political Studies

2015 – 2016
Maseeh Haseeb, Faculty of Law

2014 – 2015
Amirreza Rouhi, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

2013 – 2014
Jeremy Durelle, Department of Chemistry

2012 – 2013
Gwendolyn Eadie, Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy

SGPS Staff/Faculty Excellence Award (pre-2018)

2016 – 2017 (tie)
Dr. John Smol, Department of Biology
Wendy Cumpson, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

2015 – 2016
Dr. Sarita Srivastava, Department of Sociology / Department of Gender Studies

2014 – 2015 (tie)
Dr. Laura Cameron, Department of Geography and Planning
Michelle Ellis, Department of Sociology

2013 – 2014 (tie)
Dr. Allison Sherman, Department of Art History
Yvonne Place, Department of History

2012 – 2013 (tie)
Dr. Lucie Levesque, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies
Danielle Gugler, Cultural Studies Program

SGPS International Scholarship Award (pre 2021)

2019 – 2020
Jennifer Ritonja, Department of Public Health Sciences

The SGPS has opened a call for nominations to recognize the exceptional work of its membership and the Queen’s University community.

This year the SGPS will be giving out six awards: the SGPS Student Contribution Award; the SGPS Staff Excellence Award; the SGPS John G. Freeman Faculty Excellence Award; the SGPS Teaching Assistant/Teaching Fellow Excellence Award; the SGPS International Graduate Student Scholarship Award; and the SGPS International Student Leader Award.

Students, faculty, and staff are able to nominate themselves or others they think are deserving of awards. We recommend letting anyone that you are planning to nominate know so they can provide you with tailored documents including resumes.

The nomination period closed Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 11:59 pm.

Below are the eligibility criteria and nomination requirements for each award.

SGPS International Student Leader Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize an international graduate or professional student at Queen’s who has made a significant contribution to the SGPS membership, the Queen’s community, and/or their local region.

The nominee’s contribution may include actions they have undertaken while holding formal job titles but can also include or even focus on informal actions that the nominee has taken individually or as part of collective efforts.

Further, we recognize that graduate and professional students do not have much time for activities outside their scholastic obligations, and that they have different amounts of time to contribute based on their individual circumstances. As such, we will take these circumstances into consideration when making our decision.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of example actions that nominees may have undertaken to advance the work of the organizations, movements, governing bodies, etc. that they are involved in:

  • Taking part in mobilization efforts to help “get the word out” (contributions could include producing artwork, developing mobilization strategies, knocking on doors, recruiting new members, writing op-eds, etc.)
  • Administrative work that may include recording important discussions, organizing meetings, or facilitating workshops, town halls, or conferences
  • Advocating for the needs of fellow students or those who live in the nominee’s local area (contributions could include committee involvement, protests, etc.)
  • Mentoring, offering personal assistance, or doing emotional labour for those who study or work at Queen’s, or those who live in the nominee’s local area

Value of the award: $250 CAD
Number of awards available: 1
Eligibility: International graduate or professional students who are current SGPS members.

To nominate an eligible person for this award, please submit:

  1. A statement (250-500 words) outlining examples of how the nominee has contributed to the SGPS membership, Queen’s, or their local area. Beyond documenting their contributions, this statement should also outline how their work positively impacts the goals, aims, or processes of the projects, movements, or organizations they are involved in. You may also choose to discuss any responsibilities outside the nominee’s academic work that limit the amount of time they are able to spend on such projects.
  2. A resume (three pages or less) focused on the nominee’s contributions to the SGPS membership, Queen’s, or their local region. The resume need not be limited to roles where the nominee held a formal job title, and the resume format can be modified in whatever way highlights their contributions best. As much as possible, please remove any reference to the nominee’s name in the resume to ensure that it is anonymous for our adjudication process (applications will be reviewed and anonymized prior to submission to the committee, but this is a time-consuming process and, as such, your help is appreciated).
  3. Two reference letters (250-500 words) from people who can report on the nominee’s formal or informal contributions to movements, governance bodies, or organizations. No preference will be shown for reference letters from those who are “above” the nominee in any sort of hierarchical organizational structure. However, when choosing referees, be sure to select people who will focus on the nominee’s contributions and character outside their private life. Further, two referees who can attest to the nominee’s contributions and character from different perspectives will help the adjudication committee make a more informed decision. Referees should briefly describe their relationship to the nominee as well as the length of that relationship. Only two reference letters will be reviewed for each application.
SGPS International Student Scholarship Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize an international graduate or professional student who demonstrates academic excellence. Academic excellence includes achievement in courses and research contributions, as well as instances in which the nominee has, in ethically responsible ways, applied what they have learned through their studies or research to initiatives that have a positive impact within or external to Queen’s.

The nominee’s level of study will be taken into consideration when adjudicating this award. For example, MA/MSc students who just presented at their first conference or fourth year PhD candidates who have published multiple papers and held multiple Research Assistantships will not be expected to have similar levels of experience or accomplishment by the adjudication committee.

Examples of academic excellence include, but are not limited to:

  • Research Assistantships
  • Presenting research at conferences through posters or papers
  • Publications
  • Artistic practice or community-based initiatives that have had a positive impact and have been directly informed by the nominee’s course of study or area(s) of research

Value of the award: $250 CAD
Number of awards available: 1
Eligibility: International graduate or professional students who are currently SGPS Members.

To nominate an eligible person for this award, please submit:

  1. A statement (250-500 words) outlining how the nominee has achieved academic excellence. Beyond the nominee’s achievements in their course of study, their research contributions, or research positions they have held, you may also choose to highlight how their achievements in these areas have had a positive impact at Queen’s or outside the academic sphere as discussed above. You may also choose to discuss any responsibilities outside of their teaching and academic work that limit the amount of time they are able to spend on such projects.
  2. A resume (three pages or less) that focuses on the nominee’s academic achievements as defined broadly above. The resume format can be modified in whatever way highlights their contributions best. As much as possible, please remove any reference to the nominee’s name in the resume to ensure that it is anonymous for our adjudication process (applications will be reviewed and anonymized prior to submission to the committee, but this is a time-consuming process and, as such, your help is appreciated).
  3. Two reference letters (250-500 words) from people who are qualified to attest to the nominee’s academic achievements as defined above. No preference will be shown for reference letters from those who are “above” the nominee in any sort of hierarchical organizational structure, though two referees who can attest to the nominee’s achievements from different perspectives (for example, as a course instructor, a community member, a gallery owner, or a supervisor for a Research Assistantship) will help the adjudication committee make a more informed decision. Referees should briefly describe their relationship to the nominee as well as the length of that relationship. Only two reference letters will be reviewed for each application.
SGPS John G. Freeman Faculty Excellence Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize a faculty member (including but not limited to professors and adjuncts) at Queen’s University who have made a significant contribution to the SGPS membership in the realm of teaching, supervision, and/or mentorship.

The nominee’s level of experience will be taken into consideration to fairly adjudicate this award. For example, a first-year adjunct faculty and a tenured professor will not be expected to have similar levels of accomplishment by the adjudication committee.

Further, while contributions will likely include work that is valued within the nominee’s employment contract, we also seek to recognize other types of work, including but not limited to:

  • Providing emotional labour to students or other members of teaching teams
  • Using innovative teaching methods that strive to improve the course for those who might experience marginalization based on race, class, gender, orientation, or ability
  • Creating or facilitating groups, workshops, or initiatives to better address the needs of students or the Queen’s community

Number of awards available: 1
Eligibility: Faculty members at Queen’s University including but not limited to professors or adjuncts.

 

To nominate an eligible person for this award, please submit:

  1. A statement (250-500 words) outlining examples of the nominee’s contributions as a teacher, supervisor, or mentor. Beyond the types of work that are listed in the nominee’s employment contract, you may also choose to discuss other types of labour that they do for students or members of teaching team(s), including but not limited to those listed above.
  2. Two letters of support (250-500 words) from people who can attest to the nominee’s contributions, including but not limited to faculty members, department heads, or students. No preference will be shown for letters from those who are “above” the nominee in any sort of hierarchical organizational structure, but letters from people who can attest to the nominee’s contributions and character from different perspectives will help the adjudication committee make a more informed decision. Referees should briefly describe their relationship to the nominee as well as the length of that relationship. Only two reference letters will be reviewed for each application.
SGPS Staff Excellence Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize a staff member at Queen’s University who has made a significant contribution to the SGPS membership outside the classroom.

Number of awards available: 1
Eligibility: Staff members at Queen’s University including but not limited to program administrators or assistants.

 

To nominate an eligible person for this award, please submit:

  1. A statement (250-500 words) that outlines the contributions that the nominee has made to the SGPS membership and/or the Queen’s community.
  2. Two letters of support (250-500 words) from people who can attest to the nominee’s work, including but not limited to faculty members, department heads, or students. No preference will be shown for letters from those who are “above” the nominee in any sort of hierarchical organizational structure, but letters from people who can attest to the nominee’s contributions and character from different perspectives will help the adjudication committee make a more informed decision. Referees should briefly describe their relationship to the nominee as well as the length of that relationship. Only two reference letters will be reviewed for each application.
SGPS Student Contribution Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize a graduate or professional student at Queen’s who has made a significant contribution to the SGPS membership, the Queen’s community, and/or their local region.

The nominee’s contribution may include actions they have undertaken while holding formal job titles but can also include or even focus on informal actions that the nominee has taken individually or as part of collective efforts.

Further, we recognize that graduate and professional students do not have much time for activities outside their scholastic obligations, and that they have different amounts of time to contribute based on their individual circumstances. As such, we will take these circumstances into consideration when making our decision.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of example actions that nominees may have undertaken to advance the work of the organizations, movements, governing bodies, etc. that they are involved in:

  • Taking part in mobilization efforts to help “get the word out” (contributions could include producing artwork, developing mobilization strategies, knocking on doors, recruiting new members, writing op-eds, etc.)
  • Administrative work that may include recording important discussions, organizing meetings, or facilitating workshops, town halls, or conferences
  • Advocating for the needs of fellow students or those who live in the nominee’s local area (contributions could include committee involvement, protests, etc.)
  • Mentoring, offering personal assistance, or doing emotional labour for those who study or work at Queen’s, or those who live in the nominee’s local area

Value of the award: $250 CAD
Number of awards available: 1
Eligibility: Graduate or professional students who are currently SGPS Members and who have made a significant contribution to the SGPS membership, the Queen’s community, or their local region.

To nominate an eligible person for this award, please submit:

  1. A statement (250-500 words) outlining examples of how the nominee has contributed to the SGPS membership, Queen’s, or their local area. Beyond documenting their contributions, this statement should also outline how their work positively impacts the goals, aims, or processes of the projects, movements, or organizations they are involved in. You may also choose to discuss any responsibilities outside the nominee’s academic work that limit the amount of time they are able to spend on such projects.
  2. A resume (three pages or less) focused on the nominee’s contributions to the SGPS membership, Queen’s, or their local region. The resume need not be limited to roles where the nominee held a formal job title, and the resume format can be modified in whatever way highlights their contributions best. As much as possible, please remove any reference to the nominee’s name in the resume to ensure that it is anonymous for our adjudication process (applications will be reviewed and anonymized prior to submission to the committee, but this is a time-consuming process and, as such, your help is appreciated).
  3. Two reference letters (250-500 words) from people who can report on the nominee’s formal or informal contributions to movements, governance bodies, or organizations. No preference will be shown for reference letters from those who are “above” the nominee in any sort of hierarchical organizational structure. However, when choosing referees, be sure to select people who will focus on the nominee’s contributions and character outside their private life. Further, two referees who can attest to the nominee’s contributions and character from different perspectives will help the adjudication committee make a more informed decision. Referees should briefly describe their relationship to the nominee as well as the length of that relationship. Only two reference letters will be reviewed for each application.
SGPS Teaching Assistant/Teaching Fellow Excellence Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize an SGPS member who has served as a Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow and has made a significant contribution to the classes in which they work.

The nominee’s level of study will be taken into consideration when adjudicating this award. For example, first year MA/MSc students who just finished their first Teaching Assistantship or fourth year PhD candidates who are more seasoned teaching employees will not be expected to have similar levels of experience or accomplishment by the adjudication committee.

Further, while contributions will likely include work that is valued within the nominee’s employment contract, we also seek to recognize other types of work, including but not limited to:

  • Providing emotional labour to students or other members of teaching teams
  • Offering creative or helpful suggestions on how to improve a course to your supervisor
  • Using innovative teaching methods that strive to improve the course for those who might experience marginalization based on race, class, gender, orientation, or ability

Value of the award: $250 CAD
Number of awards available: 1
Eligibility: Teaching Assistants or Teaching Fellows who are currently SGPS Members and who have made a significant contribution to the classes in which they work

To nominate an eligible person for this award, please submit:

  1. A statement (250-500 words) outlining examples of the nominee’s contributions as a Teaching Assistant/Teaching Fellow at Queen’s. Beyond the types of work that are listed in the nominee’s employment contract, you may also choose to discuss other types of labour that they do for students or members of teaching team(s), including but not limited to those listed above. You may also choose to discuss any responsibilities outside of their teaching and academic work that limit the amount of time they are able to spend on such projects.
  2. A resume (three pages or less) that focuses on the nominee’s contributions as a TA/TF. The resume format can be modified in whatever way highlights their contributions best. As much as possible, please remove any reference to the nominee’s name in the resume to ensure that it is anonymous for our adjudication process (applications will be reviewed and anonymized prior to submission to the committee, but this is a time-consuming process and, as such, your help is appreciated).
  3. Two reference letters (250-500 words) from people who are qualified to attest to the nominee’s contributions as a TA/TF. Referees who can attest to the nominee’s contributions and character from different perspectives (for example, a course instructor, a student, a staff member, or a teaching assistant) will help the adjudication committee make a more informed decision. Referees should briefly describe their relationship to the nominee as well as the length of that relationship. Only two reference letters will be reviewed for each application.