Two staff and a faculty member were recognized for their contributions to the student experience.

Jill Matus Excellence in Student Services Awards

The Jill Matus Award recognizes individuals whose contributions to students and to student services are clearly demonstrated as going beyond the parameters of their job, resulting in a broad and long-term positive impact on the quality of student services at the University.

The following two staff members received the 2026 Jill Matus Excellence in Student Services Awards:

• Jade Hazell, academic advisor, academic progress & support at Victoria College was recognized for her “intelligence, creativity, and unwavering commitment to equity and student success” in her work with students, helping them navigate academic and personal challenges, and identifying successful paths forward. Read more about Jade’s excellent work on the Victoria College website.  
• Tai Yip, administrative assistant – exams, accessibility services at U of T Mississauga, was recognized for his “outstanding leadership and transformative innovations in accommodated testing services at UTM” where he created solutions that helped streamline process and elevated the student experience. Read more about Tai’s contributions on UTM’s website.  

Congratulations, Jade and Tai!

Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award

Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award is presented annually by the University of Toronto Alumni Association to a student, faculty, or administrative staff member who has made a distinctive and lasting contribution to enhancing the quality of the undergraduate or graduate student experience at the University of Toronto.     

In March, Steve Engels was awarded the 2026 Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award for his dedication as a professor in the Department of Computer Science. Engels was honoured for his “work building video game design education and experiential learning opportunities that have shaped the academic paths of hundreds of students.” He developed courses that enabled collaboration that expand beyond U of T and connect students to innovative applications in game design. Read more about Steve and his exceptional contributions on the Computer Science website.        

Congratulations, Steve!

The recipients of these awards are invited to the annual Pinnacle Awards Luncheon in the spring, along with the 2026 recipients of the Chancellor’s Leadership Awards, the President’s Excellence Awards, and the Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize. Sandy Welsh, vice-provost, students and Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice-president, people strategy, equity & culture, will present the recipients with their award certificates.

Learn more about the history and the criteria for both the Jill Matus Award for Excellence in Student Services and the Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award, and consider nominating a colleague in the future.