Student Award in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

About the Award


An award, in the amount of $4,000, will be given annually to a woman university or college student * who advances equity, diversity and inclusion within and/or outside their institution through outstanding dedication and excellence or community outreach and activism. 
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Eligibility

Students should demonstrate an exceptional commitment to and engagement with a particular issue of social justice, community, and/or community organization.  Such community activism can take place on or off campus. Regions are defined as follows, and eligibility shall rotate among them:  
  • Ontario (2023)  
  • Western Provinces (2024)
  • Quebec (2025) 
  • Atlantic Provinces (2026)

Criteria

1. Strong academic performance.

2. Evidence of leadership with respect to equity, diversity and inclusion, through such activities as:

  • involvement in student organizations
  • participation on committees (student committees and university committees)
  • organization of special events, conferences, etc.
  • involvement in advocacy groups
  • involvement in volunteer organizations, within the campus setting and/or in the general community.

Procedures

Each institution in the designated region may nominate one person for the award. The institution shall also be responsible for the appointment of a nominating committee for the award and for providing the Selection Committee with all necessary documentation in support of the nomination, including:
  • biographical data**
  • curriculum vitae
  • academic records
  • three letters of reference or endorsement of the candidate   

    The deadline for submission of nominations:  January 20, 2023.

    The Selection Committee shall be the elected members of the Executive Committee (or its delegates), excluding those from the region from which the award recipients will be selected.

    Nominations for the 2023 competition (Ontario) must be sent via electronic mail to:  

    SWAAC President
    Dr. Donna Kotsopoulos      
    Western University
    swaacadmin@utoronto.ca
*Diversity Statement

​SWAAC is committed to prioritizing equity in this application process. We especially encourage applications/nominations from students who identify as LGBTQ+, racialized, Indigenous and/or students with disabilities to apply for this award.
 
If you have any questions about the award or require further information please contact Rosalyn Figov, SWAAC Registrar and Treasurer at swaacadmin@utoronto.ca
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**biographical information usually includes information about former and current studies,  areas of interest, research, publications, other awards, interests outside the university, and community or volunteer work.  It's usually in a narrative form, about 1-2 pages in length, and is an opportunity for the nominee to tell the adjudication committee some things about herself, and to explain at greater length her background/interests/passions/ambitions/volunteer work.



 

This page was last updated on July 6, 2021