Fourteen U of T Engineering faculty members and staff, including ChemE’s very own Jennifer Hsu (Jen) and Professor Grant Allen, have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to the Faculty with teaching, research and administrative staff awards. These awards recognize exceptional faculty and staff members for their leadership, citizenship, innovation and contributions to the Faculty’s teaching, service and research missions.
Jen has been awarded The Barbara McCann Quality of Student Experience Award for Frontline Staff. This award recognizes a staff member who has made significant contributions to the quality of student experience in the Faculty through their outstanding frontline service. In her role as Manager of External Relations, Jen has played a key role in organizing outstanding student-focused events, including the annual ChemE Exhibition and Dinner and the Graduate Research Weekend, which was so successful it was subsequently expanded to the Faculty level! She is also an exceptional advisor to all the student clubs within the department, working with these organizations to develop programs and events that enhance students’ feeling of community as well as their personal and professional development.
Professor Allen has been awarded The Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching over the course of at least 15 years. Joining the faculty as an Assistant Professor in 1987, Professor Allen has served in many positions over the years: Associate Chair, Graduate Studies for ChemE (2003-2007), Vice-Dean, Undergraduate Studies for the Faculty (2007-2011) and as ChemE Chair (2011-2021). In his roles, he has led the development of the Graduate Research Weekend, collaborated with student leaders to implement town halls and has promoted a culture of teaching excellence.