Above and Beyond Fall 2022
November 18, 2022
I am thrilled to announce that our first Above and Beyond Award recipients include: 1 staff member, 2 faculty members, 2 graduate students, and 3 undergraduate students (1 of whom is a team recipient). Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for our inaugural award.
The Above and Beyond Awards celebrate individuals or teams of faculty, staff, and students in the Faculty of Social Sciences who have gone above and beyond their role in contributing to the campus community at the University of Victoria or the wider community.
Nominations for the Above and Beyond Awards may be submitted at any time, and recipients of the awards will be recognized twice a year – in November and April.
Dean Lois Harder
Above & Beyond Award Recipients (Fall 2022)
Cathy Rzeplinski
As Department Secretary in Anthropology, Cathy has been described by a colleague as “an absolutely central rock” of the department who assisted with managing departmental affairs over many years and has “admirably served to uphold the integrity and good nature” of the department. Cathy’s management of essential departmental tasks – often under very tight deadlines – has gone above and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy in the department.
Maria Iankilevitch
As an Assistant Teaching Professor in Psychology, Maria has gone above and beyond in developing and teaching PSYC 387 (Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination). One student observed that this course is a “perfect balance of concepts and interesting examples” and that “all of the assignments are creative and engaging.” Maria’s contributions to teaching topics such as racism, sexism, transphobia, intersectional identities, and improving intergroup relations have inspired students to “want to learn more about every topic she teaches.”
James Kwinecki
As a Sociology major with a minor in Social Justice Studies, James conducted a research project and wrote a paper on the barriers facing blind and partially sighted students at UVic, as well as offering concrete recommendations to improve accessibility at the university, for a 400-level Social Justice Studies course. James’s instructor shared this paper with UVic’s President, who then met with James and agreed to implement James’s key recommendations. As his course instructor noted, “how many undergraduate papers does a university president read and share with top-level administrators? It’s absolutely wonderful that James’s work will make UVic more accessible for blind and partially sighted students in future.”
Savannah Barratt-Line and Jade Chicorelli and the Living With Climate Change Team
Savannah (Geography), Jade (Psychology/Environmental Studies/HDCC), and the Living With Climate Change Team have gone above and beyond by developing a student-led learning series on “Living with Climate Change” to raise awareness about the climate crisis. This series includes an arts-based reflection workshop, exhibition, story-telling and community mapping activity, roundtable café, and field trip. A fellow student has commended the team’s commitment to addressing climate change through the “really extraordinary work being done outside of their studies!”
CindyAnn Rose-Redwood
As an Associate Teaching Professor, CindyAnn has made important contributions to teaching and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion at UVic. CindyAnn is the recipient of various awards in recognition of teaching excellence, and recently developed and taught a course on Anti-Racism and Geography (GEOG 491). One student described CindyAnn as “an exceptional teacher” who has “gone above and beyond in mentoring her students and advancing anti-racist pedagogies in her courses.”
Tucker Farris
As a PhD student in Sociology/CSPT and a Sessional Lecturer, Tucker has gone above and beyond in teaching and mentoring students. One of Tucker’s students observed that “Dr. Farris is an outstanding mentor who cares immensely about the wellbeing and success of his students.” Tucker’s practical guidance and advice on navigating the graduate school experience has been particularly appreciated by students.
Hannah Brown
As a PhD student in Anthropology, Hannah has made important contributions to the UVic campus community in numerous ways, including serving as a learning strategist at the Centre for Accessible Learning, treasurer for the Society for Students with a Disability, graduate representative for UVic Pride, student representative on the University Senate, blogger for the student mental health blog, and a member of the synchronised swimming team. One colleague observed that Hannah has “a lot of heart” and brings a “strong spirit of compassion and joy to their work.”