President's Award for Service Excellence Recipients, 2023
VIU is dedicated to the recognition of its many employees and aims to recognize those who go above and beyond to ensure an exceptional learning experience for our students and a high performing workplace for our colleagues. The President’s Service Excellence awards recognize the service-related efforts of non-instructional individuals and teams to demonstrate distinction in their area of work, to pursue excellence through actions of integrity and dedication, and to demonstrate an ongoing commitment towards the success of VIU and its communities.
Congratulations the recipients of President's Award for Service Excellence for 2023!
Leadership and Innovation Award
2023 Recipient, Graham Sakaki, Manager, Mt Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve Research Institute
Graham's nominators share that, "[He] is a generator of ideas and creator of opportunities for students at VIU, and scores of students have been engaged in community based applied research due to Graham's efforts. Graham is a trouble-shooter and problem-solver: he brings a calm, focused, demeanor to any situation and approaches every crisis from a solution-finding approach. His skills in conceptualizing connections and drawing diverse parties together are amazing. Many interesting projects have been completed in the mid-Island area because Graham saw the need to address an issue, found the funding, created opportunities for students, and saw the work through to completion."
About the award: The Leadership and Innovation award recognizes the qualities involved with generating and driving new ideas, resources and processes; facilitating problem-solving; bringing forth innovative ideas and creative solutions; and fostering an environment of curiosity and creativity. Recipients of this award have developed their skills and performed beyond established expectations to benefit the University and its communities, consistently seeking opportunities for learning, professional development and growth.
Early Career Impact / Emerging Leader Award
2023 Recipient, Maddy Thomas, Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology
Maddy's nominators report that she is always thinking of newer, easier ways to do things and is the first to initiate and lead a group effort to problem-solving. Maddy gives people the space they need to troubleshoot problems but is always just a quick "hello" away if help is needed. She consistently goes above and beyond for her Faculty and often does tasks that are very important without being asked. Before allowing any issue to escalate to the Dean or Associate Deans, Maddie presents a solution and will ensure she assists until the issue is no longer a concern. This work ethic alone improves efficiency around our office and allows us to deliver the best experience to the students, whether they are coming to see us physically, or if they are calling or emailing about an issue.
About the award: The Emerging Leader award is presented to the VIU employee who is within their first five years of employment and consistently demonstrates the ability to generate and drive new ideas, to contribute to an environment with creative solutions and to consistently engage with an approach of curiosity and creativity. The individual selected as the Emerging Leader has developed skill and performed beyond expectations, demonstrated exceptional initiative, perseverance, accountability and commitment in exceeding client needs and goals.
Exemplary Team(work) Award
2023 Recipients, Faculty of Academic & Career Preparation Front Office Team: Brenda Wheatley, Office Assistant; Kim Macaulay, Administrative Assistant to the Dean; Rasmey Meas, Administrative Assistant; Brian Walker, Aboriginal Student Transition Advisor; Dylan Ewen, Student Success Advisor; Shiyu Huang, Student Success Advisor, Cowichan
The FACP nominators share, "The Faculty of Academic & Career Preparation (FACP) Front Office Team collectively offers empathetic and holistic support for not only students but for everyone within our Faculty. Their connections to each other and to the greater VIU community strengthens and uplifts us all. FACP students are among the most vulnerable at VIU, and in these extraordinarily challenging times the FACP Front Office Team is tireless in their support of and advocacy for our students. Brenda, Kim, Rasmey, Brian, Dylan, and Shiyu bring compassion to all their interactions and continue the important work of reducing the institutional barriers faced by our students. They are truly an exemplary team – both FACP and VIU are privileged to have them working with us."
About the award: The Exemplary Team(work) award is presented to groups who demonstrate a supportive and engaged collective, working cooperatively for the advancement of VIU’s mission; where their common aim takes priority over individual reward. The award-winning team will have the strength to develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships and make outstanding contributions to the entire VIU community.
Overall Service Excellence Award
2023 Co-Recipients:
Chris Buechler, Supervisor, IT Service Desk
Chris Buechler's nominators share that he demonstrates exceptional initiative and proactively addresses issues between IT teams and shows genuine concern for the well-being of team members. Chris's commitment to exceeding client needs is evident in his dedication to delivering exceptional experiences during new employee orientations. He takes the initiative to resolve ambiguity or confusion in knowledge and ensures everyone has access to accurate information. In terms of perseverance, Chris is unwavering in his commitment to customer experience and support. He embodies strong values and ethics, persistently striving for excellence. His accountability and commitment to client needs are evident as he consistently goes above and beyond to welcome new team members, provide necessary information, and bridge gaps in knowledge resulting from the complexity of VIU processes and environments. Chris acts as a champion for clients, prioritizes personal and professional growth, and mentors others in understanding the client's perspective. Chris exemplifies service excellence.
Chris Yeast, Assistant Manager, Student Affairs
Chris Yeast's colleagues and nominators report, "For those who have had the good fortune of working with Chris, the positive impact that he has on those around him is outstanding. Chris Yeast embodies VIU's values of understanding, connection, and commitment through work activity. He is continuously seeking knowledge about the six commitments outlined in the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, particularly around issues faced by Indigenous community members, and areas of equity, diversity and inclusion. Chris then goes above and beyond to share this information with the Student Affairs Leadership team, and the rest of the Student Affairs Division. He raises great questions and comments around equity, diversity, and inclusion and pushes our Division to be even more engaged, more informed, and more instrumental in supporting every VIU student in their academic journey. Chris has become a critical leader on our team and his positive impact on the entire VIU Community is widely felt."
About the award: The Service Excellence award is presented to an employee who demonstrates exceptional initiative, perseverance, accountability and commitment in meeting their client’s needs project deliverables and goals. Through persistent and continual efforts, they have improved the value, efficiency and sustainability of the services they provide, and developed skill and performance beyond established expectations to benefit the University and its communities.
Senate Honorary Award for Outstanding Service
Brenda McKay, Director of Human Resources
Brenda has demonstrated exceptional service to VIU and has been exemplary in putting the people of VIU first and foremost throughout her career.
About the award: The Outstanding Service Award is one of the Honorary Awards granted by VIU’s Senate to recognize individuals who exhibit a record of outstanding distinction and achievement in service to Vancouver Island University.