Faculty & staff awards

Gustavson School of Business faculty and staff members have received many awards for teaching, service, and scholarship excellence since the school was established in 1990.

2020 3M National Teaching Fellowship
Brent Mainprize

Canada’s most prestigious award for excellence in leadership and teaching. 

2019 UN PRME Excellence Award in Teaching
Heather Ranson
Based on the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education, this award recognizes exceptional commitment to bringing sustainable and socially responsible content into the classroom. Integrating sustainability into student learning is a core tenet of Gustavson’s philosophy, as well as aligning with the UN PRME, and Ranson’s commitment to this practice is evidenced by her continual innovation in the classroom and role as associate director of the school’s Centre for Social and Sustainable Responsibility.

2016 Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Technology
Brent Mainprize
This award is given by the International Conference on College Teaching and Learning (ICCTL). 

2014 Desire2Learn Innovation in Teaching and Learning
Brent Mainprize
This award is given by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and Desire2Learn Incorporated. It recognizes Mainprize’s dedication, and his particularly innovative approach to teaching and learning. His innovative approach for teaching entrepreneurship has been operationalized into a web-based software called the Venture Intelligence Quotient (VIQ) that is used in academia, innovation hatcheries and community economic development initiatives in Canada, Italy, Australia, Denmark and China. 

2012 3M National Teaching Fellowship
A. R. Elangovan (Elango) 
The award recognizes exceptional achievements and contributions by teacher-scholars across Canada. 

2020 UVic President's Chair
Simon Pek
The President’s Chair is the highest academic honour UVic can bestow on a faculty member, replacing Distinguished Professorships. The new President’s Chairs were established to recognize faculty who have achieved great distinction in research and research-inspired teaching; made substantial contributions to UVic and the wider community; and are capable of championing excellence in research, teaching and community-university engagement.

2019 Provost's Engaged Scholar
Brent Mainprize
For over 20 years, Mainprize has committed to meaningful scholarly engagement with Indigenous communities. He is passionate about leaving an enduring impact in the communities he works with—a vast network of reciprocal partnerships that spans the country.

2018 Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership
Brian Leacock
Brian Leacock possesses a wealth of experience as a dedicated teacher, an ardent educationalist, and as an expert in cross-cultural management. His contributions to educational leadership include a long history of impact and innovation in teaching methods, curriculum development, assessment technologies and a structured approach to learning about other cultures. One of Brian’s most valued qualities is his compassion: Brian cares deeply and sincerely about his students, and creates a relationship of trust both within and outside the classroom, nurturing the growth of students through mentorship, personalized feedback and a uniquely empathetic approach to teaching and learning in cross-cultural environments. These achievements and more have earned Brian the respect, admiration and gratitude of his colleagues and students.

2016 Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Mark Bridge
“I think he should coach other profs on how to teach, because he's got it down!” says one student of Professor Mark Bridge’s business law class at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business. Bridge, a graduate of UVic’s Faculty of Law, uses an engaging classroom style and focuses on helping students apply law to business situations they might expect to meet in life. As a first-time instructor at UVic in 1993, his course was such a success that students sent an unsolicited letter to the Dean of Law recommending he stay on so that future students could benefit from his teaching. He has also been a major contributor to programs like NW-ACE, UVic’s Business Law Clinic, and various scholarship and training initiatives.

2016 Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership
Brent Mainprize
Entrepreneurial expert Dr. Brent Mainprize strives to help his students feel the transformational power of education, instead of simply gaining knowledge. Over almost 20 years teaching at UVic, he has continually improved his curriculum to challenge students to be better entrepreneurs, through innovative exercises like the venture challenge (start with $5 and build a business in a month) and creating and pitching a business plan. He is the founder and program director of Northwest Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs (NW-ACE), a program that takes business education to Aboriginal communities. 

2016 President's Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Leadership
Monika Winn 
“This is a great tribute to the wonderful work that Monika has done both within the school and throughout the university,” says Dr. Saul Klein, dean of the Gustavson School of Business. Since arriving at UVic in 1995 as a business and strategy scholar and instructor, Winn has flown the sustainability flag right across campus and within the Gustavson School of Business. 

2016 Community Leadership Award
Frank Low
The honour acknowledges outstanding leadership in linking UVic and the community for greater public benefit. 

2015 Community Leadership Award
Bill Anderson
The honour acknowledges outstanding leadership in linking UVic and the community for greater public benefit. 

2013 Distinguished Professor
A.R. (Elango) Elangovan
UVic has appointed Dr. A. R. (Elango) Elangovan, a University of Victoria Distinguished Professor.  This distinction is the highest academic honour UVic can bestow on a faculty member.  The designation was created to highlight remarkable achievement by a faculty member in both teaching and scholarly research. 

2013 Community Leadership Award
Ana Maria Peredo
The honor acknowledges outstanding leadership in linking UVic and the community for greater public benefit. 

2013 Craigdarroch Award for Excellence in Knowledge Mobilization 
This award recognizes a specific project, product, service or body of work that demonstrates excellence in Knowledge Mobilization (KM), defined as the purposeful communication, exchange and application of knowledge developed through an ongoing process of research and/or creative and artistic endeavour for the benefit of society.

2013 Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership
Mark Colgate

Mark is renowned for his dedication to his students, his innovative teaching style, and his promotion of Gustavson beyond the university. From coaching and service management tools, to using the 8 Moments of Power methodology, he teaches our students how to keep customers, build better relationships, deliver world-class service, and sell more effectively. Mark has the attributes of a world class teacher: with his success in engaging students, in sharing his knowledge in the classroom and his passion for mentoring and coaching other teaching faculty.

Gustavson celebrates excellence through our own awards program which annually recognizes faculty and staff members for excellence in research, teaching, service and innovation. The awards are handed out at the Festival of Distinction.

Leader of Excellence in Research

The Leader of Excellence in Research Award is presented to those who demonstrate an exemplary generation of knowledge and regularly producing globally recognized, high quality research aligned with our areas of scholarly focus. 

2022

2020

2018

2016

  • Graham Brown, Associate Professor, Entrepreneurship, Tim Price Entrepreneurship Fellow
  • Yan Shen, Assistant Professor, International Business, Organizational Behavior

2015

  • Matt MurphyAssistant Professor, Sustainability & Strategy

2014

  • Monika Winn, Professor & Francis G. Winspear Scholar, Business Strategy & Sustainability

2013

  • Graham Brown, Assistant Professor, Entrepreneurship, Tim Price Entrepreneurship Fellow

2012

  • Wade Danis, Associate Professor, International Business

2011

  • Charlene Zietsma, Associate Professor & Francis G. Winspear Scholar, Strategy & Entrepreneurship

2010

  • Marilyn Uy, Assistant Professor, Organizational Behaviour & Entrepreneurship

2009

  • Monika Winn, Associate Professor, Business Strategy & Sustainability

2008

  • Brock Smith, Professor & Francis G. Winspear Scholar, Entrepreneurship

2007

2006

  • Anthony Goerzen, Associate Professor & Winspear Scholar, Strategy & International Business

2005

  • Anthony Goerzen, Associate Professor & Winspear Scholar, Strategy & International Business

2005

  • Ana Maria Peredo, Associate Professor, Sustainable Entrepreneurship & International Business

2004

  • A.R. Elangovan, Associate Professor, Organizational Behaviour
  • Ron Mitchell, Professor & Winspear Scholar, Entrepreneurship

Excellence in Teaching Award

The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to those who give our main stakeholders, our students, the best possible educational experience, along with sharing their professional knowledge, skills and tools for Gustavson’s business leaders.

2023

  • Brian Leacock, Associate Teaching Professor; Director, Gustavson International

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

  • Mia Maki, Assistant Teaching Professor

2016

  • Mark Colgate, Associate Professor, Service Management, Marketing

2015

  • Brian LeacockAssistant Teaching Professor; Associate Director, International Programs

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

  • Michael Valente, Assistant Professor

2008

2007

  • Mark Colgate, Associate Professor, Service Management, Marketing

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

  • Chris Janssen, Adjunct Professor

2001

2000

1999

  • Chris Janssen, Adjunct Professor

Lifetime Contribution for Teaching Excellence

2015

2006

Commerce Student Society

2012

2011

2010

2009

  • Dr. Mike Valente, Assistant Professor

2008

  • No award presented

2007

2006

2005

2004

  • Dr. Mark Colgate, Associate Professor
  • Ms. Thea Vakil, Adjunct Associate Professor

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

MBA Professor of the Year Awards

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
  • No award presented
2005
  • No award presented
2004 2003
  • Dr. Chris Janssen, Adjunct Professor
2002
  • No award presented
2001 2000 1999
  • Dr. Chris Janssen, Adjunct Professor

Excellence in Service Award

The Excellence in Service Award is presented to those who provide commendable assistance in many administrative duties and school responsibilities, such as program and centre organization, specialization leadership, committee membership, and project development. 

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

  • Brian Leacock, Assistant Teaching Professor; Associate Director, International Programs

2018

2017

2016

2015

  • Ms. Heather RansonAssistant Teaching Professor, Service Management; Associate Director, Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation (CSSI)

2014

  • Dr. Vivien Corwin, Director, MBA Program - Excellence in Service
  • Leah Wilcock, MBA Data Analysis & Logistics Coordinator, MBA Programs - Service, Team Player
  • Nicole Wallace, Coordinator, Executive Programs - Service, Going Above and Beyond

2013

2012

2011

2010

  • Dr. Jen Baggs, Associate Professor
  • Mr. James Fraser, Web & Data Base Developer/IT Supervisor
  • Ms. Wendy Mah, PhD Program Manager & Special Projects
  • Ms. Aby Tannas, Secretary, External Relations

2009

2008

2007

2006

  • Dr. David McCutcheon, Associate Professor
  • Ms. Lisa Russell, Special Projects and Accreditation Officer

2005

2004

2003

 

Excellence in Innovation Award

The Excellence in Innovation Award is awarded to a faculty or staff member or team who is/are creative, has bright ideas and takes the initiative to create new processes, programs etc. in order to improve the School and assist in meeting our goals. The last Excellence in Innovation Award was put on pause in 2019 but returned in 2023. 

2023

  • Vivien Corwin, Associate Teaching Professor; Academic Director, Master in Management Program

2018

  • Audrey Audebert, Manager of Admissions, Advising & Operations, BCom
  • Renée Letellier, NCIED Coordinator

2017

2016

  • David Dunne. Professor, Service Innovation, Design, International Marketing

2015

  • Jennifer Gill, Experiential Learning Manager, BCom Program

2014

2013

2012

  • Tzena Bennallack, Coordinator, Executive Programs

2011

2010

  • External Relations Team: Krista Boehnert, Alumni Officer, Pat Elemans, Assistant Dean, Dianne George, Communications Officer, Cristy Hartman, Development Officer, Aby Tannas, Secretary, Nicole Peulen, Administrative Assistant

2009

  • Pat Elemans, Assistant Dean
  • Entrepreneurship Team, Brock Smith, Professor, Mia Maki, Senior Instructor, Brent Mainprize, Senior Instructor, Marilyn Uy, Lecturer, Charlene Zietsma, Assistant Professor, Aegean Leung, Assistant Professor, Ana Maria Peredo, Associate Professor, Lynne Siemens, Limited Term Professor

2008

2007

Team Player Award

The Team Player Award honours staff members who proactively collaborate with others, support their team, participate fully, and contribute 100% to team performance.

2023

2022

2021

  • Daniel Nair, BCom Recruitment, Admissions, and Advising Officer
  • Allen Sun, International Student Advisor (Outgoing), GSB International

2020


2019

  • Kali Wilson-Cseke, Experiential Learning Manager
  • Kirstin Leary, Client Service Specialist, International and Indigenous

2018

2017

  • Wendy Mah, Program Manager, PhD Program, Special Projects Officer

2016

  • Brad Erikson, MBA Co-op Coordinator, Business Co-op

2015

Gustavson Spirit Award

The Gustavson Spirit Award honours staff members who embody our Gustavson values: People, Purpose, Passion, and Adventure. These recipients are those who often go “the extra mile” and exceed performance expectations.

2023

  • Lu Nishida, Gustavson Reception and Faculty Support
  • Ben Roberts, Client Service Specialist, Executive Programs

2022

  • Wendy Mah, Program Manager, PhD Program, Special Projects Officer
  • Eddie Isted, Account Executive, Executive Programs 
  • Marcus Jung, Experiential Learning Officer, BCom Program

2021

2020

2019

  • Elsa Yan, Exchange Student Advisor, International Programs

2018

  • Will Clarke, Desktop Support Analyst

2017

2016

  • Rachelle Chamberlain, Information Clerk, BCom Program

2015

  • Krista Boehnert, Alumni Officer

Pillar Award

The Gustavson Pillar Award is awarded to a staff member who best embodies one or more of our pillars: International, Integrative, Innovative, and Socially Responsible/Sustainable.

2023

2022

  • Kate Donovan, Director Administration, Undergraduate Programs

2021

2020

  • Krista Boehnert, Associate Director, External Relations

2019

  • Sheryl Karras, Director Administration, Pre-experience Masters Programs

The IAB Community Engagement Award was established by our International Advisory Board and is being funded by several current and past members. The award recognizes faculty members who actively engage with the local business community in ways that are critical for the long-term success of the Gustavson School of Business. The IAB Community Engagement Award is given to a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional community engagement. 

If you would like more information about supporting the IAB Community Engagement Award, or other areas of need at the Gustavson School of Business, please contact Amanda Taylor, Senior Development Officer at bizdev@uvic.ca.

2022 
Basma Majerbi
In addition to her internal involvement in the MBA program redesign, ongoing support for the CSSI and continued data review of the school's carbon footprint, Dr. Basma Majerbi has organized several community events, presentations and webinars, to create awareness, educate the public and provide tools for and resources about impact investing, clean-tech, and climate-smart finance. She is a leader of the International Workshop on Financial Systems (IWFSAS) conference, which is quickly building a strong reputation among sustainable finance scholars. At the university level, she helped establish the UVic Climate Solutions Navigator and co-led the first Climate Solutions Challenge, brought local government connections in the classroom, and supported UVic to allocate a portion of the Working Capital Fund to impact investing. As a recipient of the Strategic Framework Impact Fund to advance UVic strategies, Basma founded the Vancouver Island Impact Investing Hub (VI3Hub), whose mission is to accelerate investments climate solutions. Basma has played key roles in the development of many other external undertakings including: the Decarbonization Design Lab for BC Ferries in collaboration with South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), and PRME Global Forum events. These community engagement accomplishments enhance both Gustavson and UVic’s reputation as a global leader in impact and climate finance.  

2021
Adel Guitouni
As the 2021 recipient of this award, Adel Guitouni plays a significant role in engaging externally to ensure that the Gustavson School achieves its larger sense of purpose. Adel is a valuable connector at Gustavson, offering many linkages for us through his global contacts and activities. Along with his role as Associate Chair of the Victoria Forum, Adel connects Gustavson globally through his business development work in the MENA Region, and through his global network of policy makers, engaged scholars and civil society organizations, such as the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association. He influences others nationally through the Canadian Operational Research Society (CORS), the Department of National Defense, and as a Director of the Canadian Arab Institute.

2020
Brent Mainprize
Brent Mainprize received the award in 2020 as he plays the leading role in our engagement with indigenous communities and has been responsible for our large executive education portfolio in this area. He creatively and successfully secures funding from, and works with, provincial and federal governments to position our offerings. Brent exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit of the School and raises our profile both locally and nationally.

2019
Steve Tax
Steve Tax was recognized with the award in 2019 due to his notable role as a member of the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) External Advisory Panel on Service. Through his contributions on the panel, Steve provided expertise, experience and lessons learned to support the CRA’s service transformation. Tax is joined on the board by other senior experts from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to provide advice on emerging trends, design practice, service delivery and innovation. Steve’s research knowledge and customer service expertise were also highlighted—particularly in its application at the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, where he gathered data on his idea of customer service as a performance.

2018
Sudhir Nair
Sudhir Nair received the award in 2018, as he created strong community connections through his involvement with the Inter-Cultural Association (ICA) of Greater Victoria and the Greater Victoria Local-Immigrant Partnership. Sudhir’s strategic institutional knowledge and support were acknowledged, as they have enabled the facilitation of services for new immigrants in the area, and helped the local non-for-profit and business communities to build capacity to provide services for newcomers to Victoria.

2017
Brock Smith
Brock Smith was celebrated as the 2017 recipient of this award on account of his expertise as a thought leader in media and community discussions. Specializing in marketing and entrepreneurship, Brock’s contributions as an active consultant and board member for business initiatives in Vancouver and Victoria were also recognized. In multiple occasions, Smith has also served as a judge of Canada’s Next Ad Exec Competition. 

2016
Mia Maki
Mia Maki was acknowledged as the 2016 recipient of the award because of her active engagement with the business and non-profit communities, including her work with VIATec and the Victoria Foundation. Maki was also recognized for her involvement with the CMA Society of BC, the CPA Western School of Business, and Archipelago Marine Research. Additionally, her regular contributions to a wide variety of community events (as a volunteer, speaker, facilitator, judge, moderator, etc.) were celebrated.

2015
Rebecca Grant
Rebecca Grant was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the award, as she exemplified extraordinary community engagement. Through her various roles in the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce; her organizing of the RBC case competition; extensive media interviews; and by serving on the United Way of Greater Victoria Campaign Cabinet, she strongly engaged with the business community and elevated the School’s profile. Grant was also recognized for her work as part of the Advisory Committee of Ballet Victoria, and Douglas Magazine “10 to watch” awards (where she served as a judge). Her involvement in many boards (including the TELUS Community Board, the Tourism Victoria Board, the finance committee of the Victoria Foundation, and her various roles with Junior Achievement of BC) highlighted her powerful connection to the business community.