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Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award

Established in honour of former Vice-President Enrollment and Student Services Deborah Hobson, the Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award is awarded to an individual who emulates Vice-President Hobson’s energetic commitment to York students and boundless enthusiasm for the York community.  Nominees for this award embody the York spirit and use their creativity and imagination in support of the student community at York.

The award consists of a $500 purse, generously funded by the Division of the Vice-President, and a framed paper sculpture engraved with the winner’s name. The winner’s name will also be engraved on an annual plaque that will be displayed in the winner’s home department for one year.

Criteria

  • Nominee constantly and continuously demonstrates a high-level of service to students either directly, or through support to others with responsibility to student service areas
  • Nominee exemplifies the York spirit in terms of imagination, creativity, innovation and redefining the possible in service to York’s student community
  • Nominee has recognition on campus as a strong team leader and facilitator for others

Eligibility

  • Nominee is a full time and permanent employee at York, who has been employed for two continuous years as of December 31, 2024
  • Nominee is a non-academic staff member (YUSA, CPM, CUPE 1356, IOUE)

Nomination File Requirements

  • The Chief Nominator is responsible for putting together a nomination file that consists of:
  • Three Letters (Maximum):
  • One (1) lead nomination letter from the chief nominator
  • Two (2) letters of support
  • The nominee's C.V. or work history at York University
  • The job description of the nominee's current position

Please feel free to download this checklist to help you compile the nomination file and ensure that you have met all of the requirements before completing the online nomination form. NOTE: This checklist does not need to be uploaded with the nomination form and is for your reference only.

Nomination Guidelines

  • One (1) of the letters must be from the nominee’s current Manager
  • One (1) of the letters must be from a current or past York University student
  • The chief nominator and one supporting nominator, OR two (2) of the supporting nominators must be from outside of the nominee’s home department
  • Each letter is from an individual author (multiple authors on a letter are not permitted)
  • Self-nominations are not permitted

Letter Formatting and Content Guidelines

  • Each letter does not exceed a total of three (3 pages), and the total number of pages of ALL letters combined does not exceed nine (9) pages
  • Specific examples are used to describe how the nominee:
  • Contributes to the goals and objectives of their office, division and/or the broader York Community
  • Meets or exceeds each of the award criteria
  • Quotations from other persons are not permitted
  • No acronyms are used in the letter
  • Do not include any references or confidential documents such as employee performance ratings or evaluations

Excellence is everywhere at York. We encourage you to consider nominating someone from outside your home department.

Applications for the 2024 President's Staff Recognition Awards will open in Winter 2025