The Students and Enrolment division has achieved the Canada Awards for Excellence (CAE) gold level certification from Excellence Canada’s Organizational Excellence Standard (OES) in 2023.
Excellence Canada rewards and recognizes excellence through their CAE program. The gold level indicates the Students and Enrolment division has “achieved a comprehensive approach to excellence, innovation, and wellness with positive results and quantifiable improvement.”
“The Excellence Standard has helped us focus on the work that we’re doing in Students and Enrolment,” said Suzanne Blanchard, Vice-President (Students and Enrolment).
The division’s application highlighted some of the key strengths, including the Helping Ravens Soar strategic plan [PDF, 1.8 MB] and departmental operational plans, division Town Halls and onboarding program.
“We developed a five-year strategic plan, improved communication and staff engagement across the division and refocused our efforts to support students to reach their academic, personal and professional potential,” Blanchard said.
The Excellence Canada team identified a number of initiatives that stood out during the assessment process, including:
- Therapy Dog program
- Student life experience
- Student Support Certificate
- Pandemic response: university-wide response led by the Office of the Vice-President, Students and Enrolment
“Many of the activities noted in the submission, and verified during the onsite focus group discussions, are most commendable,” Allan Ebedes, the President and CEO of Excellence Canada, wrote in the assessment report.
The Students and Enrolment division began the OES journey a few years ago, earning bronze level certification in Excellence, Innovation and Wellness in June 2019.
Achieving the gold certification was a team effort in the division. Staff generously shared their insights and opinions at the focus groups and the OES Working Group planned and coordinated the application.
This recognition confirms the Students and Enrolment division is committed to a high service standard and innovative approaches.
The Students and Enrolment team accepts the Organizational Excellence gold award in Toronto.
“We’re truly pleased to receive the gold level of the Organizational Excellence Standard,” said Blanchard. “Our participation in Excellence Canada’s Certification Framework allows us to build on our prior successes and provides a road map for continuous improvement as we strive to achieve our aspirations together.”