Outstanding members of UCalgary Arts honoured

Back row, from left: Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike, Adela Kincaid, Melanie Kloetzel, Jamie Michaels, Nisha Abraham, Nikki Reimer, Pallavi Banerjee
Front row, from left: Safaneh Mohaghegh Neyshabouri, Kinga Olszewska, Amelia Kiddle, Wei Cai, Federica Gowen, Jennifer Leason, Arielle Perrotta, Annie Steep, Dean Aoife Mac Namara, Associate Dean, Graduate Lisa Hughes
 

The Faculty of Arts recognized 19 outstanding faculty, staff, graduate students and alumni at a celebration of achievement on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. 

The Arts Awards ceremony recognized the outstanding achievements of Faculty of Arts members across the visual, creative and performing arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and health domains. The awards celebrate the innovative scholarship that provides new insights and opportunities for discovery, identifies and responds to challenges through partnerships, and effects positive change for individuals and communities within and outside of academia. 

The event opened with a rousing performance by the UCalgary Chorus, directed by School of Creative and Performing Arts instructor Kathryn Parrotta. 

There were five award themes that align with the Arts Strategic Plan priorities, and sub-categories within each theme.

Justice, Equity & Transformation

• Creativity Award: Jamie Michaels, PhD candidate, Department of English
• Creativity Award: Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike, assistant professor, Department of English
• Impact Award: Adela Kincaid, associate professor (teaching), International Indigenous Studies Program, Department of Political Science
• Impact Award: Pallavi Banerjee, associate professor,  UCalgary Research Excellence Chair, Department of Sociology
• Teaching and Learning Award: Safaneh Mohaghegh Neyshabouri, assistant professor (teaching), Department of Philosophy
• Leadership and Mentorship Award: Derritt Mason, associate professor, Department of English and Acting Senior Director, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning 
• Career Achievement Award: Federica Gowen, graduate program advisor

Connection, Community and Culture

• Teaching and Learning Award: Nisha Abraham, PhD candidate, Department of English
• Leadership and Mentorship Award: Annie Steep, MSc. student, Department of Psychology
• Leadership and Mentorship Award: Wei Cai, professor, School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures
• Leadership and Mentorship Award: Kinga Olszewska, senior research advisor
• Leadership and Mentorship Award: Amelia  Kiddle, associate professor, Department of History and Associate Dean, Research and Communities 
• Career Achievement Award: Sally Chivers, alumna
• Career Achievement Award: Lisa Young, professor, Department of Political Science

Climate, Energy and Sustainability

• Creativity Award: Melanie Kloetzel, professor and Division Lead, Dance, School of Creative and Performing Arts

Health and Wellness

• Impact Award: Arielle Perrotta, PhD candidate, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
• Impact Award: Jennifer Leason, associate professor, Department of Political Science and Tier II Canada Research Chair, Indigenous Maternal Child Wellness

Digital Futures

• Impact Award: Nikki Reimer, senior digital specialist, communication and marketing
• Teaching and Learning Award: Annette Tézli, associate professor (teaching), Department of Sociology

Congratulations to all 2025 Faculty of Arts Awards winners.