5D | Playing Nice in the Awards and Scholarship Sandbox

Thursday, Oct 1
10:30 - 11:30 AM

Experience Level
Midlevel (2-5 years)

Shop Size
Suitable for any size shop

Like the neighbourhood sandbox where there is much activity, awards and scholarships must also undergo a imaginative and collaborative process to come up with a creation that everyone is happy with. Tug-of-wars over shovels (criteria) and buckets (trust funds) can sometimes overwhelm playmates, but Ryerson's Awards Action Committee has found a way to ensure that everyone leaves the playground satisfied (okay, not everyone all the time). Ryerson University's Awards Action Committee, which is comprised of operationally diverse staff representatives from the Convocation and Awards Office, Financial Services, Registrar's Office (Student Financial Assistance and Admissions), and University Advancement (Development and Advancement Services) have met weekly since January 2008 to oversee the management of awards, scholarships and bursaries (collectively called "Awards"). They review existing and develop new Awards policies and procedures and introduce process consistencies and efficiencies. The AAC works towards ensuring effective creation, promotion, administration, selection, and presentation of awards. This presentation will suggest best practices, processes and content for an awards administration manual.  

Elsie Nisonen

Elsie Nisonen has worked at Ryerson University for 12 years. She has worked for the VP, University Advancement, as a fundraiser in the Business school, as the Manager of Donor Relations and Stewardship and finally in the Convocation and Awards Office.  In her current capacity, she tries very hard to get donation dollars into the hands of worthy award recipients.    

Angela Szostak-Steinmann

Angela Szostak-Steinmann has worked in Development at Ryerson University for 15 years.  The last 10 years, she as worked in Donor Relations and Stewardship.