AHS Honors and Recognition

The AHS College Awards, Staff of Merit Award and Excalibur Awards for Teaching Excellence are annual award programs that recognize AHS faculty and staff for excellence across various areas.

AHS College Awards

The AHS College Awards recognize AHS faculty and staff for excellence across various areas. The nomination and selection process is directed by the AHS Executive Committee. Some award nominations require as little as a one-two page statement describing the nominee’s qualifications. Self-nominations are encouraged in addition to the nominations of your colleagues.

2021-22 recipients

Urban Initiatives

Community Partner Award

Their engagement, collaboration and support enabled important programs to continue despite limitations imposed by the pandemic.
- Visit Urban Initiatives
Erika Chavez

Humanitarian of the Year Award

A daughter of immigrants, first-generation college graduate and life-long Chicagoan, Erika's mission is to help advance justice, equity and opportunity for all of its residents.
- Meet Erika
Glenn Hedman

Outstanding Academic Leadership Award

An advocate for state-of-the-art solution for people with disabilities, Dr. Hedman has helped create the largest mobile assistive technology service delivery program in the country.
- Meet Glenn
Tomer Kanan

Educator of the Year Award

Dr. Kanan’s outstanding dedication and excellence as a professor is best expressed in a thank you video from his students that went viral with over 1.6 million likes and 11,000 comments.
- Meet Tomer
Susan Magasi

Researcher of the Year Award

Deeply commited to social justice for people with disabilities, Dr. Magasi has created a unique model of collaboration to create knowledge translation products that communicate research findings to key stakeholders.
- Meet Susan
David Marquez

Professor of the Year Award

Dr. Marquez is an internationally respected researcher, gifted teacher and committed volunteer with sustained excellence within these three domains throughout his career.
- Meet David

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Submit an AHS College Awards nomination

AHS Staff Award of Merit

The AHS Staff Award of Merit recognizes outstanding AHS civil service and academic professionals who exhibit service, commitment and dedication. The nomination and selection process is directed by the AHS Staff Council.

2021-22 recipient

Amanda Aitken

Staff Award of Merit

Amanda embodies the characteristics of a leader, with a superior and unwavering commitment to the university. Her interpersonal and communication skills are unparalleled.
- Meet Amanda

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Submit an AHS Staff Award of Merit nomination

Excalibur Award for Teaching Excellence

Each year the AHS Student Council presents the Excalibur Award for Teaching Excellence to one faculty member from each AHS department/program, chosen from nominations made by the graduating students of that program. The award is presented to teachers who are role models in their professions, who provide encouragement for learning in the classroom or clinical setting, who help guide students in the achievement of their goals, and who are supportive of the students’ individual efforts.