2023 Awards of Excellence Nominees

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) will be recognizing employees who made extraordinary contributions in serving students, the institution and communities over the past year at the 2023 Awards of Excellence.   

The Awards of Excellence are given annually as formal recognition for remarkable contributions from faculty and staff that extend beyond their job requirements. These outstanding contributions may be through innovation, service, teaching or leadership, and make a positive impact at the institution, in communities or in their profession.   

This year, 18 RDP employees have been nominated in four categories:   

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE  

As an Administrative Officer for the Division of Student Success, Heather Adams has contributed to the Polytechnic community in many ways. She played an instrumental role in creating an onboarding manual for new employees. Heather has also been integral in developing initiatives to recognize her colleagues across Red Deer Polytechnic. She has assisted with the United Way Campaign, Student Orientation, Career Expo, RDP’s staff Christmas party and many other events.  

As Safety Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, Megan Andruik advocates for the health needs of learners and employees and continuously promotes the importance of RDP’s safety and wellness culture. Megan has led several health-related initiatives and events, including a step challenge and winter wellness day. Through Megan’s service and leadership, the health and wellness of students and employees have been positively impacted at the Polytechnic.  

Dillon Andrus-Dobbs, a Senior Strategic Project Manager, has been essential to the work of many RDP departments. He approaches challenges in a creative and strategic manner to efficiently support institutional priorities. Dillon is skilled at identifying areas for improvement and then applying the technical and adaptive skills to realize change. His knowledge and collaboration have been fundamental in achieving Red Deer Polytechnic’s strategic planning and operational focuses.  

As Operations Manager of the Donald School of Business, Science and Computing, Krista Baumgartner has made immeasurable contributions to enhancing resources and programming for learners at RDP. She embraces innovation, seeks continuous improvement and maintains high standards. Due to Krista’s wealth of institutional knowledge and expertise, colleagues from across the Polytechnic seek her guidance in diverse areas, from budgets to human resources.   

Alicia Cafferata, an Applied Research Specialist, is an important leader and member of the Applied Research Department at Red Deer Polytechnic. Through talent and determination, Alicia has been essential in securing grants and advancing applied research and manufacturing opportunities at RDP. Alicia has been a member of the Research Ethics Board and is currently part of the Research Commons and the Research Showcase Planning Committees at RDP.  

Lab Technician Cody Hemmingsen has made a significant impact at the Polytechnic, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in many ways. He effectively trains faculty members on the lab equipment and supports students who use the simulation mannequins. Through Cody’s knowledge, leadership and warm personality, he contributes to the Polytechnic’s reputation for providing students with positive experiences and a quality education.   

Erin Schulha, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations Manager, has been a strategic voice in all major philanthropic campaigns. As a collaborative leader, Erin considers different perspectives and effectively implements ideas with a clear path forward. As a result of her engagement and relationship building with colleagues, alumni, donors and sponsors, the Polytechnic has received significant support, reducing barriers for learners to receive a post-secondary education.  

In his role as Project Manager for Facility Space Planning, Matthew Zess demonstrated expertise and creativity in strategic thinking, processes and leadership, including research opportunities. While seeking excellence in the workplace, Matthew valued the opinions of his colleagues, promoting inclusion and collaboration. Matthew’s bold vision informed institution-wide efforts, including aligning space development with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Accord.  

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING  

Dedicated nursing instructor, mentor and colleague, Maggie Convey is a positive role model. As Student Support Chair of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, Maggie is creating a cohesive environment that benefits learners and instructors. She has also been a key member of numerous committees. Maggie continues to practice as a public health nurse, keeping her knowledge and skills current while building strong relationships with the Polytechnic’s clinical partners.  

As a Human Resources instructor, Rita Louw tailors her course content to accommodate different learning styles. While creating a welcoming learning environment, she implements new and effective trends into her teaching. She values every student and encourages them to share their cultures and experiences. Rita has worked tirelessly to prepare and coach RDP students for Human Resources Business Case Competitions, which provide valuable opportunities for learners to implement innovative solutions to complex challenges in human resources.   

 As an RDP Physical Sciences Instructor, Dr. Bryan Rowsell considers student feedback to improve his course content. He dedicates hours to advising and mentoring students. Bryan has served the Polytechnic community as Chairperson of the Department of Science and Engineering and Co-coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Bryan’s commitment to student success contributes to Red Deer Polytechnic’s reputation for providing relevant programming and positive learning experiences.  

EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION  

Natalie Ford’s innovative research and teaching methods have had a profound impact on learners, RDP’s Nursing Department and the health care community. While creating a new course, she fostered relationships with external nursing groups to more closely link post-secondary learning to the current experiences of frontline healthcare workers. Natalie creates brave learning spaces that support respectful discussion on difficult topics. Natalie has made a long-lasting impact on the lives and careers of RDP’s Nursing students and the health care industry. 

Guriqbal Munday, an Industrial Research Associate in the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing - Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC), is an important contributor to innovation and applied research at RDP. Through Guriqbal’s expertise, leadership and pursuit of excellence, he has helped to develop creative solutions to complex problems and bridge the gap between design theory and practice. His leadership of successful projects, such as a modular solar panel cleaning device for Wash-Bots, has helped to solidify the CIM-TAC as a national leader in manufacturing design.   

EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP  

Economics instructor and faculty leader, Dr. Paritosh Ghosh has contributed significantly to the Polytechnic. He advocated for the establishment of the Office of Research and Scholarship, which supports learning, training and scholarly research. Paritosh has initiated and supported program development at RDP, including the Justice Studies Diploma. He has participated as a panel member at the World Religions Conference, which has been held at the Polytechnic. With diverse expertise, dedication and initiative, he positively impacts students, Red Deer Polytechnic and communities.  

As the Dean of the School of Education and Trades, Joel Gingrich was a consistent voice and strong advocate for skilled trades education and the entire Red Deer Polytechnic community. He was integral in the success of RDP Apprentices at Skills Canada Alberta and Skills Canada National competitions. Joel played a key role in the creation of new Education programming including the launch of the Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Education degree. Joel’s contributions to partnerships, community engagement and program development will benefit RDP and Alberta for years to come.   

Dr. Olga Mameeva, Biosafety Officer and Lab Manager, is a talented leader who accomplishes significant work through effective collaboration. As an advocate for science and safety, she ensures that the science labs are well-equipped and safe for teaching, learning and applied research. Olga has been heavily involved in various committees. She was instrumental in the construction of the Student Science Laboratory and the development of standard operating procedures concerning the well-being of animals that are used in research and teaching.   

Over a career that spanned 35 years at Red Deer Polytechnic, Dr. Maureen Toews made significant contributions across the institution. With previous roles as Librarian, Chair, Manager and Dean at the Polytechnic, Maureen brought complementary perspectives to her recent position of Associate Vice President of Teaching, Learning and Research.  Among her accomplishments, Maureen was instrumental in the development of the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute partnership to continue providing regional K-12 students with additional career pathways, creating a lasting impact.   

Dr. Tonya Wolfe, an influential and inspirational leader who drives change, was recently appointed Associate Vice President of Applied Research. In her former role as Director for Manufacturing and Energy Innovation, she spearheaded the development of many new, high demand academic programs that are relevant to the needs of the local and global workforce. Tonya’s involvement in research projects has demonstrated her ability to lead with an innovative approach to solving complex problems in manufacturing.  

The 2023 Awards of Excellence will be held for the nominees at RDP on August 30.