Celebrating outstanding members of the RRU community
Our vision of inspiring people with the courage to transform the world is brought to life by those who lead with care, creativity, and courage every day. These awards recognize the often-unseen efforts that make a lasting impact, celebrating the dedication and innovation that happen every day, in between the milestones.
Nominations for the 2025 Employee Changemaker Awards are open until October 2.
Take a look back at our 2024 Changemaker Awards and explore the inspiring stories of last year’s nominees and award recipients. Read about each nominee here.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to be nominated for a Changemaker Award?
- All employees of Royal Roads University are eligible to be nominated for a Changemaker Award
- Employees on a temporary or casual contract must have a contract in place on the date of the Celebrating U event for that nomination year
- Preference will be given to employees and/or teams who have not previously received a Changemaker Award in the category for which they are nominated
- Self-nominations are not accepted
Who is eligible to nominate someone for a Changemaker Award?
- All employees of Royal Roads University are eligible to nominate a colleague for a Changemaker Award.
- The letter of support must come from someone other than the nominator, and can be provided by an RRU employee, business partner, student, or associate faculty.
Changemaker Award categories
Caring
This award celebrates individuals who have displayed exceptional dedication to creating and nurturing, inclusive, and supportive community within Royal Roads. This award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond in fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and support among our students, faculty, and staff.
Selection criteria:
- Demonstrates a commitment to fostering inclusivity and a supportive environment within Royal Roads University
- Evidence of actions that promote empathy, understanding, and collaboration among the Royal Roads community
- Consistent efforts in creating a sense of belonging and community, beyond regular duties
- Positive impact on the well-being and engagement of others through direct support or mentorship
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not received this award in the past
Creative
This award celebrates individuals who have displayed exceptional ingenuity and originality in their endeavors, reflecting a commitment to innovation in all aspects of their work. This award celebrates those who continually seek new and better ways to do things, inspiring a culture of creative problem-solving within Royal Roads.
Selection criteria:
- Demonstrates creativity and originality in approaches to problem-solving and projects
- Evidence of implementing innovative solutions that have improved processes or outcomes within Royal Roads
- Commitment to exploring and adopting new ideas, technologies, or methodologies in their work
- Contributes to fostering a culture of innovation and forward-thinking within the RRU community
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not received this award in the past
Courageous
This award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and resolve in their actions, embodying the spirit of boldness in the face of challenges. This award celebrates those who not only welcome challenges but actively seek them out, taking thoughtful and calculated risks to bring about positive change.
Selection criteria:
- Demonstrates boldness and courage in facing significant challenges or adversity
- Evidence of taking thoughtful and calculated risks to drive positive change within Royal Roads
- Consistent willingness to step out of their comfort zone to inspire or lead innovation or transformation
- Contributes to fostering a culture of resilience and perseverance among colleagues and the broader community
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not received this award in the past
Excellence in Leadership
This award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, inspiring positive change and guiding Royal Roads toward a brighter future.
Changemakers lead by example, inspire and unite others, envision a better future and achieve transformative results. They create a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
This award acknowledges those dedicated to shaping Royal Road's future through academic achievements, community involvement, or administrative prowess. This award reinforces our commitment to nurturing and recognizing the leadership qualities that propel our university forward.
Selection criteria:
- Demonstrates outstanding leadership that inspires positive change and growth within Royal Roads
- Proven ability to unite and motivate teams, fostering collaboration and innovation
- Track record of setting a visionary path and achieving transformative results
- Contributes to shaping Royal Roads' future through academic, community, or administrative initiatives
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not received this award in the past
Any Age, Any Stage, Any Place
This award celebrates individuals that are committed to continuous learning – at any age, any stage, any place. These changemakers are committed to equipping themselves and those around them with the knowledge needed to be nimble and responsive to labour market demands and the needs of our students – answering the call of changing demographics, shifting workplaces, and global problems.
Selection criteria:
- Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and professional development
- Evidence of adapting skills and knowledge to meet changing labour market demands and student needs
- Proactive approach to learning that addresses evolving workplace dynamics, global challenges, or shifting demographics
- Contributes to fostering an environment of growth, curiosity, and innovation within Royal Roads
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not received this award in the past
Explore, Share, Advance
This award celebrates individuals that inspire action and solve real-world problems even in times of disruption. These changemakers demonstrate a keen spirit of inquiry, a quest for knowledge and a commitment to action as they explore, share, and advance solutions to critical issues.
Selection criteria:
- Demonstrates the ability to solve real-world problems, especially in times of disruption or uncertainty
- Evidence of a strong spirit of inquiry and a commitment to seeking knowledge that addresses critical issues
- Has a proven track record of sharing insights and advancing practical solutions to challenges faced by Royal Roads or the greater community
- Contributes to fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and problem-solving at Royal Roads
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not received this award in the past
Invite In, Venture Out
This award celebrates individuals who exemplify the spirit of inclusivity, community building, and engagement both within Royal Roads University and the broader community.
This award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to the RRU or community through their work; those who possess a unique talent for connecting people and ideas, fostering collaboration, and strengthening relationships; and those who made exceptional effort to bring RRU into the wider community.
Selection criteria:
- Demonstrates a commitment to fostering inclusivity and building strong connections and partnerships within Royal Roads
- Evidence of making contributions through collaborative initiatives that benefit the university or the broader community
- Has a proven track record of engaging teams within Royal Roads or the wider community and representing Royal Roads in meaningful ways
- Contributes to enhancing Royal Roads’ presence and involvement in the broader community through outreach and engagement efforts, beyond regular duties
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not received this award in the past
Vibrant and Sustainable
This award celebrates individuals dedicated to fostering a highly engaged and inclusive campus environment. These changemakers are passionate about advancing sustainability and ensuring equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation are at the forefront.
They aspire to make RRU a workplace of choice and the preferred destination for learners seeking excellence in real-world teaching and research. Recipients of this award understand that a vibrant and sustainable campus embraces digital innovation to enhance engagement and inclusivity. They recognize that digital tools play a vital role in fostering a vibrant learning and working environment. These changemakers are champions of a sustainable campus through innovative, digital infrastructure.
Selection criteria:
- Demonstrates commitment to advancing sustainability, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation within Royal Roads, beyond regular duties
- Proven efforts to foster a highly engaged and inclusive campus environment
- Evidence of leveraging digital tools and innovation to enhance engagement and inclusivity for employees and/or students
- Significant contributions to the development of a sustainable campus through innovative and digital infrastructure solutions
- Preference will be given to nominees who have not received this award in the past
Collaboration (team award)
To celebrate the power of collaboration as a catalyst for meaningful change.
This award celebrates collaboration and collective achievement. It may be given to a single team, working group or department for their united efforts, or to a collaboration between teams, working groups or departments. Recipients are recognized for coming together to create innovative solutions, drive meaningful improvements or strengthen our community.
Selection criteria:
- How does the nominated team demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and collective problem-solving within Royal Roads?
- How has their joint effort led to innovative solutions, significant improvements, or strengthened community connections?
- How does the team foster inclusivity, shared responsibility, and mutual support in pursuit of common goals?
- In what ways has the team’s work positively impacted employee engagement, student experience, or the broader Royal Roads community?
When submitting a nomination for the Collaboration Award, please be specific in identifying who is being recognized. Nominators may:
- Name individual employees, if they are part of a collaborative effort.
- Name a defined group or team (e.g., a project team, department, working group, or duo).
If nominating a group, please ensure it is a distinct unit with a clear scope of work, rather than an entire portfolio or division. In your nomination, describe how the individual(s) or the group collectively met the award criteria.
Note: Only one award will be presented for the group as a whole.
FAQ
What are the Changemaker Awards?
The Changemaker Awards are comprised of eight distinct categories presented annually at Royal Roads University. These awards recognize and celebrate individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the university community, aligning with the our core values and goals.
The nine categories are:
- Caring
- Creative
- Courageous
- Excellence in Leadership
- Any Age, Any Stage, Any Place
- Explore, Share, Advance
- Invite In, Venture Out
- Vibrant and Sustainable
- Collaboration (team award)
How do I nominate someone for a Changemaker Award?
To nominate a colleague:
- Complete the online nomination form with your co-nominator
- Submit the nomination by the deadline, following the call for nominations in September
For support completing the online nomination form please reach out to the People and Culture team.
Can I nominate the same person for multiple awards?
Yes, an individual can be nominated for more than one award category.
To nominate a colleague for multiple awards, you'll need to submit a separate nomination form for each category.
What is the selection and timing process?
- Nominations for 2025 open on September 9 and will be accepted until Thursday, October 2.
- Nominees will be notified of their nomination and, upon accepting, their submission will be reviewed by the Adjudication Committee.
- Nominees will be showcased on the Our People website, and awards will be presented at the annual Celebrating U event