On Thursday, April 23, two Mohawk College employees, Abby Taylor and Mariano Arriaga received Leadership Excellence Awards from Colleges & Institutes Canada, the national association for publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics, at their annual conference.
Mohawk College IDEAWORKS's Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives led by Andrea Johnson, received a Program Excellence Award as well.
"Congratulations to Abby, Mariano and the Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives team led by Andrea, on this well-deserved national recognition. Their work reflects the commitment to excellence, collaboration and a student-focused mindset that defines Mohawk College. These awards highlight the impact our faculty and staff have on students and the communities we serve," said Mohawk College President, Paul Armstrong.
Learn more about each award recipient:
Abby Taylor - Silver Recipient, Leadership Excellence Award for Non-Managerial Staff
In her role as a Student Success Advisor for more than six years, Abby Taylor advised thousands of students in more than 50 programs across Business, Creative Industries, General Studies, and Engineering Technology, to achieve their goals through personalized guidance.
Known for transforming complex challenges into streamlined solutions, Abby overhauled transfer processes, created tools to track academic progress, and personally ensured pathways for students during program suspensions. A mentor and trusted resource to colleagues, she uplifts teams through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Mariano Arriaga - Bronze Recipient, Leadership Excellence Award for Managerial Staff
Since 2018, Dr. Mariano Arriaga, General Manager, Energy & Power Innovation Centre (EPIC) has transformed EPIC into a leading hub for applied energy research and innovation. Under his visionary leadership, EPIC has secured over $8 million in funding, completed more than 100 projects, and partnered with over 70 organizations, including Ontario Power Generation, Independent First Nations Alliance, and Black & McDonald.
His collaborations with industry, government, and Indigenous communities have advanced clean technologies, reduced emissions, and created numerous student learning and employment opportunities.
Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives (CERI) Program - Silver Recipient, Program Excellence
The Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives (CERI) at Mohawk College led by Andrea Johnson, General Manager, was established in 2022 to build applied research capacity for faculty and anticipate emerging areas of opportunity in applied research through a structured five-stage pathway.
Created by CERI, the Applied Research 101 (AR 101) is Canada's largest virtual training program for Applied Research. CERI equips faculty to lead research projects, fosters cross-disciplinary and inclusive collaboration, and expands student opportunities. The AR 101 framework is transferable across institutions, and its sustainable, on-demand model is now used nationally and internationally, supporting innovation and research excellence across the college sector.
