Nicole Grignard is the recipient of the Caring Community Award for her extraordinary service to students through her support of operations within the three Student Life departments: Academic Success, Career Exploration & Education, and Housing Services.  

As the Front Desk Coordinator, Nicole is a leader, advocate, problem solver, and “the colleague that holds the space together”. Nicole demonstrates care and compassion for the staff and students who frequent the Student Success Centre by responding to their questions and concerns with patience, kindness, and warmth. She goes above and beyond her duties to ensure that the virtual presence and in-person space of Student Success is welcoming, safe, and supportive. Her capacity to greet everyone with a warm smile, listen deeply, and her commitment to ensuring that every student leaves the Centre feeling helped is in inspiration.  

Nicole also hires, trains, and supports an exceptional team of casual student staff who support the front-line work. The measure of success of Nicole’s leadership can be found in the number of casual staff who have successfully transitioned to full-time careers at U of T and other postsecondary institutions.