Employee Achievement Awards

Tracey Anbinder

Criminology

A long-term fixture at SFU, Tracey Anbinder's 25-year history with the university started back when she first joined as a part-time mature student in 2000. She graduated five years later with an honours degree in Psychology and she liked academia so much she decided to stay! In the Department of Psychology, she has held roles as a teaching assistant, research assistant, and undergraduate student advisor. She also served as a manager with the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies; FASS Surrey; FASS Dean’s office; and for the last 6 years, the School of Criminology. She takes great joy in supporting faculty, students, and her fellow staff members. Since joining Criminology as its Academic and Administrative Services Manager, she has been described as a vital member of the team. Anbinder's nominators all speak highly of her diligence, efficiency, and calm approach to overcoming challenges. As one nominator puts it, SFU Criminology "now functions like a well-oiled machine" thanks to her dedication and hard work.  

Allen Yee

Psychology

Known for his dry and sarcastic sense of humour, it’s a surprise to Allen Yee himself that despite all that, he lasted sixteen years at SFU and thirteen of those in the Department of Psychology. Before becoming the department manager, he served as the sole student advisor for eleven of those years under the guidance and compassionate tutelage of then managers Beverley Davino and Tara Smith. Yee learned from these two giants and credits their mentorship for what he does today. He views his success not as an indicator of his individual performance, but a reflection of the trust and support he received from his team, department chair, faculty members, and Dean’s office. 

Sumercan Bozkurt-Gungen

International Studies

Sumercan Bozkurt-Gungen’s research examines 21st-century development strategies and political regime changes in the global South through the lens of labour and social reproduction. She has published articles in journals such as Third World Quarterly, Journal of International Relations & Development, and South European Society and Politics. Her teaching portfolio features a wide range of subjects in International Studies, including global poverty and inequality, work and employment in the global economy, social movements in the global South, development ethics, and research methods in international studies. Bozkurt holds a PhD in Political Science from Middle East Technical University. Before joining SFU in 2019, she taught at York University. Her teaching is guided by “critical hope,” an approach that critically engages with and acknowledges the origins and structural dynamics of systemic challenges while balancing this recognition with hope for change rooted in collective agency. Currently, she is leading a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Project focused on incorporating “critical hope” into teaching about 21st-century global political and economic challenges.

Jason Proulx

Psychology

Driven by a deep passion for teaching, Jason Proulx co-created inclusive and engaging learning spaces with students to help them feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow. Jason was recognized for his innovative and student-centred teaching in which he made complex ideas accessible and meaningful through storytelling, demonstrations, and grounded in students’ diverse everyday experiences. His teaching emphasized growth—empowering students to gain mastery through regular practice and guidance—and helping students apply their learning beyond the classroom to support their daily lives, communities, and future careers. Students describe his classes as “a breath of fresh air,” highlighting his warmth, approachability, and ability to spark curiosity. As a community-engaged researcher, Jason studied how to foster well-being, social connection, and prosocial behaviour. Jason applied this research into the classroom so that students left not just with new knowledge and skills, but the friendships and joyful memories that last a lifetime. Sadly, Jason passed away suddenly in late August 2025, but this award commemorates his passion for and commitment to teaching that will remain.

Samuel Basoah

Economics

Samuel Basoah after completing his studies at the University of Ghana as the Best Economics Student for two consecutive years, joined the master's program in Economics at Simon Fraser University in 2019, completing it with distinction within a year. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Economics and is proficient in seven languages including English, French, and intermediate Mandarin Chinese.

His teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that effective education empowers, transforms, and equips students not only with knowledge but with the critical tools to solve real world problems. Samuel has served as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for over 20 courses, actively playing a pivotal role in his department’s study nights, workshops and mentoring programs. He has mentored around 15 Teaching Assistants and consistently ranks in the top five of his department’s TA evaluations. In recognition of his outstanding teaching, he received the Terry Heaps Award for Teaching Excellence in 2024.