Chris Ambedkar, professor of creativity and communications at Sheridan College, has received the 2023 Design Educator Award of Excellence for Eastern Canada from the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD).
The RGD's Design Educator Awards of Excellence recognize Canadian design educators at the college and university level who have made outstanding contributions to student development and pedagogical research. Nominees are evaluated based on five criteria: area of focus, contribution to the design community, contribution to design pedagogy or practice, support for students and curriculum development.
Chris is an award-winning educator, designer and creativity practitioner. Currently teaching at Sheridan College, Chris taught previously at Toronto Metropolitan University in their Graphic Communications Management and Master of Digital Media programs. As an educator, Chris challenges his students to build connections between their education and solve real-world problems.
"Receiving this award is an immense honour," said Chris. "I share this achievement with every student I've had the privilege to teach, especially those who discovered their voices in my classroom. Their journey fuels my commitment to fostering inclusivity and driving positive change through the transformative power of creativity and design."
"Chris is an incredible resource for students and faculty alike. He is kind, compassionate and consistently puts students' needs first," said Diana Varma, contract lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University and Chris's nominator. "Chris is the educator the world needs right now."
The Design Educator Awards are an annual program run by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD). One winner is selected for Eastern Canada and one for Western Canada (Susan Colberg, University of Alberta). An honourable mention has been given to Glenn McArthur, assistant professor and course leader at OCAD University.
