York University’s Yoojin Lee, international student experience coordinator, and Cristina Bregar, University lead in student advising, have been recognized as the 2025 recipients of the Lynda Tam Guiding Light and Legacy Award, which was established to recognize staff who demonstrate excellence in student service, collaboration, mentorship and impact.
The annual award, first given in 2021, was established in honour of Lynda Tam, who served as the first assistant dean, students, in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. She was dedicated to developing advising and peer mentoring programs and initiatives that helped students excel and reach their academic, personal and professional goals.
The Lynda Tam Guiding Light and Legacy Award is presented annually to an advising, peer leadership or student services professional who embodies Tam’s creativity, imagination and ability to positively guide others and programs to deliver student service excellence.
Typically, the award is given to one recipient, but 2025 was different. “In a year where we felt the need to both celebrate legacy and recognize emerging brilliance, we are delighted to honour two individuals,” says Lara Ubaldi, a member of the award committee and director of strategic initiatives in the Division of Students.
The decision was made to recognize both an emerging leader and a long-serving pillar of the student advising community.
Bregar was selected in recognition of her decade of experience in elevating student advising at York. She has played a pivotal role in advancing advising practices and pan-University initiatives, including the Early Alert project, the interactive advising map and the coordination of the annual YUAdvise conference.
Described by colleagues as a bridge-builder and mentor, Bregar was also praised for fostering connections, solving problems and championing a shared vision of student-centred, collaborative and future-focused advising.
“Cristina’s openness and warmth create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued,” said Vina Sandher, director of Student and Academic Services in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. “Her dedication to transparency, collaboration and excellence has made advising feel less like a solitary role and more like a united community.”
“Receiving the Lynda Tam Guiding Light and Legacy Award is deeply humbling,” says Bregar. “It affirms the ‘why’ that has always guided me – the incredible people who give their all to students and colleagues every day. This award is not just a recognition but a reminder that together, we make a difference.”
The second recipient of this year’s award is Lee, who joined York in 2023 and was recognized for reimagining international student experiences with compassion, creativity and connection.
In just two years, Lee has built cross-campus collaborations, redesigned the International and Exchange Student Orientation, and launched practical tools such as student resource guides and pre-arrival webinars that support students before they even set foot on campus.
“Yoojin has transformed the ways in which teams at York collaborate to support international students,” said Nethmi Kulatilake, manager of International Student Experience. “She has broken down silos, built meaningful relationships and created a sense of team culture and care that didn’t exist before.”
Lee’s approach has been praised for its student-centredness and her ability to inspire trust and confidence – especially among international students navigating a new country – in a way that has had a genuine impact. As Aneeka Black, a student lead who has worked with Lee since 2023, noted: “Yoojin is not just a supervisor; she is a catalyst for transformation. She leads with vision, innovates with purpose and inspires with unwavering dedication.”
“I feel very honoured to receive the Lynda Tam Guiding Light and Legacy Award,” said Lee. “I can’t take full credit, though – everything I do is part of a larger, collective effort. I’m proud to be part of a team at York International that gives so much to support our students every day.”
As part of this year’s award, original artwork was commissioned from Paria Shahverdi, an AMPD student.
The artist reflected on Tam’s enduring legacy: “In this world, when we look into the distance, we can find a light – a symbol of hope to achieve our goals and carry on. Lynda Tam was that light. Though she is no longer with us, her brightness continues to illuminate our path. Nature’s beauty and mystery inspired this work – much like Lynda’s legacy, which remains central even in the darkest moments.”
Together, Bregar and Lee exemplify the spirit of mentorship, innovation and student-centred service that defined Lynda Tam’s lasting impact at York.
With files from Catherine Salole