Dr Ademola Adesola, a Nigerian-Canadian lecturer at Mount Royal University (MRU) in Calgary, Alberta, has been honoured with the prestigious President’s Community Connections Award for 2026. The award recognises his outstanding efforts in fostering community engagement and promoting African and Black Canadian voices through academic and cultural initiatives. As one of only two recipients this year, Dr Adesola’s work exemplifies the university’s commitment to inclusivity, social responsibility, and meaningful partnerships beyond campus boundaries.
In sharing the news, Dr Adesola expressed deep gratitude, stating, “It is with immense joy that I share that I am one of the two recipients of the 2026 MRU ‘The President’s Community Connections Award.’” He acknowledged Dr. John Cheeseman, a colleague from the University Library who nominated him, praising his consistent support despite not being part of Dr Adesola’s faculty or department. This recognition underscores the collaborative spirit that defines much of his work at MRU.
A key highlight of his contributions is the annual African and Black Writings in Canada Speaker Series, which he initiated and coordinates. Now in its fourth edition, scheduled for October 21, the series has brought together scholars, writers, and students from across Canada and internationally. With support from colleagues, staff, and students, Dr Adesola has successfully run the event in a hybrid format over the past three years, ensuring broad accessibility and engagement.
When he joined MRU in 2022, Dr Adesola identified a gap in the representation of African and Black Canadian intellectual thought within the university’s programming. Recognising this, he leveraged designated funding to sustain the speaker series, making it a recurring platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange. His efforts have helped position MRU as a hub for diverse voices and inclusive scholarship.
Dr Adesola emphasized that this achievement is not his alone. “I have not been doing this work alone,” he said. “The award belongs to everyone who has supported me.” He also thanked colleagues who nominated him for other accolades, including the MRU Emerging Scholar Award, the Faculty of Arts Outstanding Service Award, the Alberta Immigrant Impact Award, and the Calgary Black Achievement Awards in the Academic category. He specifically acknowledged Dr. Christopher Grignard and Department Chair Rob Boschman for their ongoing encouragement.
The official ceremony for the President’s Community Connections Award will take place in November. The award celebrates employees whose actions strengthen ties between MRU and the wider community, promote collaboration, and enhance the university’s role as a socially responsible institution. Dr Adesola’s work continues to inspire greater inclusion and cultural awareness in higher education, setting a benchmark for future initiatives.
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