Dr Ademola Adesola, a Nigerian lecturer at Mount Royal University (MRU) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 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 specifically acknowledged Dr. John Cheeseman, his nominator, who works in the university library and is not part of his faculty or department. “Dr. Cheeseman has been a consistent admirer of my work within and outside MRU,” he said, highlighting the cross-departmental support that made the recognition possible.
A key initiative celebrated by the award is the African and Black Writings in Canada Speaker Series, which Dr Adesola initiated and organizes annually. With the help of colleagues, staff, and students, the series has run successfully for three consecutive years, with its fourth edition scheduled for October 21. The event brings together speakers from across Canada and around the world, creating a vibrant space for dialogue on Black and African intellectual contributions.
When Dr Adesola joined MRU in 2022, he identified a gap in the representation of African and Black Canadian thought in academic discourse. He took proactive steps to address it by leveraging university funding designated for community initiatives. This financial support has enabled the series to be delivered in a hybrid format, making it accessible to diverse audiences both on campus and online.
Dr Adesola emphasized that this achievement is not solely his own. “I have not been doing this work alone,” he said. “The award belongs to everyone who has supported me — I have reached out to them already — and to all who continue to do so.” He also thanked colleagues who nominated him for other awards, 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 extended special appreciation to Dr. Christopher Grignard for the Faculty of Arts Outstanding Service Award he received two years ago, and to his Department Chair, Rob Boschman, for ongoing support. “Everyone who continues to challenge and encourage me is appreciated heartily,” he added.
The official award ceremony will take place in November. The President’s Community Connections Award celebrates employees whose service strengthens relationships between Mount Royal University and the broader community. It highlights those who actively build collaborations, launch impactful programmes, and embody values of engagement and social responsibility. Dr Adesola’s work continues to position MRU as a leader in inclusive academic programming, and his recognition underscores the growing importance of Black and African voices in Canadian higher education.
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