School for the Arts faculty member recognized for extraordinary leadership, mentorship

by Kristen McEwen

A College of Arts and Science faculty member has been recognized for being an exceptional leader, educator and mentor within the University of Saskatchewan (USask) School for the Arts.

An associate professor of design, Carla Orosz (BFA’04), has been named as the inaugural recipient of the College of Arts and Science Faculty Service Excellence Award.

“I was speechless,” Orosz said about the moment she learned she was selected for the award. “I do this work because I love my job but to be acknowledged across the college is a huge honour.”

The award is presented to a faculty member for their extraordinary administrative contributions to committee processes in the department, college, university leadership, and collegial governance.

“The nomination was a huge acknowledgement itself, and I truly have some of the best colleagues. They are just as passionate about their work as I am and work just as hard,” Orosz said. “Doing the work I do comes easy because of those around me.”

Orosz was the department head of the Department of Drama during the amalgamation of the music, art and art history and drama departments to create the School for the Arts.

She led the drama department through this transition and updated departmental processes in anticipation of the amalgamation. During this time, she also led the renewal and recruitment of faculty. She also helped create the capacity to update a full academic program and add drama graduate programs—all while helping design sets for the Greystone Theatre’s regular season productions.

“My area of teaching and research is in the performing arts (theatre design), which is built on the skills of collaboration and community,” she said. “Administrative service to USask comes natural to me because of these skills. When everyone lends a hand and participates, everyone’s workload is lightened.”

According to her nomination letter, Orosz’ work has led to the creation of a more collaborative and interdisciplinary arts community at USask, and Saskatoon.

She has served many administrative roles within the former Department of Drama. She has also been part of numerous committees for faculty searches, and chaired college initiatives such as the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion staff working group. She represented the drama department in many university initiatives, which allowed the unit to stay engaged with processes at USask.

“I wanted a seat at the table to be an advocate for the performing arts as it brings so much vibrancy into everyone’s life as well as teaching creativity, collaboration and communication,” she added.

Orosz has mentored students in theatre design projects, practicums and in professional capacities. She has offered guidance to junior faculty members and provided advocacy for colleagues in collegial processes.

“I really do love what I do, and I am passionate about my work. I guess that energy has to go somewhere,” she said. “If I am not pouring my time into my design work (research) with Greystone Theatre, or out in the community, I pour it into all these other tasks.

“Thanks to my parents for raising a farm girl that knew what hard work looked like and was not afraid to jump in and get the tasks completed.”

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