Dr. Ashleigh Molloy, an adjunct professor at Niagara University in Ontario, was one of three individuals recognized by the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education with its highest honor, the Arbor Award,for his exceptional and longstanding volunteer service. He received the award during a luncheon in January 2024.
Dr. Molloy joined the OISE Alumni Association in early 2020 and quickly became a key leader and dedicated mentor within OISE’s alumni community. In addition to forming meaningful friendships with all his mentees, he was also the video ambassador for the 2022–23 OISE Mentorship Program. He rounded out his contributions by developing a lecture for the OISE Alumni & Friends Leadership Series.
“As one journeys through life, you meet many people in your career willing to lend a helping hand,” Malloy said. “My learning was facilitated by numerous individuals who shared knowledge, advice, and support along the way. Volunteerism is important to me because I am who I am in part due to those who mentored me. I firmly believe it is my responsibility to return the favor, and being an OISE mentor enables me to meet that goal.”
In addition to his service to OISE, Dr. Molloy is dedicated to promoting inclusion through his work as an educator, through service to his community, and through his extensive work in other countries training teachers about special education.
Dr. Molloy has taught special education at the elementary, secondary, and college levels, and his work in international disability education has been recognized by the governments of countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America. He currently serves as president of Transformation Education International, a global leader in transformative professional development, and is a member of the boards of Community Living Toronto and of the City of Toronto’s Accessibility Committee.
The Arbor awards were created in 1989 to recognize volunteers for outstanding personal service to University of Toronto. Since then, the university annually acknowledges the alumni and friends whose loyalty, dedication, and generosity have added substantially to the quality of the University of Toronto experience for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
