The Deniz Toker Community Impact Award honours the memory of Deniz Toker, Associate Director of Community and Academic Partnerships at Northeastern University, Toronto.

Deniz was a passionate, community-minded leader dedicated to creating positive impact both on the campus and in the broader campus community through authentic engagement. As a culturally inclusive educator with more than a decade of experience, he empowered newcomers and learners from diverse backgrounds, helping them build language, academic, and cultural skills. His greatest strengths—communication, empathy, and the ability to connect with people through their lived experiences—shaped everything he did.

Deniz believed deeply in fostering belonging and building meaningful, equity-driven relationships—for students, newcomers, and communities locally and across the global network. This award recognizes students who embody that same spirit of service, collaboration, and positive community impact.