Criminology recipients of the 2025 FASS Employee Achievement - Staff Awards

Two long-standing members of the Criminology team—Tracey Anbinder and Gabriel Sauro—were recognized with 2025 Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) Employee Achievement - Staff Awards for their outstanding service and contributions to the university community. The awards were presented during the FASS Fall Reception held on October 23^rd at the Diamond Alumni Centre.

Tracey Anbinder, Academic and Administrative Services Manager in the School of Criminology, received the Changemaker Award in recognition of her dedication and transformative impact.

Anbinder’s 25-year journey with SFU started in 2000 as a part-time psychology student. Since then, she has become a valuable member of the university, holding key administrative roles in Psychology, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, FASS Surrey, and the FASS Dean’s Office before joining the School of Criminology six years ago.

Known for her professionalism and solutions-oriented approach, Anbinder has been credited with helping the School of Criminology function “like a well-oiled machine.”

In reflecting on the recognition, she expressed that it was a lovely acknowledgement of her hard work, “but also and more importantly, hard work and teamwork of the staff as a whole”. For Anbinder, the real reward lies in seeing her colleagues thrive.

“I like to connect with people individually and help them to succeed,” she says. “I see myself more as a facilitator, helping each individual do their own thing.”

The Lifetime Contribution Award was presented to Academic Advisor and Recruiter Gabriel Sauro, whose nearly two-decade career has shaped the experiences of thousands of criminology students.

Since joining the School in 2006, Sauro has been a supportive presence for students navigating one of Simon Fraser University’s largest undergraduate programs. A proud SFU alumnus himself, Sauro is celebrated for his deep knowledge of academic requirements and dedication to student success.

“What I enjoy the most about my job is when there’s a student who’s having some issues and needs help, and then eventually they cross the stage to receive their degree,” he says. “It’s nice to see that along the way you were able to help them.”

Congratulations to both Tracey Anbinder and Gabriel Sauro on these well-deserved awards!