Members of the Centre of Neuroscience are proud to say they have the best support staff on campus.
Megan Airmet ('08 BA) is the 2013 University of Alberta Support Staff Recognition Award winner. Airmet is the programs and financial co-ordinator for the Centre of Neuroscience, a role that challenges her to manage 65 graduate students, 115 undergraduate students, 11 courses and a weekly seminar program. Additionally, she helps plan and execute special events such as the Run for Brain Research, which took place September 2013 and attracted more than 200 participants. This is her first nomination for the award since she joined the Centre for Neuroscience team in 2010.
According to Airmet, the best part of the job is supporting and advocating for students whenever possible in an effort to continually improve the centre's programs.
"Even seemingly small things, such as organizing events for the students to interact, or outlining their program responsibilities online, can make a big difference in a student's experience and success," said Airmet. "I am lucky to work with a group of people who dedicate a great amount of time and energy to our students and programs."
One of the ways Airmet works to improve the educational opportunities in the Centre for Neuroscience is based on student feedback. Working with centre leadership, she helped establish a full-year undergraduate research course to supplement the pre-existing single term courses. Graduate students began teaching biology and psychology at Grant MacEwan University after Airmet informed the centre's director that many exit surveys revealed the students wanted teaching opportunities. The partnership was quickly forged through the centre's members who work at Grant MacEwan University.
"I am so appreciative to those who took the time out of their hectic schedules to prepare the nomination," she said. "I look forward to improving our programs whenever possible."
Each year, the highly competitive award honours one staff member from anywhere within the university. It is open to all support staff who exemplify dedication to their respective program and have a commitment to successful operations at the University of Alberta. To qualify, staff must be employed for 12 consecutive months and be nominated by at least two people.