Two ASC staff members win awards from Learning Specialists Association
Two members of the Ted Rogers School of Management’s Academic Success Centre (ASC) team have been recognized for their contributions to higher education by the Learning Specialists Association of Canada (LSAC).
Nina Sulkin and Jane (Evgeniya) Tsekhovaya were both recognized by LSAC, a national association for professionals who focus on the application of learning theory in higher education. The group’s National Awards acknowledge the contributions of its members to their institution, the profession and to the LSAC.
Sulkin (they/them), ASC Student Success Facilitator, won this year’s LSAC Emerging Professional Award. This award is presented to an individual who has worked in the learning specialist industry between two and six years and has demonstrated a novel or unique approach to learning skills programming, services or research that resulted in a substantial impact at their institution.
Sulkin has been part of the ASC team for nearly four years, providing remarkable training and support to student staff members and delivering programs with effective learning strategies to Ted Rogers School students. As an alumnus themselves (BComm, 2016), Sulkin has a unique position which has been of great benefit as they support and design services for students.
In summer 2020, Sulkin co-chaired Ted Rogers School’s Pre-Orientation Program. Given the unique challenges of the pandemic, they were even more committed to connecting with the new, incoming students. The program expanded into a robust four-day multidimensional initiative that was accessible to students across countries and time zones. Sulkin was heavily involved in coordinating the website and recruiting and partnering with a large number of student groups and peer leaders to encourage the successful transition of incoming students.
Tsekhovaya (she/her), ASC Lead Peer Academic Coach, won the LSAC Student Award. This award is presented to a student who has had a positive impact on learning skills programming, services or research at their institution.
Tsekhovaya (Economics and Management Science Management major; Finance and French minors) has been working in various roles at the ASC for four years. She has made outstanding contributions to and has had a positive impact on learning skills programming and services within the Ted Rogers School. In her interactions with students, Tsekhovaya serves as a positive role model and representative of Ryerson, and in her interactions with her team, she provides an inclusive and collaborative environment. This year, she became the lead of the Community Building and Self-Care group, internal to ASC student staff teams.
Both internally-facing and externally, Tsekhovaya has demonstrated leadership, positive influence and improvement of students’ quality of life beyond academics. As a BUS100 New Student Transition Project Planning and Administrative Assistant, she helped to plan and evaluate the course’s peer-supported learning material, providing input on the design and development of the projects to enhance student retention and success.
“For many years, the ASC has attracted talented, enthusiastic learning professionals and student staff,” says Madelyn Steed, Ted Rogers School’s Manager of Academic Support. “This past year, the team came together to create new and impactful programming to support incoming and current students as they arrive, survive and thrive. It is a wonderful moment of pause when we can celebrate the talent on this team, in particular when we get the opportunity to highlight the essential contributions of our student staff.”
“Nina and Jane have been quite the duo, and it is so fitting that they are being recognized in the same year,” says Steed. “I thank them both for their commitment, service to students, and their peers. I am delighted their work has been honoured and acknowledged by our national organization.”
The awards will be presented to Sulkin and Tsekhovaya at the LSAC’s National Conference being held virtually May 17-19, 2021.