The Learning Specialists Association of Canada would like to announce the inaugural winners of its LSAC National Awards. These awards recognize the contributions of our members to their institution, the profession, and to LSAC. The awards were presented during the gala event of the LSAC 2017 national conference held at John Abbott College in Quebec, Canada.

Student Award

Mynt Marsellus of Wilfrid Laurier University was awarded the Student Award for their work as an SI leader, an SI senior mentor, as a time management coach, and as a writing tutor over the past three years.

The LSAC Student Award is presented to a student who has had a positive impact on learning skills programming, services, or research at their institution.

  

   

    

Emerging Professional Award

Caryle Vroom of Simon Fraser University was awarded the Emerging Professional Award for her work supporting student learning through the development of first-year transition programming, including, the redevelopment of resource material; through providing instruction in learning strategies; and, through helping students in the development of individual learning plans.

The LSAC Emerging Professional Award is presented to an individual who has worked in the learning specialist industry between two and six years at the time of nomination and who has demonstrated a novel or unique approach to learning skills programming, services, or research that resulted in a substantial impact at their institution.

   

Distinguished Professional Award

Michael Lisetto-Smith of Wilfrid Laurier University was awarded the LSAC Distinguished Professional Award for his work in developing an infrastructure to launch a study skills centre, including supports for supplemental instruction, varsity athletes, Aboriginal students, online programming, and course embedded programs. He is also being recognized for his ongoing commitment and support for the learning specialists’ profession and LSAC through his work on the Board of Directors of the Learning and Study Skills Association (LASSA), his work in the creation of LSAC, and his work as the inaugural president of LSAC.

The LSAC Distinguished Professional Award is presented to an LSAC professional member who has worked in the learning specialist industry for six or more years, has demonstrated either leadership or innovation that resulted in an impact to further student success, and has been actively involved in LSAC through presentations, volunteering, sitting on committees, or serving on the Board of Directors.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The LSAC Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an LSAC professional member who is either close to retirement or who has retired at the time of nomination. The nominee must have contributed significantly to the profession through ongoing distinguished contributions to the development of learning skills programming, services, research, or the profession. LSAC recognized two members with this award.

Maryann Kope

Maryann Kope of the University of Guelph was awarded the LSAC Lifetime Achievement Award for her over 25 years of experience in the learning support profession. In that time, Maryann has developed an award-winning webshop, developed an award-winning graduate student learning initiative, oversaw the implementation of a student-athlete mentorship program, and has led a team of learning strategies professionals.

Maryann has also dedicated time to LSAC through serving as the Eastern Regional Chair, the Chair of the LSAC 2015 National Conference, and the International Relations Director on the LSAC Board of Directors. As the International Relations Director, Maryann also sat on the Steering Group of the Consortium of Academic Languages and Learning Developers where she organized the inaugural Online Symposium.

 

     

Richard “Zack” Zajchowski

Richard “Zack” Zajchowski of Camosun College was awarded the LSAC Lifetime Achievement Award for his 45 years of experience in the learning support profession. In the time, Zack pioneered the embedding of learning strategies instruction into Physics courses, co-authored the book Learning for Success: Effective Strategies for Students, developed learning skills courses, and completed research on the professional nature of learning specialists.

Zack has also dedicated time to the profession through his involvement on the Board of Directors with the Learning Specialists Association of British Columbia, through his involvement in the creation of LSAC by sitting on the initial creation committee and in sitting on governance committee, and through sitting as the inaugural Pacific Regional Chair on the first LSAC Board of Directors.

   

The Learning Specialists Association of Canada (LSAC) is a voluntary, national association for professionals who focus on the application of learning theory in higher education. By offering instruction in learning strategies and study skills, LSAC members support and further the educational goals of students, faculty, staff and school administrations. LSAC's purpose is to develop, encourage, and model sound professional and ethical standards among its members while facilitating the dissemination of current and emerging trends and research in learning. More information about LSAC can be found online at www.learningspecialists.ca.

- 30 -