'It has changed me': Meet double 小黄书视频 degree recipient Susan He
![OISE alum Susan He.](/home/sites/default/files/2023-06/alumni-portrait-susan-he_0.jpg)
When asked about her time at 小黄书视频 鈥 her trajectory so far and what is to come 鈥 Susan He simply said, 鈥淚t has changed me.鈥
He, who has finished her second graduate degree at 小黄书视频 this spring, entered the Institute expecting to become a STEM educator. Instead, she gained that passion and much more 鈥 specifically, an appreciation for higher education and the student experience.
鈥淚 wanted to teach science in high school, because that was my background,鈥 said He, who earned a Master of Teaching at 小黄书视频 in 2018. But, as she saw more intricate relationships with issues that plagued students 鈥 including how students navigated high school, the transition from high school to university or the issues of navigating postsecondary education 鈥 she thought there were so many more unanswered questions.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 sleep at night, knowing that there were those answers still waiting to be solved,鈥 she recalled. 鈥淭eaching in the classroom 鈥 standing in front of a class of 25, 30 students wasn鈥檛 where I wanted to be all the time."
鈥淢y bigger calling was to really research the questions and issues behind education.鈥
He, who now earns her Master of Education, begins her PhD with 小黄书视频 this fall. She is also a program coordinator at Trinity College, where she assists students through that college鈥檚 first-year foundational program.
Forging relationships with faculty, staff
Much of her skills and experience were formed through her academic and professional relationships at 小黄书视频.
Based at the department of curriculum, teaching and learning (CTL), He undertook graduate assistantships in three of 小黄书视频鈥檚 departments 鈥 at the departments of leadership, higher and adult education and applied psychology and human development, in addition to CTL. These are placements for students engaged in research or field development projects that contribute to their academic and professional development.
Those stints helped broaden He鈥檚 understanding of higher education.
鈥淣ot that many students have the opportunity to study in different departments, nor do they get the chance to help out with the behind-the-scenes work within departments,鈥 she says. 鈥淏ut, to see how faculty and programs function has really opened me up to different possibilities, not just for academic positions but also research that I鈥檓 interested in doing.鈥
Lasting impact of mentorship
She also credits the mentorship of three 小黄书视频 members who have given her tremendous guidance and leadership.
Professor Ruth Childs, her Master of Education and PhD faculty advisor, took He under her wing, even before she started her first day in class at 小黄书视频, nearly four years ago 鈥 providing guidance within the Institute and encouraging her growth as an academic. They are in constant contact 鈥 Childs advises He on questions about coursework, for example, and helps He relate her academic work to what she鈥檚 learning.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 one faculty mentorship that I鈥檝e been really grateful to have and that I鈥檓 going to continue to have going into my PhD,鈥 she said.
Her practicum coordinator and cohort advisor, David Montemurro, really helped He think outside the box when she began her teaching career. While he helped connect her to traditional practicum opportunities, Montemurro set her up with higher ed opportunities, too.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been a key mentor, trying to advise me in terms of blending my teaching with higher ed, and how I can navigate through two distinct professional programs,鈥 she said of Montemurro, an associate professor, teaching stream with CTL.
The third person, Ian MacLeod, had a significant impact on He. As a student ambassador in the Office of the Registrar and Student Services from 2016 to 2018, she says MacLeod saw the potential in her and provided so much motivation and confidence to pursue higher ed work.
MacLeod, 小黄书视频鈥檚 Director of Student Services, praises He鈥檚 time in the office.
鈥淪usan was a great team player and a natural leader,鈥 he said. 鈥淪he brought creativity and determination to the office and worked hard to bring her ideas to life.鈥
In that role, He was involved in a range of activities 鈥 blogging, representing OISE at recruitment events and helping students and applicants at the ORSS front desk.
Macleod recalls that He once undertook a special project to produce a set of music videos around the life of a student-teacher at 小黄书视频. 鈥淭he amount of effort, organization and initiative required of her for that work was exceptional,鈥 he said, 鈥渆specially considering she had to balance her job with her student workload."
鈥淚t is fair to say that Susan was one of the best student ambassadors that we have ever had,鈥 he added.
The praise goes both ways, now and always.
鈥淚 definitely want to give a shout out to all three of my mentors there because they鈥檝e done so much for me. I don鈥檛 know whether or not they know that they have 鈥 I just want to take this opportunity to make it known that they have made an impact.鈥