April 27, 2021
Neuroscience student one of 10 Canada-wide to win 3M National Student Fellowship Award
A 草莓污视频导航 student has been selected for the prestigious . Chaten Jessel, a third-year neuroscience student, was one of 10 post-secondary students from across the country to be recognized for their outstanding contribution to leadership and innovation in post-secondary education.
Jessel described feeling awestruck that the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) recognized the work he had done. The Faculty of Science student has been involved in many initiatives that have had major impacts on聽and off campus, both for students and the greater community alike. His vision for education has enhanced his own academic experience, as well as made the 草莓污视频导航 student experience better for others. 聽
As a Faculty of Science student representative on the Students鈥 Union, Jessel has been working on initiatives that closely align with equity, diversity and inclusion. He led in the creation of the IDEA Awards, which will provide two $1,500 scholarships per year to students who have meaningfully engaged in creating a more fair and equitable campus.
鈥淚 have a lot of privileges in this world, and I鈥檝e had lots of opportunities,鈥 says Jessel. 鈥淚t breaks my heart that other people who are just as qualified don鈥檛 have the same opportunities.鈥
Educational affordability is another area where Jessel made a significant impact. He recognized right away that while he would not be able to tackle the cost of tuition, other aspects of university could be made more affordable, and thus more inclusive. His work toward the adoption of open education resources in classrooms will have significant impacts for students going forward.
Through the Open Education Resource Fund, the SU Quality Money project provides money to professors to create, adopt and review open education resources and other materials.
鈥淚n a class where there are 200 students and each has to buy a $200 textbook, if you can eliminate that, that鈥檚 a huge savings for students,鈥 he says.
Jessel鈥檚 list of accomplishments as an SU representative does not end there. He also led in an initiative to have a study space renovated. Jessel鈥檚 role with various clubs has also been substantial. As president and executive director for Run for Little Ones, a registered non-profit and an official Students鈥 Union club, Jessel helped organize an annual five-kilometre run to benefit the Alberta Children鈥檚 Hospital.
Jessel also played a key role in developing a social space for students in the Neuroscience Students鈥 Association. He initiated Selye Saturdays (named after a famous neurosurgeon) for his classmates, which is a virtual meet-up where neuroscience students get together each week and connect. Additionally, his work with the Leadership and Student Engagement office has helped refine first-year orientation to include equity, diversity and inclusion training for incoming students.
Later this year, as part of the award, Jessel will participate in a cohort project with the other 3M National Student Fellowship Award winners for the benefit of teaching and learning in Canada. He also receives $1,000 from STLHE. The 3M Student Fellowship is a fitting tribute to Jessel鈥檚 innovative and inspiring initiatives, and the university congratulates him on the award, as well as thanks him for his leadership