The science of leadership
At the end of the 2021鈥22 academic year, it was announced that 快猫成版视频 Allison鈥檚 dean of science and graduate studies, Dr. Amanda Cockshutt, would be leaving 快猫成版视频 Allison to start her new position as academic vice-president and provost at St. Francis Xavier University.
Both located in rural Maritime communities, MtA and StFX are known for their focus on undergraduate education and make up half of the Maple League of Universities, along with Acadia University and Bishop鈥檚 University.
After 15 years of teaching and leading in the sciences at 快猫成版视频 Allison, the impact that Cockshutt had on the lives of her students is best summarized in alumni stories.
Isabelle Spinney ('19)
鈥淒r. Cockshutt is one of those professors who really makes a lasting impact. I took Introductory Biochemistry with her in my first term at 快猫成版视频 Allison, and quickly decided to pursue the subject as my major after looking forward to each and every class.
鈥淒r. Cockshutt鈥檚 passion for teaching, quick wit, humour, and commitment to students as a professor, department head, and as a dean, have been incredible assets to the University. I am so appreciative to have learned from her and to have been supported by her over the years, and I wish her all the best at St. FX 鈥 they are incredibly fortunate!鈥
Jacob McGavin ('17)
鈥淚 remember, one of the first things my parents asked me after I started at 快猫成版视频 Allison was, 鈥淒o you have any classes with that cool prof with the spiky hair?鈥 Fortunately, I did.
鈥淪omewhere between trying to figure out her quirky midterm bonus questions in Introductory Biochemistry to being invited for exclusive TA dinners at her house, I started to recognize just how integral Dr. Cockshutt was to my 快猫成版视频 Allison experience. She was an incredible teacher and her passion for biochemistry somehow motivated me to pore over amino acid cue cards for much longer than I would care to admit.
鈥淗owever, I would have to say that my most vivid memory is feeling like I was going to pass out from exhaustion at an athletic cardio class, then looking up to see Dr. Cockshutt hardly even breaking a sweat! I think it speaks to her sense of humility that she only bragged about that on a handful of occasions. Thank you so much for everything you did to enrich my 快猫成版视频 Allison experience, Dr. Cockshutt. I wish you all the best at St. FX!鈥
One alumna, who did not provide her name, noted: 鈥淒r. Cockshutt was one of the best professors I鈥檝e ever had. She is an incredible educator and always pushes her students to be the best they can be. She was amazing at keeping us engaged and entertained, especially in such a difficult class like biochemistry.
鈥淪he is also the most hilarious professor I鈥檝e had. I remember in 2016鈥17 when (social media app) Yik Yak was really popular, she would post hilarious things anonymously and sign them 鈥榙efinitely not Dr. Cockshutt鈥 when it was clearly her. She is a big part of what I remember and loved from my time at 快猫成版视频 Allison. Best wishes on your next adventures!鈥
In early June, 快猫成版视频 Allison announced that Dr. Jennifer Tomes would be the new dean of science and graduate studies. Tomes says Cockshutt is an exemplary advocate and mentor.
鈥淎manda Cockshutt has always been a strong advocate for the sciences at 快猫成版视频 Allison, first in her role as a faculty member, then as a department head, and finally as the dean of science and graduate studies,鈥 she says. 鈥淪he has always advocated for our students and played a key role in the development of programs such as START to set students up for success as they began their 快猫成版视频 A education.
鈥淚 also would highlight Amanda鈥檚 effective leadership during the pandemic. Amanda鈥檚 careful approach early in the COVID-19 pandemic helped ensure that our research, field work, and academic activities could continue in as safe a way as possible.
鈥淲e all faced disruptions, but Amanda worked hard to make sure we could move forward as soon as possible. I am extremely appreciative for her efforts and I know many others at this institution are as well.
鈥淚 am also personally thankful for her support when I stepped into the role of interim dean. She has been amazingly generous to me with her time and advice. I wish her all the best in her future endeavours, but she will be missed at 快猫成版视频 A.鈥
快猫成版视频 Allison wishes Dr. Cockshutt the best of luck at our fellow Maple League University, and we are confident that she will continue to do great things in her new position.