Samantha Couch wins President’s Award for Outstanding Service

In recognition of outstanding service, Sam Couch received the President’s Award, representing the highest honour McMaster bestows on non-teaching employees.

Throughout Sam’s 17 years with Science Career and Co-operative Education, she has progressed from Recruitment Assistant to Career Development and Relationship Manager to Program Manager. As a champion for science co-op students, she is known as “the mom of co-op”.

The world has changed since Sam first started working in co-op, but SCCE’s student-focused approach has stayed the same. As the co-op program has grown, there have been several new developments that have contributed to the success of science students, with Sam’s innovative ideas playing a key role in advancing these initiatives. The Mentorship program and Co-op Ambassador program have allowed students to connect and learn from each other’s experiences, and there have been tons of co-op events that contribute to the professional development of students. To build the confidence of students, Sam is always striving to ensure they’re well-connected to their peers and industry professionals.

Sam makes every effort to make the co-op program feel like a “home away from home” at McMaster where students are matched with a co-op team member to be their lead in the program. Ensuring students feel supported in their journey is at the heart of everything SCCE does, and having a go-to team member is key to giving them a sense of reassurance and comfortability.

Over the years, Sam has connected with thousands of co-op students and employers that consistently exceed expectations. The students in the program are exceptional, and so are the employers who hire hundreds of students. Sam’s seen the students become the employers and the mentors.

Sam’s co-op students are constantly singing her praises. They have endless stories about the way she has helped them navigate the co-op program, sharing that she was consistently a knowledgeable and reassuring presence. Co-op advisors make a big difference in the academic trajectories of students. Not only does Sam help students to advance their careers, but she makes them feel like they’re part of a community. “I don’t believe I would have had nearly as rewarding of an undergraduate experience if it weren’t for Sam,” said one of her students.

And why has Sam spent all these years working in co-op? “Working with students at a pivotal stage in their education and being able to witness their rapid growth is fulfilling,” said Sam. “It’s inspiring to see students grow into professionals and develop confidence in their own abilities. Their excitement to take their classroom knowledge to the workplace is heartwarming to witness.”

Sam’s nominators commended her for demonstrating excellent service and a consistent effort to efficient and effective university operations. She was among eight individual award recipients of the 2023 President’s Award. The President’s Award for Outstanding Service recognizes employees who make outstanding contributions beyond that normally expected.