Pathology/microbiology’s Tuire Cechin receives Gold ‘U’ award

A master of organization.

That’s how Tuire Cechin, graduate program coordinator in the department of pathology and microbiology, is described by one of her colleagues.

Tuire Cechin

“She is highly detail-orientated with checklists, schedules, deadlines, reminders, etc.,” said the colleage, who nominated Cechin for the Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ award. “Some people make lists, but the tasks are never fully completed or deadlines not met. That’s not the case with Tuire.”

These organizational skills are particularly handy as Cechin coordinates the largest graduate program on the UNMC campus.

“The extensive time and preparation that Tuire puts into our graduate studies program creates an effective operation that delivers outstanding service to our students, teaching faculty and visiting scientists,” Cechin’s colleague wrote in the nomination that indeed led to Cechin receiving the Gold ‘U’ for the month of October.

Below, we get to know more about the latest Gold ‘U’ awardee.

Describe your job in laymen terms.

My job includes assisting in the application process and helping new students to get started with their programs. I schedule research seminars for our students as well as visiting scientists including their travel arrangements. In general, I help our students to fulfill all their requirements in regards to registration and other formalities in all stages of their study. I also coordinate our department’s summer undergraduate program activities. In summary, I serve as a contact point between graduate students, faculty, course directors and Graduate Studies.

What is your best on-the-job memory?

My best on-the-job memory is a recurring one during our annual event in the department when we hand out award certificates to graduate students and recognize all their achievements during the past academic year.

What is the best part of your job?

No two days are alike and I get to work with such a tremendous group of people. But ultimately, the best part is to see individual students academically succeed and in many cases visibly mature during their programs. And finally, to see them at their final oral defense, excited and ready to move on.