2013 Undergraduate Student of the Year Honourable Mention
BA 2014: Psychology Major, Commerce Minor
Eva Kwan received an honorable mention for the Arts Co-op Student of the Year Award. Eva was recognized for her work terms at the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA), Operational Space Medicine Programme, where she had the privilege of supporting Commander Chris Hadfield with his mission to space. “She made a huge difference in the success of my spaceflight through her bright and creative support, endless patience, hard work and sense of fun”, says the Commander. Eva’s direct supervisor, Leena Tomi, was also pleasantly surprised at her “exceptional talents and personality” and believes that she is the “most outstanding co-op student [they] have ever worked with”.
Excellence in the Workplace
Eva was instrumental in contributing to the overall success of the space mission, including ensuring the well-being of Chris Hadfield. In close collaboration with the CSA, NASA teams, and other partners, she implemented support measures for the Commander to ensure his psychological health in space. With her passion and background in Psychology, she applied theories she learned to understand what astronauts may experience in space, and gained a better appreciation for the field. She worked on the Commander’s personal webpage that included news and programming and also planned space-to-ground video conferences to keep him connected to life on earth and reduce his feelings of isolation. Eva used her negotiation and interpersonal skills in gathering useful information to share with the Commander and arranging packages that were sent to him.
In addition to her real-time support for Commander Hadfield, Eva was also responsible for various research and writing activities related to the mission at the CSA. She designed PowerPoints for briefing events, created numerous high quality documents for internal and external purposes, gave a thorough presentation on the mission, and produced a comprehensive reference manual for future missions. Her supervisor was impressed by many of her qualities, for example “how well she worked with difference people and teams”, “how well she managed her time and tasks even under significant pressure and strict timelines” and “her [ability] to adapt to and follow … guidelines”. Eva was a “fresh talent” for the organization and she “exceeded all [CSA’s] expectations”.
Eva truly integrated and devoted herself to the team and the mission, and she never stopped striving to positively represent the Program and UBC. In a feature story with UBC Public Affairs (read here), Eva notes that relocating to a new city and becoming independent have been the most enriching parts of her co-op experience. As Eva puts it, “Chris Hadfield has become the first Canadian Commander of the International Space Station. Who’s to say I won’t become the first Asian-Canadian space psychologist?”
Eva’s contributions to the Arts Co-op community, through her leadership involvement with the Arts Co-op Student Association, have been outstanding. Her roles have included Social Media & Promotions Chair, and Co-Chair of the Mentorship program. And she took on the brave task of co-facilitating the “Holy Accomplishments Batman” workshop on building effective resumes and cover letters during our pre-employment conference series in front of 200 new co-op students.
Her high academic achievements, contributions to the community, and professional maturity make Eva a worthy recipient of this recognition.
2013 Undergraduate Student of the Year Honourable Mention
BA 2014: Psychology Major, Commerce Minor
Eva Kwan received an honorable mention for the Arts Co-op Student of the Year Award. Eva was recognized for her work terms at the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA), Operational Space Medicine Programme, where she had the privilege of supporting Commander Chris Hadfield with his mission to space. “She made a huge difference in the success of my spaceflight through her bright and creative support, endless patience, hard work and sense of fun”, says the Commander. Eva’s direct supervisor, Leena Tomi, was also pleasantly surprised at her “exceptional talents and personality” and believes that she is the “most outstanding co-op student [they] have ever worked with”.
Excellence in the Workplace
Eva was instrumental in contributing to the overall success of the space mission, including ensuring the well-being of Chris Hadfield. In close collaboration with the CSA, NASA teams, and other partners, she implemented support measures for the Commander to ensure his psychological health in space. With her passion and background in Psychology, she applied theories she learned to understand what astronauts may experience in space, and gained a better appreciation for the field. She worked on the Commander’s personal webpage that included news and programming and also planned space-to-ground video conferences to keep him connected to life on earth and reduce his feelings of isolation. Eva used her negotiation and interpersonal skills in gathering useful information to share with the Commander and arranging packages that were sent to him.
In addition to her real-time support for Commander Hadfield, Eva was also responsible for various research and writing activities related to the mission at the CSA. She designed PowerPoints for briefing events, created numerous high quality documents for internal and external purposes, gave a thorough presentation on the mission, and produced a comprehensive reference manual for future missions. Her supervisor was impressed by many of her qualities, for example “how well she worked with difference people and teams”, “how well she managed her time and tasks even under significant pressure and strict timelines” and “her [ability] to adapt to and follow … guidelines”. Eva was a “fresh talent” for the organization and she “exceeded all [CSA’s] expectations”.
Eva truly integrated and devoted herself to the team and the mission, and she never stopped striving to positively represent the Program and UBC. In a feature story with UBC Public Affairs (read here), Eva notes that relocating to a new city and becoming independent have been the most enriching parts of her co-op experience. As Eva puts it, “Chris Hadfield has become the first Canadian Commander of the International Space Station. Who’s to say I won’t become the first Asian-Canadian space psychologist?”
Eva’s contributions to the Arts Co-op community, through her leadership involvement with the Arts Co-op Student Association, have been outstanding. Her roles have included Social Media & Promotions Chair, and Co-Chair of the Mentorship program. And she took on the brave task of co-facilitating the “Holy Accomplishments Batman” workshop on building effective resumes and cover letters during our pre-employment conference series in front of 200 new co-op students.
Her high academic achievements, contributions to the community, and professional maturity make Eva a worthy recipient of this recognition.