The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has recognized Serenity Desmond, teaching laboratory coordinator in the Department of Chemistry, with the college's Academic Professional Award.
She is one of seven staff and academic professionals being recognized for outstanding contributions to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences in 2020-21. The recognition comes with a $1,000 award and a $1,000 salary increment supported by donations from LAS alumni.
Desmond coordinates the chemistry teaching labs (100-400 level), oversees the safety and operations of these spaces and also creates and provides lab-specific training for teaching assistants.
“She functions as the local safety officer, waste disposal officer, maintenance head, assessor of experiment success, and, during COVID-19, something of an informal counselor,” one colleague said. “She keeps our teaching laboratories up and running.”
The recipients will be honored during a virtual ceremony in March.
“This year’s award winners have made invaluable contributions to their units, colleagues, and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences as a whole,” said Gene Robinson, interim dean of the College of LAS and Swanlund Chair in Entomology. “Their energy and dedication have been critical to everything from day-to-day operations to fulfilling the long-term goals of the college. We are pleased and fortunate to have them in our midst.”