Leading with kindness: Amy Hassett awarded Clement Employee Service Award

Each year, CGPS awards the Clement Employee Service Award to a USask staff member who demonstrates exceptional service to the graduate student community.  

The 2024 recipient of the Clement Employee Service Award is Amy Hassett (M.Ed, Ed.D) from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS).  

Hassett began working at JSGS in 2009 as a graduate secretary. Since her very first day, she has been working face-to-face with students to help them navigate their programs. In time, she was promoted to graduate student advisor, and eventually, manager of graduate programs (on-site delivery), where she now oversees the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy, PhD in Public Policy, and certificate programs.  

“For 16 years, I have known nearly every student who has come through [JSGS’s] doors,” said Hassett. “I have a lot of close relationships with them, and being able to see their growth and progress is pretty neat.”  

In 2020, Hassett completed the Leadership in Post-Secondary Education (M.Ed) program at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and recently earned her Professional Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership at USask as well. As she continued her studies, Hassett found it offered her a unique perspective on the challenges graduate students at USask face, equipping her with more tools to support students at JSGS.  

When working with students, Hassett’s priority is kindness. “I think for a lot of students, especially international students, the university can be really intimidating,” said Hassett. “I try to establish a relationship of trust and transparency.” 

According to MPA students, Hassett serves as an advocate, mentor, and an essential pillar to the JSGS community.

“Throughout my time at JSGS, she has been an anchor of support, ensuring that I and many others receive the guidance needed to successfully navigate our academic and professional journeys,” said MPA student Hasim Momtaz. “She takes the time to listen, provide tailored advice, and address challenges—whether related to coursework, scholarships, career planning, or personal well-being.”  

At JSGS, Hassett is known for vast institutional knowledge and her ability to navigate complex policies with ease. She is highly regarded by her colleagues as a dedicated team player who takes the time to understand each student’s unique needs and circumstances.   

In Hassett’s eyes, supporting graduate students is a team effort, and she credits her colleagues at JSGS and other USask staff members who work together to navigate challenges.  

“There’s a network of amazing staff working in every single office on campus, and I have the privilege of having access to those relationships,” said Hassett. “I might be the recipient of [the Clement Employee Service Award], but I work on a student success team, and everything I do is absolutely influenced and impacted by them.”