Pavi Chandrasegaram
*(Photo by Matt Hintsa)*

Department of Computer Science Graduate Program Manager Pavi Chandrasegaram has been named the recipient of the 2022 Dean's Outstanding Administrative Service Award by U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science.

The award is given to a Faculty of Arts & Science administrative staff member whose outstanding contributions to administrative service have made a positive impact on teaching, research or general administration.

In nomination letters from the Department of Computer Science community, Chandrasegaram was praised for fostering a positive, collaborative environment for staff — one “that welcomes input from all employees — no matter how long they have been with Computer Science.”

“Pavi is an exemplary administrator, highly efficient and effective, who goes above and beyond her direct responsibilities to take complete ownership. She has already transformed the DCS Graduate Office and her impact on the administration is plain for everyone to see,” wrote one nominator.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, plans for an on-campus event for admitted graduate students had to be quickly reimagined for a virtual environment. Within a few days, she had led the complete transformation of the multi-day event, allowing the Department to connect with admitted students when many peer departments at other universities cancelled their events altogether.

“It was nothing short of miraculous that going into the event on Friday, every single aspect had been replanned, from venues to online talks, all-virtual panels, and one-on-one virtual meetings,” recalled Assistant Professor Sushant Sachdeva, chair of the event’s organizing committee.

Faculty and staff colleagues highlighted Chandrasegaram’s outstanding leadership and organization. Shortly after joining the Department, she spearheaded a rework of the Graduate Office’s procedures and record-keeping, and continues to improve processes, all while mentoring staff on best practices.

“Every day, Pavi goes above and beyond what is expected — not because she is looking for recognition but because she genuinely cares about our students and our program,” remarked Graeme Hirst, Professor and Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.