‘She builds a strong academic community”: Laura Johnson wins GSA award

Laura Johnson, Administrator of Master of Public Policy Program & Digital Society Lab, was awarded the GSA Award for Contributions by Non-Academic Staff at a ceremony in May 2025.

The award honours the extraordinary contributions that members of McMaster University’s support staff extend to its graduate students.

Johnson was nominated by PhD candidate Anwar Sheluchin, who said that Johnson is the go-to person for any requests

“Laura’s deep knowledge of university processes and commitment to efficiency make her an indispensable resource,” said Sheluchin. “Whether it’s helping graduate students book rooms, setting up technology or navigating institutional policies, she handles every task with precision. No request is ever too small, Laura is always happy to help and ensures that everything runs seamlessly.”

“Laura actively promotes the work of graduate students, highlighting student research and accomplishments through the Digital Society Lab website and the MPP newsletter, ensuring that our contributions receive recognition.

“Her efforts help amplify student voices and build a strong academic community. Laura’s impact may often be behind the scenes, but it is deeply felt by all who depend on her. She is an integral part of the graduate student experience.

“It was an easy decision to nominate her and I’m so glad she won!”