Candace Necyk, clinical assistant professor
Candace Necyk (BSc Pharm '08, MSc '13) has always known she belongs at the front of the class.
"Teaching is something that I've always wanted to do," she says. "As I was learning myself, I always thought of ways that would be helpful to teach something back to students."
This passion brought her back to the University of Alberta a mere three years after receiving her undergraduate degree. She joined the faculty in 2011 as a practice skill lab facilitator and guest lecturer; shortly after, she seized the opportunity to teach a drug use process pharmacy class while the regular professor was on maternity leave. Mentoring students on rotation had given her a taste of the profession, and Necyk was thrilled at the opportunity to help budding pharmacists develop their skills.
Today Necyk is an assistant clinical professor, teaching pharmacy skill labs, psychiatry and endocrine, and her passion is evident. She received the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science's 2014 Award of Merit for her dedication to teaching.
Her strength comes from her belief that effective lessons are relatable and practical, but Necyk is also intimately familiar with the educational needs of a student. She is currently working toward a PhD in mental health and completed a master's degree in natural health product safety shortly after becoming a professor.
Her students like her approach. "Professor Necyk does a fantastic job of bridging research and practice, and has a 'real world' aspect to every lecture that makes it clear how we will be able to use this knowledge as future pharmacists," says Scott Wakeham, fourth-year pharmacy student and former community education director of Alberta Pharmacy Students' Association. "She makes an effort to get to know the class, and you can tell that she cares about your goals and your future."
Necyk's impact on Wakeham-and many other students on campus-extends beyond the classroom. The two worked on a video targeted at pharmacy students that aims to help start conversations and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. "She shares my passion for mental health and really empowered me to try and make a change with how it is viewed and talked about," he says.
With the markings of a successful career ahead of her, Necyk is just happy to follow her calling.
"Student engagement is a wonderful aspect of teaching. Watching them get excited and weaving their way through pharmacy school. Seeing what they might be interested in and where they see their career going," she says with a smile. "It's rewarding watching that whole process, and talking to them and helping them with it. I love all of that."