Today we had a chat with Inna Yeranosyan, Administrative Coordinator: Grants and Projects
What’s your role at ONCAT?
My role at ONCAT is Administrative Coordinator, Grants and Projects. I work with the Manger, Funding Programs, the Senior Researcher, the Manager, Sector Engagement, and other colleagues to support the design of funding strategies and the operational side of our funding streams. This includes coordinating the online grants portal — a grant management software and communications tool we use with our applicants and grantees. I also support our funded projects throughout the process, from application to contracting and reporting, helping to ensure we know what is going on with our projects and that the people we fund are receiving the support they need from ONCAT to do their work.
What did you do before joining the organization? And what experience did you have with postsecondary transfer prior to working here?
Prior to joining ONCAT, I held project coordination positions with international grant-giving organizations in Armenia. There, I had a chance to work on projects supporting higher education sector reforms and get acquainted with laws and regulations designed to ensure compatibility in the standards and quality of higher education qualifications (including, for example, the Bologna Process).
How does your work advance ONCAT’s mission to improve transfer students’ experiences in Ontario? And why does ONCAT’s mission resonate with you?
Working in partnership with Ontario’s colleges, universities, Indigenous Institutes, as well as researchers and non-profit organizations to advance seamless transfer for students is fascinating to me because, being a student years ago, I can understand how important it is to have sufficient information and resources to make decisions regarding your educational goals.
The projects ONCAT supports span from pathway development, promotion of seamless transfer by our institutional partners, and research and data enhancement projects. ONCAT’s engagement of transfer students through different formats (including STEP and student-led projects) allows us to get first-hand knowledge of student transfer experiences and journeys, which in turn informs policies and funding strategies.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about postsecondary education—or student transfer—since starting your work at ONCAT?
It’s amazing to see the spectrum of organizations in Ontario and in other provinces of Canada working with postsecondary institutions to enable students to achieve their desired educational goals and credentials and minimize the barriers they might encounter on their way.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
I would say that there’s no most challenging part! I love my job and the constant learning that’s involved.
If you could give any advice to yourself as a student, what would you say?
Be pro-active, participate more in institutional and student-led projects, and volunteer and get hands-on, practical experience, which is so vital after graduation.
Just for fun …
What’s your go-to restaurant or recipe?
I miss going to restaurants and trying dishes from various cuisines; I hope to catch up post-pandemic. My favourite dish currently is grilled vegetables and avocado with lemon juice and chia seeds.
What’s the first place you would want to travel to in a post-pandemic world?
I would love to travel to the USA and to Europe with my family to visit cities we haven’t had the chance to visit before and explore new places.
Cats or dogs?
I love dogs and my kids adore cats. I am allergic to both; otherwise I wouldn’t be able to resist the pressure from my kids to adopt a cat or a dog.
Any great books or movies you’ve enjoyed recently and want to recommend?
One of the last series that we enjoyed watching is The Queen’s Gambit, and with kids, we watched The BFG.