Betty Exintaris
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
PIES, humour and no elbow patches
Betty hopes her students remember her as an inclusive educator who always strived to do better.
What are you doing differently in your field that you believe is driving real change?
I am committed to enhancing the international student experience through cultivating their sense of belonging to the faculty and wider university. I am the co-creator of PIES (Parkville International and Exchange Students), an engagement and wellbeing program for international students. The feedback we have received from students in our PIES program reveals that it makes a significant, positive difference to their sense of belonging. Other faculties have expressed interest in rolling out a similar program across their faculty.
Is there a student moment you’ll never forget, and why?
A student moment I'll never forget is an email that I received from a 2nd year student who wanted to share with me that she received High Distinctions for all her subjects at the end of 2nd year, even though she failed a few assessments in my 1st year, 1st semester unit. She wanted to share this because she remembered me talking her through the disappointment at failing assessments in 1st year, despite having been a high achieving student. I told the student that failing a single assessment doesn't define you, it's about what you learn from that situation and what you change for next time.
I am committed to enhancing the international student experience through cultivating a sense of belonging to the faculty and wider university. ”
What do you hope your students remember about you 10 years from now?
I hope that they remember me as an inclusive educator who always strived to do better. If they also remember me for being engaging and humorous that would be a bonus. I want students to be proud of who they are, and to celebrate their differences, to know that their diversity is an advantage.