Heather Fraser has been an AU student since 2007, when she began working on a B.Sc. in computing and information systems. She later changed to the four-year BA program with a double major in information systems and psychology. She has been selected as a 2009 national in-course Excellence Award laureate by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. Heather was one of the 100 recipients chosen from 1034 to receive a first-level award ($6,250 renewable for one additional installment, for a total award of $12,500).

Although solid academic performance is required to receive this award, the more important aspect of it is the high level of community service, innovation and leadership that a student must prove in order to be selected.

Heather is a committee member for numerous projects in her community and performs tasks including public relations, special events, planning, recruitment and photography. She is a midshipman with the Navy League Cadets of Canada, a timekeeper for a minor hockey association, and a team manager. She is also developing a referee mentorship program for younger referees. Her volunteer efforts aren't restricted to her local community: Heather is a councillor with the Athabasca University Students' Union.

In addition to her involvement with the many activities of her own two daughters, ages nine and 11, she was a respite foster parent. Along with all these volunteer commitments and her own university studies, Heather works full-time as a systems administrator for a child and family services organization.

"This award will allow me to continue to study while preventing me from coming out with massive debt by offsetting a chunk of my tuition. And since I am absolutely planning on doing a master's degree once I finish this degree, it actually makes my future a little brighter. Also, it is such a wonderful motivator for my studies," she says.