Episode 12 - AI and PLAR with David Porter

Dr. David Porter is principal consultant at DP+Associates, located in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a long-time advocate for the benefits of adapting new technology and transformational learning practices for delivering educational opportunities, and has been involved in online, open and distance learning since the 1990s.

David was the CEO of eCampusOntario from 2016-2020, leading initiatives across Ontario’s 45 universities and colleges to innovate in the technology-enabled learning space and explore new ideas such as micro-credentials to provide nimble pathways to learning and skills training. David was formerly Executive Director of BCcampus, where he and his team engineered Canada’s first government funded open textbook program, a leading-edge development in Canadian higher education in 2012. He has also worked as an Associate Vice-President of Educational Support and Innovation at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, as Dean of Innovative Learning at Humber College, and most recently as Senior Adviser – Higher Education at the Commonwealth of Learning.

David has also worked as a project leader and consultant for international open and distance learning initiatives, including projects in Mongolia, Vietnam, and India. In 2018, he was awarded the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education’s (CNIE) Leadership Award. On October 9, 2019, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, for his work in innovating teaching and learning practices that employed open and technology-enabled learning.

Episode 11 - Navigating relationships network in the workplace with Dr. Marie McIntyre

⁠Marie McIntyre, Ph.D.⁠ is a workplace psychologist who operates an international career coaching business and the website ⁠www.yourofficecoach.com⁠. She has written a workplace advice column, Your Office Coach, for thirteen years and is the author of two business books, Secrets to Winning at Office Politics and The Management Team Handbook.

Previously, Marie held management positions in both business and government, including Director of Human Resources in a Fortune 500 company. As a consultant, she has worked with a wide variety of organizations, including Cisco, The Home Depot, AT&T, Walgreens, Lockheed Martin, and the CDC.

Marie’s career advice has appeared in Fortune, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Canadian Business, and many other publications.

Episode 10 - Success Story with Connie Georget

Connie Georget is an Assistant in the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Born in Kamloops, British Columbia and living in Cache Creek, Connie attended Cariboo College in 1980 completing a Business Administration certification. Throughout her career, Connie worked in Admin, Safety and Human Resources roles at Bethlehem Copper and Teck Highland Valley Copper. While working Connie attended night classes at Cariboo College/TRU. She then had a family and paused her studies for some time.

In 2019, Connie decided to return to school to do her Bachelor’s degree while working at TRU. Susan Forseille introduced her the PLAR program to Connie and, in 2019, she was accepted to the PLAR program. With the help of PLAR, Connie was able to receive academic credits for her life learning, and in 2021 Connie graduated from TRU with a Bachelor in General Studies degree.

Fast-forwarding to today, Connie is on the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR BC Interior and North) Advisory Council and chairs the Professional Mentoring portfolio for HR professionals and students. With a community at heart, Connie mentors CPHR and TRU students in her spare time as well.

Episode 9 - Indigenous PLAR with Naomi Narcisse

Naomi is passionate about student success, from recruitment to career guidance, and is a strong advocate in decolonizing curriculum, and incorporating traditional ways of knowing in her current administrative role at Capilano University. She is a proud Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), Simon Fraser University (SFU) and University of British Columbia (UBC) Alumni. Naomi has over nine years of experience working with Indigenous higher education learners and is currently working on her PhD at UBC within the Faculty of Education. Naomi completed her MEd in Educational Administration & Leadership at UBC and NVIT in 2021, her BA degree at SFU, and an Associate Arts Degree at NVIT. She is actively learning St'at'imc language from her language authorities, accredited through NVIT which is BC’s sole Indigenous Public Post Secondary school.

As a lifelong learner, protecting & sharing traditional knowledges, Naomi is always eager to support students and teams. Naomi’s traditional St'át'imc name is Skel7áw̓s and this means ‘leader/education’. While experiencing firsthand the barriers Indigenous learners face in higher education, she is a leader in sharing transition paths and backing academic success in post-secondary.

Episode 8 - College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) with Gini Beran

Gini Beran is the Director of Outreach and Account Management for the College-Level Examination (CLEP) Program, who partners with education professionals to impact student success through CLEP. Prior to joining College Board, Gini was a member of the faculty in the Minnesota State College and University system, where she worked as a counselor providing academic, career and personal counseling to a diverse student body at Minnesota’s largest technical college. Gini earned her Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and a Juris Doctor degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, MN. She enjoys beach life in her hometown of Pensacola, Florida.

Episode 7 – Success Story with Jules André-Brown

Jules is a father, and artist, and lives in Saanich, B.C . He serves on the BC Arts Council. Jules' experience includes working as a leadership and governance consultant and in social services. Jules has completed a Classroom and Community Support Diploma through Douglas College and a Masters in Leadership through Royal Roads University. Jules’ graduate thesis focused on the importance of young people having a voice in arts and culture organizations. He is now co-executive director of Art Starts, a charity dedicated to providing young people an opportunity to participate in arts and culture.

Episode 6 – Recognition of Acquired Competencies in Quebec with Magali Robitaille and Johanne Laroche

In this episode, we have been joined by Magali Robitaille and Johanne Laroche - expert counselors in Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC) at the Center of Expertise of Cégep Marie-Victorin (CERAC Marie-Victorin), in Montreal, Quebec.

About Magali:

Magali Robitaille holds a PhD in Education from the Université de Genève. She has been working in the continuing education field for 20 years, specifically as a RAC professional for the last 15 years at Cégep Marie-Victorin. She was in charge of various projects such as developing a RAC process and evaluation tools for a professional association and providing initial training for new RAC professionals throughout the Province of Quebec.

About Johanne:

Johanne Laroche holds a master’s degree in career counselling and is a member of the guidance counselor professional association of Quebec. She has worked for over 20 years in human resources and education and as a RAC professional for the last 5 years at Cégep Marie-Victorin. She has managed RAC processes in various fields and has developed RAC processes for indigenous communities.

Both Magali and Johanne are acting as experts in methodology for the development of RAC evaluation tools and coach new experts in methodology.

Episode 5 - Pt. 2, PLAR IT Pilot at New Brunswick Community College with Michelle Chisholm and Patrick Reinartz

Join us in this episode as we learn about IT Pilot project at New Brunswick Community College with Michelle Chisholm and Patrick Reinartz. 

About Michelle: 

Michelle Chisholm, Learning Design Consultant for Prior Learning, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)

Michelle’s role in NBCC’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) pilot project was to work collaboratively with internal subject matter experts and a larger PLAR team to help establish better practices related to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). She brings a knowledge of evidence-based strategies in assessment, Universal Design for Learning and other inclusionary or accessible practices to the project that aims to diminish barriers to incoming and current students of NBCC. Michelle’s background is in education, having previously worked as a teacher, for PETL NB, and for St. Thomas University. Michelle has an MEd in Exceptional Learners from the University of New Brunswick along with a BA and BEd from St. Thomas University.

About Patrick:

Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)

Patrick serves as Coordinator for NBCC’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) pilot. In this role, he contributes to systems and process development aspects of the project, while also providing service, documentation and support for participants. Patrick has a decade-long background in corporate training, where he acted as LMS administrator and technical support for a leading US-based health services provider. 

Episode 4 - Key take-aways and experience attending VPL Biennale Conference with Susan Forseille and Nicole Borhaven

In this episode we have been joined by Susan Forseille and Nicole Borhaven to learn more about the 4th Validation of Prior Learning Biennale international conference held in Iceland on May 19-20, 2022!

About Susan:

As the Director of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) at Thompson Rivers University, 22-years as a career-educator, and an enthusiastic researcher, Susan Forseille has been privileged to work in, and conduct research around multiple intersections of career development, prior learning, and education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University, a Master of Education from Thompson Rivers University, and is currently completing her PhD with the University of Leicester. Susan is a passionate PLAR advocate believing adult learners acquire great amounts of knowledge and skills through life and work experience.

About Nicole:

Nicole Borhaven is a PLAR Advisor at Thompson Rivers University. Nicole's role is to coach students through the PLAR process. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Certificate in Liberal Arts from Simon Fraser University. She has been with TRU Open Learning since 2010 and has experience in Program Advising and Accessibility Services. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends, writing, travelling and enjoying the great outdoors.

Resources:

https://vplbiennale.org/
https://vplbiennale.org/videos/
https://vplbiennale.org/workshops-and-presentations/

Episode 3 - PLAR at New Brunswick Community College, and more, with Mackenzie Bartlett and Patrick Reinartz

About Mackenzie:

Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)

Mackenzie manages the credit transfer and equivalency application processes through the Office of the Registrar at NBCC. Since joining the college in 2019, she has coordinated various continuous improvement projects to strengthen assessment practices, generate workflow efficiencies, and expand RPL services to provide better opportunities for students to achieve recognition for their prior learning. Her background is in teaching and curriculum development in post-secondary institutions.

About Patrick:

Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)

Patrick serves as Coordinator for NBCC’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) pilot. In this role, he contributes to systems and process development aspects of the project, while also providing service, documentation and support for participants. Patrick has a decade-long background in corporate training, where he acted as LMS administrator and technical support for a leading US-based health services provider. 

Episode 2 - Military PLAR at British Columbia Institute of Technology with Justine Arsenault

About Justine:

Justine is a Program Planning Analyst with BCIT’s SITE Centre and responsible for assessing the knowledge, skills and experiences of adult learners and advising them on educational pathways based on the advanced placement and prior learning (APPL) method. She also manages the BCIT Legion Program, providing prior learning assessments as well as career development and transition support to Canadian Armed Forces members.

Episode 1 - Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition with Dr. Christine Wihak

About Christine:

Dr. Christine Wihak retired as the Director, PLAR at Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning and Director of the Prior Learning International Research Centre (PLIRC)in 2018. Her involvement in PLAR developed when she was teaching Inuit students at Nunavut Arctic College.

Dr. Wihak holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Alberta, a Masters of Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from Carleton University, and an Honours BA in Psychology from Queens. She was also a registered psychologist (Alberta), specializing in Occupational and Organizational Psychology.