Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is elected by the membership of the Society to oversee the Society’s activities. The term of office for each position is normally three years. The Board is responsible for setting the Society’s general policies and achieving the said goals by planning and ensuring continuity of the Society’s activities. Most of the Board’s business is conducted by email and online video conferencing. They meet in-person at the STLHE conference (June) and once in December (pre-Covid), and each month by online video conference.
Elana Cooperberg, M.Ed., MBA
Chair of the Board
Vanier College, June 2021 - June 2024 (second term)
Elana is the Dean of Academic Development and Research at Vanier College in Montreal. She has been working in teaching and learning for over 20 years, and has taught at Vanier College, Concordia University, McGill University, Université du Québec à Montréal, and Georgian College. She facilitated the Strategic Plan for Vanier and has supported the creation and implementation of institutional academic policies. She is responsible for quality assurance, program implementation and revision, and supporting research. She is working on the creation of an applied research centre at Vanier that will support sustainability research conducted by faculty and students.
Elana currently[...]
Elana is the Dean of Academic Development and Research at Vanier College in Montreal. She has been working in teaching and learning for over 20 years, and has taught at Vanier College, Concordia University, McGill University, Université du Québec à Montréal, and Georgian College. She facilitated the Strategic Plan for Vanier and has supported the creation and implementation of institutional academic policies. She is responsible for quality assurance, program implementation and revision, and supporting research. She is working on the creation of an applied research centre at Vanier that will support sustainability research conducted by faculty and students.
Elana currently teaches at the Université de Sherbrooke in the Performa program – a Masters program for college faculty. She is a standing member on two provincial committees with the Fédération des Cegeps – Research Ethics, and Equity.
In her second and final term on the board, Elana has previously served as Treasurer and Vice-Chair.
Laura Kinderman, Ph.D.
Director
Queen’s University, June 2021 – June 2024 (second term)
Bruce Ravelli, Ph.D.
Director
University of Victoria, June 2021 - June 2024
Dr. Ravelli is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Victoria (UVic) and teaches many of the department’s Introduction to Sociology courses (his passion) as well as a fourth-year Community-Engaged Learning course.
Dr. Ravelli has published several articles, chapters, readers, and textbooks on Canadian Sociology and has received awards for his teaching and online learning resources, the most recent being the inaugural Lorne Tepperman Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award (2021) from the Canadian Sociological Association.
Dr. Ravelli is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Victoria (UVic) and teaches many of the department’s Introduction to Sociology courses (his passion) as well as a fourth-year Community-Engaged Learning course.
Dr. Ravelli has published several articles, chapters, readers, and textbooks on Canadian Sociology and has received awards for his teaching and online learning resources, the most recent being the inaugural Lorne Tepperman Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award (2021) from the Canadian Sociological Association.
Joanne Struch, Ph.D.
Secretary
D2L, June 2021 - June 2024
Joanne has been involved in teaching and learning in a number of contexts for 20 years including at a college overseas, as a program coordinator at The University of Winnipeg, and as a senior leader in teaching and learning at Robertson College, a private vocational college. At Robertson, she established a Centre for Teaching and Learning and led a number of projects to support teaching and learning at the college including the implementation of instructor evaluation, development of instructional frameworks, and student accommodation processes.
She is committed to facilitating positive and consistent learner experiences by incorporating adult learning principles, evidence-based[...]
Joanne has been involved in teaching and learning in a number of contexts for 20 years including at a college overseas, as a program coordinator at The University of Winnipeg, and as a senior leader in teaching and learning at Robertson College, a private vocational college. At Robertson, she established a Centre for Teaching and Learning and led a number of projects to support teaching and learning at the college including the implementation of instructor evaluation, development of instructional frameworks, and student accommodation processes.
She is committed to facilitating positive and consistent learner experiences by incorporating adult learning principles, evidence-based educational planning, and instructional design practices with just, equitable, and inclusive educational practices.
Joanne’s formal training includes a PhD in Education (University of Manitoba), an MA in English Literature (McMaster University), a B.A. in English (University of Winnipeg), and CerTESL (University of Saskatchewan). Joanne is also a board member-at-large with the Manitoba Association for Career Development.
Danielle Bentley, Ph.D.
Director
University of Toronto, June 2022 - June 2025
Dr. Danielle Bentley is an Assistant Professor, teaching stream in the Division of Anatomy within the Department of Surgery. She is currently involved in the instruction of embryology (undergraduate and graduate level), anatomy dissection, as well as anatomy/embryology for health professions including medicine, radiation sciences, and kinesiology. As an active education researcher and scholar, Dr. Bentley’s current program of research is focused on in-class components of courses, including both engaging teaching modalities as well as interactive assessments.
Dr. Danielle Bentley is an Assistant Professor, teaching stream in the Division of Anatomy within the Department of Surgery. She is currently involved in the instruction of embryology (undergraduate and graduate level), anatomy dissection, as well as anatomy/embryology for health professions including medicine, radiation sciences, and kinesiology. As an active education researcher and scholar, Dr. Bentley’s current program of research is focused on in-class components of courses, including both engaging teaching modalities as well as interactive assessments.
Scott Comber, Ph.D.
Vice Chair
Dalhousie University, June 2021 - June 2024
Dr. Scott Comber is a University Teaching Fellow at the Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University, in Nova Scotia, Canada. Scott’s primary research agenda focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning, applied complexity science approaches to healthcare systems (critical care), and leadership development (academic and physician). Currently, he is engaged in a research study aimed at understanding faculty members’ culturally responsive teaching practices.
Scott is a keynote speaker, author, and award-winning teacher. He has been quoted in sources such as the Globe and Mail, Financial Post and Business Week. In addition, Dr. Comber also certified as an executive coach,[...]
Dr. Scott Comber is a University Teaching Fellow at the Rowe School of Business, Dalhousie University, in Nova Scotia, Canada. Scott’s primary research agenda focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning, applied complexity science approaches to healthcare systems (critical care), and leadership development (academic and physician). Currently, he is engaged in a research study aimed at understanding faculty members’ culturally responsive teaching practices.
Scott is a keynote speaker, author, and award-winning teacher. He has been quoted in sources such as the Globe and Mail, Financial Post and Business Week. In addition, Dr. Comber also certified as an executive coach, is an editorial board member; Canadian Journal of Physician Leadership and is also a faculty member with the Canadian Medical Association – Joule’s Physician Leadership Institute.
Ana-Marija Petrunic
Treasurer
George Brown College, June 2021 - June 2024
Ana-Marija Petrunic, Chair – School of English as a Second Language and Immigrant Education at George Brown College is accountable for providing academic and administrative leadership to faculty, staff and students. In addition to her administrative role, she teaches courses for the University of Calgary in the areas of HR Management and Teaching Second Languages.
Specializing in Higher Education Management, Ana-Marija is focusing her doctoral research on the development of professional lived experiences of women in higher management positions and the act of performing gendered leadership.
Ana-Marija Petrunic, Chair – School of English as a Second Language and Immigrant Education at George Brown College is accountable for providing academic and administrative leadership to faculty, staff and students. In addition to her administrative role, she teaches courses for the University of Calgary in the areas of HR Management and Teaching Second Languages.
Specializing in Higher Education Management, Ana-Marija is focusing her doctoral research on the development of professional lived experiences of women in higher management positions and the act of performing gendered leadership.
Anita Acai
Director
McMaster University, June 2022 - June 2025
Dr. Anita Acai is an Assistant Professor and Education Scientist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Her scholarly interests include health professions education and the scholarship of teaching and learning. She first became a member of the Society in 2013, when she was named a 3M National Student Fellow (3MNSF). Throughout her time as a student and now as a faculty member, she has remained engaged in the Society by serving as an adjudicator and coordination team member for the 3MNSF and an elected member of the Council of Fellows, where she[...]
Dr. Anita Acai is an Assistant Professor and Education Scientist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Her scholarly interests include health professions education and the scholarship of teaching and learning. She first became a member of the Society in 2013, when she was named a 3M National Student Fellow (3MNSF). Throughout her time as a student and now as a faculty member, she has remained engaged in the Society by serving as an adjudicator and coordination team member for the 3MNSF and an elected member of the Council of Fellows, where she holds an executive role as the Council’s Finance Officer. Dr. Acai is also a 2019 ISSOTL Fellow. To learn more, please visit https://anitaacai.com/ or find her on Twitter at @anita_acai.
Nancy Ogden
Director
Mount Royal University, June 2022 - June 2025
Dr. Nancy Ogden is a professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at Mount Royal University (MRU), where she has focused on various aspects of teaching and learning over her 30 year career. During her time at MRU Nancy has chaired a number of institutional, faculty-wide, and departmental committees, as well as serving as either the Co-Director or Director of the Centre for Child Well-Being for a number of years. Nancy has been involved in writing textbooks for the Canadian market since 1997 and is the lead author on Psychology Around Us, now in its 4th edition. Nancy has been involved in a variety[...]
Dr. Nancy Ogden is a professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at Mount Royal University (MRU), where she has focused on various aspects of teaching and learning over her 30 year career. During her time at MRU Nancy has chaired a number of institutional, faculty-wide, and departmental committees, as well as serving as either the Co-Director or Director of the Centre for Child Well-Being for a number of years. Nancy has been involved in writing textbooks for the Canadian market since 1997 and is the lead author on Psychology Around Us, now in its 4th edition. Nancy has been involved in a variety of activities supporting the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, including the development of academic videos to facilitate student success, developing and assessing study modules for introductory Psychology students, and integrating study skills into introductory Psychology courses.
Tari Ajadi
Director
Dalhousie University/Queen's University, June 2022 - June 2025
Tari Ajadi is a PhD candidate in Political Science at Dalhousie University, and a Pre-Doctoral Fellow in Black Studies at Queen’s University. His dissertation research analyses how Black activists in mid-sized cities strategize to prompt change in policing and in health policy. A British-Nigerian immigrant to Canada, Tari aims to produce research that supports and engages with Black communities across the country. He is a co-founder of the Nova Scotia Policing Policy Working Group, a member of the Board of Directors of the Health Association of African Canadians, as well as a Board Member with the East Coast Prison Justice[...]
Tari Ajadi is a PhD candidate in Political Science at Dalhousie University, and a Pre-Doctoral Fellow in Black Studies at Queen’s University. His dissertation research analyses how Black activists in mid-sized cities strategize to prompt change in policing and in health policy. A British-Nigerian immigrant to Canada, Tari aims to produce research that supports and engages with Black communities across the country. He is a co-founder of the Nova Scotia Policing Policy Working Group, a member of the Board of Directors of the Health Association of African Canadians, as well as a Board Member with the East Coast Prison Justice Society. In January 2023, Tari will begin as an Assistant Professor in Black Politics at McGill University. He holds a MA in Political Science from Dalhousie University.
Pat Maher
Director
Nipissing University, June 2022 - June 2025
Dr. Pat Maher is the inaugural Dean of Teaching and a Full Professor of Physical and Health Education at Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario. He joined the Society in 2014 after being named a 3M National Teaching Fellow and has been active ever since. Pat was elected to the executive of the Council of Fellows in 2016 and served as Chair in 2020 and 2021. He was an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning from 2016-2021 and has since transitioned to the broader Editorial Board.
Pat is also a Fellow (2020) and current[...]
Dr. Pat Maher is the inaugural Dean of Teaching and a Full Professor of Physical and Health Education at Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario. He joined the Society in 2014 after being named a 3M National Teaching Fellow and has been active ever since. Pat was elected to the executive of the Council of Fellows in 2016 and served as Chair in 2020 and 2021. He was an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning from 2016-2021 and has since transitioned to the broader Editorial Board.
Pat is also a Fellow (2020) and current Vice-President (Canada) for the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. He has taught and conducted research from Iceland to Antarctica, New Zealand to Norway and many places in between. To learn more, follow him on Twitter @DrPatMaher.