Our Team
Have a question? Send us an email at tlcommons@kpu.ca. We'd love to hear from you!
The Commons team has embraced a blended approach to work, but our offices (located in Arbutus 2400, Surrey) are open during regular business hours.
Leadership
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| Leeann Waddington, EdD, MSN, BSN | Associate Vice President, Teaching & Learning Leeann is responsible for the strategy and leadership of the Teaching & Learning Commons. This includes overseeing the development of resources, training, and other supports for faculty professional development, the enhancement and ongoing maintenance of KPU’s suite of learning technologies. She also oversees KPU's open education initiatives, including the creation, adaptation, and adoption of open educational resources, the zero textbook cost (ZTC) program, and support for open pedagogy and open education research. Previously an experienced faculty member, Leeann holds a Post Masters Certificate in Curriculum Design and Doctorate in Education from Athabasca University. Her original training as a nurse and healthcare leader are evident in her approach which fosters caring and the creation of community. Leeann is an advocate for the culture of folio thinking pedagogy and its potential to revolutionize KPU's learning landscape. She is also an Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator and Trainer. She believes in strength-based approaches to leadership and project management, bring the best forward from each individual creates the best possible outcomes for the team. Leeann loves to garden, quilt and relax at her island home and is always up for a culinary challenge as a self-taught chef. Leeann's SUPERPOWER The Magician: Gives the illusion that juggling numerous tasks is as simple as Abracadabra, and has the ability to see the possibilities and strengths in people and systems. |
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| Nishan Perera, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.B.A | Director, Learning Technologies and Educational Development Nishan is responsible for leading a team of Teaching and Learning Strategists and Educational Developers to support faculty in their pursuit of teaching excellence through the development of resources, delivery of training and provision of individual faculty consultation on all topics related to course design and delivery. He partners to support learning technology infrastructure and participates in University wide communities to provide teaching and learning expertise. Nishan holds a doctorate in educational technology and learning design from SFU and brings experience in teaching, curriculum development, academic administration, training, entrepreneurial and marketing management. He loves to use technology for teaching and has a deep appreciation in integrating technology with pedagogy to enhance teaching and learning. Nishan loves to mountain bike, garden, hike and binge watch movies, documentaries. Nishan's SUPERPOWER The Organizer: Loves to organize, strategize, support tasks and projects to make tasks simple. |
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| Mustafa Mohammed, BTech, MScIS | Manager, Learning Technology and Ed Media Systems Operations The Manager, Learning Technology Systems Operations is a new role responsible for the effective operations of technology tools and platforms that support the teaching and learning environments at KPU. They provide leadership to the learning technology support analyst team and serve as a project leader for new tools, partnering with colleagues in IT to implement, evaluate and maintain the operations of learning technology systems. They coordinate process improvement within their unit to ensure timely and accurate delivery of support services to the end users of the learning technology systems. They will establish and maintain partnership with vendors as well IT, Privacy office and other operational areas to execute projects. This role reports to the AVP, Teaching & Learning. Reporting directly to this position are Learning Technology Senior Analysts, Ed Media Strategists, Learning Technology Support Analysts, Co-op students, and casual employees as required. Mustafa brings over 15 years of experience as a Software Developer and is highly skilled in the creation and execution of innovative software solutions to enhance productivity. He has over 10 years of experience analyzing, designing, ITSM, administering and implementing learning & content management systems. Mustafa is obtaining his Master's of Science in Information Technology. Mustafa's SUPERPOWER The Fixer: The ability to troubleshoot problems in original and inventive ways. |
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| Sarah Dunn | Divisional Business Manager The Divisional Business Manager is a key part of our leadership team. This role supports our Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund recipients and Open Educational Grant recipients along with our capital projects like classrooms and recording studio. This along with financial planning, procurement needs and contract monitoring as well as oversight of our Admin Coordinator and Events team, she keeps our department running smoothly! Sarah has been with KPU for over 5 years, most recently as a Procurement Specialist in Financial Services, Sarah’s educational and employment background in Business Administration and Financial Management spans diverse sectors including Procurement, Banking, Insurance and Non-Profit. Sarah believes in the power of a positive attitude and her specialty involves finding and developing efficiencies and operational improvements while maintaining excellent customer service. Sarah is currently working towards her MBA. Sarah, a mother of 3 grown children, loves to travel and spends time each year in Africa. She founded and runs a Registered Canadian charity working with disadvantaged women, children and families to fight poverty, educate children and empower women in Kenya. When she is home, she likes to spend quality time with her 2-year-old grandson Theo along with her cat and dog Frankie and Charlie. In the summer, in her spare time, Sarah can be found at the beach with a blanket and a book. Sarah's SUPERPOWER The Optimizer: Likes to improve and/or enhance systems to find the best solutions to maximize operational efficiency. |
Adminstrative Support Staff
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| Nadia Gao | Administrative Coordinator Nadia ensures smooth office operations by handling daily administrative tasks. She oversees correspondence, organizes meetings, maintains records, and addresses any administrative challenges that arise. Nadia loves cooking and trying out new recipes, enjoys traveling, and spending quality time with her two cats and family. Nadia's SUPERPOWER |
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| Andrea Votto | Communications & Events Specialist Andrea assists in the daily marketing, communications, promotion, and event planning strategies for the Teaching & Learning department. In addition to managing our newsletter, Andrea also contributes to the coordination of our blog, Pedagogy + Practice, and helps develop and maintain the department's website and social media channels. Andrea considers herself a lifelong learner. She is an avid reader and enjoys watching various documentaries at home with her three cats, Oliver, Maisie, and Frankie. Andrea’s SUPERPOWER The Shape-shifter: The ability to smoothly adapt to and learn new tasks. |
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| Dori Pandyra | Communications & Events Specialist Dori assists in the daily marketing, communications, promotion, and event planning strategies for the Teaching & Learning department. In addition to managing our newsletter, Dori also contributes to the coordination of our blog, Pedagogy + Practice, and helps develop and maintain the department's website and social media channels. Dori is a lover of all things musical theatre, and outside of KPU she can be found teaching dance class, reading, baking custom treats or adventuring with her family. Dori's SUPERPOWER The Multifaceted: Draws on a diverse work and educational history in order to undertake a wide range of challenges. |
Educational Developers
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| Lisa Gedak, MA | Teaching & Learning Strategist Lisa aims to inspire faculty to innovate their teaching practices by using modernized strategies that support their chosen pedagogical approaches and create technology implementation opportunities. Lisa assists the faculty in re-imagining their course and program design. Lisa supports faculty through various methods, including workshops, webinars, and individual and group consultations. Lisa is passionate about instructional design, the intersection of pedagogy and technology, and philosophical approaches supporting learner-centred education. Additionally, Lisa loves impromptu sing-alongs and is a self-proclaimed comedian. Lisa's SUPERPOWER The Optimist: Spinning a positive twist on otherwise challenging solutions. |
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| Craig Wright | Teaching & Learning Strategist Craig’s role at KPU is to support instructors with defining and delivering meaningful learning opportunities for their students. He works with instructors to clarify instructional goals and intention and effectively apply, as needed, theory, practice, and technology, to deliberately meet specific instructional goals. Craig endeavors to meet people where they are. The support he provides and tactics he uses are tailored to the instructor’s context and need from holistic program development and revision to assignment support. Craig's SUPERPOWER The Stuntman: Craig’s innovative thinking has no bounds, and he fearlessly leaps into new challenges and requests. |
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| Samuel Kirk, MA, BA | Teaching & Learning Strategist Sam is a collaborator who is passionate about lifelong learning and technologies affordances. In his role as a Teaching and Learning Strategist, he supports faculty through consultation, development of resources and delivery of workshops. He will be the lead for initiatives that support Global Learning opportunities such as COIL. Sam has 20+ years of experience teaching and is passionate about supporting faculty in their quest for engaging and effective learning experiences. He believes that everyone deserves a positive, new start in any new learning endeavor they are embarking on. He hopes that the journey is every bit exciting as the destination. Samuel's SUPERPOWER The Encourager: Sam’s superpower is seeing the best qualities in others and helping others to see them, too. |
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| Daniel Benzimra| Teaching and Learning Strategist Daniel is a life-long learner who has a wide variety of educational experience primarily in the K-12 sector, but in higher education with andragogy as well. Daniel enjoys collaboratively problem-solving educational challenges from a student-centered approach. In his role as a Teaching and Learning Strategist, Daniel works directly with faculty to help support the learning needs of their students through pedagogically-sound and evidence-based best practices. Daniel strongly believes in the value of ongoing education and enjoys furthering his own learning and professional development. Daniel is passionate about meeting the needs of learners, special education, and intentional design for learning. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys the outdoors, movies, and fishing. Daniel's SUPERPOWER The Logician: Flexible thinker who draws on different experiences to creatively analyze and problem-solve. |
Learning TechnologyThe Learning Technology Team supports our educators with adopting and using KPU tools and technologies for teaching. They provide one-on-one and small group consultations, as well as support and training. Though the team can assist with "how" to use tools and technologies, they can also assist you with the "why" (pedagogy). | |
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| Robin Leung, BBA | Educational Media Strategist Robin brings both technical and creative experience to his interactions supporting faculty in creating and implementing educational media content, activities and assessment strategies in various teaching and learning contexts, which faculty can use to support student engagement, digital skill development, and facilitate learner-created content. Robin oversees KPU's educational media platform and KPU's content management system software. Always abreast of current educational media trends, Robin provides practical approaches for faculty to incorporate media-based assessments, engaging content and blog-based assignments. Outside of work, Robin is a foodie, a content creator, and loves exploring new places. Robin's SUPERPOWER The Contemplator: Quietly listens, gathers information, deeply reflects and provides practical solutions. |
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| Olivia Jeon | Learning Technology Senior Systems Analyst Olivia manages the backend and integration of KPU's EdTech systems. She supports technical staff in logging, analyzing and resolving system problems. Olivia also provides technical guidance to faculty with the learning management system, conferencing tools, ePortfolio tools, and other integrated tools and platforms. Olivia is a flutist, a gaming enthusiast, and loves cooking and baking in her free time. Olivia's SUPERPOWER The Chameleon: Has the ability to change her skills to fit any changed circumstances. |
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| Omar Jakir | Learning Technologies Senior Systems Analyst Omar manages the backend and integration of KPU's EdTech systems. He supports technical staff in logging, analyzing and resolving system problems. Omar also provides technical guidance to faculty with the learning management system, conferencing tools, e-portfolio tools and other integrated tools and platforms. Omar strives to improve KPU systems, processes, and technologies through his extensive knowledge and passion for data analytics. Outside of KPU, Omar is a passionate volunteer at a local cat rescue organization and is an avid sports fan. Omar's SUPERPOWER The Keen Eye: Observes his surroundings and absorbs the details to enhance his understanding of people and situations. |
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| Rajmale Kaur | Learning Technologies Senior Systems Analyst Rajmale administers day to day operations of LMS and other learning tools used at KPU. She provides instructional and technical support to faculty users of KPU's Learning Management System (LMS) by investigating and troubleshooting and creates documentation resolutions to support educational technologies. Rajmale's SUPERPOWER The Innovator: Transforming challenges into opportunities, providing creative solutions, and inspiring overall improvement. |
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| Ridhima Suri | Learning Technologies Senior Systems Analyst (on leave) Ridhima manages the backend and integration of KPU's EdTech systems. She supports technical staff in logging, analyzing and resolving system problems. Ridhima also provides technical guidance to faculty with the learning management system, conferencing tools, e-portfolio tools and other integrated tools and platforms. Ridhima loves travelling to new places and is very fond of dancing. Ridhima's SUPERPOWER The Versatile: Excels doing diverse and numerous tasks and activities. |
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| David Balandy | Learning Technologies Junior Analyst David administers day to day operations of LMS and other learning tools used at KPU. He provides instructional and technical support to faculty users of KPU's Learning Management System (LMS) by investigating and troubleshooting and creates documentation resolutions to support educational technologies. David loves live music, friends, and a good cup of coffee. David's SUPERPOWER The Learner: Life long learner who loves to increase and broaden his skillset to get the job done. |
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| Sakshi | Learning Technologies Junior Analyst Sakshi administers day to day operations of LMS and other learning tools used at KPU. She provides instructional and technical support to faculty users of KPU's Learning Management System (LMS) by investigating and troubleshooting and creates documentation resolutions to support educational technologies. Outside of work, Sakshi's passions include creating art, taking strolls through nature, and playing chess. Sakshi's SUPERPOWER The Puzzle Solver: Can swiftly analyze situations and generate unique solutions. |
Open Education
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| Amanda Grey, MLIS | Open Education Strategist Amanda supports and facilitates Open Education initiatives at KPU, fostering a culture of openness and collaboration. She manages the Open Education Grant Program, oversees the Zero Textbook Cost Initiative, and provides active support for faculty who are adopting, adapting, and creating Open Educational Resources (OERs). She also supports faculty in engaging in open pedagogy, encouraging innovative teaching practices that enhance student learning experiences. Amanda's goal is to enhance educational access, effectiveness, and equity, ensuring that KPU remains at the forefront of innovative Open Education teaching and learning practices. Amanda has (by her own estimation) too many hobbies, many of which revolve around creating and making things through crocheting, sewing, cross-stitching, baking, and bullet journaling. She enjoys consuming stories of all kinds via books, movies, podcasts, TV, and video games. Amanda’s SUPERPOWER The Weaver: Collecting and connecting knowledges learned from disparate sources and bringing them into alignment. |
Educational Consultants
Educational Consultants support KPU educators to further advance their teaching and scholarship practices, as well as the activities and efforts of the Teaching and Learning Commons. They are available for one-on-one or small group consultations and work with programs/departments to develop and facilitate tailored professional development (e.g. workshops, reading circles, etc.) or resources.
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| Gillian Sudlow, BA, BEd, MET | Educational Consultant, Course Design Contact: gillian.sudlow@kpu.ca Gillian has been supporting learners in their journey to develop their skills and obtain their educational goals for over twenty years. She is a fierce advocate for open access to education and her scholarly interests include competency-based assessment, micro-credentials and open pedagogy. She is excited to work with the inspiring and dedicated team in KPUs Teaching and Learning Commons and is looking forward to supporting faculty with consultations on instructional design and assessment, particularly in blended and online formats. |