Welcome

Learning Excellence and Innovation Department

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About LEID

The Learning Excellence and Innovation Department (LEID) is positioned in the Academic Division at Northern College and provides operational leadership in support of a variety of projects related to quality assurance, teaching and learning. We are guided by the Northern College Academic Plan. We are driven to support the provision of innovative, sustainable, high quality and technology-enabled learning experiences that serve to build knowledge and initiate community engagement while promoting economic growth and development.

Guiding Principles

  • Quality Learning Experiences
  • Exemplary Instructional Methodology
  • Student/Graduate Support
  • Continuous Faculty Development
Contact LEID

Meet Our Team

Michelle Cole

Manager of Quality, Strategy, and Analysis

About Michelle

Michelle Cole is the Manager of Quality, Strategy, and Analysis at Northern College in Timmins, Ontario. Michelle is responsible for academic and program quality assurance processes including the development, review, and renewal of academic programs. She also oversees college quality assurance processes, including the College Quality Assurance Audit Process (CQAAP). She supports LEID in fostering academic innovation and excellence, training, and curriculum development, including online course design for faculty. Additionally, she advocates for and leads the LRC team in managing library services and other learning resources for students.

With 18 years of experience in the Ontario college sector, Michelle brings extensive quality assurance expertise from her previous roles at Durham College and Centennial College. She is an active member of the Ontario Colleges’ Heads of Quality Management group and the College Degree Operating Group, and she has served on secondment at the Ontario College Quality Assurance Service to review and validate program submissions from the college system.

Michelle holds a Master of Arts in Education with a Community College concentration from Central Michigan University (CMU) and a Bachelor of Arts from Brock University. Dedicated and passionate about academic excellence, Michelle is committed to quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance innovative teaching and learning, ultimately enriching students’ educational experiences.

Janna Duval

Project Coordinator | Instructional Designer

About Janna

Janna Duval is a life-long learner with a passion for technology and helping others achieve their goals. Her roles in education have varied – from classroom teacher, to technician, to technology coordinator and trainer to online instructor and instructional designer. As a student, Janna was an early adopter of flexible education, mixing face-to-face and online courses from a variety of Canadian Colleges and Universities to complete her first two years of university before earning a Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta. After spending almost 15 years teaching secondary school, she completed her Masters of Educational Technology (MET) through the University of British Columbia’s online program; with a focus on online teaching and instructional design. Janna believes that digital literacy skills are essential to twenty-first century life-long learners and welcomes the opportunity to empower others through learning opportunities.

Dr. Kayode Arowolo

Professor, Educational Development & Quality Assurance

About Kayode

Dr. Kayode Arowolo is currently working as a Professor of Educational Development and Quality Assurance at Northern College in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, with College-wide responsibilities. He has been working with the College for over six years. His educational background is in computer science and education. He received a Ph.D. in Education with a focus on science education and instructional design from Memorial University, Canada, an M.Sc. in Science Education and a Higher Diploma in Computer Science both from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. He also obtained a B.Sc. (Ed.) degree in Technology Education from Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria. Prior to the doctoral program, Kayode was a high school teacher for 15 years, where he taught technology, mathematics and physics in Nigeria and South Africa.

Angela Bourgeois

Computer and Learning Technologist

About Angela

Angela Bourgeois is a Computer and Learning Technologist in the Learning and Information Department at Northern College. She started her 15-year career at Northern in the role of Recruitment Officer and then went on to work in the Accessibilities department as an Assistive Technologist before joining the LID in her current role. Angela is a graduate of Northern College’s 3-year Computer Science Engineering Technology Advanced diploma and also holds a diploma in Communicative Disorders with a special interest in Assistive Technology from Georgian College. These two disciplines have combined to create a passion in Angela for Learning Innovation and accessible, engaging education for all learners. Angela continues to nurture her love of Learning Innovation by constantly expanding her repertoire of tools, tips and tricks in the online learning environment. This allows her to provide relevant, up-to-date support for the faculty at Northern.

Shannon Arsenault

Senior Library Technician

About Shannon

Shannon Arsenault is the Senior Library Technician at Northern College, based out of the Timmins campus. Shannon’s responsibilities include providing leadership in planning, developing, and promoting library resources and services. Additionally, she offers expertise and leadership for copyright awareness, education, and compliance initiatives within the Northern College community. Shannon also provides education, resources, and support to promote the understanding and practice of academic integrity.

Jennifer Huggins

Professor, Program Coordinator, Business and Office Administration

About Jennifer

Jennifer Huggins is a faculty member in the Business and Office Administration Department at the Timmins Campus. Jennifer has worked in various departments across the College for the past 13 years in Admissions, Continuing Education, and Institutional Research until moving into the faculty department. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Humanistic Studies at McGill University and a Master’s of Education Degree from Nipissing University. Jennifer defended and published her thesis on at-risk learner’s barriers and supports in online learning. Before becoming a full-time faculty member, Jennifer worked as a Curriculum Support Integration Officer for several years, providing guidance to faculty in the instructional design and instruction of online courses. Her passion for Learning Innovation began while teaching part-time via distance and then supporting developing fully asynchronous courses for many college-level programs. Before joining Northern, Jennifer worked in Corporate Communications and Public Relations for large organizations in both the public and private sectors.

Susan Klooster

Instructional Designer

About Susan

Susan Klooster is an experienced educator with a Master of Education from Nipissing University. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, primarily at the secondary level, she has excelled as a Social Sciences teacher and Advanced Placement Psychology instructor. Susan has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and collaboration, co-authoring curriculum materials, integrating technology into her teaching, and serving as an Instructional Coach to enhance pedagogical and andragogical strategies. With leadership experience and expertise in course development for Technology Enabled Learning, Susan applies her extensive background to the role of Instructional Designer, working with Subject Matter Experts across a broad range of industries, combining academic rigor with a student-centered approach to create engaging and inclusive learning experiences.

Shannon Johnston

Educational Applications Systems Analyst

About Shannon

Shannon Johnston is the Educational Applications Systems Analyst at Northern College, based out of the Timmins campus. She has a diverse background in business, marketing, software applications, programming and web development. She has been with the college for 13 years. Working closely with the LEID department, she assists in various projects, including the development of web and mobile applications and digital learning modules to support academic objectives of Northern College.

Justine Splane

Library Technician

Barbara Hall

Instructional Designer