Laurentian University has appointed an executive director for its Centre of Academic Excellence.

Christine Blais will provide leadership in developing the goals and objectives of the Centre for Academic Excellence, according to a press release from the university.

The centre’s mission is to nurture a strategic and co-ordinated approach to academic excellence, through innovation in teaching, professional development, and a comprehensive system of supports for learners at all levels.

“The Centre for Academic Excellence was identified as a core priority in our academic plan and we are thrilled to have Dr. Blais in place to steer this very important endeavour,” Patrice Sawyer, chair of the search committee and vice-president, francophone affairs, research and graduate studies, said in a press release.

Blais was hired as a faculty member in the School of Human Kinetics in July 2011 at the rank of associate professor, and recently served as interim associate dean in the Faculty of Professional Schools.

Blais was a faculty member at Brock University from 1992 to 2002. There, she served two terms as chair of the Department of Child and Youth Studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

At the same time, she was director of the Concurrent Education program. She moved to the University of Manitoba in 2002 where she remained until 2011.

She became director of University 1 at the University of Manitoba in 2004 until 2011.

“The vision of the Centre for Academic Excellence is an exciting one, and I am thrilled to be leading this innovative project,” Blais said, in a press release.

“We are committed to building on our excellence and supporting 'best practices' for all learners: students and teachers.”

Posted by Laurel Myers