Nipissing appoints two new teaching chairs
Nipissing is pleased to announce the appointment of two new teaching chairs who will provide leadership, peer support and contribute to scholarship in the area of teaching and learning across the institution.
Dr. Denyse Lafrance Horning has been appointed Teaching Chair in Experiential Learning, and Dr. Sal Renshaw has been appointed Teaching Chair in Interdisciplinary Learning. Both Chairs will begin their two-year terms on July 1, 2018.
Teaching Chairs are tenured, tenure-track or continuing faculty who have demonstrated teaching excellence and a desire to advocate and support evidence-based, university-wide teaching excellence. Chairs will be responsible for fostering a culture of teaching and learning; championing teaching and learning best practices on-campus, online, and in community classroom spaces; and contributing to the scholarship of teaching and learning across all Faculties, Schools and Departments. Each Chair will receive an annual grant to assist with research and the dissemination of scholarship related to teaching and learning.
“The introduction of our Teaching Chairs Program is another example of our commitment to providing an exceptional student learning experience,” said Dr. Arja Vainio-Mattila, Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research. “Dr. Lafrance Horning and Dr. Renshaw are both exemplary teachers and scholars, and we look forward to the knowledge and ideas they will bring to the teaching and learning realm at Nipissing.”
Dr. Denyse Lafrance Horning is an assistant professor in the School of Business. She holds an interdisciplinary PhD from Laurentian University as well as a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Administration from the University of Ottawa. Before making the transition to academia, Dr. Lafrance Horning worked in consumer sales and marketing with the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. She is a long-time advocate of the teaching power of experiential education and often draws on her industry experience to complement her teaching. She consistently incorporates innovative, hands-on experiences into her courses including field experiences, simulations and consulting projects, and has supervised numerous customized student courses through the iLEAD experiential learning program. Her research in the area of cause-related sport sponsorship showcases her interest in integrating academic scholarship and real-world applications.
Dr. Sal Renshaw is an associate professor who holds a cross-appointment between the departments of Gender Equality and Social Justice, of which she is currently Chair, and Religions and Cultures. She has a PhD in Philosophy, and a BA Honours in Sociology as well as the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology from the University of New South Wales, Australia. Dr. Renshaw is passionate about the value of and need for interdisciplinary education. Along with her colleague and research partner, Renée Valiquette, Dr. Renshaw was instrumental in the development of a series of innovative courses at Nipissing including DIRT, SLOTH, SECRETS, WATER, GENIUS and WHITE, that provide students with a rich and complex look at some of society’s most pressing issues. Her research in this area coupled with over 20 years of experience teaching in interdisciplinary programs will help inform her work as Teaching Chair in Interdisciplinary Learning.
NU News spoke with Dr. Lafrance Horning and Dr. Renshaw about their respective appointments.