2022-2023 Board
- Chair: Colin Russell, University of Winnipeg
- Secretary: Hannah Gifford, Red River College Polytechnic
- Treasurer: Maria Nuyda, Booth University College
- Membership Chair: Gabe Mercier, Retired from Assiniboine Community College
- Administrative Assistant: VACANT
- Members at Large: Gary McNeeley, Manpreet Grewal, and Robyn McEvoy
- Promotions Chair: All Board Members
- Program Planning Chair: All Board Members
Chair: Colin Russell, University of Winnipeg
Colin Russell is the Registrar at The University of Winnipeg, and has been involved in the University’s PLAR initiatives since their inception. He was a member of the committee that produced a report in 2005 on the assessment of UW as an Adult Learner Friendly Institution (ALFI), and hired the Coordinator of Adult Learner Services and PLAR when he was Director of Academic Advising and Special Needs. Colin has been engaged in the implementation and administration of UW’s Adult Learner and PLAR-related initiatives, including the CIM to BA (later BBA) program with Boeing, Standard Aero, and Manitoba Hydro; establishment of an evening adult learner advisor position through funding from the Province; and establishment of Military PLAR for veterans and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Colin served for two years on the PEARL (Pursuit of Excellence in the Assessment and Recognition of Learning) Awards committee of MPLAN, and has been a member of MPLAN for a number of years.
Secretary: Hannah Gifford, Red River College Polytechnic
Hannah Gifford has served on the MPLAN Board several years as a member-at-large and this year, she is serving as Secretary. She has worked in Admissions at Red River College Polytechnic for almost twelve years and currently holds the position of International Credential Assessor and Transfer Credit Officer.
Recognition of prior learning, in all its various forms, plays an important role in the work that she does to support student success.
Hannah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg (2006) and has had training in international credential assessment and RPL concepts and practices.
Treasurer: Maria Nuyda, Booth University College
Maria Nuyda has been in the education sector for over 25 years in a diverse and multicultural setting. Her experience in curriculum development, teacher mentorship and training, instructional design, standardization and quality assurance in education is what she brings to Booth University College as Dean, School of Continuing Studies. She believes that the kaizen (or continuous improvement) spirit defines a progressive and innovative institution.
Maria holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and graduate degrees in Educational Management and Information Technology in Education.
Her other commitments include being a core member of the Friends of Filipino Immigrants in Manitoba and a volunteer English Conversation facilitator at the Immigrant Centre.
Membership Chair: Gabe Mercier, Assiniboine Community College
Gabe is new to the RPL process, and believes that it’s a perfect fit for adult education programs. He is presently retired. Previously the Director of Assiniboine Community College Parkland Campus in Dauphin, where he administered college and mature high school programs. He has eighteen years of institutional administration in secondary and post second education in Manitoba. Gabe has a wide range of education and work experiences both in education and in business and industry, and holds bachelor and master of education degrees from the University of Manitoba. However, his early years of post-secondary education were at a community college followed by working in industry for eight years and completing an apprenticeship program (inter-provincial journeyman status). He also has fifteen years of teaching directly in a Technical Vocational Education program.