The Executive Team

Results driven and passionate about community building, Justin spent the last six years at Coast Mountain College in northwest BC, where he led with progressive responsibility, first as Vice President, Academic, International and Students, and more recently as President and CEO.

During his tenure, the College completed an ambitious transformation agenda and grew its reputation as a centre of excellence in experiential place-based teaching. Along with a name change and significant rebranding, Justin was responsible for increasing enrolment, developing a sustainable international program, and enhancing government and community relations, helping establish new residences, student centres and teaching spaces.

Justin is skilled in communications, marketing, and student services. He served for four years as Vice President of Students at BCIT, five years as Director of Marketing and Enrolment Services at the University of Victoria, and Manager of Marketing and Communications at Monash University, Australia's largest post-secondary.

Over the last two decades, Justin has gained valuable career experience in diverse post-secondary settings, in the agriculture sector and in journalism - the field that sparked his commitment to life-long learning.

Justin earned his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Communications from the University of Regina. In 2006 he completed his Master's in Professional Communications from Deakin University in Australia and since then he has gone on to obtain various other leadership designations, including Authentic Leadership from Harvard University.

Relocating to Northwestern Alberta represents a much-anticipated return to the Prairies for the Kohlman family. Both Justin and his wife, Sandra, were born and raised in rural Saskatchewan and thoroughly enjoy being part of the community. Sandra is looking forward to continuing her nursing career and their son, Hayden is looking forward to Grade 9 and joining local sports teams, especially baseball.

Degrees and Credentials

MN (Using Technology to Engage the Millennial Nursing Student); Victoria/2015

BScN; Alberta/2006

RN

Background

I am a tenured Faculty member with the Department of Nursing Education & Health Studies. I teach predominantly in Years 3 and 4 of the BScN programs. I enjoy teaching this level of learner as I can relate my professional nursing practice to the acuity of patients the students are learning about. I started teaching at Northwestern Polytechnic in 2012. Prior to teaching I worked as a staff nurse in the ER.

Scholarly and Professional Interest

• Institutional theory and undergraduate nursing education
• Engaging learners
• Using technology in the classroom
• High fidelity simulation
• Curriculum development
• Academic leadership

Research Interests

• Issues and challenges facing undergraduate nursing education in Alberta
• Academic Leadership in Nursing Education
• Patient Oriented Research (POR)
• Engaging Millennial Learners in Nursing Education

Teaching

• Teaching philosophy/approach to students & learning:

My teaching practice is influenced by experientialism, constructivism, and a caring science curriculum. I bring experiential learning theory into my practice by recognizing past experience in the BScN program and life experience and encouraging the students to think critically about their experiences and how they are shaping their nursing practice.  An example of this is in NS1950 with first year nursing students in their first clinical experience I seek information to how the student is feeling about the experience on a daily basis in the first couple of weeks because for many students they have a hard time relating the experience to previous experiences. Constructivism influences my teaching practice as I acknowledge the unique knowledge that the students and I bring to each course and each situation.  I utilize their previous knowledge to build new knowledge and facilitate learning. I challenge the students to reflect on their previous knowledge and question their previous perceptions based on their current knowledge. The caring science curriculum aligns with my views of the teacher/student relationship in that it is a shared power-with relationship rather than a traditional power-over relationship. The shared power with my students creates a positive learning environment where I am there to facilitate their learning in a non-intimidating approach. I have received excellent feedback from the students that I supported confidence building, provided encouragement, and treated all students the same.

• Teaching expertise: acute medicine, adult critical care

Selected Presentations

• Frisch, N., Atherton, P., Macleaod, M., Doyle-Waters, M., Ward, J., Sheane, V., Woodley, J., & Mallidou, A. (Sept. 2018).  Competencies needed for patient involvement in patient-oriented research: report of a scoping review of the literature.  Oral presentation presented at the Cochrane Colloquium, Edinburgh, UK.
• Sheane, V. (May, 2018).  Exploring institutional theory and nursing education research: a work in progress.  Oral presentation presented at the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference, Montreal, Quebec.
• Sheane, V. & VanTassell, T. (May 2016).  Reflection IN Action through High Fidelity Simulation.  Poster session presented at the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference, Toronto, Ontario.
• Sheane, V. (April 2015).  Using Technology to Engage the Millennial Nursing Student. Oral session presented at the Scholarship and Faculty Development Conference, Edmonton, Alberta.
• Sheane, V. (May, 2014).  Rural Connections through Education.  Poster session presented at the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• Elliott, S., MacIntyre, D., Rawluk, L., & Sheane, V, (February, 2013). Urban to Rural: The Road Less Travelled. Oral session presented at the Western Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing Conference, Edmonton, Alberta.

Professional and Academic Affiliations or Associations

• College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta: Member in good standing

A graduate of the Universities of Regina (M. Ed, B. Ed) and Saskatchewan (B.A), Karl was a teacher, administrator, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools in Saskatchewan and Alberta for 28 years. He also worked in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina for 3 years as he was completing his Masters. His work as the President of the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS) and Council of Catholic School Superintendents (CCSSA) provided him with exposure to a wide variety of leadership styles and personalities who collectively assisted Karl in his growth as an educators and leader. In the community Karl is active with different agencies including Covenant Health, GPCSD Education Foundation and other organizations.

"The opportunity to work at Northwestern Polytechnic is a fantastic opportunity to learn and provide wisdom and insight to others," stated Karl.