Dr. Audrey J. Penner
Dr. Penner is the Director of Adult Education, Learner Supports, and Applied Research at Holland
College, Prince Edward Island. As Director of Adult Education, she is Chief Executive
Officer of the Institute for Adult and Community Education [Holland College] responsible
for the provincial program delivery system of Adult education [literacy and upgrading]
and language programs for newcomers to Canada. In her role as Director of Learner
Supports, she oversees curriculum development, implementation of online/blended
learning, and instruction on teaching methodology for faculty and programs at Holland
College. Her department hosts a joint Certificate in Adult Education/Bachelor of
Education program with the University of Prince Edward Island, and collaborates
on a Master’s in Educational Learning and Leadership program with a specialization
in Community College Leadership. Her Educational Doctorate in Higher Education Administration
from the University of Calgary, and Master’s of Education in Leadership and Learning
from the University of Prince Edward Island provide unique qualifications to lead
this range of program delivery and integrate diverse fields of specialization. As
Director of Applied Research, her role is to develop research capacity at Holland
College that supports college programs and economic prosperity for Prince Edward
Island. She manages over $1,000,000 in research funding annually and has received
research grants for adult learning from diverse groups such as the Canadian Council
on Learning, Human Resource Development Canada, and Canada’s Literacy Secretariat.
Audrey’s research interests include adult literacy, support for adult learning and
teaching strategies, labor force development, performance indicators and their relationship
to quality in higher education. She is an adjunct professor at the University of
Prince Edward Island and is the recipient of the University of Manitoba, Alumni
of Distinction Award 2005, and the Diane Pike Journal Award 2005. She is currently
completing a six month assignment in Ottawa, with Human Resource and Skills Development
Canada, working on research and advanced analytics for policy development related
to adult literacy and training in Canada.