Doctor of Education Graduate Lili Jardine

Lili currently lives in Brandon, Manitoba, but is originally from Colombia. She has been living in Canada for over 25 years. She hopes to use her experience at Werklund to initiate projects that increase intercultural capacity and foster transformative learning.

What was your area of study before attending a graduate program at Werklund?

Prior to Canada, I obtained a systems engineering degree, worked for corporate (hardware companies), and taught at the university where I obtained my degree. When I arrived in Canada, it was challenging to work in my field of engineering, so I completed a bachelor’s degree in education (BEd) and a Certificate in Adult Education (CAE). With these qualifications, I worked for a community college and in the public system (K-12). Furthermore, I have been an entrepreneur as a dance instructor and Spanish instructor/translator for over 24 years, and a direct sales consultant and director for 9 years. After further experience as an entrepreneur, I started working as a sessional instructor at a university in three faculties (Science, Arts, and Education), while still working as an entrepreneur. With my professional goal of working at a university full time, I chose a degree that could open my doors in the three faculties and a degree that allowed me to still teach full time. Thus, I chose adult learning as my field of expertise. However, my research combines theories from adult learning and language and literacy to enrich my language classes, as well. 

What made you want to study at the Werklund School of Education?

While I was exploring several degrees and post-secondary institutions, many university colleagues kept mentioning the Werklund School of Education. Therefore, I met with some alumni from Werklund who mentioned the quality of Werklund and its faculty. I then researched more about the institution, and I was happy to see that Werklund had been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally with some scholars from our university. Then I looked at the program requirements, and I realized that being able to still work while completing my studies was also a great asset. Although, I was doubting myself when I applied, I found information and studies about various immigrants who graduated with similar degrees. Therefore, I thought, if they were able to do it, I could do it too.

How did you arrive at your thesis topic? What drew you to that particular area of focus?

My journey in Canada as an immigrant from Colombia and my identity influenced my thesis topic. The purpose of my study is to explore the journeys of eight professional Colombian immigrants living in Canada for two or more years in Canada to understand whether their intercultural communicative competence provides them with tools to succeed professionally and the extent to which they experience holistic transformative learning. In this study, intercultural communicate competence refers to the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in the community of settlement. Additionally, holistic transformative learning refers to the changes that immigrants may experience in their identity, behaviour, and dimensions of learning (i.e., cognitive, affective, and social). As an immigrant who faced many challenges and obstacles in Canada, I am curious to know what other strategies Colombian immigrants have implemented to succeed and if they experienced holistic transformative learning while working towards their professional success, as I did.

While holistic transformative learning falls under the umbrella of adult learning, the cultural challenges I have experienced in Canada and the fact that I teach Spanish influenced my decision to add intercultural communicative competence to my research.

Who is someone who had an important influence on your experience at Werklund? Tell us about their impact.

Many people have influenced my experience at Werklund. First, my thesis supervisor Dr. Janet Groen has been fundamental to my growth as a scholar and as a person. Her guidance to become a stronger scholar and her ability to support others with humility allowed me to believe in myself and be on track with my Doctor of Education (EdD) journey. Second, my colleague Michelle House-Kokan has been my rock. She started her EdD journey at the same time (same cohort). We have worked together while taking courses, supported each other while working on our research, and listened to each other when we struggled personally. Third, Dr. Roswita Dressler who hired me as graduate assistant with teaching duties and research assistant, several times. Her guidance while collaborating with her to teach her course, the experience I acquired while working on a few research projects together, presenting at an international conference, and receiving her guidance in her role of my thesis committee were instrumental to my professional growth. 

Fourth, Dr. Elita Laios, another graduate student, is a colleague who joined me in various projects to service Werklund, such as facilitating sessions for graduate students, initiating projects that were supported by GSA Quality Money, and delivering sessions in our roles as Graduate Programs in Education Students’ Association (GPESA) officers. Every time, we were working on different projects, she challenged my ideas and helped me become a stronger researcher. Fifth, Dr. Dianne Gereluk inspired me with her leadership style and the way in which she includes everyone in the present and future direction of Werklund. Also, her work ethic and passion for teaching and learning is contagious. 

There were other professors and faculty members that inspired me with professional learning sessions and Werklund committees, such as Dr. Barb Brown, Dr. Sylvie Roy, Dr. Colleen Kawalilak, Dr. Sarah Eaton, Dr. Ronna Mosher, and others. The professional conversations while working with various committees and working groups allowed me to grow personally and professionally and provided a space for me to experience holistic transformative learning. For instance, the way in which I communicate with others has changed, as well as the way in which I perceive people from various cultures, especially cultures I did not deeply understand, previously to Werklund. Additionally, I have experience changes in the way in which I complete research and critically think about topics that matter and can enhance the life of others. 

It was hard to choose only one person because I took advantage of all the services and opportunities Werklund and the University of Calgary offered me, as a graduate student. I have been the Co-President of GPESA for two school years, I worked in more than 10 different committees, communities of practice, and working groups, attended more than 50 professional learning sessions in two years, facilitated several sessions, and completed contracts as a research assistant and teaching assistant. I am glad I chose the Werklund School of Education!

What is the most important lesson you learned from your graduate studies experience?

I learned a lot of lessons. Personally, I became a stronger listener and more empathetic listener. While I heard the different perspectives of other scholars and my peers, and explored the research behind several topics, I was more attentive to explore the research from a critical perspective. Professionally, it is instrumental to take advantage of all the resources and professional learning opportunities offered by Werklund and the University of Calgary. For instance, I used resources from the Success Centre to improve my writing, attended professional learning sessions offered by Werklund and the Taylor Institute to improve my teaching practice, and serviced Werklund by volunteering for GPESA and various committees and working groups to learn from our faculty, staff, and other graduate students. Lastly, applying strategies to build connections helped enrich my educational experience and increased my success and satisfaction at Werklund.

Where has your education from the Werklund School of Education taken you in your career?

Presently, I have become a stronger university instructor. My goal is to graduate in May 2023 and my professional experience and education is opening the doors with more than one post-secondary institution to work with one of them in the future, as a full-time professor. Additionally, I am working in more projects to publish and present at conferences and at Werklund. 

Outside of Werklund, what are your favourite pastimes? Do you have any interesting hobbies or talents?

Outside of Werklund, I like to spend time with my family relaxing, teach Latin dances, teach Spanish privately, and connect with friends that have enriched my existence. Additionally, I love to read and take courses in topics that relate to leadership, mindfulness, and consciousness.

What advice would you give to those about to begin their graduate studies journey?

First, new graduate students should take advantage of all the opportunities Werklund, GPESA, and the University of Calgary offer. For example, Werklund holds informational session and workshops for new students. GPESA has a mentorship program to support new students and delivers sessions to support graduate students. The University of Calgary offers resources in all areas (e.g., mental health and academic resources). Second, new graduate students should reach other to Werklund if they are struggling personally or academically. Werklund and the university has all the resources put in place to ensure the students’ success and satisfaction. Third, graduate students should organize their schedule to ensure they are not only taking care of their studies, but also their job(s), themselves, and their family. Fourth, believe they can succeed; if others have done it, why not them?

What do you plan to do after you have completed your degree? How do you hope to make a positive impact in the community?

My first goal is to obtain a job at a university to teach and further my research. Second, I would like to initiate projects like the ones I implemented in the past, to continue my efforts in increasing intercultural capacity and foster transformative learning. Third, I would like to continue my research work with other immigrants and explore how some strategies could be implemented in my community of settlement. Lastly, I would like to disseminate the findings of my research in my community of settlement, several international conferences, the Colombian consulates in Colombia, the Canadian Embassy in Colombia, and the universities where I obtained my previous degrees.

Please share any additional comments

I would like to thank everyone at Werklund, the Taylor Institute, the Success Centre, and the University of Calgary. I really loved all the professional learning sessions offered on a weekly basis. I was not only growing as a researcher, but I was also able to grow personally while reflecting on everything I was learning and the interpersonal connections I was building throughout my time at Werklund.