Dr. Lisa Rochman believes that lifelong learning is crucial for both personal and professional growth. In her new role as the dean of the School of Continuing Education, she hopes to build on that idea with staff, faculty and students.
“Today more than ever, learning is lifelong and doesn't stop when you finish your traditional schooling. You're never really done learning,” says Dr. Rochman. “Jobs and careers are changing quickly, and continuous education allows people to be ahead of the curve. The School of Continuing Education is a place where you can get flexible, accessible and exceptional learning opportunities to upskill, re-skill, learn new technologies, prepare for new careers or advance within your current career.”
She practices what she preaches. Dr. Rochman earned her doctorate and master’s degree in linguistics from Ben Gurion University in Israel, and continues to seek out educational opportunities for herself, whether they directly align with her current work or where she wants to take the work.
“Everything I've learned has played a role in my career, in my ability to build innovative programs, to be a leader, a peer, to develop unique solutions to challenges and increase access to education.,” says Dr. Rochman. “When I look back, every course I’ve taken has been really important and has played a role in the choices I've made, the work I've done, the impact that the work has had.”
Dr. Rochman has spent the last 15 years of her career working at neighbouring downtown Edmonton institution NorQuest College, where she was most recently the vice-dean of the Faculty of Skills and Foundational Learning. When considering coming to MacEwan, she found that the Teaching Greatness and Smash the Calendar sections of the institution’s strategic vision, Teaching Greatness, really resonated with her.
“The traditional education of four years of classes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. doesn't really align with the educational needs of many students today. It works for some, but not everybody. I love that MacEwan is recognizing that and looking for how to meet varying needs while ensuring the quality of the learning experience remains central. That flexibility makes education more accessible. And I believe education can change lives significantly, creating opportunities for people that were not there before.”
The variety of programming offered at the School of Continuing Education was also a draw for Dr. Rochman. In addition business, leadership, health education, technical and creative skills and academic and language preparation, having the option to build skills in areas like music and photography is important, she says, and something she brings into her own household with her love of cooking.
“I like to go to explore different stores with my kids and husband. We find an ingredient that we don't know, we talk to the store owners or workers and find out how to use it or what to do with it. Then we go home and give it a go. Usually it turns out okay, and sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, it's about getting to experience different things and try new things and that's what I love to do.”
Dr. Rochman is still settling into the position of dean, which she will hold for a five-year term.
“My focus has been to learn and to listen,” she says. “There's no limit on opportunities here. It's figuring out which ones align best with MacEwan’s vision.”
While she’s learning the role, she’s looking at how the School of Continuing Education can continue to grow in a multitude of ways. “Growth is not just enrolment numbers. It's growth of impact, in the lives of students and in the community.”