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Professor Erica Walker, Dean of the Â鶹´«Ã½ (OISE), has been appointed Provostial Advisor on Lifelong Learning, alongside Professor Catherine Chandler-Crichlow, Dean of the School of Continuing Studies, from November 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026.

One of the Vice President and Provost's priorities is to ensure the development of lifelong learning opportunities that prepare students for evolving success. In their new appointment, Professors Chandler-Crichlow and Walker will guide the continued development of the University’s strategy to provide enriching educational opportunities for learners at various stages of life.

Professors Chandler-Crichlow and Walker will build on the work of the 2020-21 Provost’s Advisory Group on Lifelong Learning Opportunities to conduct needs assessments and consultations with various stakeholders, including academic leaders, students, and external partners, to better understand the evolving educational interests of this community and opportunities with government and the private sector.

As part of this project, Professors Chandler-Crichlow and Walker will collaborate with academic divisions and community partners to guide the development and promotion of educational initiatives tailored to lifelong learners, including courses, certificate programs, and microcredentials. Their work will include exploring innovative pedagogies, digital platforms, and delivery models that support engagement for learners, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. They will look for opportunities to leverage the experience, knowledge and systems of the School of Continuing Studies, OISE, and other centres of expertise across the University, to expand the reach of academic divisions into the lifelong learning space.

Ultimately, their work will provide a roadmap to align lifelong learning strategies with the University’s broader academic priorities and solidify the University of Toronto’s position as a leader in lifelong learning.

Professor Chandler-Crichlow, Dean of the School of Continuing Studies, and Professor Walker, Dean of the Â鶹´«Ã½ (OISE), both bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to these advisory roles.

Prior to joining U of T in 2021, Dr. Chandler-Crichlow served as Executive Director of Career Management & Corporate Recruiting at the Ivey Business School at Western University, building on a career of more than 25 years in the area of human capital development. She has a PhD from OISE, an Ed.M from Harvard University, and a BSc and a post-graduate Diploma in (Science) Education from the University of the West Indies. She is a specialist in the changing nature of work, having completed her doctorate on the topic of curriculum development and technology-mediated distance education. She has a deep passion for increasing opportunities of continuous learning for youth, newcomers, and equity-deserving groups.

Professor Walker joined U of T in 2023 from Columbia University where she served as Clifford Brewster Upton Professor of Mathematical Education and the Director of the Edmund W. Gordon Institute for Urban and Minority Education (IUME) in Columbia’s Teachers College. Professor Walker earned her BS in Mathematics from Birmingham-Southern College, her MA.Ed in Mathematics Education from Wake Forest University, and her Ed.D and Ed.M in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University, before joining Teachers College as a postdoctoral research fellow and professor. A former high school mathematics teacher, she is an expert in mathematics education, with current research focusing on expansive notions of STEM education and engagement beyond traditional classrooms for learners of all ages.