Shelly Chlan has worked at RRC Polytech since 2004, first as an Instructor for Applied Computer Education and Business Administration, and for the last several years for Hospitality and Tourism.  

Shelly has a BA in Psychology, Certificate in Adult Education, and earned her designation as a Certified Management Accountant (CPA, CMA). Before joining RRC Polytech, Shelly worked in a variety of organizations and has managed several accounting teams. 

Shelly focuses on building positive and safe learning environments. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time with family, and walking in nature. 

Scott joined Red River College Polytechnic in 2001, working as an accounting instructor in the Accounting and Computer Education and Applied Commerce and Management Education (ACME) departments. In 2019, he moved into an academic Coordinator role at NDC, before becoming Program Manager for ACME at EDC in 2021.  

Scott has a Bachelor of Commerce (honours) from the University of Manitoba and a Chartered Professional Accounting designation through CPA Manitoba. He has a Certificate in Adult Education from RRC Polytech. Prior to joining the College, he worked in accounting and finance positions in the banking, transportation and special crops marketing sectors in Winnipeg.  

Scott is a collaborative leader, building on the strengths of teams and identifying areas for growth. Outside of work, Scott loves spending time with family and friends, hiking, and travel.   

Gail started with RRC Polytech in 2004 as an instructor at the Interlake Regional Campus. She has worked with Applied Computer Education since 2012, as an instructor and most recently as program manager. Gail specializes in fostering communication, interpersonal, conflict management, and intercultural skills. She has developed courses in communication, business, and computer technologies.  

As program manager, Gail supports new instructors, oversees course development, and co-leads program renewals. She is dedicated to the creation of high-quality education that serves the needs of students and employers. 

Gail holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree and a Master of Education degree, both from the University of Manitoba. She is a lifelong learner with interests in science, technology, and philosophy. Gail’s interests include travelling, gardening, and cooking. 

Melanie Lee Lockhart taught Public Relations and Communication Management in RRC Polytech’s Creative Communications program for 15 years and was honoured with the RRCSA’s Award for Teaching Excellence. More recently, she led development of and has served as Program Coordinator for the Post-Graduate Diploma in Communication Management.  

Prior to joining RRC Polytech, Melanie was the Director of Corporate Communications at Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (now Bell MTS). She holds a Master’s Degree in English from Carleton University, a Bachelor’s Degree in English from McGill University, and a Certificate in Adult Education from RRC Polytech. 

Thomas Lepp is a highly skilled and experienced instructor in the field of game development and visual effects. He has an extensive background in real-time 3D computer graphics, with more than 20 years of experience.   

Thomas has worked in art direction for various game and film productions and has also worked as a technical director and motion graphics artist. He has contributed to multiple game, film, and television projects.  

Thomas has a deep understanding of game development and a talent for communicating complex concepts to students. He has mentored many aspiring game developers and is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of digital artists, ensuring that they have the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. He continues to share his knowledge and expertise with students and fellow game developers alike, inspiring them to create groundbreaking immersive entertainment experiences. 

Jennifer Powell joined RRC Polytech in 2008 as the Coordinator for the Student Connections program, then moved into Student Recruitment and eventually became an instructor in Applied Computer Education (ACE) and Applied Commerce and Management Education (ACME). She has spent the last four years as an Academic Coordinator in the ACME department. Prior to working at RRC Polytech, Jennifer worked in sales and marketing roles in the fields of event marketing, hospitality, and staffing.  

Jennifer holds a master’s degree in Public Administration (MBA stream) from the University of Winnipeg and has recently completed the Teaching for Learning Program and the Envision Leadership Development Program. 

Jennifer enjoys spending time with family and friends (especially her son Jackson), going to concerts, hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and travelling. 

Sandra Turner joins RRC Polytech after having worked in the post-secondary world for nearly a decade for Confederation College in Northwest Ontario; however, her passion for helping learners reach their career and education goals began 15 years ago when she started working in the Literacy and Basic Skills field. After having lived and worked in Northwestern Ontario for the last 16 years, Sandra is returning to her roots in Manitoba. She looks forward to new adventures with RRC Polytech. 

Outside of the office, Sandra can be found digging in the dirt in her vegetable and flower gardens with her two dogs in tow. Animal welfare has been a passion of hers for many years. She has been heavily involved in volunteering for various animal rescue operations in NWO; her home has always been open and welcoming to furry strays and she hopes to continue that important work in Manitoba.

Taras has been with RRC Polytech for 19 years, primarily teaching in the Applied Commerce and Management Education (ACME) department. He was also the Business Administration program renewal coordinator and two-time chair of the College’s Directions Business Conference. 

Prior to his time at the College, Taras worked in various management positions within the television, advertising, and tourism industries. He also served on the boards of Asperger Manitoba and the Manitoba Theatre for Young People. 

Taras holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Manitoba and an MBA in Managerial Leadership from Seattle City University. 

Taras’ interests include emerging trends in course development, course design, classroom technologies and instructional methods.  He is passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion at the College. 

In his personal life, Taras spends time with his family travelling and enjoying theatre, music, and the arts. 

Allyson Cooper, MN, RN, CCSNE currently holds the position of Chair of BN Programs, Labs & Simulation at RRC Polytech. 

Before joining the College, Allyson worked as a nurse in the NICU at Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg for 14 years. Allyson has held positions as the Nurse Educator in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, developer and leader of the ACoRN (Acute Care of at-Risk Newborns) implementation project in Manitoba, Nurse Coordinator for post-graduate medical education, and Nurse Educator for the Internationally Educated Nurses program.  

Allyson holds a master’s degree in nursing with a specialty in nursing education from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Her research interests center around high-fidelity simulation and its application in furthering learning. 

Alison Fyfe-Carlson joined RRC Polytech in 2001 and has taught in the nursing faculty in both clinical and theory positions. 

A committed and compassionate educator, Alison has been an Academic Coordinator in the nursing department since 2018, and has led international and inter-professional education initiatives, and loves to see students succeed. 

In her spare time, Alison enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cross-country skiing and reading. 

Ginelle Giacomin has been an educator for more than 15 years. She recently completed a Doctorate in Social Science, focused on the intersection of Indigeneity, post-secondary education, and parental efficacy. She also holds a Master of Science, specializing in Human Development and Disability Studies, and bachelor’s degrees in Education, Family Social Science, and Arts.  

Ginelle joined the RRC Polytech community in 2013, having taught in the Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Care, and Disability and Community Support programs. She has also worked as a high school home economics teacher, a group home manager, and as a qualitative researcher. 

Ginelle is dedicated to Indigenizing curriculum and supporting the whole learner. Her experience teaching at the Ndinawe Child and Youth Care Certificate Program ignited a passion for transformative holistic post-secondary education which she brings to her new position as Chair of Community Services Programs. 

Tasha Gregory joined RRC Polytechnic in 2010 as a nursing instructor and is grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside an incredibly talented group of individuals in the nursing department. Tasha previously worked as an RN in various pediatric settings and as a motivational speaker in the non-profit sector.  

Tasha holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Queen’s University, a Master of Nursing from Athabasca University, and is currently completing the Teaching for Learning Certificate from RRC Polytech.  

Tasha is passionate about creating inclusive spaces and integrating trauma-informed practices and strengths-focused approaches into the delivery of healthcare and educational standards. She is a lifelong learner and is committed to continued growth and innovation.  

Outside of work, Tasha enjoys time with her family, drinking specialty coffee, and reading about the latest research trends in healthcare and education. 

Sandra Holben joined RRC Polytech 22 years ago and has worked in various roles and programs in the nursing faculty: as an instructor in theory, clinical, lab, as a clinical mentor, and over the past three years as the Nursing Program Manager for the BN – clinical. 

Sandra obtained her BN, RN, ICU and Master’s in Education. She has worked as a practicing nurse in the United States, Manitoba, and Ontario, gaining experience in multiple fields of nursing practice. Her area of interest and focus of study during her master’s program was, and is, on supporting the learning and development of expert practicing nurses transitioning to nurse educators in the BN program. Her goal is to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for RRC Polytech’s diverse student learners. 

During her off time, Sandra enjoys spending time with her family and dogs. 

Ali Khorshidi is an instructor in the Life Sciences Program at RRC Polytech. With Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and a PhD degree in Food Science, Ali has more than 17 years of research, education, and leadership experiences in a variety of roles such as technical advisor, research manager, instructor and adjunct professor in industry, academia, and government organizations. 

Ali has led several multidisciplinary projects in collaboration with multiple industry partners, university departments, and government organizations. Ali is also a member of various scientific communities and has contributed to more than 35 publications, as well as posters and oral presentations at national and international conferences. 

Ali loves working in academic environments and has a passion for contributing to education and the success of the next generations. In their free time, Ali enjoys hanging out with family members and friends. 

Kelsey has held a variety of positions at RRC Polytech for the past 15 years, including instructor in the Child and Youth Care Program, Academic Transformation Project Lead and most recently, Acting Program Manager, Community Services. 

Kelsey is strongly committed to addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and working collaboratively to advance Indigenous education as reconciliation. She is committed to cultivating relationships with community, working to provide holistic education and training with a focus on decolonization and Indigenization. Kelsey holds a joint bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Studies and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg, a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Adult Education from Athabasca University, and will soon complete a Master of Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University. 

Any spare time is spent with her two sports-loving children that keep her on the go. 

Joanna Simmons-Swinden graduated from RRC Polytech in 1992 with a diploma in nursing. She began her career as a pediatric nurse at Health Sciences Centre on the pediatric surgical and burn ward. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Arts degree in Post-Secondary Education. 

In 2001, Joanna was recruited to teach in the Nursing program at RRC Polytech, then was approached to take a role as a student advisor. She played an active role in the transition of the diploma program into the current degree program. In 2014, she became Coordinator of Advising and in 2021, Acting Manager of Academic Operations in the Nursing program.  

Joanna believes the students are our reason for being here, and she works to remove barriers so they can achieve their goals. Thousands of graduates have heard Joanna call their names at the traditional Nursing Pinning ceremony over the years. 

Pauline Black joined RRC Polytech in 2017 with 20 years of experience teaching English as an Additional Language. She cares deeply for students and is a teacher at heart! She has held a number of positions and roles at the Language Training Centre, including Instructor, Academic Coordinator, and Project Coordinator for Material Handling 4.0. She has been in a Program Manager role for Language Programming of Stage 2 and Stage 1, Regional and Rural, and Childcare for Newcomer Children Programming.  

Pauline enjoys the fast-paced, ever-changing environment of preparing English Language students for the Manitoba workforce and academic study. She is committed to creating meaningful pathways for students into the province’s workforce.  

When she is not working, you will often find her spending time with her family (she has five teenagers!), at a soccer game, bicycling, hiking or skiing.

Patricia Culleton-Koebel is a life-long learner, passionate about education and committed to student success. 

Patricia joined the College in 2017 and has taken on the roles of Instructor, Academic Coordinator and most recently, Acting Program Manager for Math, Science and Communication. 

Patricia brings more than 15 years of experience in adult education. Throughout her time at RRC Polytech, Patricia has built collaborative relationships across programs, supporting process and system changes for course-based registration and academic conversion. Prior to joining RRC Polytech, she was an English as an Additional Language Instructor for a Business Management Institute in China and for a private language institute in South Korea. 

Outside of work, Patricia spends time learning and completing DIY projects, baking bread, gardening unique vegetables with her kids, exploring Manitoba, and spending time with her family. 

Carleigh Friesen (she/her) came to RRC Polytech in 2015, and brings enthusiasm for learning, collaboration, and overcoming challenges along with a range of experiences from Instructor at the Language Training Centre, Manager of the Academic Success Centre, and most recently as Organizational Development Consultant for the ENABLE and ENVISION programs. Prior to joining RRC Polytech, Carleigh was an English language instructor at the University of Manitoba and internationally in Mexico and Costa Rica.   

Carleigh’s hobbies include learning Spanish, reading, cross-country skiing, traveling, and hiking with her wife and one of their two cats. 

Rebecca Molly Hiebert values innovation and collaboration, and uses her passion for research, science, and language to explore new ways of fostering an inclusive and student-focused environment at the college. 

With experience in student supports, Rebecca has worked in the Academic Success Centre as an Academic Support Specialist, Writing & Communication Centre Lead, and Acting Manager. She also has experience as an instructor and with course and program development in a number of departments at the College. 

In her free time, Rebecca likes to play disc golf, read voraciously, go camping, and enjoy music with her family. 

Danny Hutchinson came to RRC Polytech in 2010 as an instructor in the Related Math and Science Department.  He is a Red Seal-endorsed Machinist who has worked in many different sectors within Canada, the US, and Australia. 

Danny has a keen interest in Building Science and hosted a podcast on the subject!  When not at the College, he can be found at the Teulon-Rockwood Fire Hall where he serves as a Captain, or working beside his wife and kids setting up their miniature Highland cattle farm. 

Linda Manimtim has worked in newcomer settlement and language training since 2002 as an instructor, curriculum developer, and instructional designer. 

Prior to joining the Language Training Centre at RRC Polytech in 2019, she worked at post-secondary institutions and language training centres in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and in England. She has a Bachelor of Education from McGill and a Master of Education from the University of Alberta. 

Linda enjoys tinkering with technology, watching cartoons with her children, playing board games with her husband, and making a mess in the kitchen. 

Norlan Page has worked at RRC Polytech since 2010, as a Student Integration Coordinator, International Student Support Coordinator, and most recently Acting Program Manager in the Intensive English for International Students program. He has also served as a steward and executive member of MGEU Local 73.

Norlan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Certificate in TESOL from Providence University College, and a Master of Business Administration degree with a focus on Leadership for the Common Good from Canadian Mennonite University. He has also completed the Envision Leadership Development program at RRC Polytech.  

Prior to joining RRC Polytech, Norlan taught English for 10 years in Canada, China and South Korea, where he co-founded and managed a successful private language school.  

Away from the College, Norlan enjoys cooking for his family, cheering on the Jets and Bombers, and getting out on a lake in a canoe. 

Kirill Serafimovich has been working at RRC Polytech since 2017, first as an ESL Instructor and then as an Academic Coordinator for the LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) program at the Language Training Centre.  

Kirill holds a TESL Certificate, a Master’s in Education and Linguistics and a Master’s in Economics.  

In his personal and professional life, Kirill values integrity, honesty, humility, initiative, and critical thinking. 

In his spare time, Kirill enjoys curling, rollerblading, biking, playing tennis, listening to podcasts, exploring Canada and the world. 

Monica has made many meaningful contributions at RRC Polytech, working with the School of Indigenous Education and Indigenous Student Supports over the past 10 years. She began as an Indigenous Liaison Advisor and has served as acting Program Manager and acting ACCESS Pathways Manager.  

Monica holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Winnipeg, a Certificate in Real Property Assessment from UBC and is Alumni, with a certificate in Business and Administrative Studies. She has completed many leadership development training courses through ENABLE and is one of RRC Polytech’s Culture Champions and Diversity Champions. 

Monica is passionate about eliminating barriers and sustaining a strong student-centred approach for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people in education.  She believes in working together as one, with one heart/mind. In her free time, Monica enjoys camping, concerts, staying active, painting, and spending time with family and friends. 

Saleh Saffari moved to Canada from Iran in 2012, after having taught English as a foreign language for 10 years and obtaining his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature. He received his TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certificate from the University of Manitoba and got his first job in Canada at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT), while also teaching in different programs at the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg and working for CanTest and IELTS as a speaking examiner. 

Saleh joined RRC Polytech in 2015, working at the Language Training Centre as an instructor, PBLA Lead Teacher, and Curriculum Group Leader. He started studying for his Ph.D. in Education at the U of M in 2021 and is currently preparing to write his thesis proposal. 

Saleh has a passion for learning about Indigenous cultures and languages and looks forward to contributing to this community in his new role.