SASKATOON — Saskatchewan Polytechnic faculty support students from day one all the way to graduation. The Faculty and Applied Research Awards of Excellence recognize faculty members who go above and beyond in the classroom, lab and shop.
“Each day across our campuses, Sask Polytech faculty create inclusive classrooms, labs and workshops, in which diversity is valued and innovation is encouraged. They inspire student success while empowering learning and skills development,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, president and CEO. “Our faculty play a critical role in aligning student learning with the demands of today’s workforce and the possibilities of tomorrow’s innovation. Congratulations to this year’s faculty award recipients.”
During the Retirement and Long-Service Employee Award ceremonies across all four campus cities in May, Faculty Award for Excellence: Teaching and Applied Research Award of Excellence recipients were recognized for their dedication to student success.
Faculty Award for Excellence: Teaching 2026
Chelsea Jones is an instructor in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship who creates a dynamic learning environment by integrating technology and delivering flexible hybrid courses. She continually adapts course content, in-class activities and assessments to meet student needs, transforming her classes into authentic experiences through applied learning projects.
The Moose Jaw campus instructor intentionally designs her courses to include meaningful community and industry engagement, collaborating with partners to create learning activities that align with course outcomes and support organizational improvement.
Students consistently highlight the value of hands-on experience Jones creates, describing it as one of the most meaningful development opportunities in their program.
Shane Roset has been an Autobody program instructor at the Regina campus for 15 years. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to student success, lifelong learning and instructional excellence.
Through Roset’s creative and practical approach in developing his own teaching materials, students translate theory into hands-on practice. By incorporating a wide range of tools and sourcing total loss vehicles from SGI, he provides students with valuable, real-world experience rebuilding vehicles.
Roset is committed to keeping students informed on industry developments, dedicating time to researching the latest best practices and procedures for each vehicle, while prioritizing safety for both students and the vehicles they work on.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Instructional Practice
Lynsey Jones is an instructor in the Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
She fosters psychological safety, mutual respect and shared responsibility. Through collaborative learning her students are actively involved in developing the classroom environment by co-creating group expectations, establishing shared accountability and a respectful learning tone.
Jones creates opportunities for all students to collaborate and learn from diverse perspectives. She encourages questions, curiosity and openness in the classroom.
Faculty Award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Michelle Lanoie is the coordinator of Women in Trades and Technology (WITT). She is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles, consistently, thoughtfully and measurably translating those principles into teaching practices.
Lanoie designs learning experiences that honour diverse identities, histories and needs, supporting students and faculty alike. By sharing resources, she helps fellow instructors enhance their teaching practices and strengthens the team’s collective capacity.
From mentoring individual learners to facilitating events to collaborating with faculty and community partners, Lanoie’s experience and support help more women thrive in trades and technology programs and careers. This support extends beyond formal class time to online spaces, labs, practicum environments, student meetings and informal learning interactions.
Faculty Award for Indigenization and Reconciliation in Teaching
Brooklyn Neveu is an Indigenous student support coordinator with our wītōkamāhtōtān Indigenous Student Success department.
She makes the Indigenous Centre feel like a second home to students, going above and beyond what is expected by actively creating opportunities, organizing activities and supporting students on difficult days.
Neveu actively integrates Indigenous perspectives into daily operations and student support. Her work is grounded in respect, humility and a deep understanding of the barriers Indigenous learners face. She not only advocates for students but empowers them, helping them navigate their academic paths with confidence and pride.
Applied Research Award of Excellence 2026
Dean Lefebvre is an instructor in the Dental Hygiene program and researcher in the School of Health Sciences.
His sustained, practice‑driven program of inquiry translates evidence into real‑world improvements in oral health education, clinical practice and community well-being across Saskatchewan.
His work includes research through the Health Canada Oral Health Access Fund and a formal partnership with the Indigenous Dental Association of Canada.
Through the partnership, Lefebvre examines barriers to oral health education and care, focusing on community‑based outreach to support equity and access across the province.
His applied research is grounded in industry and community needs, integrated deeply into student learning and consistently mobilized into practice, policy and system level change.
Blaine Chartrand is a Sustainability‑Led Integrated Centres of Excellence (SLICE) research chair.
He established the BioScience Applied Research Centre (BARC) and has led externally funded applied research projects with industry and community partners, including Indigenous‑led initiatives addressing environmental health, agriculture and biosciences.
Chartrand’s work has secured substantial competitive research funding for Sask Polytech, expanding applied research infrastructure and providing hands‑on, student‑embedded research training.
He joined Sask Polytech as an instructor, transitioning to program head before becoming research chair. Throughout all phases of his career, Chartrand has been committed to student success.
Congratulations to this year's Faculty Award for Excellence: Teaching, Faculty Award for Innovations in Teaching and Applied Research Award of Excellence recipients. Sask Polytech is grateful for your contributions to student success and to the institution.
