Professional photo of staff member standing in the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning

Erin Kaipainen

MA
Pronouns: She/Her

Positions

Director, Experiential & Work-Integrated Learning

Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, TI Experiential Learning Team

Contact information

Phone number

Office: +1 (403) 220-7179

Background

Educational Background

Bachelor of Arts, Honours English Language & Literature, Brock University, 2002

Master of Arts Social Justice & Equity Studies, Brock University, 2006

Biography

As Director, Experiential & Work-Integrated Learning, Erin supports UCalgary’s bold targets in the Experiential Learning Plan (2020-25). Erin is a connector and convenor, committed to supporting the scaling of experiential and work-integrated learning at UCalgary. In partnership with leaders and experts across campus, Erin supports institutional projects such as the Elevate platform for student success and experiential learning, the Student Work Placement Program and the development of new WIL programs.

Erin has spent her professional career supporting student engagement. Her previous work in student affairs focused on service-learning programs, student leadership development and orientation & transition. Her passion for experiential and work-integrated learning stems from her deep involvement in student life at Brock University, and the mentorship she received as a first generation student. Erin is keenly interested in reducing barriers so that all students benefit from learning by doing. She’s also interested in facilitating work to build a strong ecosystem for WIL across the province. In addition to supporting EL and WIL at UCalgary, Erin is the Alberta representative with CEWIL Canada, the national association for Work-Integrated Learning.