As the Research Lead with HAWIC, Christine is instrumental in guiding applied research projects with NC’s newest innovation centre while drawing on more than 30 years of award-winning teaching experience centred on courses in therapeutic recreation and aging, as well as delivery of specialized education in dementia care.

Christine started her college teaching career at Niagara in 1994, serving as a full-time faculty member until 2002, when she left to become the program coordinator at Georgian College, for the post-graduate Therapeutic Recreation Program. She came back to Niagara College to teach in 2011, serving as program coordinator for the Recreation Therapy Program from 2015-2023. During her time in teaching, she led many other program initiatives designed to enhance student success and develop and strengthen partnerships with community agencies. She also developed full curriculum and performance assessments for several courses in the program.

Christine has now shifted her focus into research, mindful of the teaching implications of the projects, but also the impact on community groups. She has been working on research related to the use of robotic animals as a therapeutic tool in dementia care, and on a project which explores the use of Photovoice as a tool for gathering and implementing student feedback.

Besides being invited to help organize and present at regional, provincial and national conferences over the years, Christine has earned several accolades during her career, including NCSAC Educator of the Year and the President’s Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, both in 2023; the Niagara College Faculty Award of Excellence; and the Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Volunteer Leadership Award. She holds an MSc in Leisure Studies from Pennsylvania State University, a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies from Brock University, and a post-graduate diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Georgian College.