Students are at the centre of our work and we seek and achieve diversity in our people, our academic programs, our ways of knowing and working, and our services.

The role enhances the work of the provost and vice-president, academic in the areas of teaching, learning and student experience:

• We champion and promote the success of our students by recognizing the mind, body and life aspects of wellness and by acknowledging the unique desires, pursuits, and pathways of our learners. We strive to offer consistent, creative and sustainable services that are responsive to current students and anticipate the needs of future students.
• We create environments that empower and challenge staff to offer the highest levels of expertise and service with compassion, integrity and professionalism and to recognize the value of their many contributions.
• We encourage and support our academic instructors in the continuous development of enhanced teaching practices leading to deep and meaningful learning experiences.
• We shape and carry out the vision, mission, values, and strategic commitments of the university and connect with communities to seek guidance and to follow mutual goals.

With a focus on building trust, collaboration and connection, we work with students, colleges, academic instructors, staff and communities, big and small, to realize our passion and purpose.

The Teaching, Learning and Student Experience (TLSE) portfolio covers a tremendous range of activities and functions involving teaching, learning and students at all levels of study.

The units that makeup the TLSE portfolio, include:

• Strategic Enrolment Management
  • Aboriginal Student Centre
  • Admissions and Transfer Credit
  • International Student and Study Abroad Centre
  • University of Saskatchewan Language Centre
  • Student Recruitment
    
• University Registrar’s Office
  • Student Finance and Awards
  • Registrarial Services
  • Student Central
  • Student Information Systems
    
• Student Affairs and Services
  • Student Wellness Centre
  • Access and Equity Services
  • Student Affairs and Outreach
    
• Teaching and Learning Enhancement
  • Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning
  • Media Production 
  • Student Employment and Career Centre
    
• Distance Education Unit
  
• Service Team

• TLSE Units

The vice-provost of teaching, learning and student experience reports to the provost and vice-president, academic.

Patti McDougall serves as vice provost teaching, learning, and student experience and is an associate professor of psychology.

Patti completed her undergraduate degree at Queen's University followed by a Master's of Applied Science at the University of Waterloo, and a Ph.D. in Human Learning, Development and Instruction at the University of British Columbia. She joined St. Thomas More College (federated with the University of Saskatchewan) in 1998 where she worked as a faculty member, assistant dean, associate dean, and interim dean. During her time at STM, Patti was actively engaged in developing interdisciplinary programming and experiential learning opportunities in the humanities and social sciences.

Patti joined the University of Saskatchewan as vice provost of teaching and learning in 2013. Her portfolio broadened in 2014 to include operations and initiatives in teaching, learning, and student experience (TLSE). In her work as vice provost Patti has strategic and operational oversight of centrally organized activities involving the student learning and development cycle. This includes specific leadership responsibilities for strategic areas such as Reconciliation and Indigenization (e.g., curriculum development, student support) as well as responsibilities in the domain of internationalization and future skills. (See the TLSE website for information on people and activities.)

As a developmental and educational psychologist, Patti's research follows two streams. She studies social relationships in childhood and adolescence including such topics as friendship and social status, with a particular focus on studying the long-term impact of bullying and victimization. Her work on bullying has led to a role in national organizations like PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network), which links researchers and youth-serving organizations in a common goal to stop bullying and promote safe and healthy relationships. Patti also investigates the domain of student experience where she examines youth-adult partnerships, the nature of the transition into university, students' educational goals, and factors that impact student retention. She has authored and co-authored articles appearing in American Psychologist, Merril Palmer Quarterly, Social Development, International Journal of Behavioural Development, and Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, among others.

Patti is the recipient of several STM and USask awards for her teaching and commitment to student experience.

Leadership team