Congratulations to Dr. Jannik Haruo Eikenaar who has been appointed Academic Director for the Centre for Teaching and Learning at UBC Okanagan, effective September 1, 2024, for a three-year term.
In this role, Dr. Eikenaar will provide academic leadership and insight into the Centre for Teaching and Learning programming and operations, as well as support key areas such as:
- teaching practice development
- course and program design and evaluation activities
- scholarship of teaching, learning and educational leadership
- learning technology development, delivery and support
Dr. Eikenaar holds an MA in English Literature and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (English Literature and Cultural Studies) from UBC, along with a BA from McGill University. He joined UBC Okanagan in 2013 and is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the School of Engineering, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in communication. He previously served as the Associate Provost, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism from 2022–2023 and currently chairs the UBC Okanagan Senate Academic Policy Committee.
As an Educational Leadership faculty member at UBC, Dr. Eikenaar has significant influence beyond his own classrooms. He coordinates an Indigenous PhD cohort in engineering, and is working with the City of Kelowna and UBC’s Disability Affinity Group to develop accessibility and disability justice programming. His ongoing work demonstrates his commitment to teaching, learning and inclusive excellence.
His passion for teaching, learning and student success is reflected in several awards and recognitions, including the School of Engineering Educational Leadership Award in 2020, the UBC Okanagan Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation as well as recognition through the “Thank a Prof” program in 2021. He was also nominated for the BC Teaching & Learning Council West Coast Teaching Excellence Award in 2023.